bandit like me.

Since she had been back, she had felt like she was in this alternate universe when seeing the people that she once knew and loved. It felt natural to be back in the place that she had left but she also felt completely out of place at the same time. She hadn’t known what it was going to be like once she returned and for the most part, she was welcomed back with open arms. “Its been too long honestly,” she said with a slight chuckle. “Oh how I missed the smells of the ranches,” she laughed before shaking her head. “Believe it or not it is better smelling than the streets of New York, that’s for certain.” She took a moment before she moved to hug him, awkwardly before taking a step back and running her fingers through her hair. “I’ve been good, yeah. You’re looking at one of the best wedding planners that New York has ever seen,” she laughed, “And I think that this environment is perfect for up and coming weddings. I mean besides the smell sometimes, the back drops are going to be amazing, don’t you think?” She knew that that she could make Great Falls her home again even after all of these years. “How have you been?”

.

His internal debate was concluded for him as Savannah went in for a hug. It was fast, one armed and kind of awkward, but Ryder wouldn’t say that. Anyways he didn’t think he had to - there was a chance the uncomfortable feeling was mutual. Grinning a little Ryder held a hand out to the expanse of land around them. “Well welcome to the sights sounds and smells of Ward Ranch. Y’been around Centurion yet?” Brown eyes widened and eyebrows arched up as he heard about Savannah’s wild city life. “Oh wow, the best? So you’re officially saying goodbye to New York and comin back here?” The way she was talking about future weddings on the ranch made him pause. Not in a bad way - Savannah was a nice woman, he enjoyed hanging out with her when they did. But how would that affect his cousin? “Eh me? Been alright. Workin hard mostly. Ranches never sleep - so at least that part of New York City followed you.”

–

Gabe wastes little time plucking a cigarette from Ryder’s pack and lighting it. Inhaling a long, steadying drag, he leans back against the side of the truck the younger man is perched on and eases out a smoke stained sigh. “Think the last year’s just weighin’ on him— losin’ his mom, his brother…I dunno,” his voice trails off and he shrugs his shoulders, unsure of really how to put what he’s thinking into words, “I just think he’s lost right now, honestly.” Glancing over at Ryder, Gabe nods and tugs another drag from his cigarette, “Yeah? That’d be great. Long days would be good for him.”

.

He wasn’t directly acquainted with loss, but Ryder felt for the kid. Losing his family would definitely change him the way it seemed Gabe was saying his son was changing. “Well, if there’s anything else I can do to help, y’let me know alright? In the meantime - we start practicing next week. He can come by and let him dip his toe in the whole thing. I’m sure the kids would love having someone closer to their age helping.”

-

“Yes, I see that. He seems to invite in all the strays that roam around town.” It was a jab, but one that Ryder should have expected. He might as well have been their sibling rather than their cousin. “Contained and uncontained? I should join, why? So I can have my eyebrows burned off by the fire that the two of you can’t control? I’d rather eat a brick.” It sounded like a one-way ticket to the sheriffs’ department for setting half of the town on fire, but she remembered the bonfires from back when she was a teenager - back before she spent a fortune on her clothes. “Grab me a Michelob. I think there are two left.” She called out, before standing from the couch and making her way into the kitchen. “Well, the office in Montana is still under construction, and I’ve resulted from working from home. But, now I’ve been interrupted.” 

.

“Aw Sawyer,” Ryder said, a fake pout sitting on the corners of his mouth. “Don’t talk about yourself like that,” Smirking, he leaned his elbows against the back of the couch, hovering a little bit over her shoulder. “Who said we can’t control it? We’re really good with fire. I only got my pants caught on fire like...twice. Anyways, your eyebrows wouldn’t be the first thing to burn off. You’d probably be bald first.” Scoffing, the ranch hand pushed himself up to head into the kitchen to grab two beers. Popping the tops of the bottles off on the counter top, Ryder grinned. “Yeah you’re welcome. I’m sure whatever you were doing was way less interesting than me being here.”

The Farmer’s Market was where Buck liked to get his syrup of all things, hating the grocery store brands. So he braved the busy streets in order to find his favorite local syrup and honey. Soon enough, he was colliding into Ryder of all people. In an alternate universe, he’d know about his daughter’s love life and whatever was going on with Ryder. Unfortunately, however, he just knew Ryder as a Ward ranch hand. If he knew that Ryder was involved with Becky, he probably wouldn’t be as nice to him. 

