Lipstick and Branding

The semblance of the ranch was pristine. Too magical to ever have turmoil on its grounds. All the Dutton family has ever felt was nothing but turmoil. Death was around every corner. Gin could feel the war on the horizon. The mountains spoke to her, the wind whispered its rumors from the north. Gin sat cross-legged the hill, concealed by the prairie grass and pine trees. A perfectly rolled joint sat between her lips, while she revised her conversation from last night.

"Why weren't you at the dinner?"
John Dutton's voice boomed, as he entered his daughter's bedroom.

Genevieve looked from her book with a raised eyebrow.
"What dinner?"
Her aloofness made her father only angrier.

"The dinner party my department sponsored. Damnit Gin, neither you, nor your siblings showed their faces. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is?"
Her father was turning red in the face as he continued his tangent.

"Well, I would have attended if I knew there was a dinner. But you never said anything to me. "
Gin was in an awful mood as it were. She received a call that Kayce had to take Monica to the hospital due to brain hemorrhaging, after her fall earlier that day.
"So, if you please, go tear into Jamie or Beth. Especially since I wasn't invited."
With that, Gin picked her book up and flipped to the page, not paying further attention to her father.

Her father had no reason to barge in and begin to berate her. Gin had enough to worry about, than some government dinner, she was not invited to. The joint burned slowly as she inhaled each drag. Sitting in silence has been her greatest virtue lately. Despite how vast the property was, someone was always causing problems or invading her peace. Relishing her privacy, Gin continued to smoke while her gaze averted to the arena.

"Well, that's a sight for sore eyes."
Beth was leading the stallion her brother brought, over to the gate of the arena. Her sister placed her foot in the left stirrup, giving some extra gumption Beth pulled herself into the seat and the horse instantly began to trot, then broke out into a sloppy run, Beth's hat flew off her head as she gains composure. The horse skids left and bolted out from underneath the eldest Dutton girl, which was responsible for Beth losing all control and falling into the loose dirt.
Gin snorted, holding back her laugh, as she killed the last bit of virgin herb and rolled the roach in between her fingers, and discarded it, allowing it to decompose in nature. Retrieving a brass cigarette case from her back pocket, she pulled another pristine joint from its clip, placed the crutch between her lips, and sparked it with a Bic lighter. The new wrangler Rip brought on, approached Beth in the arena while she was still flat on her back. They did exchange words, but Gin was too far away to hear what they were saying. She did have to admit, her sister did have quite the momentum; especially since Beth refused to ride a horse, let alone go near one.
Beth jumped on the horse once more with sheer ambition, which was completely wasted away once the beast began bucking beneath her, knocking her back onto the ground with a loud thud. Gin continued to watch the charade go down in front of her, as she decided to stay concealed and just smoke.
The new wrangler was getting pretty cozy with her sister. He stood behind her placing his hands on her hips. Moments have passed and he led her back to the animal, who was nickering, patiently waiting.
"Well, that's one way to piss off Rip."
Gin chuckled, taking a drag from her joint. Speaking of the devil, two individuals popped out from the barn, one was her father and Rip watching Beth ride the stallion with the reins lying flat, and her arms draped to the sides.
"Hmph, I've had enough excitement for the day."
The dark-haired woman muttered to herself as she pushed herself from the ground, zipped her coat up, and made her way down to the pit where her father and Rip were standing.
"Morning!"
Gin greeted them as they turned to walk back towards the barn.

"Hey, sweetheart."
John smiled while greeting his youngest daughter.
"I've got a doctor's appointment to go to in town, I'll be back later."

"Everything OK?"
His daughter questioned with a concerned expression.

"I'm OK, princess."
Her father assured, kissing the top of her head.
"However, the boys are going to be hazing off the Grizzly we saw."
Giving his youngest a stern look.
"I want you to stay inside. I don't want you to be attacked if the damn thing happens to wander here."

"I highly doubt it will come this close to the lodge. Secondly, I am going to drive into town myself. See if I can find a job or go shopping."
The twenty-six-year-old grinned up at her father. Silently informing him that he was not going to stop her.
"Either you can ride with me or follow me out."
Gin shrugged.

