#tate dutton

The Montana wind, crisp and biting even in late spring, carried the familiar scent of pine and horse sweat across the Yellowstone ranch. Y/n stood on the porch of the smaller cabin Kayce had moved them into, watching Tate chase a stray chicken, his laughter bright against the vast, rugged landscape. She smiled, a genuine, if fleeting, curve of her lips. Tate was her world, her reason for breathing, for enduring.

A heavy sigh escaped her, not out of complaint, but out of weariness that had settled deep in her bones. Teen love had blossomed quickly into responsibility, a shotgun wedding of sorts, not by force, but by the undeniable proof of a tiny heartbeat. Kayce had stepped up, as a Dutton would. He was a good father, a loyal man, but the spark that had ignited their youth had long since dwindled to embers, often choked by the smoke of duty and unspoken resentments.

From the bunkhouse, Ryan leaned against the weathered fence, a coil of rope in his hand, idly watching the scene. His eyes, usually sharp and focused on the cattle, lingered on Y/n. He saw the subtle slump of her shoulders, the way her gaze often drifted to the horizon, as if searching for something just beyond her reach. He saw the genuine smiles she reserved for Tate, and the polite, almost practiced ones she offered Kayce.

It had been years since he’d first come to the Yellowstone, a wide-eyed recruit. He’d seen Kayce and Y/n from the start. Their fierce, young love had been undeniable then. But time, and the Dutton life, had a way of wearing things down. He observed Kayce, perpetually burdened by the ranch, by John, by his own internal wars. He rarely saw him truly see Y/n anymore. No casual touch to her back as he passed, no lingering glance, no pulling out her chair at the dinner table in the main house, where Y/n often sat feeling like a guest in her own life, while Kayce was deep in conversation with his father.

Ryan knew. He knew because he watched. He saw her at the dinner table, an empty chair beside her, while Kayce was on the phone, or talking business with Rip and Lloyd. He saw the way she’d carry Tate’s sleeping form to bed, her movements quiet and practiced, while Kayce was still out in the dark, tending to a calf or fixing a fence. He saw the way her eyes would glisten sometimes when she thought no one was looking, a private battle waged behind a stoic facade.

One afternoon, Tate tripped over a rock near the barn, scraping his knee. He let out a wail that brought Y/n running from the cabin. Kayce was nowhere in sight, likely already out on horseback. Ryan, who had been oiling a saddle nearby, dropped his tools and was there in an instant.

"Whoa there, little man," Ryan said, kneeling beside Tate. "Just a little booboo." He pulled a clean bandana from his pocket, dampening it with water from a nearby trough, and gently wiped the dirt from Tate’s knee.

Y/n arrived, her breath hitched, then softened as she saw Ryan already tending to her son. "Oh, Tate," she murmured, her hand instinctively going to her boy's hair. "Thank you, Ryan."

Their eyes met over Tate's head. Ryan’s gaze was steady, warm, and something else – understanding. It was a look that felt like a quiet invitation, a question without words. Y/n felt a familiar flush creep up her neck. She’d always appreciated Ryan’s quiet dependability. He didn’t grandstand, didn’t demand attention. He just was.

"No problem," Ryan said, carefully tying the bandana around Tate's knee. "He's a tough one, just like his mama." He offered Y/n a small, genuine smile that reached his eyes.

Later that week, a harsh cold front swept through. The cattle needed extra attention. Kayce, already stretched thin, seemed even more distant. Y/n found herself alone with Tate more often, his boundless energy a stark contrast to her internal weariness. She was trying to fix a broken latch on the chicken coop, her fingers numb with cold, when Ryan appeared.

"Need a hand with that?" he asked, his voice low, not startling her.

"Kayce said he’d get to it," she replied, her breath misting in the air. "But... well, he’s busy."

"He usually is," Ryan said, a hint of something unreadable in his tone. He took the tools from her unresisting hand. His large, calloused fingers worked with practiced ease, quickly repairing the latch. "He's a good man, Kayce. Loyal to the brand." He paused, not looking at her, his voice soft. "But loyalty can take a lot out of a person."