 “I’m good, takes more than that to knock me down. Y’know, I was a bull rider, it ain’t easy to get me down for good.” He’s definitely been knocked down before but if Buck could plug in his profession, he was going to. “You’re lucky I didn’t have my syrup in hand or that could’a been a sticky situation. Kids are deceivingly bulldozers. You good too?”  

.

Buck Ward was far from Ryder’s favorite person. The years growing up with Becky, being protective over the man’s daughter, loving the man’s daughter, he found himself getting frustrated with the older man. But on the other hand - Buck was a Ward, and he worked on his ranch. So the ranch hand wasn’t about to start a fight in the middle of a farmers market. Snorting a little, he nods slightly. “Yeah Buck I remember the bull riding thing.” It was impressive for sure, he couldn’t imagine participating in something like that. “Me? Yeah, ‘m good. Didn’t have anything in my hands so it’s all good. Just passin’ time this mornin’ y’know?”

“Hey, don’t let it get you down, man. We can’t all be pretty. But don’t worry, if you stole her away, then no one would have drinks and everyone would be up in arms,” he reminds Ryder, shrugging as he does. Nico isn’t saying the guy is bad looking– arguably, he’d usually get his way probably but not with Nico right next to him, at least in his opinion. The drinks in front of them though are enough to keep the pair happy. “Blood pressure? You think I’m worried about my blood pressure? Am I 80?” he asks, blinking blankly at Ryder. “I’m more worried about my sanity. Sitting around the station waiting for something to happen is a lot shittier than sitting at home on vacation and getting the call to go somewhere,” he shrugs. “I take it you’re not an adrenaline junkie? Bummer.”

.

Rolling his eyes Ryder snorted. “Ah yeah, I’m really broken up that she didn’t want me,” he deadpanned, taking another swig of his beer. “Don’t know how I’m going to survive this,” waving a hand at his companion, the ranch hand gave him a shrug, eyeing him. “You’d be a very young looking 80 - but isn’t that like, part of your job? They keep a close eye on that shit?” He had no idea, most of the time his job just led to lack of sleep. “Eh never said I wasn’t an adrenaline junkie...but you get whipped off a horse one time, you kinda start to appreciate the quiet moments, y’know?”

Marin had become a morning person against her will. She  spent so many nights falling asleep at 4 am, that the fact that she now starts her day at the same time feels comical. But, the bakery had to be ready to open by 8. It had been a part of the job that she once loathed — After four straight years of it, however, she was conditioned to get out of bed rather than hit snooze. That was only aided by a large cup of coffee, something that gave her enough caffeine to make it out the front door. 

She could count on one hand the amount of times Becky was awake as early as she was. Honestly, she’s pretty sure it was only once — And the two only ran into each other because her roommate had to use the bathroom. She doesn’t think much of the faint sound of the other woman’s door opening, or the footsteps approaching — Until she realizes it’s not Becky. Marin sits on the counter top, watching as a half awake Ryder enters the kitchen, nearly jumping across the room when he realizes he’s not alone. Arching a brow, she doesn’t flinch with the arrival of her unexpected guest. Taking a sip of her coffee, she eyes the man in front of her. Honestly, it was a matter of time before /something/ happened between Ryder and Becky, so finding him wandering out of the red head’s room half naked one morning wasn’t all that shocking. Marin was happy they’d finally got on with it — Becky and Ryder were a good match for each other. Apparently now she’d have someone to share a morning coffee with, too. 

Wordlessly, she gives a wave in response, nodding towards the cabinet next to her left. “Mugs are in there.” She had a feeling the smell of coffee was what brought him there. “Gotta get the ball rolling early,” Marin answers simply, before adding: “I can’t leave the good people of Great Falls without their donuts and kolaches.” The sarcasm in her tone is evident, as she raises her mug in a small cheers as she speaks. “I forget you’re stuck getting up this early too, even on a day off. Late night?” The question has an obvious answer — One she’s not looking for Ryder to give detail on — but her curiosity gets the best of her, wanting to know the context of him spending the night. 

.

As he tried to catch his breath, Ryder waggled a finger at the woman on the counter. “Swear to God, you’re like a fuckin’ ghost.” Once he caught his breath he’d be able to laugh about the situation, but right now as he was still waking up, the ranch hand was trying to get his heart rate down. Nodding in thanks, Ryder reached into the right cabinet and grabbed the first mug he saw. It looked like it was painted by Becky, he’d look at it more closely later - appreciating the artistry - but for now he was appreciating the pot of coffee her roommate made. 

