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"If passion drives you,
let reason hold the reins."
-Benjamin Franklin

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The feeling of freedom that came with riding a horse was indescribable for Arizona Dutton. She was the baby of the Dutton family, the owners of an infamous ranch known as Yellowstone in Montana. Her father, John Dutton was the state commissioner and owner of the ranch. Her mother, Evelyn Dutton had passed when Arizona was barely four years old.

Her oldest brother, Lee Dutton was raised and trained to take over the ranch one day though he lacked in any other social life. The next born was Jamie Dutton, the families own attorney with a passion for power. Then was the firstborn daughter, Beth Dutton who was a businesswoman and a bitch within reason. And finally, Kayce Dutton came along, his free spirit placed him as the Dutton favourite.

Until Arizona was born, she was the final baby of the Dutton family and everyone adored her. She was a light in everyone's life, a smile bright enough to make anyone happier. Due to her kind nature, people had a habit of underestimating the young brunette. But her father always claimed the same thing; Arizona Dutton may be a sweetheart but like any powerful leader, you mess with her family, you will suffer her wrath.

And so, no one dared to mess with the baby of the Dutton family; besides, when you mess with the Yellowstone ranch, you aren't messing with one, you are messing with all of them and that is a fight that you cannot win. Arizona loved her family more than anything, but she still took every opportunity to be away from them. Which is how she ended up out in the middle of the field riding her horse, Flash alone as the sun rose.

Much like her older brother Kayce, Arizona was a wild spirit that hadn't been tamed. She wasn't sure about what she wanted in life yet but she knew that no matter what it is, whether it was politics, education, business or singing in front of thousands, her father would make it happen. And even though she loved her family and the ranch, nothing meant more to her than the endless mountains and empty fields that she could freely roam.

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"Should I even ask where you were, Zee?" Rip Wheeler, the ranch foreman and an older brother figure to Arizona asked. "I was just watching the sunrise out on the fields, don't worry," Arizona assured him as he helped her off of her horse. Arizona looked over to see the other cowboys making their rounds and preparing for the day's ranch work. "I got Flash, you head inside and eat some breakfast, Zee. Or Lloyd will be on your back about it," Rip warned before leading Flash into the stables.

Lloyd Pierce was one of Yellowstone's cowboys, he had been around the longest and above all else, was someone that Arizona Dutton looked up to. Even growing up, Arizona called him uncle Lloyd and it was never corrected by anyone and so that's who he's always been to her. Both Lloyd and Rip were heavily protective of the young girl but even they knew when to let her stand her own ground because she was a fierce woman.

"All right, thanks Rip!" Arizona called out before heading into the house, she turned her gaze to the large living room where she spotted her father stitching up his head in the mirror. "Ah, damn it," John Dutton winced as Jamie approached him. "Your mother was always better at this," John spoke up as he tried his best. Arizona let out a shaky breath, her mother was quite the woman and unfortunately, Arizona never got to know her.

"Hey, you know who's really good at it? Doctors," Jamie replied as he stepped in front of John, tilting his head to get a better look. "Jamie..." Arizona sighed before walking over to the two. Jamie looked to his younger sister before stepping back from John. "Should have done that yesterday," Jamie added as Arizona continued stitching her father's head, she was used to these injuries being on a ranch.

"All right, Alan asked me to mention it, so I will. They'd allow us to harvest the timber before the--" Jamie began but John cut him off, "No. The answers no." Arizona smiled softly at her brother before continuing what she was doing. "Yeah," Jamie nodded softly though Arizona could tell he was annoyed with their father. "When you say no, it must be the death of the question," John spoke up looking at both of his kids, Arizona nodded in understanding.

"I understand," Jamie replied as Arizona tied the string. "If there's even a hint of maybe, the questions won't stop until they find something you can't say no to," John continued. One of the many things that Arizona admired about her father was that he stood his ground and he always gave her advice that made her stronger proving that sometimes words can be louder than actions if you use the right ones.

The three fell into silence as Arizona finished up stitching up her father's head until John spoke up again, "You got to learn when to think like a lawyer, you understand? And when to think like a landowner." Arizona let the conversation flow between them as she cleaned up the supplies and rubbish. "Or a lawyer's all you're ever gonna be," John added as Jamie stepped back clearly biting his tongue wanting to snap back.

John looked into the mirror at his wound before nodding and looking to Arizona, "You... You got your mother's hands." He kissed the top of her head before walking out of the house. "He means well, Jamie. You're doing your best, he just wants better," Arizona assured her brother knowing that he only wanted to make their father proud. "Thanks, Zee," Jamie gave his little sister a side hug before leaving her alone in the room.

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Arizona got bored easily, there never really was much for her to do on the ranch and it usually left her feeling bored and working on her studies. Arizona hadn't made a decision on her future but in the process of deciding, the young brunette decided to study to become a veterinarian in hopes to be more useful on the ranch. But nothing was more fun for Arizona than annoying the cowboys that worked on the ranch.

And so, after changing into some blue denim jeans, a blue buttoned shirt and throwing on her cowboy hat with her cowgirl boots, she made her way downstairs grabbing a doughnut before heading outside spotting a few of the cowboys by the horse pens. She smiled to herself as she chewed on her apple spotting Lee walking towards his truck. "Lee!" Arizona called out catching him before he got into the car.

