#kayceduttonxreader

Parking my red truck outside the Livestock department office I pushed the driver door open and closed after grabbing the lunch bag of burgers from the place down the street. Entering the building I stopped at the front desk seeing the familiar blonde sitting there named Amy. "What can I do for you, Mrs. Dutton?"

"Is my husband in his office by chance?" I asked her.

She shakes her head no with a half smile. "He's out with the sheriff right now. But he should be back before lunch is over."

"Alright. I'll wait in his office. But don't tell him I'm here." I told her, wanting it to be a surprise for when he comes back. She nodded in agreement, watching me head around the corner out of her line of sight.

Opening his office door, I sat down the bag on his desk, scanning my eyes over the disorderly pile of paperwork he had on it. Sitting out the sandwiches and fries before plopping down in the computer chair scrolling on my cell phone until I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. “Good afternoon, cowboy.” I chimed in seeing him walk inside the office with a bright smile on my face.

“Y/n, what are you doing here?” He dropped his jacket on the hook by the door, opening his arms for me.

I rushed forward flinging my arms around his neck chucking into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist kissing my hair clearly suprised I was there during lunch. “I thought I’d suprised you with lunch from that burger place you like near Bozeman. Considering we barely see each other with you working here and me working on your father’s land since half of the cowboys are up at the Summer Camp.”

“Well I’m certainly not gonna complain about any visit that involves you.” Kayce barely broke the hug gently holding me with his hands on my waist.

My arms stayed around his neck where I sent him a grin. “You better not like my visits. I did agree to marry you even when you told me you had a kid with your ex wife.”

“Hey, you love Tate.” Kayce gasped slightly offended.

I gave him a half smile tilting my head to the side reassuring what I had said minutes ago. “I’m just messing with you. I really do love Tate and treat him like he’s my own kid until we have our own of course.”

“You want to have kids with me.” Kayce’s face brightened at the words that had came out of my mouth.

I responded to my husband. “Of course. I told you on our fourth date that I wanted marriage and kids.”

“I was waiting to ask if we should start trying for a baby and now that I know that. I think we could start right now if you’re up for it.” He bends down on his knees quickly picking me up by my thighs and I wrap my arms around little tighter around hi neck even though he wouldn’t drop me.

I squealed when he carries me over to his desk and he slides some of the papers onto the floor without a real care in the world except me and him in that moment. “Kayce! What about the burgers?”

“Oh don’t worry we’ll be eating them when we’re done.” He smirked at me, moving his fingers down to the bottom of my shirt shrugging it upward and tossing it onto the floor with his own.

I scanned my eyes over his chest feeling my face turning red till I realized the door was still opened. “Wait a second. We have sex with the door wide open. I don’t think your coworkers would like that too much.”

“See we’ve got nothing to worry about. Especially when you’re a darn good wife who looks damn good to me right now.” Kayce ran slamming it closed and locking the door behind him before he rushed back over to me. He stands as close to me as he can possibly get cupping my face in his hands pressing his lips down onto mine.

Threading my fingers into the fabric of dark tan dress shirt seconds before I quickly began undoing the buttons on it and finally launched it across the office. “You better not waste those burgers. Dutton. Otherwise I will you regret your decisions later down the road.” I told before he gently pushed me down onto the desk and he sat the bag of food on the ground.

“Don’t you worry, baby. Once I get you pregnant you won’t be too worried about whether or not we wasted some burgers or not.” He smirked down at me, hovering above me till I wrapped my arms around his neck bringing him back down for another kiss.

He moved one hand over my hip and his other was holding his body up a little so not all of his weight was on top of me. “I’ll hold you to that promise, Kayce.” I broke the kiss where he smiled down at me, reconnecting our lips together and we let ourselves get lost in the other person.

Kicking open the front door of the I giggled stumbling over my own two feet a little tipsy from the bar tonight. Kayce followed behind me grabbing me by my hips pushing me against the front door to shut it. "I can't believe the bartender wouldn't give me my keys back. Like he thinks I was...drunkie off my ass." He chuckled pressing his lips down onto mine sluring his words.

"Maybe he was...jealous of your...sexy ass." Draping my arms around his neck leaning up on my toes smirking at him.

Kayce pressed his chest against mine with our hot breath mixing together. He wrapped his arms around my waist where I jumped up wrapping my arms around neck and my legs around his waist. “Hmm possibly. I am certain that you are…the most beautiful woman in the entire world.”

“We need another drink don’t you think?” I asked him leaning forward whispering into my ear before he stumbled into the kitchen with me hanging off in his arms giggling until he sat me down on the island in the middle of the room.

He rummaged around in the cabinet finding a bottle of Bourbon opening it and handing it to me. I took a long sip holding it out to him where he took one too sitting it down beside me. Kayce rested his hands on either side of me trapping me on the island crashing his lips onto mine hungrily. Wrapping my arms around his neck I pulled him down on top of me until my back was on the table. "I want you so bad right now...Kayce John."

"Me too darling...shit I want to make love to you...right now...here." He whispered in my ear moving his hands underneath my shirt about to lift it over my head breaking the heated kiss.

Lifting my arms up he shrugs it over my head not noticing how close the bottle was before he knocked it off with his elbow right before we heard John's voice come into the kitchen. "It is six in the fucking morning. What the hell are you two doing out this late?"

"John!...uh Mr. Dutton." I gasped, blushing as red as a tomato gripping the front of Kayce's brown shirt in my fingers.

I couldn't believe that I was literally in front of him and my jeans sitting in the middle of the kitchen island. Kayce and I were only engaged for a few months. So it was even weirder considering we weren't married yet and his dad really liked me. But I don't think he intended on seeing me like this. "Do you two want to explain to me what exactly is going on here cause I was just coming to get some coffee and I heard this commotion."

