Yellowstone: Wind in the Smoke

"Do you want some company?" Lloyd asked as he helped Dante with the saddles for both horses.

Dante looked at Susie and said, "I could use your help if you have time. I also want to check out an area of the ranch that might bring good business opportunities for my father—something he might not have considered yet."

"Then I'll get my horse ready." Lloyd, having finished his task, decided to join the son of John as a precaution, just in case any problems arose.

Rip, who was also saddled up his horse to keep an eye on the cattle, silently followed the group.

Susie, who knew how to ride thanks to the equestrian lessons she'd taken as a child, approached Dante after mounting the horse she was lent and asked, "What kind of business?"

"The possibility of cultivating truffles," Dante replied, knowing that the ranch had countless opportunities to generate income. It was just that his father might be too lazy to explore them.

Still, aware of the financial struggles they were facing, Dante thought this could benefit the family while also creating jobs for others.

Leeglanced at his brother and then at the girlfriend Dante had brought to the ranch. "I'm not sure she knows what she's doing."

"I think she does," Rip said as he rode past, observing how Susie handled the horse. It was clear she had experience.

"I wonder if she has sisters..."

Ripchuckled at Kim's joke. Leesimply shook his head and returned to sorting the cattle to be sent off for meat.

Of course, Kim's jokes didn't affect Susie's mood, which had already been unsettled since the moment she woke up.

"I didn't think you'd know how to ride—at least, not a horse," Dante said, approaching her and leaving the comment hanging in the air before heading out of the stables and into the open field.

Susie watched Dante's back but said nothing. In some way, she was accepting this kind of childish teasing as punishment for a mistake she could have easily avoided.

As they rode on, Lloyd asked Dante, "What else do you want to do besides spending some time riding with your girlfriend?"

"Find an underused area to cultivate truffles. We have plenty of land that's barely utilized, so we could dedicate some of it to this business." Even if there were no plans to increase the workforce, this kind of work could be handled by a small team.

Dante had a plan: to make the ranch's brand known throughout the country. Starting with small steps would help them get there faster.

He also intended to participate in horse-related competitions, investing millions in high-quality animals so that the ranch's fame could spread nationwide.

The reason they were underestimated was that few people knew about the Dutton family, and Dante saw that as a disadvantage that needed to be erased.

Gaining more exposure would create better opportunities. Dante understood this and hoped his family would, too.

"That's a good idea, but it will take more time than you currently have available," Lloyd said. He wasn't one to tell Dante his idea wouldn't work, but he could offer some advice.

"I hear it goes well with Italian pasta," Rip said, throwing out a random comment.

Susie, enjoying the ride on the beautiful horse, whispered, "As long as you don't overdo it, you can accomplish a lot."

"That's what I think," Dante agreed. He knew he had a brother who was distant from the family business for many reasons, but if he entrusted him with small tasks like this, it could change things for the family.

From a distance, Susie, keeping her horse steady, called out to Dante, "Would you give me this horse?"

"I wouldn't. It was a gift from my father, but I could get you a good white one," Dante said with a slight smile as he tightened the reins on his horse.