He turned to her with a grin as she ran over and hugged him. "How are you doing, Zee?" Lee asks as he pulled away from her, keeping his hands on her arms. "I'm doing good, studying is getting exhausting. Where are you headed?" Arizona asked as she noticed his rifle on the passenger seat. "Not happening, Zee. I'll be careful, I promise. Okay?" Lee spoke making Arizona sigh. "Don't make promises like that Lee," Arizona looked down.

The last time someone made Arizona a promise like that, they left her behind and broke it. Lee pouted before hugging her again, "Okay. I won't make that promise but you know I always do my best to come back." Arizona nodded at his words before they let go of their hug. "I guess I should let you get to work then," Arizona spoke as she looked over to see Jamie waiting for her. "I love you, Zee. Always," Lee kissed the top of her head before getting into the car and driving off.

Arizona walked over to Jamie with a smile on her face as he gave her a hug, everyone knew that no one could be angry or could dislike the youngest Dutton; she did her best not to upset or anger anyone, she didn't like having unnecessary enemies. "I got to go out. Stay out of trouble, Zee," Jamie warned knowing that if anyone would get up to mischief it would be his twenty-four year old little sister. "I don't know what you mean, Jamie. I'm an angel! Bye," Arizona kissed her brother's cheek before running off from him as he chuckled at her childlike behaviour.

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"Hey, Uncle Lloyd!" Arizona cheered as she walked up to the pen, climbing up onto the fence with a bright smile. "Hey there sweetheart, did you have breakfast?" Lloyd asked as he walked over to her. "I did, but now I'm bored," Arizona smiled sweetly as a few long term cowboys perked up at her saying she was bored, that was usually the time she'd pull pranks or torment them knowing she wouldn't be punished.

"Relax cowboys, I'm not interested in messing with you lot today," Arizona assured them with a chuckle while Lloyd laughed with her. Arizona looked around at the cowboys till one in particular locked eyes with her, she looked down with a small smile instantly. Shane Jones was one of the more recent drfiters to wander onto Yellowstone territory, he was looking for work and Rip offered him a bed due to his past experiences as a ranch hand and his brute strength that proved useful.

Shane wasn't shy in his acts of flirtation towards Arizona, he often spent his time getting her attention and trying his best to prove to her that he isn't some traditional cowboy and that what they would have would be completely real but Arizona wasn't too sure for multiple reasons. Her past relationship ended dangerously not that it mattered, he had taken a drive to the train station with Rip a long time ago and Arizona had healed from it.

"Stop distracting the cowboys," Ryan spoke up from beside Arizona. Ryan Bowen was another ranch hand who was also a livestock agent for the Montana Livestock Association. He was someone Arizona liked talking to but she never noticed the way he would look at her. Ryan thought the absolute world of Arizona Dutton, something he wouldn't admit out loud but the longing gazes he sent her way had the others clued in about his feelings; his best friend, Colby teasing him about it all the time while encouraging him to make a move.

"I'm not distracting anyone, I'm watching them work. There is a clear difference," Arizona turned to face Ryan with a sweet smile that trapped him under her spell as he stared into her green eyes until his name was called. "Talk later, Ry. Lloyd," Arizona tipped her hat to the men before jumping down and walking off with her hips swaying. "Careful Ryan, those are some rocky mountains you're tempting to climb," Lloyd warned before walking away. But Ryan didn't care, he'd brave the rocky path if she was the prize at the top.

Arizona headed straight for her room, kicking her shoes off of her feet before placing her hat on the hook. She grabbed her laptop and made herself comfortable on her queen-sized bed, she set up her laptop and put on her favourite Harry Potter movie. She reached into her bedside drawer and pulled out some snacks before she focused on the movie allowing herself to relax in the moment before classes tomorrow.

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Later that night, Beth walked by Arizona's room to see her asleep with her laptop by her side and rubbish around her in tight jeans. Beth let out a quiet sigh before walking into the room, shutting off the laptop and putting it on charge before throwing the rubbish into her bin by her desk. She pulled open her drawers and pulled out some shorts knowing that Arizona would have a tank top on under her plaid flannel.

After Beth changed her little sister out of her jeans and into some silk shorts, she lifted the blanket and pulled it over Arizona. As she made her way out of the room she spotted the photo of her and Arizona, their arms around each other and wide smiles on their faces which put a small smile on Beth's face. Beth was a natural bitch but her little sister, who never judged her, was one person she was always kind to unless her bitchy side was necessary but ultimately she loved her family.

Things for the Dutton family were gonna change, they are all gonna face trials and tribulations, death and deceit, heartbreak and forbidden love, broken promises and damaged trust. But ultimately, their loyalties will be tested in the most challenging ways. Are they truly prepared for it? That's what they will find out. And Arizona will learn what it truly means to carry the Dutton name.

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━━━ 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 ꒱࿐
Hey Readers,
This book is back as of August 2023, it has a new title and a plan for the journey. It will take time for me to update this book, please bare with it. Thank you for the love towards the book and I hope you stick around until its completed.

For the sake of my story, Ryan's last name will be Bowen. If an actual last name is revealed, I'll change it.

See you in the next chapter!

Edit '24: Arizona is back to stay... gonna be working on this book slowly but I know the direction it will take. So I hope you'll stick around for the long wait <3