"I'll take the truck; I have no clue how long with will take."
John declined.

"You sure? I'm taking the mustang."
Grinning, she pulled the keys from her pocket and shook them between her index finger and thumb.
"C'mon daddy, come see my project car."
She laughed, trying to coerce her father to ride in the vintage ford.

"Fine."
He grumbled, reluctantly agreeing.
"I need to leave in an hour and a half."
He was intrigued by the car that his younger daughter built. He walked away shaking his head. He knew if it wasn't for the ranch or the health issues that were going to cause his premature demise, it was his children.

Once the patriarch left, out of earshot, Gin turned to face Rip with a shit-eating grin.
"I am not in the mood to deal with your ass. What do you want?"
Rip grunted while slugging back the last bit of coffee that pooled in the bottom of his mug.

"Oh? Who chapped your ass?"
Ginni decided to pick on Rip for the next few minutes, at least until he pulls out his pistol and open fire.

"I couldn’t help but notice that new wrangler was getting pretty cozy with my sister."
She was curious about his reaction and thoughts on the subject. However, Beth was notorious for dangling other men in front of Rip, even when they were kids. If looks could kill Genevieve would have been dead where she stood.

"I have no fucking clue what you're talking about Genevieve. Now, make yourself look pretty or whatever girls do before you go into town. I got work to do."
Kicking dust, Rip turned on his heels.

"Oh, spicy. You gonna make me ask for permission to look at those fine buns of yours, or do I gotta steal a glance?"
Gin cackled, with a broad smile sprawled across her face.

"See ya later, Gin"
He waved, still walking to the barn. Not giving Gin the glory of witnessing his reaction. She smiled, shaking her head towards the dirt beneath her boots, then made her way up to the lodge to freshen up.

An hour later the young Dutton exited the lodge wearing black vinyl pants, a black Ozzy Osborne crop top, and polished knee-high combat boots. Her leather coat was draped over her shoulders and a black flop-felt hat sat gracefully atop of her head. Gin held a to-go mug full of coffee in her left hand and her keys in the right. Snapping her gum, Gin sauntered down the steps of the lodge with a grin plastered on her face. Her father had notified her that he was going to meet her down at the barn. It was a rather chilly morning, so it was going to take her a moment to get the engine fully warmed up. As soon as she had the engine purring, she checked her makeup in the rearview mirror. She waited about fifteen minutes and then released the break and allowed herself to roll down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, she pressed the clutch and shifted it into first, and slowly crept up to the barn. Her father was nowhere in site, but a few of the other wranglers were getting ready to mount up.
Gin rolled the window down, then exited the car to find her old man. She left her car running and didn't want to risk, the tumblers on the door locking on her when she shuts it. The sound of the door rang out like church bells at the top of Notre Dame. This caused the three wranglers, Ryan, Jimmy and the new guy, Walter, or something, to all turn their heads and jaws dropped.

"God damn, who's she?"
The new guy voiced out, loud enough for Gin to hear. Followed by a winded grunt. Ryan had swung the back of his hand into the new guy's chest.

Responding with,
"Dude, shut the fuck up, that's a Dutton."

Gin smiled. Using her name to cover his jealousy was mildly cute, Ryan was definitely smitten with the girl. She turned, blew them a perfect red kiss, and swayed her ass all the way through the barn doors. Her father wasn't in full view, but once she was able to peek into the old grain, now storage room; both Rip and her father were in deep conversation.
"I'm ready when you are."
She interrupted with no remorse, standing at the top of the stairs with her arms folded. She then slinked her body weight to her left hip, then turned on her heel to walk away. She had very little patience and didn't want her father to wear it down any further.
She waited in the driver seat, wasting about three gallons of gas, waiting for John to emerge from the barn. Foreigner softly filtered through the aged speakers, while the engine idled. The wranglers had already mounted their horses and were waiting for the foreman to give his orders. Several minutes had passed when the two men exited the barn and made their separate ways. John Dutton opened the passenger door after Gin leaned over to unlock it from the inside. He sat in the seat without uttering another word. He shuts the door behind him with a creaky thud, and that's when Gin popped the clutch into gear and reversed out of the driveway until she had enough room to turn around.

