Chapter 4
Vi stirred awake, her body aching as though she’d gone a few rounds with a bull. Blinking groggily, she took in her surroundings. A bed—not the hard, splintered surface of the cell floor but an actual bed with clean sheets and a patchwork quilt draped over her. The room smelled faintly of lavender and something metallic, probably the medical supplies that had been used on her.
She tried to sit up, only to feel the cold clink of iron at her ankle. Looking down, she realized her leg was shackled to the bedpost.
“Oh, for the love of…God” she muttered, tugging weakly at the chain. She struggled for a minute, but her strength gave out, and she flopped back onto the pillow. Her body protested the effort, and she closed her eyes to rest again.
When she opened them again, hours seemed to have passed. Caitlyn was standing in the corner, arms crossed, her sharp blue eyes fixed on Vi. She cleared her throat, and Vi jolted slightly, wincing as her ribs protested the sudden movement.
“Well, if it isn’t Blue Eyes,” Vi rasped, her voice scratchy but laced with her usual smirk.
Caitlyn’s lips twitched, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “I’ll allow that for now,” she said coolly. “Viktor worked through the night to stabilize your fever and redress your wound. You should be grateful.”
Vi glanced down at her side, her bandages noticeably cleaner and more secure than they’d been before. “Yeah, well… guess I owe him one.”
Caitlyn stepped closer, her gaze narrowing. “Did you even take the antibiotics I gave you?”
Vi hesitated, her smirk faltering. “Uh… about that.”
Caitlyn’s expression hardened, her arms tightening across her chest. “You didn’t take them, did you?”
“Look,” Vi said defensively, “I wasn’t about to swallow some random liquid from a stranger. For all I knew, it could’ve been poison!”
“Poison?” Caitlyn echoed, incredulous. She took a step closer, her tone sharp. “You were literally dying of an infection, and you thought I—a sheriff—was going to poison you? Are you always this stubborn, or is this a special occasion?”
Vi tried for a grin, though it came out more sheepish than she intended. “What can I say? Trust issues, Blue Eyes.”
Caitlyn sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You’re unbelievable,” she muttered. “Next time, just do what you’re told. If Viktor hadn’t worked as quickly as he did, you might not be alive to argue with me right now.”
“Alright, alright,” Vi said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Point taken.”
Caitlyn wasn’t convinced but let it slide for now. “Deputy Jayce and I had a talk, and we’ve decided to let you and your… associate stay in town. But on one condition.”
Vi raised an eyebrow. “Oh, this oughta be good.”
“You’re going to pull your weight,” Caitlyn said firmly. “Vander, who owns The Last Drop saloon, also runs the neighbouring ranch. He’s short on ranch hands, so you’ll be working with Loris and Darius there.”
Vi blinked. “Ranch work? You mean, like… wrangling cattle?”
“Yes,” Caitlyn said flatly. “It’ll be hard, honest work, which I’m sure is a foreign concept to you, but you’ll manage.”
Vi chuckled weakly. “You’re really not pulling any punches, huh?”
“I don’t have time for sugarcoating,” Caitlyn replied. “And before you ask, Sevika has already been released. She’s working with the blacksmith, Benzo. She agreed without a fuss, which is more than I can say for you.”
“Sevika? Working with a blacksmith?” Vi grinned. “Guess pigs really do fly.”
Caitlyn ignored the comment, her expression softening slightly. “If you want to stay here and actually make something of yourself, this is your chance. Don’t blow it.”
Vi tilted her head, studying Caitlyn for a moment.
Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed faintly, but her voice remained steady. “Take the opportunity, Vi. It’s more than you deserve.”
As Caitlyn turned to leave, Vi called after her, “You know, I might just surprise you.”
Caitlyn paused at the door, glancing back with a raised eyebrow but chose not to reply.
***
Vi had been given a few days to recover, and during that time, Caitlyn made regular visits to check on her. The visits were short, the conversations minimal, but there was a subtle shift between them—a growing understanding, even a hint of care beneath the surface. Vi couldn’t help but notice the softness in Caitlyn’s eyes when she’d sit by her bed to change her bandages, though she never acknowledged it out loud.
For Vi, it was a curiosity, but the stubborn side of her refused to comment.
