Work Text:
As John Dutton walked toward the dining room, he knew getting everyone through this meal was going to be futile. With Rip leaving that morning with the guys and the herd, he knew his daughter was going to be hell on wheels. He meant what he told Rip, Beth did seem to be getting wilder with each passing year. What he neglected to say, however, was the peace he saw in her whenever Rip was around. The happiness. And, he had just sent that peace and happiness away. For at least a year. God help them all.
It didn't help matters that they were eating in the dining room, a room she evidently loathed. It amazed him, honestly amazed him, that Rip had figured that out in one fucking meal. One meal, when John hadn't been able to get that out of her in two plus decades. What the fuck.
It was unavoidable though. With Rip gone and Kayce out of a job, he had asked Monica and Kayce to move home so Kayce could handle the day-to-day needs of the ranch while he was needed to run the State of Montana. That meant their were 6 seats needed for meals and that meant they would be dining in that hated room for a year.
What he didn't expect as he sat at the head of the table with Beth at his right, Summer at his left, was the almost blanket of grief feel that encased the room. Cater seemed absolutely dejected and even Tate was quieter than normal. What the literal fuck.
He pulled himself out of his internal reverie and tuned back into the conversation when he felt fury radiating from his right. His daughter looked as if she was going to come over the table and Rip Summer's head off. He had no idea what he missed as he thought they had reqched a tenuous truce. But that truce definitely seemed to be gone.
Wearily, he decided to join the conversation. "I'm sorry, Summer, what did you say?"
"Well, dad, your girlfriend just asked Carter how he could miss my piece of shit husband.."
"Now, Beth, that isn't exactly what I asked. But, everyone at this table has seen Rip talk to Carter and I think everyone would agree that it's borderline abuse."
Beth opened her mouth to respond, but Carter was faster to find his words.
"Beth, I would like to respond, if that's okay."
Carter unconsciously held his breath for the couple of heartbeats it took for Beth to nod. He could tell she was seething and it secretly warmed him on the inside that she was letting him respond. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves as all five sets of eyes were glued to him.
"Summer, I don't know if this will make sense, but this is the best way I know how to explain it. You've only seen the Yellowstone Rip. Or maybe the work Rip is a better way to put it. And, the Yellowstone Rip is tough and he expects a lot, but he's doing that to ultimately protect me. If I don't know how to do something or mess something up, and can't figure out a way to fix it when he's around or panic when he's riding my ass, then what happens when there's an emergency and he ain't aaround? How I react and either keep my head about me or freak the fuck out may determine whether I make it home. I would rather have pressure now and know I can handle the pressure than be put in a bad situation and not have a clue.
But, there's also the off work Rip. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss the ranch Rip, but I'm sad about the other Rip being gone. He's the one that I sit and talk to every night after work, before we shower and show up for supper, that tells me what I did right that day. He also tells me anything I could have done better or if there's an easier way to do something. He's the one I get to ask to teach or show me something or practice with. He's the man that didn't leave me on a side of a road and gave me a job when I asked for one, even though I had no clue what I was doing. That Rip I will miss."
At this point, Tate couldn't stop himself. "He does the same for me. I know it's different with me because I have my mom and dad, but we also don't live on a working ranch when we're home. So, when I'm here and dad's gone working at the Livestock Commission, Rip is the one I go to with questions or would ask for help. He can also be funny when he wants to be. And Carter is right. When he's working and we're there, he is tough. On me too, but he just wants to help us learn like he would anyone else. I think that's what I like most- he doesn't treat me like I'm a kid or like I can't learn or do something. He wants me to be able to do everything someday and he lets me start trying stuff now."
"For me, I think the way he treats me and Tate shows that Tate's last name and my relationship with him and Beth shows everyone that we're not special and all the guys in the bunkhouse should treat us like everyone else. I like that."
When Carter looked over at Beth, he thought her eyes looked shiny. She just simply covered his hand and gave a small smile while murmuring "well said, baby. Just remember that there's to be no cussing at the table."
Carter shrugged his shoulders and looked at Summer. Finally, he said, "I don't know if any of this makes sense to you but it's the only way I know how to explain it. Sometimes, things aren't always how they seem. Sometimes there is more to someone than they want you to see."
Summer was quiet the rest of the meal and somehow Beth didn't say much after that. Actually, no one really said anything for the rest of the meal. Beth was the first one to excuse herself. John thought he would find her on the porch with whiskey in her hand, but she wasn't out there. As he sat down to watch the horizon, he heard faint tell-tale scratching above him. She was on the damn roof again. He smirked as he was certain she was on the phone with a certain cowboy and she had found a way to stare at the stars with him again.