"We're gonna be late, Genevieve."
Gruffly, her father stated while watching the trees pass on the highway.

"I promise dad, you will not be late."
That being said, Gin upshifted into the next gear, causing the car to gain additional speed. Then upshifted again into the fourth gear, then the fifth once she reached the proper RPMs. The old car reached to 100mph before Gin decided to let off the gas.

"Jesus kid, you're going to get us killed."
Her father was gripping the 'oh shit' handle with his right hand and his left holding onto his hat.

"I'm not going to kill us; you did say you didn't want to be late."
Genevieve laughed while she set her speed at a good sixty-five.
"We'll get there in time."

"Yeah, in pieces."
John shook his head, then decided to roll up his window and twisted the knob on the wing window to push it open, Gin followed the same pursuit.
"Where did you manage to get this, anyhow?"
The old man asked his daughter while running his fingers along the dash, in front of him.

"I built it."
Gin stated with a deadpan expression.

"YOU built it?"
John had no clue his daughter had any knowledge of fixing an automobile, let alone building one.

"Yes dad, I built it."
Gin downshifted.

"When did you start it?"

"Just after I left. I dated an auto mechanic for a few years, and he taught me all I needed to know. I found the shell on the classified's page and towed her to my garage. Got help when I needed too and here, we are."
Gin shrugged while they began to pull into town.

"She's beautiful Genevieve, you did a wonderful job restoring her."
John Dutton wasn't normally the person to give a genuine smile, let alone a compliment. But that's exactly what he did, gave his daughter a smile that revealed he was actually proud of her, for once. There were several more minutes left before they reached the hospital. Once there, Gin pulled up to the front to let her dad out.
"I'll be back in two hours."
Gin said while John exited her car. He nodded at her and then turned to walk through the automatic doors. With a sigh, Gin shook her head and shifted the transmission into gear and left the hospital's parking lot. She cruised down Main Street looking at various shops. Spotting an open parking spot, she pulled into it, set the emergency brake, and turned off the engine. The sun was shining brightly over Montana, the weather was getting warm. Much warmer than earlier that morning. With a grin that daubed on her painted red lips, Gin walked into the nearest shop.

A little over an hour had passed when she finished her shopping. She got a new dress, boots, work jeans and a few treats from the dispensary. Where she had also submitted and application. The last place she wanted to apply at was the strip club. She walked into the dark and dingy place with her head held high. Sauntering to the bar, she asked the bartender whom she needed to talk to and apply.
The bartender was a weathered woman, who looked to be about Gin's father's age.
"That would be me, honey."
The bartender pulled out a steno notebook, ripped out a sheet of paper, and handed Gin the paper and a pen.
"Put your info on this, we have auditions Tuesdays and Thursdays."
Genevieve left her name and phone number on the parchment and smiled brightly.

"Thank you, so much. I'll see you then."
She waved to the manager/bartender and left the club to make her way to her father.

She sent him a text message informing him she was there and turned off the engine. Minutes have passed, and Gin sat in the driver’s seat scrolling through social media. Another thirty minutes went by as she sat in the car. It almost resorted to her catching up on her tasteless reality shows. Before she was able to press play, her father walked out holding her nephew's hand.

"I hope you don't mind, I've required a tag-a-long."
John laughs as he open's the coupe's door and pulled the lever to push the passenger seat forward.
"Auntie Ginni!"
Tate Dutton greeted his aunt with a cheerful waled.
"Hey, squirt! Make sure you're buckled."

"Kayce asked me to take him to the ranch, while he sat with Monica."
John sat in the front seat once he got his grandson buckled and situated.

Pulling into the ranch, John waved his hand, motioning for Gin to pull up to the barn.
"I'm gonna drive my truck up to the lodge."