Once the coffee was in his mug, Ryder turned to lean his back against the ridge of the counter top. Snorting a little, the man lifted his mug in a silent cheers motion. “Once your body forces itself awake at 4 am to help with the birth of a calf on a day off, it’s hard to stay asleep when you’re not on the clock.” It was a really gratifying part of his job, if not exhausting and kinda disgusting. The tips of his ears went red just slightly at Marin’s question and the implications behind it. “Yeah guess you could say that. What about you? Feels like I haven’t seen you since the fair.”

.

The young wrangler nodded in agreement with his statement. She did indeed have her own vices, but so did many of those around her. Even if she actively tried to avoid it, she knew that one of them or all of them were bound to arise again whenever her metaphorical glass of emotional tolerance got too full. “I mean, I don’t know.” June shifted and took another puff from the vape. “It’s stupid, right? None of my problems are like real problems. I’m not dying or unable to afford things or anything. I’m just overreacting and overly emotional about a bunch of life things that keep piling up and I don’t need to annoy you or anyone else with all of that.” Her hand waved in a circle toward him, giving him an indication of just how much he didn’t want that evil unleashed on him.

June shrugged. “Willow Creek is fine, I hang out with the horses or I’m in my studio. I only end up going out to the rest of the ranch if I want to bother my brother or I’m callin’ Tater Tot in for the night.” Sometimes she swore that the dog would rather sleep with the cows than hang out with her. But, she always came around when she wanted some love and food. “I’m positive you’ll get a second one, Ryder. I’m totally team Recky.” Maybe Bryder? Whatever, he got the point. The mention of his cousin had her nose wrinkled and lips shrugged to the side. “We crossed paths at the fair, had a drink. I don’t know what’s going on there, complicated as usual.” She laughed. His cousin could probably be considered one of her vices at that point.

.

“I mean,” Ryder started, shaking loose ash off his cigarette as he thought about her question. “Problems are problems right? Like yeah, they might not be as astronomical as other people’s but that doesn’t mean you should just pretend like you don’t have problems. Burying that shit is never good.” He’s had experience with bottling shit up - and it has never ended well. Ready to ask about whoever Tater Tot was, when the ranch hand barked out a laugh. “The fuck is a Recky?” He asked, stepping on the remainder of his cigarette he dropped on the ground. “Haven’t ever heard that before.”

Pursing his lips, arms crossed, Ryder leaned against the wall behind them. “Well, when I saw him at the fair he was focusing real hard on the pie eating contest, so maybe that was keeping him preoccupied,” he offered before raising an eyebrow. “Good complicated or bad complicated?”

–

Leaning against a section of fencing that was still intact, Gabe shakes Ryder’s hand and offers a soft, crooked smile, “I’m makin’ it,” he answers with a firm nod. Some days are better than others and most of the time Gabe’s just trying to keep his head above water, but he figures most of that goes without saying. He’s mostly worried about his kids and how they’re making it through the day to day without their mother and their brother. “Nice. Congrats, man,” Gabe replies, happy to hear that Ryder is still at it. “Reason I ask is, Tyler’s really been strugglin’ the last year,” he explains, knowing he likely doesn’t need to elaborate beyond that. “Y’all need any help runnin’ drills or somethin’? Thinkin’ it might be good for him to get involved in somethin’ again, get some kinda routine goin’.”

.

Whistling at the man still standing by the fence, Ryder tossed the roll of wire in his hand in that general direction before turning back to Gabe. “Aren’t we all,” He agreed, offering the older man a cigarette as he moved to sit on the hood of the pick up for a break. Ryder listened to the man talk about his son as he pocketed his lighter. “Strugglin, is everything alright?” Exhaling smoke, Ryder raised an eyebrow. Either way he nodded. “I think he definitely could. We’re starting summer training in a few weeks he could come by. Long days though,”

On the night in question— the night when he’d seen Savannah for the first time in six years, Bash had been extremely interested in how Ryder and Becky’s night was going to be. Admittedly, he’s been wrapped up in his own shit and hasn’t really been getting all the details of what’s been happening since that night. Maybe that would’ve been a better, more lighthearted conversation but a few beers down and Bash wasn’t feeling so lighthearted. “Yeah, her dad’s sick,” he tells Ryder, easily. It’s not like he was going to say anything to anyone about it. “So she’s back in town and I guess going to be staying for a while. I don’t know; my mind kinda went blank.” It’s funny to think that a young Ryder was in his and Savannah’s wedding in a smaller version of Bash’s suit for the preteen. Now, here he was, drinking beer and cleaning up with his cousin, Ryder much older than even when Bash had made the decision to marry Sav. “We’re going to meet up, if I can get my shit together and figure out what I want to say to her. I always just assumed that I wouldn’t see her again.” And maybe that wouldn’t have been better but at least it was a plan.

