Yellowstone: Wind in the Smoke

Dante took Beth for a walk around the ranch, reminiscing about their past and how it shaped their lives as adults.

"If I hadn't insisted on going with you that day, you might not have had the chance to be a mother now," Dante said, recalling the time he intervened when Beth, as a desperate teenager, sought to terminate her pregnancy.

James had suggested taking her to a hospital on the Indian reservation, where procedures were done discreetly, but at a cost: the irreversible loss of the ability to conceive again. Dante had prevented this by bribing the attending doctors, ensuring Beth received care without lasting consequences.

He didn't blame her. Beth had already shouldered enough guilt for their mother's death and continued punishing herself for her mistakes. Even now, she bore the weight of her past without respite.

"You should stay home, help with the new ventures, and steer clear of that company trying to sink us," Dante said as they approached the cabin.

Beth hesitated but eventually replied, "I can't stand being here for too long."

"You'll get through it. I think you will, especially if you finally sort out your... peculiar relationship with Rip. The poor guy deserves a break from all the drama."

Beth turned and shot him a sharp glare. "You've got the wrong idea. There's nothing going on between Rip and me."

Dante muttered, giving her a knowing look. "Oh, come on, Beth. Even Dad knows you're sleeping with Rip."

Scud, Dante's dog, paid no attention to the heated exchange and sprawled lazily on the rug in front of the sofa.

Beth began exploring the cabin's interior while Dante pushed her suitcase down the hall to the right-hand bedroom, turning on the light as he entered.

Because of her unpredictable visits, Beth always had a room reserved. Dante checked to ensure the hot and cold water, as well as the electricity in the bathroom, were functioning properly. After confirming there were no small critters hiding in the corners, he moved to the kitchen to verify there was enough food.

Through the doorway, he spotted Scud sitting in Beth's lap, wagging his tail as she gently wiped his paws with a towel.

"Good night. Sleep well—you must be exhausted from the trip," Dante said after making sure everything was in order. He set the house key on the table and prepared to leave. "My room is just down the hall. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. Scud, come here."

The dog growled softly in protest, and Dante, despite his love for his sister, realized it had become increasingly difficult to have a normal conversation with her.

He glanced at his phone as he walked towards the barn. It was past midnight.

With little desire to sleep, he abandoned the idea of going to his room and headed to an open plot of land where he envisioned building greenhouses. The ranch had yet to focus on cultivating crops, and though Lee occasionally planted simple things like potatoes, he lacked the discipline to maintain them. Dante wanted to change that, believing that even small improvements could make a lasting difference.

"No more wasting time," he muttered.

After returning to the cabin, he took a shower and finally went to bed, determined to tackle the day ahead with a renewed sense of purpose.