"No dad...I'd rather we didn't have this conversation." Kayce shook his head blushing almost as red as me. He tugged me into his chest trying to cover my bra and chest since he didn't dare look down for my discarded shirt.

John passed us and went to the coffee maker that was by the fridge. There was awkward silence for a few minutes making us both more uncomfortable than we already were. "I'm heading to the front porch now. So you two need to go to bed cause I can tell ya two are drunk. Then when you two wake up hungover you're cleaning up the mess."

"Yea sir." I immediately responded.

"Yeah dad...sorry." Kayce mumbled under his breath.

John opened the door sending us a half sympathetic look before stepping out onto the porch with his coffee. "Oh and a piece of advice. If you two can't wait until the wedding I suggest going to a hotel. Cause I don't want to think that my son and daughter in law were trying to have sex on my kitchen counter."

"I'll never get this out of my head...I'm so embarrassed he saw that, Kayce." Covering my face with my hands I buried my head into my knees remaining in my spot.

Kayce began cleaning up the shatters of glass slumping his shoulders. "Be thankful he caught us before we went any further...cause I don't think he would want to hear us moaning the others name."

"Kayce, shut up!" Gripping my hair I pull his black cowboy hat over my face. "I hate you!"

He threw away the glass and wiped away the liquid as much as he could finally coming back over to me. He gently pulled my hands away from my face cradling my face in his hands. "You love me, honey and I love you too, Y/n." Burying my face against his chest he rested his head on top of mine.

"I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't love ya cowboy. Now can we go to sleep...please." I mumbled into his embrace before he picks me up bridal managing to stumble up the stairs and we laid down in his bed passing out.

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

Pushing some clothes into a suitcase Kayce and I had decided that we were going to a little cabin off the ranch for the weekend. Tying my brown boots and putting my hair up in a braid falling down my back. "I got my stuff in the truck and called the hotel so we are all set up." 

Kayce came into the bedroom making the wooden floor creak underneath his boots. He tossed his hat onto the bed wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. "I have almost everything packed. Now we just have to tell the kids that we are going away." 

"Are we sure it is a good idea to leave the kids with Lioyd and the bunkhouse boys?" He asked, resting his forehead against mine. 

Running my fingers through his hair I pulled my head back looking into his brown eyes. "Look, I know we are worried about Bree's pregnancy. But as you said that we deserve a date night away from our children now and then." 

"The last time we left Bree and Carter alone he got her pregnant-" He attempted to say. 

Raising a brow at him I shook my head pulling myself out of his grasp shutting the suitcase lid and handing it to him. "That may be true, Kayc. But I know for a fact people didn't agree with what we were doing. Dancing around about our feelings forever. Now four beautiful children and a grandchild are on the way." 

"I'll see you downstairs, darlin'." He sent me a nod grabbing his hat on his head leaving the bedroom. 

Grabbing my brown jacket from the closet I headed down the stairs seeing that the kids were all outside on the porch since it was early in the morning. Carter was saddling his horse with the others getting ready for work since there are no weekends on a ranch. "Hey you guys. You're daddy and I are going out this weekend and we will be back on Sunday. So you will be staying here with Lioyd and the others. I just want you to promise me that you will behave while we are gone." 

“You and dad are gonna kiss really loud again aren’t you?” Elsa asked where I made a face at her words especially when she mentioned her big sisters. They were smarter to notice these things than we thought they would at such a young age. “Bree did the same thing with Carter.” 

Bending down on my knees I opened my arms and they both embraced me in tight hugs. “Alright kiddos. We will talk about that later. I love you guys and we will be back…Tate look out for them you understand.” 

“Sure mamma.” He responded making me smile that he was comfortable calling me that even though I wasn’t his mother by blood. Walking down the stairs I got in his truck brushing my hands down the light blue dress I was wearing with my boots. Kayce said that we were going somewhere fancy since we didn’t have the kids but he wouldn’t tell me where we were going specifically. 

The drive was normal into town before he pulled the truck into the parking lot. It was a large cabin that was an open window restaurant that overlooked the landscape of Montana. He pulled out my chair for me where I sent him a smile removing my hat sitting on the back of my chair. “I wanted to change up our lives. Considering the last time we had a date we had to rush and found the sheriff shot. So here’s to a redo darlin’.” 

“Here’s to a redo, Kayc. I am rather surprised you put on a tie.” I pointed out that he was wearing his normal tan jacket and a dress shirt but it wasn’t a full on black suit that he would wear during a wedding or funeral. He was wearing a light tie alongside it. 

The waitress came over eyeing Kayce until I sent her a glare showing her my ring where she dropped her smirk. “What can I get you two?” 

“We will split the steak and some beers.” He told her where she glanced back at him while she walked away. Clutching my hands into fists on the table he reached across, making me shake my jealousy. “Easy honey. I married you didn’t I. You’ve got nothing to worry about from that girl.” 

She brought our food back where we split the steak, eating quietly sending smirks back to each other. I wanted to tell him about what Jaime said to me the other night. It was weighing in on me and making me nervous about whether he might come after me. We finished our dinner and went back to the cabin that he had rented for the night. He pushed open the door letting me inside first where I leaned up on my toes kissing him for the first time tonight. “We don’t have to worry about the kids tonight cowboy…and I only say that because they said they could hear us.” 

“Well they will understand one day. And I am not going to apologize for lovin’ on you. You’re just too hard to resist.” He wrapped his arms around my waist tugging me into his embrace. I smirked, wrapping my arms around his neck mirroring his smirk when he stared down at me like that. 

He leans down, having me jump up and wrap my arms tighter around his neck. He moved his hands so he was holding me by my legs until we fell back onto the soft bed. “You don’t make it any easier for me either.” I declare running my fingers through his hair watching him reach for the bottom of my dress slowly pulling it over my head and tossing it somewhere on the floor. 

