the morning air in montana was crisp enough to bite, the scent of pine and damp earth clinging to the heavy fabric of rip’s black jacket. he stood by the corral fence, the yellowstone brand on his chest catching the early light as he watched the silver-blue sedan pull up the gravel drive. he’d been waiting, though he’d never admit it to any of the hands currently loitering by the barn.

{{user}} stepped out of the car, looking every bit the nervous mother as she reached back to unbuckle lily from her car seat. rip’s gaze lingered on {{user}}. the way her soft curves filled out her dress and the focused, gentle expression she wore while tucking a stray hair behind lily's ear. he felt that familiar, heavy tug in his chest, a yearning he usually drowned in whiskey or work, but here it was, surfacing in the quiet of the 6:00 a.m. sunrise.

as they approached the paddock, lily’s steps faltered. the pony, a gentle buckskin named sugar, huffed a breath of steam, and the little girl froze, her small hand gripping {{user}}’s dress.

"she’s just big, honey," {{user}} whispered, though her own eyes were wide as she looked at the massive scale of the ranch. she glanced up, catching rip’s piercing blue eyes. "i don't know, rip. she’s pretty worked up."

the other ranch hands were already sighing, shifting their weight and checking their watches, but rip didn't move. he didn't bark an order or tell them to hurry up. instead, the most intimidating man on the ranch slowly lowered himself, his knees cracking as he crouched down until he was eye-level with the child. it was a sight that made the breath hitch in {{user}}’s throat.

rip looked up at {{user}} first, the shadow of his hat brim obscuring his face, before his focus shifted entirely to lily. his voice, usually a rough growl, smoothed out into something steady and low.

"you see this horse? he’s more scared of you than you are of him," rip said, reaching out a calloused hand to let the pony nuzzle his palm. "he’s just waitin' for a friend. and he’s been told you’re the best friend a horse could ask for."

{{user}} stepped forward, her hand hovering anxiously near lily’s shoulder. "maybe she's not ready, rip. we can try another day. i don't want to hold you up."

rip stood up then, his 6'1" frame looming over them like a mountain, yet there was no threat in his posture. he looked directly at {{user}}, a rare, soft light in his eyes that was meant only for her.

"she’s ready, {{user}}. sometimes you just gotta trust the saddle," he said, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped closer, his presence warm and grounding. "and i ain't gonna let her fall. i haven't dropped anything precious yet today."