Y/n watched him, the careful way he tightened the screws, the strong line of his back. "That it can," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

He finished, testing the latch. "There you go. Should hold." He turned to her then, his eyes searching hers. "You still wearing that ring on your finger, Y/n," he began, his voice dropping, "but every time I see you, you look like you're about to cry."

Her breath hitched. No one had ever said it out loud. No one had seen it. She looked away, her cheeks burning. "I'm fine, Ryan."

"Are you?" he pressed gently, taking a step closer. The wind whipped her hair across her face, and he instinctively reached out, tucking a strand behind her ear. His touch was brief, electric. "Because I don't think you are. And I don't think he sees it. Or maybe he just doesn't know what to do about it."

She finally looked at him, her eyes wide, vulnerable. "What are you saying, Ryan?"

He took another deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs. "I'm saying... you deserve more. You deserve someone who sees you, Y/n. Someone who puts his hand on your back, who pulls out your chair, who looks at you like you hung the moon, not like you're another item on his to-do list." He paused, his gaze intense. "Someone who comes home to you, not just the ranch."

Y/n's heart hammered against her ribs. It was as if he’d peeled back layers she’d carefully constructed, exposing a raw, aching truth. Every word he spoke resonated with the quiet yearnings she’d suppressed for years. She thought of the empty nights, the polite conversations, the sense of drifting further and further apart from the man she’d once loved with such fierce abandon.

"Kayce and I... we have Tate," she said, her voice barely a whisper, clutching at the most obvious reason.

"I know," Ryan said, his voice softening, "and he's a lucky boy to have you as his mama. But what about you, Y/n? What about what you deserve?" He took another step, closing the small distance between them. "I see you at home, Y/n, with the kids, while he's out with the boys, or with John, or on the phone. And maybe that's his life. But it doesn't have to be yours."

He reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. His touch was warm, a stark contrast to the biting cold. "I know this ain't my place, Y/n. And Kayce's my friend. But I can't stand to watch you like this anymore. Before y'all go too far... before more years slip by... break up with him."

The words hung in the air, bold and dangerous, yet simultaneously freeing. Y/n stared into his eyes, seeing not just longing, but deep, unwavering conviction. He believed it, truly. And in that moment, seeing herself reflected in his gaze – a woman deserving of more than quiet resignation – she started to believe it too.

Later that evening, the bunkhouse was loud with laughter and card games. Ryan, sitting at a corner table, pretended to be engrossed in a hand of poker, but his mind was replaying Y/n’s startled eyes, the flush on her cheeks, the way she hadn’t immediately pulled away.

Y/n walked back to her cabin, the cold wind feeling less biting now, replaced by a tumultuous warmth in her chest. She found Kayce already asleep, sprawled on their bed, boots still on the floor, the TV flickering silently. He looked tired, worn out from the day's demands. A pang of something – not love, but a familiar ache of responsibility – hit her.

She looked at the ring on her finger, the simple gold band that symbolized a life she’d built, a family she cherished. But Ryan’s words echoed in her mind: Every time I see you, you look like you're about to cry. You deserve more.

She walked to the window, gazing out at the vast, silent ranch, illuminated by the cold moonlight. It was a beautiful, brutal place that demanded everything and gave little back without a fight. She had fought for this life, for Tate, for Kayce. But somewhere along the way, she had stopped fighting for herself.

A new kind of resolve began to settle in her heart. She wasn't an accessory to Kayce's life, or a relic of a past love. She was Y/n. And Ryan, in his quiet, understated way, had reminded her of that. He had seen the empty chair beside her, and he wanted to fill it, not just with his presence, but with a love that truly saw her.

"right," he answered shortly, watching as you approached the .22 section.

"okay, well we've got a couple brownings in stock currently. they're a bit pricey, but if i'm being honest i prefer them to the rugers or weatherbys. what are you hunting?" you asked, fingers running over the butt of the guns on the wall as you looked to him again.

"elk," kayce said. "little man's coming with this time."

your eyes were drawn to the six year old that had come to his side, a small smile pulling at your lips as he grinned up at you. you leaned over the counter a bit to see him better.

"you excited, bud?" you asked. he nodded, leaning into his father's side more as he smiled at you.