.

Bash had obviously been broken up when Savannah left, so hearing that she ran into him at the fair put Ryder on alert. That had been weeks ago and Bash seemed to keep it together well enough, or at least Ryder was stuck in his own world too much to notice. But sitting here, Bash looked way less than okay, so Ryder nudged him a little and shrugged. “Meeting up sounds like a good idea,” He said, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied the older man he was standing beside. “I mean I didn’t expect her to come around again either. You know what you’re gunna say?” He was sure there was a lot on Bash’s mind when it came to Savannah. But Ryder wasn’t sure it was all going to be good to air out on the first meeting.

“I’m all about a little variety— but right now I can’t get shit so we’re choosing between nothing and more nothing. Damn shame,” he says, as he watches the bartender finally approaching. God, how long has it been? It felt like two hours. “Please for the love of God, get me and my good looking friend here a beer. I’ve been waving around this hundred dollar beer but I’m thinking I’m going to have to offer his services of charm next time. Isn’t he pretty? Take him,” he teases, a large grin easily spreading across his face as he watches the poor bartender (who’s clearly already overwhelmed) lose her train of thought. “Scraps is all I’m asking for,” he adds as two beers are placed in front of him. “And scraps I have gotten. Please come back to us soon,” he smiles handing over the hundred, as promised. Turning his dramatic attention back to Ryder, he shrugs. “Usually I’d be figuring out the best points to hit with what. We’d be fighting the same fires for days, if not weeks or months. Sometimes you’d be in the thick of shit and all of a sudden all Hell broke loose and you gotta run your ass with all your gear. Saving cats in trees has nothing on that.”

.

Eyes narrowing at Nico’s onslaught of compliments about his looks, Ryder snorted as the bartender presented them with new drinks and ran as far away from the two men as possible. Probably because she was swamped, but also probably to get away from them and their antics. “I guess my looks weren’t good enough to keep her around.” Laughing as he brought his fresh beer to his mouth, the younger man shook his head. Listening to what Nico did on a day to day basis fighting wildfires made him whistle low, drumming his fingers against wet glass. “Yeah but that’s gotta be good for your blood pressure right? Not having to be on alert and running for your life. Sometimes a cat in a tree is all you need in a day.”

Ari yet again got roped into coming to the Farmer’s Market with Ryder. She had a problem saying no, which was something she was becoming to find out was more of an issue as of late. It wasn’t that she didn’t like hanging out with Ryder, it was more so Farmers Market’s bored her. It was always the same thing, different vendors. It kind of got old after awhile, espeically after attending for the third weekend in a row - however, she did have to admit it was nice getting out of the house. 

“Because you’re not on your A game.” She said after regaining her footing, and bending down to pick up the bag of apples she had bought from a few stalls down. “Kids man. You should see trying to do a trail ride with a group of them.” 

.

He appreciated when he had someone going to the Farmers Market with him. It was more fun, and for the past few weekends he’s been dragging Ari along with him. It took a bribe or two - this time was the promise of iced coffee - but he convinced her to go with him yet again. It was a nice change of pace from the dog park that they usually hung out at while their dogs ran around. “Y’should see the ones I coach,” Ryder countered. “Bunch’a preteen boys. Stuff from nightmares sometimes.” However she was right - he wasn’t on his A game. Passing Ari a bag of dog treats for her to inspect, the ranch hand shrugged. “Wasn’t expecting a whole army of children to try and take me out while I was trying to get dog treats. How dare I, right?”

-

The farmers market is about the last place you’d find Jasper on a regular Sunday. Not when the locals are dressed in their after church best letting their tiny little demon kids run free. No fuckin’ thank you. 

Except… there’s this little old lady who sells the most incredible baked goods you’ve ever put in your mouth. And Jasper has charmed his way into a lifetime discount by promising to date her grandson if he ever comes to visit. And when a craving calls, it simply must be answered. Particularly those cravings brought on by a Sunday morning hit from what was left of last night’s stash.