Gin parked the Mustang between the barn and the bunkhouse. Putting the car into park and turning off the engine, allowing it to die to silence.
"Okay, I'm going to see what boys are up to."
Gin shrugged. She figured Tate was going to spend most of his time with his Grandpa, therefore, she was not going to meddle in their 'manly' business. The boy looked up to her father. But knowing her brother, she knew this was a rare opportunity. Kayce didn't see eye to eye with their father. Especially after Monica got pregnant. John proceeded to brand her brother and Kayce left and moved onto the Reservation with his new bride and joined the Navy. Ginni didn't hear from her brother for almost three years after that.

Gin entered the bunkhouse ostentatiously, causing all heads to turn.
"Good evening boys, how are you today?"
She stated while walking up to Gator, who was hovering over the stove.
"Got enough to feed a famished woman?"
Smirking, Gator grabbed a spoon and ladled a small portion of the stew he was making, and brought it up to Ginni's face. Zealously, Gin opened her mouth and wrapped her lips around the spoon. The flavors exploded on her palate. It was savory, spicy, and hearty.
"Jesus Christ, Gator. How the fuck are you single. Shit, I'd marry you right now. If you'll cook for me."
Ginni's mood elevated significantly. Gator couldn't help but blush bashfully at the youngest Dutton's compliment.

"I'll cook for you any day, Miss Dutton."

"You're the best."
Gin reached up and kissed his cheek, before finding an empty seat across from Ryan. Their eyes met, sending invisible sparks in the air. A small smile spreads across Ryan's face, before adverting his eyes to Jimmy; who was talking to Walker about the different games of poker.

"Supper's ready."
Gator called out as he dished up a bowl and placed it in front of Ginni. She thanked him with a grin before digging into the stew before her. A moan escaped her mouth as she licked the remanence from her bottom lip. Savoring every drop.

"Fucking amazing."
She said into her bowl.

Midway through dinner, the bunkhouse door opened once again, and in walked Tate and Beth.
"Room for two more?"
Gin's sister asked, her blue eyes pained with desperation. She never was the babysitter type. Before anyone could answer, Gator was already dishing up two more bowls and everyone scooted over to give room. Jimmy and Colby gave up their seats and walked over to the television. Tate instantly dived into his supper as soon as his rear hit the seat.

"Boy, he's hungry."
Ginni couldn't believe the child's appetite.

"Dad must have starved him."
Beth shrugged, lighting a cigarette. Ignoring the hot food in front of her.

"I see, we did pick him up from the Hospital. We'll blame Kayce."
Gin shrugged, finishing off the last bit of contents in the ceramic bowl. Full and satisfied.
"Where is dad, anyhow?"

"Don't know, he pawned him on me. Then walked away."
Beth chided while taking a drag from the cigarette.

"I see."
Gin mulled over her thoughts while cleaning her bowl and spoon. Her brain then trailed to the dashing wrangler who stood up to join Colby and Jimmy's debate. They both stole glances, capturing any glimpse they could. Over the last week and a half, Ryan had filled Ginni's dreams. If it wasn't for the pure trauma that would rear its ugly face. sneaking in nightmares, as if there is an aperture in her cognitive thinking. When her dreams were in her favor; images of pure bliss danced fastidiously across her slumbered head. Rip had ensured Ryan was busy most of the time. Therefore, there was no room for Gin to steal him away for a quick kiss.
Walker brought out a guitar and began playing up an upbeat tune. His voice bled through the bunkhouse, while chatter clashed against it. Gin reached for a solo cup, then to the freezer of ice and then grabbed the Buffalo Trace and poured herself a double. Taking a sip, she allowed the amber liquid wash over her tongue. She needed a drink.
She turned to face everyone, leaning against the counter with her ankles crossed. A smirk took over her lips as she closely observed everyone's aloofness to the world at the moment, there was not a single person in the room that had a care in their hearts.
Until now.
The door creaked open, followed by Rip leaning into the doorway. His expression carried a somber mood that reveal there were several terrible things to worry about.
"Looks like you brought the music festival to me!"
Beth hollered over the noise, greeting the foreman. His expression deepened to even further remorse. Something is up.
He closed the door.
Gin left the bunkhouse without giving any announcement of her departure, trying to catch up.