Moving my hands up to the buttons of his shirt I started undoing them. At the same time he was untying the tie, yanking it over his head grinning ear to ear, crashing his lips onto mine hungerly. “I know that four kids is a handful but I could do this everyday with you…” He muttered, removing his lips down onto my neck making me moan the second he hit my certain spot. 

“Kayce!” Gripping the brown curly locks he moaned, running his fingers over my body slowly entering me. We rolled underneath the covers enjoying the feeling so much more than I remembered. It didn’t take long for us to both reach our high where we broke the kiss panting like crazy. 

He rested his forehead against mine before he flopped down onto my bedside. Rolling over to face him I gasped laying my head on his bare chest listening to his heartbeat. “I love you more than I thought I could anymore….Y/n you are my Evelyn.” 

“Oh Kayce..” I could see tears forming in his eyes. Leaning up on my elbow I pressed my lips onto his where he smiled into the gentle kiss until I broke it. "How about we go to the bathroom hmm?" 

He immediately jumped up tossing the covers aside and I squealed when he scooped me up in his arms carrying me into the bathroom. We both climbed into the bathtub throwing some water around onto the floor. He wrapped his arms around me where I sat on his lap deeply kissing me. "You are a brilliant woman. Stubborn as a horse and beautiful it makes me weak to my knees everytime." 

"You really are trying to have baby number five aren't you, baby…" I moaned when he cupped my face in his hands tilting my head so the kiss would go deeper. 

He broke it tracing some patterns on my bare shoulders smirking. "Are you saying you don't love me? I mean there should be a bunch of kids running around our ranch." 

"You're ridiculous!" Splashing water in his face he glared at me pushing some back at md where we both now soaked but both grinning regardless. "Of course I love you, Kayce. In fact if I am you're Evelyn then you are my John." 

Pressing my lips onto his I lay my head on his bare chest feeling him wrap his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on top of my forehead. "Bless my boots sweet girl. We might never leave this hotel room." 

"I just might hold you to that, babe." I responded by lifting my head up when he crashed his lips onto mine filling the room with our desires of round two. 

The Montana air hit me with a familiar, bracing chill as I killed the engine of my dusty pickup. It was a crisp late autumn morning, the kind that smelled of pine and damp earth, a scent that always pulled me back to memories of childhood summers spent visiting family friends in these mountains. This time, though, my destination was more specific: the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. And my target? Colby.

I’d known Colby since elementary school, back when his family would come to visit mine in Bozeman. We’d bonded over shared loves of bad country music and exploring creek beds, our friendship unwavering even after his path led him to the ranch full-time. It had been too long since I’d seen him, and after a particularly brutal stretch at my marketing job, I needed a dose of his quiet, steady calm. I wanted to surprise him.

Slinging my worn duffel over my shoulder, I walked towards the collection of log buildings that made up the bunkhouse and main lodge. The usual ranch sounds filled the air – the distant low of cattle, the whinny of a horse, the clatter of something metallic. No one seemed to be around the immediate yard. I peered into the bunkhouse, empty.

Just as I was wondering where everyone was, a figure emerged from the direction of the corrals, leading a horse. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a cowboy hat pulled low. Even from a distance, there was an unmistakable aura of… something. Intensity, maybe. He moved with a quiet purpose, his gaze scanning the area as if perpetually on alert. As he drew closer, I recognized him from the occasional photo Colby had shown me: Kayce Dutton.

He hadn't seen me yet. His eyes, the color of a stormy sky, were fixed on something beyond me. He spoke softly to the horse, a gentle murmur that seemed at odds with his rugged appearance. He looked like he carried the weight of the mountains on his shoulders, every line in his face etched with a story I couldn't begin to guess.

My internal monologue was cut short as a familiar voice boomed from behind me. "Y/n? What in the hell are you doing here?"

I spun around, a wide grin spreading across my face as Colby, looking as solid and dependable as ever, strode towards me. His eyes, though surprised, held that immediate warmth I cherished. "Surprise!" I laughed, dropping my bag and pulling him into a tight hug. He smelled of hay and saddle leather, comfortingly familiar.

"Well, I’ll be damned," he chuckled, pulling back to give me a once-over. "You just… showed up? You didn’t even call, you ass."

"Where’s the fun in that?" I teased, nudging him. "Thought you might need a break from, you know, ranching."

As we talked, I felt a presence beside me. Kayce had approached, his horse now tethered to a nearby post. He removed his hat, revealing dark hair slightly damp at the temples, and offered me a nod. His eyes, up close, were even more striking – deep, weary, but surprisingly direct.

"Kayce, this is Y/n, my old friend," Colby introduced, a hint of pride in his voice. "Y/n, this is Kayce Dutton."

"Nice to meet you," I said, extending a hand. His grip was firm, calloused, but gentle. There was a brief moment where our eyes met, and in that instant, I felt a flicker of something in his gaze – a quick, assessing sweep, then a fleeting hint of curiosity, before his expression settled back into its usual guarded calm. It was disarming.

"Colby talks about you," he stated, his voice a low rumble. It wasn't accusatory, just a simple fact.

"Oh, does he?" I shot a playful glare at Colby, who just shrugged. "He doesn't mention how much he complains about mucking stalls."

Kayce actually gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. It was a tiny upturn of the corner of his mouth, but it changed his whole face, softening the harsh lines, making him seem almost approachable. And that’s when it started, that tiny, insidious seed of curiosity about him.

Over the next few days, I settled into a rhythm that was surprisingly easy. I helped out where I could, which mostly meant cooking for the bunkhouse hands and running errands into town. It gave me a chance to observe the ranch, and its residents, up close.

Colby, true to form, was the steady anchor. He’d bring me coffee in the mornings, listen patiently to my stories about city life, and occasionally offer a dry, witty comment that made me laugh. He was comfortable, familiar, a safe harbor.