"he said i should get a new gun to commemorate it," kayce said, earning a small laugh from you. you looked back up at him, raising your brows as a teasing smile settled on your lips.

"oh i'm sure he did," you said. "i'm sure he thinks the browning is the best pick for you too."

"well, i've got the weatherby and the ruger, so it's the last real option," he laughed. he ran a hand through the little boy's hair. "he doesn't like them either."

"i'll get it rang up for you two then," you told him, smiling still as you pulled the proper box from the wall. you moved to the till, scanning it in. "do you have a rewards number?"

"oh, uh, yeah," kayce said, giving it to you then.

"kayce dutton?" you asked, looking up with raised brows. he nodded and you returned to your typing. "i think we've met before. or at least, i've met your father. he was here when we opened the store."

"your family owns the store?" he asked.

"mhm," you hummed. "when i was fourteen. i've helped run it since."

"i haven't seen you here before," he said. you shrugged.

"how often are you buying new guns?" you asked, laughing lightly as you clicked the computer. "need any ammo or are you set?"

"i should be fine," he said with a nod.

"alright, just go ahead and swipe your card then," you told him, nodding at the pinpad. he did just that. "i'm y/n by the way. it's nice to meet you."

"kayce," he said, before realizing you already knew that with a furrow of his brow. he laughed awkwardly before gesturing down at his son. "this is tate."

"hi!" tate chirped with a wave. you laughed lightly, waving back at him.

"it's nice to meet you, tate," you told him. you passed kayce the box and ripped his receipt, handing that to tate. you smiled at the boy. "hide this from your mommy. i'm sure your daddy doesn't want her to know he bought another gun."

your tone was teasing and a flush rose to kayce's cheeks, but not because of it. he was quick to jut in. "oh, i'm not married or with anyone, so no worries there."

"oh," you said, sounding awfully surprised. somehow, this endeared you more to him - even though you already found him incredibly endearing. he was single - win! - but he was also a single dad who actually cared about his kid. your heart warmed as you smiled up at him. "well then, no one to worry about how much money you're spending on guns. sounds great."

"it has it's benefits," he agreed with a smile.

"well, i will see you two around the store, likely," you said, glancing between tate and his father as kayce stepped away. "good luck on your hunt."

"thanks, i'll let you know if we get anything," kayce said.

"looking forward to it," you replied with an easy smile. you waved at tate, your smile widening slightly. "bye tate."

"bye!"

kayce didn't look away from you until he had to turn around to head down the stairs to the main level of the store, and even then he glanced back as you returned your attention to the inventory behind you.

seriously, when did bass pro employees become so attractive?

it was only a week later that you ran into tate again, the little boy running up to you as you reorganized the men's huntingwear section.

"i know you!" he cheered as he approached, an older man following behind him as he eyed you curiously.

"oh, hi tate!" you laughed, bumping his knuckles with yours once he held his out. "how are you buddy? you guys get any elk last weekend?"

tate nodded eagerly. "a big one! dad got it from so far away!"

"600 yards," the older gentleman added, smiling down at his grandson. he looked back up at you. "you're y/n y/l/n, right? their oldest daughter?"

"yeah," you nodded, matching his smile. "it's nice to see you again, mr. dutton."

"last time i saw you, you were just a little girl," he hummed, a warm smile on his lips. "you're all grown now. you helping your dad?"

"every day," you affirmed. "he's getting older, so i've been helping him and my brothers get this place to a good state to pass along. devin's gonna take over here in the next few years."

"oh, is that right?" john asked gruffly, nodding slowly as he tried to recall your oldest brother.

"mhm," you nodded. you glanced down at tate again as he began messing with the beanies on the rack across from you. "i met your son last week, kayce."

"yeah, i heard," john nodded, his voice gruff as he looked to tate. "seemed to have caught the attention of both of those boys."

tate smiled up at you as he pulled a carharrt beanie over his head. you laughed, rubbing his head with a soft hand.

"may i ask what you mean by that, sir?" you wondered. he shrugged, looking around the store with an ill-disguised smile.

