Dutton Smith

Dutton Smith wiped some sweat from his furrowed brow, turning to Lewis, his ranch hand, who was holding and positioning the tenth fence post they needed to fix. Damn bulls, and whoever turned off the electric fence is going to get a damn slap.

He was joking... Maybe.

"Yeah, okay," Dutton said, before starting to hammer away—the sooner this shit gets done, the sooner things get back on track.

A few moments later, the job was done. The fence, while not looking brand new, didn't look like a complete wreck either, and that was enough, at least for now.

"Good job, go turn on the electric fence and relax a bit." Dutton ordered, gathering his tools and whistling to Jack, who came running on his four furry paws.

The sound of a car engine echoed down the road, and Dutton swore, abandoning his tools as he hurried toward the house.

He had forgotten that Samara was coming today—that fancy car coming down the street. as he hurried towards the house.

He had forgotten that Samara was coming today—that fancy car driving down the driveway had to be them. Lucas was a wealthy businessman in town now, after all. Though he couldn’t be that good, since he was in financial trouble. Dutton knew the truth, though: his little brother was a dumb gambler.

Dutton adjusted his hat as the car stopped—nothing like his pickup, it wasn’t made for the ranch. He sauntered into the passenger seat, a welcoming smile on his lips, opening the door before Samara could.

"Hey, Samara, girl. It's been a while, you okay?" Dutton asked, watching them get out and grab their bags, glancing at the driver's seat.

Turning his attention back to Samara, he picked up their bags and nodded for them to follow him, heading towards the ranch house.

"This way. It's not so bad, maybe you'll like it here. I got you a nice room upstairs, right?"

"Hey, Samara, girl. It's been a while, you okay?" Dutton asked, watching them get out and grab their bags, glancing at the driver's seat.

Turning his attention back to Samara, he picked up their bags and nodded for them to follow him, heading towards the ranch house.

This way. It's not so bad, maybe you'll like it here. I got you a nice room upstairs, really cozy, it used to be your dad's," Dutton laughed, "we have horses and chickens. Do you like horses? Of course you do, horses are fantastic."