Once Vi was able to stand without feeling dizzy, Caitlyn came by one morning, helping her saddle up a horse. Vi winced as she swung her leg over the saddle, still feeling the stiffness in her body from her injuries.
"So, where's my horse?" Vi asked, glancing around the stable.
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. "Your horse? Oh, it’s in the communal sheds. I don’t trust you enough to let you trot off on your own just yet."
Vi rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She climbed onto the horse Caitlyn had brought for her and held onto her as Caitlyn led them out of town. The dusty road stretched ahead as they rode, the quiet hum of the town fading behind them. Vi couldn’t help but notice how Caitlyn kept glancing over her shoulder, making sure she wasn’t going to fall off.
When they arrived at the ranch, the large wooden gates creaked open, revealing the sprawling fields and the sturdy barns that lined the horizon. A few ranch hands worked the land in the distance, but the sight of a stranger riding in on horseback got their attention.
Vander was the first to greet them, stepping forward with a hand outstretched. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his weathered face softened when he saw Vi.
“You’re the one who got herself in trouble with Sevika, aren’t you?” Vander’s voice had a gravelly warmth to it.
Vi smirked, though her body still felt sore. “Guess that’s me.”
Vander’s lips twitched. “Sevika’s got a way of dragging people into things they don’t want to be part of.”
Vi’s grin softened slightly. “I suppose you can say that.”
Caitlyn dismounted and stood off to the side, arms crossed, while Vander gave Vi a quick tour of the ranch, showing her the layout of the land, the barns, and the fields. Loris and Darius, the other ranch hands, came over to greet her. Loris, a tall man with a deep tan and an easy smile, was quick to offer his hand. Darius, a shorter man with a rougher edge, gave Vi a nod.
“Welcome to Fissure Ranch,” Loris said with a welcoming grin. “Vander’s been a good man to work for, and we can always use more hands.”
Vander nodded. “You’ll find the work’s hard, but it’ll keep you busy. We’ve got cattle to tend to, fences to repair, and crops to manage. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this’ll be a good place for you.”
Loris took the lead on showing Vi the living quarters. It was a modest cabin with a shared bunk area, a common kitchen, and a small lounge area. “This is where you’ll be staying. Nothing fancy, but it’ll keep you warm. We work from dawn ‘til dusk, so don’t expect much downtime.” Loris handed her a schedule and explained the daily tasks in more detail:
Typical Ranch Hand Schedule:
- 5:30 AM: Wake up and prepare for the day. Quick breakfast in the kitchen.
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Cattle feeding and checking the livestock, making sure all animals are healthy, and fed. Ensure fences and gates are secure.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Repair work (fences, barns, etc.), helping with any upkeep or maintenance needed around the property. If weather allows fieldwork—planting or harvesting.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch break. Everyone gathers in the common area to eat.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More livestock management, branding, or herding if necessary. Cleaning the barns and pens.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Final round of feeding, checking for sick animals, and ensuring everything’s locked up for the night.
- Evening: Free time, but typically some evening chores like prepping for the next day’s work. Afterward, people gather in the common area for some downtime.
Loris paused for a moment, then offered, “If you’re feeling up to it later, we’re heading to The Last Drop for a drink. You’ve been through a lot, but I reckon you could appreciate a good dinner. Get a feel for the town.”
Vi raised an eyebrow. “You guys’ drink after working all day? Seems like it’d be a bit hard on the stomach.”
“That’s the only way to survive here,” Loris said with a wink. “Besides, it’s where the whole town gathers. You get a good look at everything going on when you’re there.”
Vi smiled. “I might just take you up on that.”
As Loris walked her through more of the ranch and answered any questions she had, Vi glanced back at Caitlyn, who had been silent this whole time, standing with her arms crossed, a watchful eye on everything happening. It was clear Caitlyn wasn’t one for small talk, but the longer Vi was here, the more she couldn’t help but wonder how much of Caitlyn’s no-nonsense attitude was just a front.
Once the tour wrapped up, Vander slapped her on the back. “We’ll have you working like a real cowboy in no time. Welcome to the team, kid.”
Vi nodded, the reality of the hard work settling in. She was still recovering from her injuries, but this might just be the fresh start she needed. If nothing else, it would keep her occupied, and maybe—just maybe—it would be the first step in finding a new direction.