"nothing really," he said. he pulled the beanie off of tate's head as tate reached for it again, shaking his head. "you've already got three of these, buddy. let's put it back." he looked back up at you with a polite smile. "see you around, y/n."

you waved to tate as they walked off, returning to your work folding clothes with a small smile on your lips. you thought of kayce and wondered briefly what exactly his father had meant by what he said.

it was your final shift before the weekend and you were extremely bored. you were back at the gun desk, sitting on your little wooden stool as you scrolled your phone.

"you guys stock smith & wessons here?"

you looked up with wide eyes, standing quickly as you looked to whichever customer was asking about handguns on a random friday afternoon.

you let out a short laugh as your eyes landed on none other than kayce dutton, his hands on the glass case in front of you as a small smile pulled at his lips. you eyed his pretty cowboy outfit, his carharrt vest and wrangler jeans causing you to realize just how much your type he really was.

"i guess you do buy guns a lot," you hummed, leaning back against the counter behind you. "heard you got a nice buck last weekend."

"oh, you did now? from who?" he asked.

"your father," you answered. "he was here a few days ago with tate. said you caught it at 600 yards. that's pretty impressive."

he shifted his weight on his feet as he leaned against the gun case again, smiling. "yeah, i felt pretty good about it. you get anything yet this season?"

"i haven't gone out yet. got drawn for one over in section seven though," you said.

"that's over by my family's ranch," he told you. "i could show you a few good spots. i've gotten a fair few buck over there."

"i'd appreciate that. i ain't ever shot over there," you said, smiling softly at the man in front of you. a few moments of silence passed over the two of you before you glanced to the side at the racks of guns propped up. "so, you looking for a smith & wesson?"

"well," he said simply, shrugging as his smile grew a bit. "i actually came here for something else."

you raised a brow. "and what's that?"

"i was hoping a date," he said, an awkward yet hopeful smile on his smile as one corner of his lips raised. you eyed him, matching his smile slowly as you pushed off the counter, folding your arms over your chest.

"i think i can do that," you answered. he let out a breath of relief as his smile grew more full. "when are you thinking, cowboy?"

"tonight, at seven? the outlaw saloon? they've got some good food and 've got some music playing tonight," he answered.

"that sounds like fun," you said, stepping towards him as you stood across from the case. "i think i'm free tonight."

he grinned, leaning further towards you. "perfect. i'll pick you up."

"wouldn't expect anything different," you said with a soft smile. you pulled your phone from your pocket, holding it out to him. he took it, your fingers brushing as he did. "put your number in, text yourself, and i expect to see you at my door tonight."

he glanced up at you as he created a contact for himself and sent a text, his own phone buzzing in his pocket as he did so.

"i'll see you tonight," he said, tipping his hat as he stepped away after handing your phone back.

"see you tonight," you said, matching his smile before he finally turned and walked down the stairs, sparing a few glances your way as he walked through the doors and out to his truck.

you watched him all the way down, letting out a happy laugh before finally turning away, running a hand through your hair. you turned on your phone - three hours until you got off, five until kayce picked you up. you looked at the boxes of ammo and guns, deciding in that moment you needed to reorganize them.

"back to work," you hummed to yourself.

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thanks for reading! leave a request in the comments or message me privately! i love writing, so if you've got an idea you need fleshed out on paper i'd love to be the one to do that for you

Kayce tied the two horses to a low-hanging branch so they wouldn't wander off before the two of you walked into your meadow.

"You've been quiet today. Is everything okay?" You asked after sitting on the lush grass next to him.

"Dad talked to me this morning." His hand wrapped around yours, which was resting on his leg. "He wants me to run for livestock agent."

"Livestock agent?"

"You help ranchers with their cattle and horses, could be inspecting and sorting them for sales. Make sure strays aren't getting shipped, one ranch's cattle don't get in with someone else's. People moving from out of state and fencing off land and now the cattle can't get to their summer pasture. Checking on dead animals, on ones that get shot by mistake or on purpose. Catching thieves. Getting ones back that get out of their fence."

You shifted closer so your sides were touching and ran your fingers up and down his arm. "Thinking about Lee?"

