Beyond the skyline

Breakfast fun

Dear Diary,

Day 3, and I’ve already stumbled into Ranch Drama, Episode 1. If this is how things go around here, I’m going to need popcorn just to get through the week. Let me explain.

Laura sweet-talked me into heading to the bunkhouse early this morning to collect time sheets. “Oh, it’ll be quick!” she said. Quick? Ha! These cowboys are allergic to paperwork, and I swear half of them don’t even know what a time sheet is. I’m not even officially working yet, and here I am, running errands at the crack of dawn.

I admit, I was kind of hoping to catch a glimpse of Cole working a horse in the ring, but nope—he’s away for two days. Of course he is. Typical.

So, there I was, knocking on the bunkhouse door like a nervous Girl Scout, hoping not to interrupt anyone mid-snore. I walked in to find only one person awake: a girl named Alex, frantically making breakfast. Now, this is a bunkhouse for 16 crew members. Sixteen! Alex looked like she’d been drafted into a breakfast battle zone, so I rolled up my sleeves and offered to help. Because honestly, who wants to crack 20 eggs and fry bacon for a small army before sunrise?

As the crew started trickling out, rubbing sleep from their eyes, things seemed fine. But then the ranch girls appeared, and oh boy, the mood shifted. Two of them gave me the kind of looks you see in soap operas right before someone throws a drink.

“Oh, look, if it isn’t Miss Fancy Pants down in the bunkhouse,” one of them sneered, like we were in a bad Western movie.

I blinked. “Excuse me?” I said, trying to keep my cool. “I’m just here doing my job and helping with breakfast. I’m not here to rock the boats.”

Well, Diary, the boats were rocked anyway. The argument escalated faster than a barn fire. Voices were raised, accusations were flung, and next thing I know, Alex had bolted to get Becky.

Yes, Becky. Cole’s sister. And let me tell you, Becky is straight out of a drama-filled TV show. You know that character Beth Dutton from Yellowstone? Yeah, that’s Becky. Fiery, fearless, and not someone you mess with.

One of the ranch girls accused me of stealing her man’s hat, which, let’s be real, is a wild accusation. I mean, if I wanted a hat, I’d buy one. “If you want the hat,” I said as calmly as I could, “it’s at my back door. Help yourself. This conversation is done.”

Enter Becky, stage left, in full Beth Dutton mode. She didn’t just walk into the bunkhouse—she owned it.

“Hey you, yes you!, we are speaking now!”, “One, you don’t speak to staff like that,” she snapped. “Two, if it was your hat, wouldn’t my brother have given it to you? And three, we don’t fight in the bunkhouse. If you want to fight, you fight me. Now.”

And with that, she dragged the girl out to the horse yard. I kid you not. I stood there holding a spatula, wondering if I’d accidentally wandered into a Wild West showdown.

What happened in the yard, you ask? I have no idea, but judging by the girl’s wide eyes when she came back inside, I’m guessing Becky didn’t hold back.

Here’s the thing: Becky might be terrifying, but she’s also brilliant. I’ve been shadowing her as much as I can, trying to learn the ropes. She’s sharp, efficient, and unapologetically tough. Honestly, I think I could learn a lot from her—once I figure out how not to flinch every time she raises her voice.

So yeah, Day 3, and I’ve already witnessed my first ranch showdown. If this is just the beginning, who knows what the rest of the week will bring?

Yours,

The Girl Just Trying to Survive Ranch Life Without a Duel