"Rip!"
She called to him; he didn't falter.
"Fuck! Rip!!"
Gin yelled even louder. Rip hastened his pace, hoping Gin would give up.
"Damn it. RIP!"
She was nearly at a sprint by the time she caught up to him.
"What the hell is going on? You look like you killed dad's best horse?"

"Jesus Genevieve. I don't want to deal with your shit right now."
He stopped. They were standing next to one of the fences that wrapped the pasture.

"Ok. Tell me what's up."
Placing her hands on her hips, Gin drilled into him with her blue eyes.

He sighed deeply with annoyance.
"Fine!"
Rip threw his hands up in the air in defeat.
"You Dutton women I swear. Follow me, we'll have a beer."

They walked to Rip's cabin; Gin made herself comfortable in one of the chairs that sat on the patio. Rip disappeared into the cabin's back door, he then emerged from the building, carrying two Coors Banquets. He then sank into the chair next to Gin, with an exasperated groan.
"Gin, I've fucked up so bad. I can't get ahold of your dad or brother. But this, this is really bad."
He popped the top from his beer and took a very long swig. He sighed in bliss, relishing the brief moment of relaxation.

"Wait. Tell me everything."
Gin followed the same suit with her beer.

"Shit Gin, I don't want you involved with the law. You just got back."
Gin knew exactly what Rip meant. The Sherriff knew Ginni a little all too well.

"Look, you've been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember, not only that, if my dad isn't here to report to, then you talk to me."
Rip laughed. This was the first time Genevieve had seen him smile in weeks.

"You're not that far up the food chain. Technically, your sister would be the one to talk to. But she is a bit preoccupied."
His voice dipped low, after that last part.
It was becoming clear to Gin that Rip wasn't too fond of the new wrangler.

"I see, well tell me anyway; we can drink your fridge dry, and I'll pay you back."

"Gin, you know I work tomorrow. Early too."

Gin looked at her watch, guaranteed to prove him wrong.
"Well, it’s six, we can drink till nine and that give you plenty of sleep. So c'mon, speak up."
She demanded not giving him any room to argue.

"Jesus. You're crazy, you know that."
He laughed again, killing another quarter of his beer.

"At least I'm not a barrel racer."

"No kid, you're far worse. The youngest Dutton."

"Haha, very funny. Now on with it Rip Wheeler."
She reached across the gap between them and poked his bicep with her finger.

"Genevieve, I shot a grizzly. I did not mean to; I was trying to help these tourists that got spooked over the cliff. It got too close and boom."
Rip's voice became graver, with each word he spoke. Gin knew what this means.

"And Jamie or my dad haven't been not responding?"
She wanted to confirm what she heard earlier. If anything, she could be a witness.

"Correct. This has become a real shit pile."
He exclaimed before getting up and going back into the cabin. Gin polished off her beer and sat the bottle down beside her, anticipating tossing it in the trash later. She looked up at the inky sky that was loitered with tiny stars. It was breathtaking here. On rare occasions, you could see the Aurora Borealis on the ranch. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of those nights. Several minutes passed before Rip came back outside with two shot glasses and a bottle of cheap Reposado tequila. He had both glasses cradled in one hand and the bottle in the other.

"That kind of night, I see?"
Gin laughed.
"You're not much of a tequila person, why now?"

"Whiskey is not going to wash away this kind of stress."
He reached over for her to grab one of the glasses, then sat his down. Rip pulled the cork of the chilled beverage, then poured the amber liquid into the two glasses.

"Well, I don't blame you. Between getting caught up with the law and my sister, I'd be hanging myself at that point."
Gin took a large gulp, taking in half the double. Her face contorted as the fluid burned her esophagus.
"Oh, the good stuff."
She exclaimed, painting a grin on her face.
"You know, I miss this."
Gin viewed the panoramic picture that was cast before her.

"Hmm? What's that?"
Rip asked in between mouthfuls of booze.