But Kayce… Kayce was different. He was a force, yet a quiet one. I watched him wrangle cattle, his movements precise and powerful. I saw him with his son, Tate, a tenderness emerging that melted the ice around his eyes. One afternoon, I saw him sitting by himself, just staring out at the mountains, his posture slumped, a deep weariness radiating from him. He looked like a man haunted, yet still holding on to something fiercely.

One evening, I was helping Colby clean up after dinner, stacking plates while the general cacophony of the bunkhouse died down. Most of the hands had drifted off, leaving just us.

"So," Colby drawled, leaning against the counter, a knowing look in his eye. "You seem to be enjoying the… scenery… around here."

I frowned, feigning innocence. "Yeah, the mountains are beautiful. Never seen 'em quite like this."

He snorted. "Not the mountains, Y/n. Or Rip for that matter, though a lot of women seem to like his brooding type." He paused, then dropped his voice conspiratorially. "I'm talking about Kayce."

My cheeks felt warm. "What about Kayce?" I tried to sound nonchalant, but my voice probably squeaked a little.

Colby pushed off the counter, picking up a rag and slowly wiping down the table. "Oh, nothing. Just noticed you tend to… linger… when he’s around. Or suddenly find yourself needing to be in the same place he is." He glanced at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "And you ask an awful lot of questions about him."

"I do not!" I protested, though the evidence was mounting against me. Had I really asked Colby if Kayce liked my apple pie? And had I lingered a little too long watching him train that wild mustang? Okay, maybe.

"Sure you don't," he said, deadpan. "It’s okay, Y/n. He’s a good man. If a bit… troubled." He lowered his voice. "He’s been through some shit, you know. Navy SEAL. And everything with his family."

His words confirmed what I had instinctively sensed – a deep well of pain beneath that hardened exterior. It made me want to understand him more, to offer a quiet comfort.

A few days later, I found myself alone with Kayce. I was sketching in my notebook by the creek, enjoying the quiet hum of nature, when he rode up, leading a young, skittish mare. He dismounted, tying her reins to a branch, and walked over to the water's edge, tossing a few pebbles in.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low, not looking at me directly.

"Not at all," I said, a slight nervous flutter in my chest. These one-on-one moments with him were rare, and always held a peculiar tension.

He sat down a few feet away, pulling at a blade of grass. "You draw?" he asked, nodding towards my notebook.

"Sometimes," I replied, turning it slightly so he could see. It was a quick sketch of the mare he’d been working with earlier.

He studied it silently for a moment. "You got a good eye," he said, surprisingly. "You see… what's beneath the surface."

His words struck a chord. "I try," I admitted, looking at him then. His gaze was fixed on the distant peaks, his jaw tight. He looked burdened, as if the very air pressed down on him. "You look like you carry a lot," I said, before I could stop myself. It was too personal, too forward.

He didn't flinch, didn't react immediately. His eyes remained on the horizon, but I saw a subtle shift in his expression, a deepening of the lines around his mouth. "Some things," he finally said, his voice barely a whisper, "you just learn to live with. Or you don't."

There was an unspoken history in those words, a lifetime of burdens. I instinctively wanted to reach out, to offer a simple gesture of understanding, but I held back. "It must be hard," I said instead, my voice soft. "To carry so much."

He finally turned his head, his blue eyes meeting mine. For a moment, the usual guard seemed to drop, and I saw a raw vulnerability there, a profound sadness that seemed to stretch back years. It was brief, a flash, and then the walls came back up.

"It is what it is," he said, the familiar Kayce Dutton returning. He stood up abruptly. "Got to get this mare back to the barn."

He walked away, leaving me by the creek, my heart thumping a little faster than usual. The glimpse into his soul, however fleeting, had deepened my feelings from mere curiosity to something much more profound. It wasn't just his quiet strength, his protective nature, or even his rare, softening smiles. It was the weight he carried, the good man struggling beneath it, that pulled me in. He was a puzzle I desperately wanted to understand, a wound I longed to soothe.

That night, Colby found me staring out the bunkhouse window, a mug of lukewarm coffee in my hand. He draped an arm around my shoulders. "Still looking at the mountains, Y/n?" he teased, but his voice was softer this time.

I sighed, leaning my head against his shoulder. "He’s… complicated, isn’t he?"

Colby just grunted in agreement. "Yeah. Been that way for as long as I’ve known him. He’s got a good heart, though. Just… buried under a lot of layers." He paused. "You really falling for him, aren’t you?"

I didn't deny it. I couldn't. I just nodded, a small, sad smile playing on my lips. "I think so, Colby. And I don’t know what to do about it."

"You don’t do anything," he said, surprisingly wise. "Just… be yourself. Be here. He notices more than you think." He gave my shoulder a squeeze. "He’s a good man, Y/n. He deserves someone who sees that, underneath all the crap."

The next morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn't going to push, or force anything. But I wasn't going to deny what I felt, either. As I made my way to the kitchen, I saw Kayce already there, leaning against the counter, sipping coffee. He looked up as I entered, and for a split second, a small, knowing smile played on his lips. It was almost imperceptible, but I saw it. And in that moment, I knew. This was more than just a passing crush. This was something real, something worth holding onto, even in the complicated, often brutal world of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. I was ready to see where this slow, unfolding feeling might lead.

Pushing around some clothes that were hanging on the rack I wasn't finding anything that I truly wanted to buy. Kayce, my husband is currently working as Livestock Commissioner now that his father John had stepped down to spend more time with our son Tate. Moving my bag up higher on my shoulder I turned to head out the door till the woman who owned the store got my attention. “Excuse me. Did you think you were just going to walk out of here without me noticing what you took.”

“I'm sorry, are you accusing me of stealing?” I looked over my shoulder at her.

She scoffed going behind her front desk and dialing a number on her phone. “Oh I know you stole something, outsider.”

