For Him, I Would

Chapter Seventeen - What else have I missed?

Oakley pulled up to her parents house first, thinking she would speak to them and then head over to the small cabin to grab some of her things. Shutting her door, she looked around the land, making her way up the porch and trying the front door. It opened and she made a mental note to remind them they needed to keep their doors locked now.

"Dad?" Oakley called out as she stepped inside. "Mom?"

No one responded to her. She walked into the living room and kitchen, glancing around. The fireplace was still warm as she passed it, alerting her it hadn't been too long since they had been in here. Both of their vehicles were outside so they must be out in the barn or something. Oakley pushed open the back door and saw her dad walking over with some firewood.

"Dad!" Oakley called out with a wave. Her father smiled, nodding his head as he let the pile drop from his arms on the already existing stack.

"Hey Oaks," James smiled. "Wondered when I'd see you again."

"I came to get some more stuff...clothes and things. Sarah wants me to stay up at the Yellowstone while they finish things up there," Oakley stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "How are you?"

"Just fine," James readjusted his hat. "You doing okay up there?"

"Sure," Oakley shrugged.

"Kayce treating you well?" James raised an eyebrow.

"Dad..." Oakley sighed.

"I'm only making sure," James held up his hands in surrender. "Look, I'm not one hundred percent sold on that boy, and I have valid reasons with that. But it's your life so I'm only going to make sure you're okay."

Oakley smiled at her dad. "I'm okay."

"Good," James nodded. "And just know if he hurts you again, I'll shoot him."

"Dad!" Oakley rolled her eyes but laughed. "Where's mom?"

"Janet picked her up for something in town today," James said. "If she had known you were coming, she might have stayed."

"I doubt that," Oakley frowned. "She doesn't seem so happy with my choices."

"She just worries," James offered his daughter a sad smile. "You know your mother doesn't do her emotions well."

"I know how you two had to...deal with me after Kayce ended things with me," Oakley looked to the ground. "I'm sorry about all of that, but just know...this hasn't been an easy choice for me. I'm very guarded and I think very frustrating to Kayce if you were to ask him. If that makes you feel better."

"I could give two shits what Kayce Dutton thinks of how you treat him," James barked, making Oakley look back up at him. "He deserves every ass whooping you give him. And don't you worry about your mother, that's my job."

"I promise I'm being careful," Oakley sighed. "Or I'm at least trying to be."

"I know you are," James nodded. "You're my daughter."

"Thanks, dad."

"Go get your stuff," James waved her off. "Come say bye before you head back...I think we might see our first snow here this weekend."

Oakley walked off and over to the small cabin she had called home for the last two years. It was cold on the inside, looking like no one had been there which was true. Grabbing a duffle bag, she packed some clothes to bring back along with some bathroom items and another pair of boots. It didn't take her long, and she took one more glance around the place before shutting the door and locking up. Oakley dropped the stuff in her truck before walking around to say goodbye to her dad.