He nodded. "And, you and Tate." His gaze went to your horses. "Everything is going good right now. I'm on the ranch every day. I get to see you during the day, I'm here when Tate gets home from school."

"Your relationship with Tate won't change. He will still see you in the morning before you go to work. When you get home he can tell you all about his day at the dinner table and you can spend the evening together."

"And, us?"

You smiled and cuddled into him, "We will be just as happy as we are now. It might even make us miss each other."

"Then maybe I could get you to move in with us." He chuckled and pulled you onto his lap. "Before you came here, I was thinking about moving off the ranch. Getting as far away from this place as I could. There is always someone who wants the land. They want it bad enough to fight for it; the cattle, us. I got enough of that in the Navy. Then you came."

"Do you still want to get away from here?"

"Yes and no. You're here. And, I know Dad loves having Tate here. Dad always wants me to do something: don't join the Navy so I can raise Tate, be the foreman of the ranch. He wants me to be a livestock agent because it could help the ranch. Taking the job would get me off the ranch for a part of the day. I could help other people." His jaw clenched, "if I'm not here if he finds you…"

"There is always someone close by: your dad, Rip, one of the wranglers. They'll stop him before anything can happen. You've assured me of that more times than I can count." You tucked his hair behind his ear, "If this is something you want to do, you should do it. Whatever it is we will be okay."

He nodded and looked out at the trees. "We wouldn't be able to sneak off for our dates during the day."

"No." You left your spot and straddled his lap. "We would just have to make up for it when you are home." Your lips pressed against his before resting your hands against the sides of his neck. "Whatever you decide, I just want you to be happy doing it."

"Have I ever told you that you are an amazing woman?" His hand slid into your hair. "You always say exactly what I need to hear to calm the chaos in my head."

"Well, it's like you've said from the beginning. We're just made for each other."

His crooked smile formed. "That we are. Whether God thought so or not, Lee would have made it happen."

"He definitely would have." You gave him a long kiss before standing up and giving his hand a tug.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"As much as I want to stay here and prove just how right we are for each other…"

He chuckled, "You want to get back on Storm."

"I just never thought she would be well enough to ride."

"Baby, you don't have to explain it to me. I get it. Besides, we have the rest of our lives to prove how good we are together." He pulled you against his side and placed a kiss on your hairline. "Let's go further up the mountain. There's a lookout I want to show you. Dad brought it to me when I turned thirteen though so I might not be able to find it."

"Good thing it's Saturday and Tate and your dad are spending the afternoon fishing."

After climbing on your horses he brought his alongside yours. "Thank you for everything."

"I'm always here." You smiled and you both leaned over for a kiss. "Now where to?"

*****

Kayce's hand tightened around yours as you walked into the bar. He had taken the livestock agent job and he had just finished his last day as the ranch foreman, putting Rip back in charge. The wranglers said it was time for a little going away party for Kayce and a celebration for Rip. Along with you and Kayce, were Beth and Rip and the wranglers.

"There's a spot in the corner that should fit us all." Beth pointed out so you all made your way over.

Over the next two hours, you heard stories of some of the funnier things the wranglers had experienced and about Kayce and Rip. You laughed and joked around. You couldn't remember the last time you had gone out with a group and had this much fun. The only other times had been with Nick and his friends and those usually never ended well.

"I'm going to get a water. Anyone need anything?" You asked who was sitting around the table. The others were currently playing pool. When everyone told you they were good, you placed a kiss on Kayce's cheek before going up to the bar.

"Let me buy you a drink, gorgeous?" A cowboy who had just walked in with his friends asked.

You shook your head. "I don't drink and I-"

"Then let me show you off on the dance floor." He stepped closer, his fingers trailing down your arm.

Your eyes went over his shoulder to your table where Kayce was sitting on the edge of his chair, his hands balled into fists. "I have a boyfriend." You took your glass of water and pushed past the cowboy, making a beeline for your boyfriend. As soon as you sat down on his lap, you pressed your lips against his. His hands instantly relaxed, one went to your waist while the other slid into your hair, intensifying the kiss.

"Get a room. Geez," Ryan teased and threw a peanut at the two of you.