I was definitely out of my element living here in Montana. My sister Summer Higgins and I had gone our separate ways. She had become an animal rights activist and I had gone and fell in love with the youngest son of a family with the largest land in Montana. Even though I was wearing just a red flannel shirt, ripped blue jeans and some muddy brown boots that went up to my knees almost everyone here could see I didn’t quite fit in. I was as the shop owner called me an outsider.

Taking out my phone I held it in front of my chest texting the first person I could think of that wouldn’t get physical with this woman. I knew if my husband found out he would only resort to violence and likely get arrested by the police. “The police are on their way.”

“I didn’t steal anything.” I spoke to her hiding my phone inside my back pocket.

The shop woman didn’t seem to buy what I was telling her. “I’m gonna find out what you took and you're going to pay for it.”

A few minutes later the police arrived. One man and one woman who approached the shop owner while I remained standing in the corner of the shop. “What seems to be the trouble here, ma’am?” The male officer asked her.

The owner pointed her index finger at me. “She stole something and was about to walk out but I know I saw her. Now she’s refusing to give it up.”

The female officer glanced at me. “Is that true?”

“No. She’s lying.”

The male officer held out his hand. “Can I see your driver's license please?” Handing over my ID he looked it over in silence.

“Search her clothes. She must be hiding it.” The owner snapped at me and I bit my lip wanting to roll my eyes.

The female officer gestured to one of the dressing rooms in the back of the store. I slowly walked back to the area and she entered the dressing room with me. “Take off your clothes.”

“Is this really necessary? I haven’t stolen anything. She’s lying to you just to get attention or something.” I rolled my eyes tugging my shirt over my head and dropping my pants, leaving me standing in my bra and underwear.

The officer looked inside my bra and inside my clothes that I had dropped onto the floor not finding anything there like I knew she would. She stood upright eyeing my underwear ordering me. “Remove your underwear and bend over so I can look there.”

“Are you freaking insane? I’m not doing that.” Raising my voice I crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t comfortable stripping in front of a stranger. I was only comfortable doing something like this around my husband. Kayce and I had a drunk night out at the bar and ended up getting pregnant with our son. It was a good relationship though, we already had feelings for each other before getting drunk and falling into bed with one another.

The officer glared at me with her arms across her chest. “Remove them or I will take you in for failure to comply with an officer.”

Slowly tugging my underwear down my legs I heard my sister in law's voice outside the closed curtains. “Where is she?”

“Who Beth?” the owner asked her.

“My sister in law.” The next thing I know the curtain got thrown open and my sister in law was standing in the doorway, staring at us. “I'm no lawyer, but I believe it's the 4th Amendment that deals with unlawful search and seizure.”

“This search is voluntary.” The female officer spoke.

“Sure doesn't look voluntary to me.” My sister in law didn't buy it, snapping a picture with her phone. “Leave her alone. Get dressed.”

Quickly throwing my clothes back on I found Beth outside pointing at the male officer and then the female officer scolding them for what they tried to do to me. “I went to high school with you. And you, you babysat her husband.”

“On her driver's license, her last name is Higgins.” The male officer pointed out.

She rolled her eyes. “I doubt that's gonna save you, buddy.”

“Thank you, Beth.” I replied to her with a kind smile, about to walk out the door till she grabbed my forearm.

“Just know I like you cause you eat steak.” She whispered before turning the open sign on the door to close and glaring at the shop owner and went around looking at her products “Wait. Don't go. You'll miss all the fun. Well, I'm here. Might as well shop. Oh, that's nice.”

“Nah. Not for me.” The next item she picked up was a glass statue. She suddenly smashed it against another glass object and smashed it on the countertop until it was completely broken into pieces.

“Beth, I think that’s enough.” I softly spoke towards her direction.

“And you. You fucking cunt, I remember when you gave out hand jobs for lunch money, Veronica. That was before the boob job and the dermabrasion and the doctor dumb enough to marry you.” Beth picked up another object from the counter that she hadn’t broken before picking up a dress and held it out to the woman. The shop owner took it from her hand trying to go to the dressing room but Beth wouldn’t let her. “That's lovely. Model it for me, would you? Oh, I think we're well past dressing rooms, don't you? Try it on here.”

I called out my sister in law's name thinking she had made her point. “Beth.”

“You know, it's not a "have to," Veronica. I can just keep smashing shit. Try it on.” Beth launched the object in her hands against a glass mirror and shoved some things off the nearest table, sitting down on it to watch as the owner removed her clothes. Beth got down and peaked inside her underwear scoffing under her breath. ““Ooh. Spanx. What a shocker. You know, you had an ass like a 12-year-old boy in high school. What happened? Now we're getting somewhere. Well, you're not a real blonde. What a surprise.”

Stepping around the owner I got in her face, slightly feeling sorry for her but she did the same thing to me just because she didn’t know who I was when I walked inside her place of business. “You didn’t know me and because of that you didn’t even give me the chance to explain how wrong you were. Just know I won’t be shopping here anymore and you better hope I never tell my husband about this.”

“Are you ready to go? I need a beer.” Beth asked me waiting by the door and I followed her out not thinking about the owner once we had left her store.

Once we had decided we had enough drinks at the bar and talked we made our way home and back to the ranch. Walking up the wood stairs and opening the front door I was taken by surprise seeing my husband sitting on the end of the couch with his gaze focused on me. “Kayce? I - I thought you’d be in bed.”

“Not when my wife gets accused of stealing and forced to strip in front of a police officer.”

Bringing a hand to my face I groaned in embarrassment, not wanting him to know what occurred today at that store. “You - who told you?”

“Beth.” He answered, getting up from the couch and pulling me in for a brief hug, mumbling into my hair. “Honey, why didn’t you think you could tell me about this?”

Muttering into his gray shirt I felt some tears welling in my eyes. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Y/n, I'm your husband. I’m always going to worry about you.” He broke the hug drawing back so I could see his face. His soft brown eyes looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered in his world, which was entirely true.

