For Him, I Would

Chapter Eighteen - You have to pick a side.

After about ten minutes and countless calls from Kayce, Oakley was able to get some space from him. The frustration she felt was mixed, not being able to pinpoint why she was so upset about the Jamie situation. Maybe it was because Kayce hadn't told her? Oakley had always held a softer spot for Jamie among the Dutton clan, and it simply was because he never seemed to catch a break from his family. There was always one of them gunning for him for some reason.

Oakley remembered one time where she thought Beth was going to take a swing at her when they went swimming in the river as teenagers. Beth had been hounding Jamie the whole way to the river and Oakley had finally had enough, snapping at Beth to pick on someone like her. Kayce and Lee physically stood between the two girls as they eyed each other down. Oakley did think she earned some respect from Beth that day though, even if it was because she defended Jamie.

There was a small bar at the end of the block of stores Oakley was currently walking besides. She ducked in, out of the cold wind, and found a spot at the edge. The bartender came up and Oakley ordered just a water with lemon, unzipping her jacket and leaned her elbows on the bar. She smiled her thanks when the bartender pushed her glass in front of her.

"Pretty early for a drink, huh?" A voice besides her said. Taking another sip, Oakley looked to her left and saw a man in a suit sitting next to her.

"Could say the same for you," Oakley raised an eyebrow.

"Rough start to your week?" The man chuckled.

"Sure," Oakley shrugged. "Or maybe month?"

"This place seems to do that to folks," The man nodded.

"Are you from here?" Oakley asked, looking the man over again thinking she might recognize him. This part of Montana wasn't as densely populated at the bigger cities, but that doesn't mean she knew everyone anymore.

"No, I'm from back east," The man smiled. "Just here for some work."

"What do you do?" Oakley asked.

"I work for the state," The man took a sip of his dark drink.

Oakley felt a chill run down her spine at his answer. She suddenly felt nervous for some reason, sat up a little straighter in her chair.

"What do you do?" She questioned.

"I'm sort of like an investigator," The man explained. "I help take down bad guys."

The different departments for the state rarely worked together well. So, it wasn't surprising to Oakley for this man to not know her or the fact she was also a state employee. His suit also made her aware he wasn't just some normal inspector/investigator person. He was higher up than she was, that much she knew just by looking at him.

"That sounds cool," Oakley tried to play it off that she didn't know what he was talking about. "Are there a lot of bad guys out here?"

"Probably more than anyone knows," The man chuckled. "Are you from here?"

"I'm from Montana," Oakley decided that was her best answer. Technically not a lie, but also not completely answering his question. "I work on environmental projects."

Also, not a complete lie.

"John Adams," The man held his hand out.

"Seriously?" Oakley asked him with a smirk.

"I know," John sighed. "I didn't pick my name."

"Oakley," Oakley shook the man's hand quickly, leaving out her last name.

"Nice to meet you, Oakley," John smiled. "Tell me, do you know a lot about the ranches out here?"

"Um," Oakley glanced down at her water glass. "I mean I know some of them I suppose?"