You and Kayce smiled at each other before he looked over at the bar. When the man who flirted with you realized who your boyfriend was, he gave a quick nod and disappeared into the crowd.

Lloyd chuckled and threw a peanut at Ryan, "You do know you just harassed your boss right?"

"I'm not his boss anymore, "Kayce grinned at them before focusing on you. "Hey, you."

"Hi," you smiled before leaning in and brushing your nose against his.

"Mmm," his hands went to your waist and pulled you closer. You giggled softly. "I love that sound." He said quietly.

Warmth filled your chest, "I think we should go."

"Yeah?" He smirked.

"Yeah," you returned the look. He gently pushed you off his lap and grabbed your hand.

"Off so soon?" Ryan grinned.

Kayce grabbed some peanuts out of the bowl on the table and threw them at him with a playful grin. "Watch it or I'll make you clean the stalls."

"I thought you said you weren't my boss anymore," Ryan laughed.

"Come on, beautiful," Kayce's lips brushed against your temple before he guided you out of the bar and to his truck. "Where to?" He asked after pulling you against his side and starting the vehicle.

"Home, a back alley, some back road, I don't care."

He smiled and pulled out of the parking lot.

Fifteen minutes later he parked next to an empty pasture in the middle of nowhere. You looked around.

"Don't worry, baby. We're on Yellowstone."

An embarrassed smile tugged at the corners of your mouth.

"God, you're adorable," His hand came up and rested on your jaw, his thumb running across your bottom lip. "You have no idea how hard it was to not get up and break that guy's hand for touching you."

You got up and straddled him, "I would much rather kiss you here than through prison bars."

"Here is definitely better." He shifted slightly making it easier for you to unbuckle his belt and unzip his jeans. "Fuck, baby." His head fell back as you started pumping his dick.

You pulled your underwear to the side and sunk onto him. You both moaned.

"Have I ever told you how perfect you are?"

"Mhm," your hand slid into his hair as you slowly rode him. "You are just as perfect."

He laughed huskily. "I don't think I've ever been called perfect."

"You are, without a doubt," you kissed him, "Mr livestock agent."

The smirk you loved formed while his hands slid down your back before gripping your hips. "And, we are without a doubt fucking perfect together." It didn't take long until you both fell apart in each other's arms.

*****

You opened your eyes to find an empty side of the bed. The sheet is cold. After getting dressed in a change of clothes that you had kept at Kayce's, leggings, a tank top and an oversized cardigan, you stepped into the hallway.

The bathroom light was on and the door open so you walked over. Kayce was standing in front of the mirror hanging above the sink fighting back tears.

"Kayc?"

He saw you in the reflection but didn't say anything.

"I'm here. You can talk to me. I love you and you know whatever you say stays with me."

Still nothing.

"Baby, why won't you talk to me?" You stood in the doorway for a few more seconds before walking away with tears in your eyes.

The rising sun cast the sky in a kaleidoscope of colour as you leaned against the fence railing, your chin resting on your folded arms. It wasn't long before footsteps approached behind you, followed by your cowboy leaning on the fence beside you. "Did I do something?"

"You didn't do anything, Violet."

"Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you completely."

"Then why won't you talk to me? I told you everything about me. Every horrible detail. Even though I thought you wouldn't want me anymore and would tell me to leave. I told you because what happened in the past is a part of me, just like every day since then. And, everything that happens in the future." You placed your hand on his which was resting on the fence rail. "There is nothing you could have done that will change how I feel about you. I love you, Kayce."

He shook his head as he looked down at your hand on his. "I've done things that you wouldn't like, things that would change how you see me."