Raising a hand up to the side of his face he leaned into the palm of my hand. “Awe Kayce.”

“I love you.” He whispered, lending down and kissing me for the first time since he left to go to work this morning. I kissed him back gripping the fabric of his shirt, deepening the kiss till he broke it. He showed me a cheeky smirk on his face. “Tate is asleep. I know we’ve both had a long day and I was thinking we could go to bed hmm/”

The Dutton family always thanked Gator for serving everyone on the family ranch. He was a great cook and did an amazing job. But I decided that I needed to show my appreciation towards the family that I have been helping run their ranch for a few years. When Beth called me saying they needed a new ranch hand I instantly took up the offer. Making them all dinner and giving Gator the day off is the best way to show my appreciation and loyalty to the ranching family.

The front door opened while I was sitting the brisket in the center of the table along with some potatoes and some cookies that Tate had made earlier in the day for dessert. “Darling, what are you doing here. Did you help Gator do all this?” I heard Kayce’s voice enter the room where he removed his hat hanging it on the wall.

“Actually I made all of this. I gave Gator the night off.” I responded by turning around to face him, finally getting everything set out.

Kayce came over to me wrapping his arms around my waist bringing me closer. He leans down kissing me slowly and I lean up kissing him back since we hadn’t seen each other much today. “You didn’t have to do this for us.”

“I wanted to, Kayce. It’s not a big deal.” I ran a hand through his tousled curly hair smiling brightly.

The front door opened another time with John entering the dining room seeing us break apart from one another going to sit down at the table to eat our dinner. “This all looks fairly good.” John sat down at the head of the table with me and Kayce sitting across from each other in the chairs closest to him.

“Thank you for saying that, John. I made the meal tonight.” I explained swallowing the bite of meat I had in my mouth.

John had always looked up to me considering I had made Kayce realize that he could be better and run the ranch even if he wasn’t keen to the idea in the beginning. Kayce and I had gotten together a few weeks after he had finalized his divorce with Tate’s mother.

Our meal for the most part went fairly well. Kayce and I had cleaned up the dining table with John leaning in the doorway watching us for a few minutes before saying a word. “Y/n, I’m just curious as to why you thought you needed to make us dinner. I’m not saying anything in it was bad, it was amazing. But I just want to know why.”

“How about we go sit down and finish this conversation.” Kayce suggested and we all agreed moving back into the dining room sitting back in our sports we were in a few moments ago.

I sighed brushing my hair out of my face, eyeing the man who I admired from the first moment I had met him. This family means everything to me and I wouldn’t trade any of my memories here for something else. I just prayed they valued me as much as I did them. “I just want you to know I appreciate y’all and want to be a part of the family.”

John stands up from his head seat at the table. “You are a part of the family.”

“I am. I don’t understand.” I sent him a confused face.

Kayce lowered himself down on one knee right in front of me. Reaching inside his pants pocket he slowly opened a small black box showing me a simple gold ring. “Will you marry me, Y/n?”

“You bet your boots I will.” I removed my hands from my mouth wiping away the heavy happy tears that had began falling down my face.

Kayce slipped the ring on my finger barely giving me time to admire it when he scooped me up into his arms. I squealed as he twirled me around in a few circles of laughter coming from the both of us finally sitting me down on the wooden floor.

I tucked hair behind my ear, eyeing the ring on my left finger. “Kayce, you didn’t have to buy me a ring.”

“Funny enough I didn’t buy that ring.” He shrugged his shoulders with a light chuckle.

I felt like my voice went to a higher tone. “Huh?”

“I can clear up your confusion, dear.” John came to stand beside his youngest son placing a hand on his shoulder sending me a proud grin with tearful eyes. “That ring was bought years ago by me when I proposed to my wife Evelyn. It’s her ring that I passed down to him.”

I felt more tears slipping down my face, stepping around my fiancé so I could hug my father in law. “Thank you so much, John. I’m honored to call you my father in law.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to become my daughter in law for a long time.” He hugged me back and I mirrored his smile. Kayce opened his arms for me and I raced forward where he picked me up off the ground when I wrapped my legs around his waist.

Kayce led me outside for me to see two horses standing at the end of the wooden stairs. He took me to my horse and climbed on our separate horses with me following Kayce on horseback wherever he was leading me. I knew most of the ranch yet where we stopped I had never been before. “Kayce, where are we exactly?”

“It’s a place I don’t go too often. This - this is where my mother got killed on her horse.” He explained to me slowly walking up to the fence holding my hand in his until we reached the fence.

I squeezed his hand, sending him a weak expression. “Kayce, I’m sorry.”

“It's okay. I told myself that when I found the right girl for me. I'd take her to meet my mom.” He explained simply looking down into my eyes.

A question fell from my lips. “You never took Monica here?”

“Given my fathers reaction got me branded. I figured my mother wouldn't have liked to hear I knocked up a girl in high school.” He rubbed the back of his neck, throwing his head back pushing that memory away about the brand. “Besides she clearly wasn't the one for me. You are, Y/n L/n.”

“To be honest I’ve been waiting for you to say those words for a while, Kayce Dutton.” I turned to face the cowboy draping my arms around his neck nuzzling my nose against his own.

He grinned down at me, wrapping his arms around my waist tugging my body against his chest connecting his lips with my own. “Well I’ve been waiting far too long to call you wife, my darling, my Mrs. Dutton.” Leaning my body into the kiss we stumbled slightly into the wooden fence just getting lost in kissing the other.

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Climbing down the ladder from the hay loft I kicked up some dust when my boots hit the ground a minute before I heard one of the bunkhouse guys throwing up in one of the horse stalls. Walking over to the stall I peeked my head inside finding Colby bent over throwing up his breakfast from this morning. “Colby, are you alright? You don’t look too good to me.”