Jasper is actually impressed with himself, managing to dodge bodies on his way to his one and only destination. His ego is slowly inflating like someone pumping helium into a balloon. Until, that is, someone slams into him from behind (He won’t hold that against himself–he doesn’t have eyes back there). Jasper grabs onto the nearest table to keep from falling on his ass and while he doesn’t bring the whole thing down, he hits it hard enough to knock over a few jars of jam and earn himself an evil glare from a lady with an aggressive dishwater blonde bob circa TLC reality shows of the mid 2000s. “Dunno why you’re pissed at me, lady. I’ve got all four eyes on my kids,” Jasper tips his sunglasses down to the point of his nose, “and they’re not runnin’ around here like bats outta hell.” He turns his back to her, gripping Ryder’s arm to help him steady himself. “They’re not regular kids. Those are Children of the Corn level evil but worse because their parents are rich and don’t believe in them ever experiencing consequences. You You okay?”

.

Grabbing onto Jasper’s elbow to make sure he didn’t take the entire jam display down with them, Ryder steadied the other man, smirking a little as he watched the interaction between the two people before him. “Hey Sharon, nice to see you again,” Dodging the glare from Sharon, Ryder nudged Jasper toward the next stall. “There’s just something about kids with post church energy. Being forced to sit still all morning leads to bad things.” Shaking his head, Ryder nodded toward the baked good booth right ahead. “C’mon I’ll buy you a pastry to soothe the pain of potentially being taken out by a bunch of kids. I’m good - was ready for a relaxing day at the Farmers Market but it looks like that’s not happening.” Hands in his pockets the ranch hand took in the display in front of him. “How’s it been with you?”

The farmer’s market was a weekly must-do for Owen. Not only did he know the value of getting unmanufactured foods wherever possible, he was also a big supporter of farmers and all things small business. After all, the small business owners and farmers were the staple of their community. It was usually an all morning event when they went. Owen was often stopped by people who either wanted to talk sports, someone he coached, or just small talk to say hi. Colt ran off with a few friends from school and Bailey held his hand until she was too tired and he carried her for a while. 

He was just saying goodbye to a long-time neighbor of his parents when the person collided with him. “Ope, watch out.” The coach checked to make sure Bailey was okay and she was busy eyeing a honey stick, blissfully unaware of anything around her. He then tried to see if Colt was among those running children but they were no longer in sight. “Never underestimate the power of hyperactive children, especially if they’re in a group.” Owen chuckled and gave the younger man a quick pat on the shoulder. “Oh yeah, we’re good. No harm no foul. You okay, son?” He asked looking him over quick. 

.

Snorting a little bit and making sure that the kids weren’t actually hurt, Ryder turned back to who he collided with. Snorting a little, the ranch hand watches the kids run off. “That’s why the youngest I coach is sixth grade,” Sixth graders also didn’t have as many parents breathing down his neck about safety in a sport they signed their kids up for. He took their kids safety very seriously and taught them everything he knew. However, if he got another can you make sure his helmet is tight enough? Comment in the middle of a game, he was going to throw a clipboard. “Ah yeah, I’m alright.” Looking down, he realized a few other products fell when he lost his balance. “Just buyin my dog more than I expected to today,” He snorts, passing his credit card over to the woman behind the table. “Have we met before?” Ryder asked, tilting his head to the side. “y’look a little familiar is all.”

“That is a lovely offer, thank you. But I’m afraid I already have a date.” With a toothy grin that stretched on for miles, Phoebe dismounted from her beloved Penny, keeping the reins in hand as she circled around her to give a gently pat against her shoulder. “But I’ll take a raincheck.” There was no date, never was anymore and amazing enough, she prefered it that. She wasn’t even sure she was even one of those people that could date. It  was just going to be a solid date alone at Neon Moon and a whiskey for the road — a perfect ending to the perfect day.

Adjusting her truckers hat, Phoebe sighed as her lips made a pfft sound, “My morning is just getting started. Thought I’d get here early for the sunrise — the Wards have the best view for it and I’m not even sure they know it.” It was just over the ridge that made it an idyllic sight for sore eyes. Her father used to take her there most mornings, mostly when she was younger and eager to hang out with him — if she had a moment to do it differently, she would’ve kept it up well throughout her teenage years. “How ‘bout yours? You get a coffee yet?”

.

“What?” Ryder asked with a snort. “You’re going to skip out on picking up shit to hang out with someone? Scandalous,” Chuckling, the ranch hand set his tools aside and leaned against the gate he was beside. Glancing behind her, he took in said view that she was there to appreciate. it really was a nice view. Especially this early in the morning when the sun was partially risen. “Best part of the morning,” He admitted. Taking his hat off to smooth his hair underneath it, Ryder shrugged at her question. Does half a cup from a cold carafe that no one changed out last night count?”