"When I told you what happened to me it was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. Part of it was because you finally knew but most of it- I had been keeping everything inside. I never told anyone when he hurt me. I never told anyone about what he made me do. I never told anyone that he made me watch him kill a man and then clean it up. I buried everything. But, it kept eating away at me until I didn't want to live anymore. Lee knew that Nick would get angry and hurt me but that was it. I didn't tell them that he raped me or about what happened in the basement at first. I didn't tell him because I didn't want to burden him any more than he already was." You lifted Kayce's arm so you could slide in between him and the fence. He moved closer, resting his forearm across the fence board behind your upper back. His other hand went to your waist. "After Lee made me tell him, I wasn't the only one who felt better. He said finally knowing why I would get so lost in my head helped him. When my memories took hold he would worry, he wanted to help me but didn't know what to do. When I told him he would still worry but knowing why I was so upset helped him be there for me. Sometimes he would just sit and have coffee with me or he would take me outside and show me what he was working on to take my mind off it. You can't keep everything in, Kayce. It's going to end up killing you." He looked away. "Baby, look at me." You didn't continue until he did. "I promise that there is nothing you could have done that will make me leave you."

He tucked your hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering in the soft strands. "I'll tell you…"

"It doesn't have to be everything all at once." You rested your hands against the sides of his neck, your thumbs running along his jaw. "Just promise you will. I can't lose you to the past."

"I promise, baby." He moved in closer. "It was a nightmare, a memory from the Navy…" he took a deep breath, "we were in Pakistan, not supposed to be there but we were. We blew the door off the house of high profile target. Inside he was holding his wife as a shield and had his daughter on a leash in front of him. He started shooting rounds off with AK 47. He killed two of my men. I had to make a choice. I-I killed him, his wife and his little girl." His head dropped.

"Hey," you said softly as your hands cupped his face and brought it back up so he would look at you, "Kayce, you did what you had to do to save your life and the lives of the rest of your men."

"I killed a woman, a kid." Tears began filling his eyes.

You wrapped your arms around him, and he immediately buried his face in the crook of your neck, his arms crushing you against him. "And, I know that you and the rest of the men you were in charge of are alive today because of it. You wouldn't have done it if there was any other option." You held him until his shoulders stopped shaking and his breathing returned to normal. When he lifted his head you wiped the remaining tears off his cheeks. "You said that he was high profile which means he would have been one of the people giving orders that resulted in people's deaths. Innocent people. You saved more lives than just your men's."

His hands came up and cupped your face, "You really are my angel."

"And, you're mine."

He gave you a long, slow kiss before resting his forehead against yours. "Promise me you'll never leave."

"I promise." You said but deep down you knew that there might be a time when you would have to break that promise.

*****

Tate came bounding out the front door to where you and Kayce were standing. "I'm ready!"

"I've never seen you this excited to go to school." Kayce chuckled.

"Cause you're bringing me." The little boy beamed up at his dad. "I don't remember the last time you brought me."

He placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "It will probably just be for today."

"That's okay. I like it when Violet brings me too."

"Have a good day at school. I'll see you when I pick you up."

Tate gave you a hug. "I will. Dad, we have to go so we're not late."

"I'll be right there." When Tate headed for the truck, Kayce's hands went to your waist and pulled you against him. "Hi."

Your hands slid over his shoulders, "hi."

"I know that I'm going to see you at dinner tonight but I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too but I'm sure you're going to be too busy to even think about that." He didn't look convinced. "The day will go by fast and then you'll be back here."

He sighed. "And, then I'll do it all again the next day. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the job."

"Just focus on one day at a time. Today you're going to get to drop Tate off at school before going to your office. You will do whatever you have to at work then come home."

"Home to you and Tate." He held you tighter. "Promise you'll think about it?"

"I will, I promise. Now you need to go or you and Tate will both be late."

His lips pressed against yours. "I love you."

"I love you too." After giving him another kiss you gave him a gentle push towards the porch steps. "Have a good day, baby."

The smile you loved formed on his handsome face, "knowing I got you waiting for me when I get home will always make it a good day."

"Dad, that was really cheesy," Tate said from inside the truck leaving you giggling.

"Just wait until you find a girl you love," Kayce told him through the open driver's window.

"Eww, girls are gross."

Kayce chuckled as he climbed in. Before he drove away he winked at you leaving butterflies fluttering in your stomach.

Good grief, he makes me feel like I'm in high school. You shook your head and started on your list for the day.

*****

You walked into the building where Kayce's office was half an hour before you had to pick Tate up from school. "Hi, I'm here to see Kayce."

"Right through that door, hun." The older receptionist smiled.