“I’m fine, Y/n. Breakfast just- isn’t sitting right with me I guess.” He coughed wiping his hand over his mouth.

Stepping inside the stall I bent down on a knee wrapping Colby’s arm over my shoulder doing the best I could to help him get to the bunkhouse. “Don’t worry about work for today. I’ll make sure Rip doesn’t have your ass for taking a day off because you're sick.”

“Y/n. Colby, what’s going on here?” Footsteps came around the corner revealing Kayce to us. He had come from the direction of the main house and had seen us limping across the road.

I kept walking knowing Colby would feel much better once he got some needed rest. “Colby is sick. He puked in one of the horse stalls so I’m taking him over to the bunkhouse to get some sleep.”

“Here let me help you. You can’t possibly get him there all by yourself.” Kayce came onto the other side of Colby and slung his other arm over his shoulder. Together the three of us made our way to the bunkhouse. Removing Colby’s arm from my shoulder Kayce helped him sit down on the edge of the bed.

Brushing hair out of my face I watched Colby remove his boots and began laying down in his bed. “Thanks for your help, Kayce. I’ll stay here and help if he needs anything else.”

“I think I’ll stay. I don’t think you should be left alone with him.” The youngest Dutton son told me, leaning against the bunkbed with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Kayce, this illness has been going across the whole ranch. I have already had it so I am likely to not get it a second time. You haven’t got it yet so I’m telling you to stay away from here so you don’t get sick or especially get Tate sick.”

The cowboy wouldn’t back down unfortunately like I thought he would when bringing up his son. “I can’t leave you here by yourself. My brothers and sisters would never leave me alone when I was sick. And I wouldn’t leave one of them alone to take care of the other when they were sick.”

“Fine, Dutton. Don’t say I didn’t offer you an out when you had the chance.” I sighed, slumping my shoulders, turning my attention back to the sick cowboy who was passed out asleep in his bunk bed.

True to its word the illness was spreading across the Dutton ranch and had pretty much infected everyone, even Kayce. It had only been a few days since Colby had gotten better and was back to working the ranch. Walking up the wooden stairs and through the front door of the main house I entered the kitchen finding Beth grabbing a bottle of wine from the cabinet. “I got your text. Where is he?”

“He was in his bedroom the last time I saw him - now his ass is falling down the stairs.” She parted her lips before a loud crash rang through the house.

Nodding my head I spun on my feet strolling through the living room and stopping when I came upon Kayce laying against the railing of the stairs. “What are you doing, Kayce?”

“I’m going to work. What does it look like?” He scoffed attempting to get up but he started coughing and was grinning the wood for support.

Sending him a weak smile I sighed softly. “You should be in bed resting because you’re clearly sick.”

“I’m not sick. I’m going to work-“ He tried to take another step down the stairs yet he tripped when he closed his eyes. Racing forward I managed to catch his heavier body in my arms and held him up to stand more upright.

“I’m sorry you thought I was offering that as a suggestion. You are going back to bed this instant and going to get some rest because you are in fact sick.”

Dragging him back up the stairs and down the hallway I kicked opened his bedroom door. Leading him towards his bed I gently pushed him down onto the mattress and bent down to remove his boots. “Lay down and go to sleep, Dutton. I’ve seen it’s the best way to get over this. Oh and also eat a soup that Gator has made for anyone who has gotten this flu. I don’t know what’s in it but it sure as hell does the trick.”

“How have you not gotten sick after taking care of Colby?” Kayce asked me once I had gotten his boots off and was standing over him now.

“I was actually the first person to get the cold. I did my best to avoid the ranch but unfortunately Teeter got it from me and then it kept spreading from there until it landed on you.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed I dropped my gaze to my boots. “I’m sorry about giving it to you.”

Kayce closed his eyes, releasing a heavy breath, laying his head back on the pillows. “It’s okay. Don’t worry - I won’t let this cold keep me down for long.”

“Believe me, Dutton.” Shaking my head I walked closer to him gently placing a kiss on his forehead. “You’re just as stubborn as this cold is. I’ll let you rest now.”

Nearly walking away from him I turned on my feet but he gently grabbed my wrist keeping me in my spot. “Wait Y/n.”

“What do you need, cowboy?” I questioned him.

He gave me the soft puppy dog eyes with those deep brown eyes of his. “Lay down with me would you?”

“Kayce-“ I warned him.

He didn’t seem to care, gently tugging on my wrist he was still holding onto at this moment. “You said you’ve already had this cold. You can’t get the same cold twice I don’t think. So please will you lay down with me for a few.”

“Fine. But only for a little bit.” Slipping my hand out of his grasp I bent down removing my boots. Moving around to the empty side of the bed I crawled underneath the covers and laid my head in the crook of his neck.

The Montana sky felt heavier than usual, mirroring the knot in my stomach. Kayce and I had been together for almost a year, a whirlwind of passion and quiet understanding that had blossomed amidst the rugged landscape of the Yellowstone. He was different from anyone I’d ever known – a man carved from the earth, loyal to a fault, and haunted by shadows that clung to him like the scent of pine after a rain.

But those shadows, I was learning, were a part of him, inextricably linked to the Dutton legacy. And lately, they had been growing darker, casting a pall over our relationship.

It started subtly. Increased tension when John Dutton was around. A curtness in his replies when I asked about Tate. A haunted look in his eyes that I couldn't quite decipher. It was like he was slowly retreating, building walls I couldn’t climb.

Tonight, the wall had become a fortress.

We were in the small cabin Kayce had built for us, a haven of rustic charm tucked away on a quiet corner of the ranch. The scent of cedar hung in the air, mingled with the faint aroma of the stew I’d been simmering all afternoon. It was supposed to be a cozy night, a chance to reconnect after weeks of him being…distant.

But the air was thick with unspoken words, crackling with a tension that made my skin crawl.