"THIS! Just sitting here, enjoying the feeling that there is no one else in the world. I remember when we had camped out in pasture twenty-four, just you and I, a bottle of Jack Daniels, and a fire.
The memory came flooding back to the both of them.

"I still want to know how you managed to convince your dad to let you scout the herd with me."
Twenty-eight-year-old Rip laughed while getting the fire started.

"Well, you know, if he thinks I'm interested in being a cowboy. He'll agree to anything that pertains it. "
Genevieve pulled a bottle of Jack Daniels from her rucksack.
"Stole this from Jamie, do you want some?"
She waved the bottle in front of his face as the flame began to kindle the wood.

"Jesus Ginni, your brothers and dad will skin my hide if they catch you drunk under my watch."
He shook his head.
"Yes, I want some."
He took the bottle from the youngest Dutton and twisted the cap off with his thumb, allowing it to fall into the dirt.
"Might as well get rid of the evidence."
He took a long swig, filling his mouth with cheap whiskey.

"Wait, THAT camping trip?"
Rip nearly choked on his drink.

"Well yeah, what other camping trip were you thinking of?"
A giggle escaped Gin's lips, while she poured herself another round.

"Oh uh... I don't know... that one when I first got here..."
Rip tried to backtrack as he sputtered his words.

"Uh-huh. Rip, you know exactly which one where we killed that bottle of jack and somehow one thing, leads to another."
Gin loved to make Rip squirm, get under his skin just enough to break that hard exterior.

"I remember, doesn't mean we need to bring it up."
He took another shot, hoping it would erase that memory for a brief moment.

"Oh stop, it's common for best friends to fuck. It just happens."
She shrugged.
"Even if it's to spite one's sister."

"For fuck’s sake Genevieve, you know that's ancient history."
Rip continued to get flustered. Rip always had been handsome in Genevieve's eyes. But there was just something about how he would let loose occasionally. How he would stop anything and everything at the drop of the hat, just to keep her and the rest of the Duttons safe. He became her best friend when she had just turned fifteen and got caught trying to sneak a quick make-out session in the barn at the midnight with Toby Reynolds.

"Mmmhmm... Speaking of ancient history, I noticed my sister was getting pretty cozy with that new ranch hand."
She grinned smugly, raising an eyebrow.

"Gin, that is not a topic I want to discuss either."

"Ok fine. I will not pry further."
She had gotten him into a good mood, despite what was going on with the bear.
"Despite my sister's sheer ignorance and blindness, you really are a wonderful man."
Placing her hand on his forearm, caressing his sleeved arm with her thumb.

"You're sweet Hun, but you know that's not true."

"Pfft, come on. Rip, you do have a heart of gold."
She laughed; Gin couldn't believe her ear. The blasphemy that came from the foreman's mouth.

"All right, now don't tell nobody. Otherwise, I'll have to take you to the train station." The bottle was nearly three-quarters empty.

"Oh, is that a threat?"
Playfully, Gin challenged.
"Or are you hoping to take a trip down memory lane?"

"Gin, you know I'd fuck you any day of the week if you asked. But it's more complicated now."

"Oh hell, I was only teasin'. But I'll keep that in mind."
Gin took the bottle and chugged what was left, stood up, and turned to face the foreman.
"Tootle’s darling, I'm gonna go hit the hay."
She leaned down, using the arms of the chair to hold her weight, she pressed her lips against his for a split second and staggered towards the lodge, wielding the bottle for protection. Rip watched her disappear into the darkness; he shook his head; readjusted himself in his jeans.

"If her sister doesn't kill me, she will. Fuck."
He said to himself, before turning in for the night. Rip took this opportunity to take a really long shower. He had not thought about that night all those summers ago. While Beth would come every winter for Christmas, she would slick her lust then leave, back to the city. While Gin, she left a week after that trip and Rip had not seen her since. Except for the one time he had to take care of an ex of Gin's who robbed her while she was at work. His heart will always belong to Beth; But lately, Gin has been crossing his subconscious mind.