"Thank you." You smiled before going to a closed door and gently knocking on it. When you heard Kayce say come in, you went inside.

"Letty," a grin lit up his face when he saw you. "You're wearing the dress you wore on our first date."

"I am and I thought you could use some coffee."

He got up and came around his desk. "Thanks, baby." He took one of the takeout cups filled with coffee from you but set it on his desk so he could wrap his arms around your waist.

You set your cup next to his and placed your hands on his chest. "It's Friday already."

"Yeah, my first week went by fast. Still missing you just as much during the day though. I don't know if I should've taken this job. I don't like being away from you."

"Would it help if I moved in with you?"

He froze, his eyes widening. "You thought about it?"

"I did. You make me happy and you make me feel safe." Your hands came up and rested against the sides of his neck. "And, I love you, Kayce. More than anything in the world."

His lips crashed into yours. When you parted you were both out of breath. After quickly locking the door, he went to push things back from the front of his desk but you stopped him.

"Not here." You took his hand and walked around, pushing his chair out of the way and moving the calendar aside. "Here so every time you're sitting at your desk you will picture us."

"Turn around." When you did he bent you over the top of the desk. He pushed the skirt of your dress up over your ass. "Don't move." You looked over your shoulder to see him pull his chair up and sit down. "Spread your legs." Once you did, he pulled his chair closer, settling between your legs. "There," he said after ripping your panties off, "the perfect view."

"Kayc," you whined.

His husky chuckle filled the room before his tongue went to work on your clit. It wasn't long until you were close. When his finger took over and his tongue slid inside you it pushed you over the edge. "You are fucking perfect, Letty." He praised.

"You're not so bad yourself." You smiled back at him.

"Yeah?" He smirked as he unzipped his jeans.

"Yes," it turned into a soft moan as he thrust into you. "Mmm, yes."

His hands gripped your hips while he leaned over you. "You gotta be quiet, baby, or I'm gonna get fired," he said next to your ear. All you could do was nod as he pulled out and entered you again.

After a couple minutes, he spun you around, picked you up and set you on the desk. With one of your legs over his shoulder and the other around his waist, he thrust inside you. He knew you had to pick up Tate soon so he started pounding into you.

It took everything you had to keep quiet. Kayce could tell so just before you both came his lips captured yours, swallowing your moans.

"I love you, Violet."

"I love you, Kayce." You placed your hand along his stubble-covered jaw. "More than you know."

"Move in tonight? Me and Tate are back in the lodge since Rip has the foreman's house, it shouldn't take long. You'll just be moving your stuff into my room."

A soft smile pulled at your lips. "How about we do it tomorrow? Tate wanted to play board games tonight with us and your dad."

"Stay with me tonight?" When you nodded the smile you loved spread across his face.

"I have to go pick up Tate."

"Have fun with the kid."

You picked up your underwear off the floor but instead of putting them in your purse, you slipped them into your boyfriend's pocket. "Have fun here."

His arms wrapped around you from behind and walked to the door moulded to your back. "Just wait until Tate's asleep."

"Kayce," you scolded when he sucked on the spot your neck and shoulder met, leaving a hickey.

He chuckled while spinning you around, "god, you're cute. I'll see you at dinner."

After a quick goodbye kiss, you headed for the school. Your mind was on what it would be like living in the same room as Kayce.

The overwhelming fear that consumed you when you first got to Yellowstone had been slowly dissipating. It had almost been ten months since you left Nick. You knew that the second he found you he would drag you back to California. He was the best detective in the city, he was smart, he knew how to talk to people and get them to give them the information he wanted. But, here you were, living a life you used to only dream about. When Kayce asked you to move in before he started his job as a livestock agent he assured you that you were safe here. He told you that more times than you could count since you came here but this time you believed it. Not a hundred percent, a small piece of you would always be ready to go even though you had promised you wouldn't. Staying here meant you loved Kayce, Tate and everyone else at Yellowstone. And, loving them meant that there was always a chance you would have to leave to keep them safe. But, you were done with Nick controlling your life. Living at Yellowstone made you happy and being with Kayce made you even happier. So, fuck Nick!