“Kayce,” I started, my voice barely a whisper. He was sitting by the fire, staring into the flames, his jaw tight. “What’s wrong? You’ve been… different.”

He didn’t look at me. “Nothing’s wrong, Y/n.”

“Don’t lie to me,” I said, my voice gaining strength. “I can feel it. Something’s eating you up.”

He finally turned, his eyes, usually so warm and inviting, were shuttered. “It’s… complicated.”

“Tell me,” I pleaded, stepping closer. “Let me in. We’re supposed to be a team, remember?”

The words seemed to trigger something. He stood up abruptly, his large frame filling the small space. “You don’t understand, Y/n. You can’t understand. You’re not… you don’t have the weight of this place on your shoulders.”

“The weight of what, Kayce? The Dutton name? The ranch? What is it that I can't understand?" I was growing frustrated. This wasn't the man I knew.

“Everything!” He exploded, his voice raw. “This ranch, my family, Tate… Monica. You don’t know what it’s like to be bound to this place, to have your life dictated by it.”

Monica. Her name hung in the air like a ghost. I knew she was a part of his past, the mother of his son. I’d never begrudged him that. But the way he said her name now, the pain in his voice, it felt like a betrayal. “Is this about Monica?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He flinched, like I’d struck him. “No. It’s not… entirely.”

“Then what is it, Kayce? Tell me the truth.”

He turned away again, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s… I don’t know. I just… I need some space.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. Space. Was this the beginning of the end? “Space?” I repeated, my voice flat. “So, what? You want me to leave?"

He finally met my gaze, his eyes filled with a turmoil that mirrored my own. “No, Y/n. I don’t want you to leave. But I need… I need to figure things out. I can’t… I can’t be what you need right now.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “And what do you need, Kayce? Because I’m starting to think it’s not me.”

He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I turned and walked towards the bedroom, grabbing my bag.

“Y/n, where are you going?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of panic.

“I’m giving you the space you need, Kayce,” I said, my voice thick with tears. “I’m going back to my place. When you figure out what you want, you know where to find me.”

I didn’t wait for him to reply. I walked out of the cabin, the cool night air doing little to soothe the burning in my chest. As I drove away, I saw him standing in the doorway, watching me go. The image of him, silhouetted against the warm light of the cabin, was etched into my memory.

The next few days were hell. I went through the motions of my life, but everything felt hollow. Sleep was elusive, haunted by dreams of Kayce and the unspoken words that hung between us. I replayed our conversation a thousand times, searching for clues, for answers.

I knew the Yellowstone was a complex place, a land of beauty and brutality, where loyalty and betrayal danced a dangerous tango. I knew that loving Kayce meant accepting his past, his family, his burdens. But I didn’t know how to fight a ghost, how to compete with a memory.

On the fourth night, I was sitting on my porch, staring at the stars, when I saw headlights approaching. My heart leaped into my throat. It was him. He pulled up to the house, got out of his truck, and walked towards me. He looked exhausted, his face gaunt, his eyes bloodshot.

He stopped in front of me, his gaze searching mine. “Y/n,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m sorry.”

“For what, Kayce?” I asked, my voice guarded. “For pushing me away? For making me feel like I’m not enough?”

“For being an idiot,” he said, his voice cracking. “For letting my demons get in the way of us.”

He stepped closer, reaching out to take my hand. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me.

“I was scared,” he confessed. “Scared of letting you in, scared of hurting you, scared of not being good enough for you.”

“Kayce…”

“I was wrong,” he interrupted. “I need you, Y/n. I need you more than I need air to breathe.”

He pulled me into his arms, his embrace fierce and desperate. I clung to him, burying my face in his chest, letting the tears flow freely.

“I love you,” I whispered, the words choked with emotion.

“I love you too,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. "More than you know."

We stood there for a long moment, just holding each other, letting the silence speak volumes. Finally, he pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes.

"Can I come inside?" he asked, his voice barely audible. I nodded, and he followed me into the house.

The air inside felt charged, heavy with unspoken desires. He didn’t say a word, just took my face in his hands and kissed me.

The kiss was urgent, desperate, a release of all the pent-up emotions that had been simmering between us for days. It was a kiss that spoke of longing, of regret, of a desperate need to reconnect.

I kissed him back with equal fervor, letting my body melt against his. He tasted of whiskey and regret, and something else… something achingly familiar that made my heart ache.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips, sending shivers down my spine. He picked me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and carried me to the bedroom.

He laid me gently on the bed and began to undress me, his eyes never leaving mine. His touch was reverent, tender, as if he was afraid of breaking me.

I reached out and unbuttoned his shirt, my fingers tracing the contours of his chest. He was hard, sculpted, a testament to the life he led.

We undressed each other slowly, savoring each touch, each caress. When we were both naked, he lowered himself onto the bed, his body covering mine.

He kissed me again, his lips exploring every inch of my face, my neck, my chest. He worshipped me with his mouth, his hands, his entire being.

I arched beneath him, moaning softly as he found my most sensitive spots. He knew my body intimately, knew exactly how to drive me wild.

He entered me slowly, filling me with his heat, his strength, his love. I gasped, arching my back as he began to move.

The rhythm was slow and deliberate at first, building gradually as our passion intensified. We moved together, a symphony of moans and sighs, our bodies entwined, our hearts beating as one.

The climax hit us both hard, a wave of pure pleasure that washed over us, leaving us breathless and trembling. We clung to each other, gasping for air, our bodies slick with sweat.

Afterward, we lay tangled in the sheets, our bodies still humming with the afterglow of passion. He held me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me, as if he was afraid of letting me go.

“I’m not going anywhere, Kayce,” I whispered, nuzzling my face into his chest.

“I know,” he said, his voice soft. “But I’m never letting you go again.”

We stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other, letting the silence heal the wounds that had been inflicted.