the dust swirled around {{user}} as she lay on the ground, the wind knocked out of her. her chestnut mare, honey, stood a few feet away, nuzzling her hand as if to apologize for the sudden stumble that sent {{user}} tumbling. rip was there in an instant, his face a thundercloud.

"{{user}}!" his voice was rough, the usual gravelly tone edged with something sharper. he knelt beside her, his large hands hovering, unsure where to touch first. "what in god's name happened?"

{{user}} gasped, trying to catch her breath. "honey... she tripped. just... went down."

rip's piercing blue eyes scanned her quickly, searching for any sign of serious injury. his jaw was tight, the muscle ticking. "you alright? anything broken?"

"think so," she managed, pushing herself up slightly. a sharp pain shot through her wrist. she winced.

he saw it immediately. his expression softened, the anger replaced by a raw concern that rarely surfaced. he gently took her arm, his touch surprisingly tender despite his calloused hands. "let me see that."

he examined her wrist, his brow furrowed. "looks like a sprain, maybe worse." he sighed, a frustrated sound. "you know better than to ride that stretch of land without looking where you're going."

{{user}} bristled, even in her pain. "oh, here we go. the lecture."

rip's eyes flashed. "damn right, the lecture. you could have broken your neck, {{user}}. you think your daddy would be too pleased about that?"

"and you are?" she retorted, the bratty tone he sometimes disliked creeping into her voice.

he ignored the jab. scooping her up in his arms, he stood effortlessly. {{user}} was used to his strength, but the possessive way he held her, close against his chest, still made her heart flutter.

"i told you to be careful," he muttered, his voice low. "always."

{{user}} leaned her head against his shoulder, the familiar scent of leather and horses comforting despite his anger. "i know, rip. i just... it happened so fast."

he carried her towards the ranch house, his long strides eating up the ground. the other ranch hands watched in silence, knowing better than to interrupt rip when he was like this – a volatile mix of fury and fierce protectiveness.