For Him, I Would

Chapter Twenty-Two - Commissioner has a nice ring to it.

Oakley ran her fingers through Tate's hair while he was asleep on her lap on the ride home from Darby, Kayce was driving while John was talking to someone on his cellphone in the passenger seat. The horse show had been a nice break from everything, but as they got closer to home, Oakley felt her nerves start up again. When John hung up the phone, Oakley looked over at him.

"Y'all wanna stop for an early supper?" John asked, looking over at Kayce whose eyes met Oakley's in the rearview mirror.

"There wasn't much to eat at the show," Oakley shrugged, and Kayce nodded, changing lanes to make his exit. A few minutes later he pulled into a diner, and Oakley woke Tate up with a soft shake. The four of them made their way inside and out of the cold wind, being seated at a table on the far side.

"I'm starving," Tate said, looking at the menu and Oakley smiled, reaching over to take his hat off and place it on his chair behind him. She smirked when she noticed Kayce and John do the same.

"What do you feel like eating?" Oakley asked, glancing down at her menu.

"Chicken fried steak," Tate smiled.

"You're gonna turn into that," Kayce laughed.

"He's growing," John chuckled as a waiter came up and took their order. "Oakley, how is work going?"

"It's okay," Oakley shrugged. "We're done with inspections for the rest of the year, so that's nice."

"What do you do then for the remaining three months?" John asked.

"We'll host a few information sessions about winterizing policies, and I know I'll have to go to Helena a few times for some planning sessions on our spring initiatives," Oakley explained. "All the while planning for session in January."

"You work with the Attorney General's office much?" John leaned against the table.

"Some," Oakley eyed him. "I don't really work with that office, but my boss does...did."

Oakley glanced at Kayce who was watching her closely.

"I hear this might be our governor's last session," John moved his arms away from the table as their plates were placed in front of them.

"That's the rumor," Oakley nodded. "But there haven't been many rumors about who is interested in taking her place."

"What are your thoughts?" John asked her.

"My thoughts?" Oakley chewed a bite of food and John nodded at her. "I don't really like politics or politicians."

"All the good people don't," John laughed.

"What about you?" Oakley looked at John, thinking two could play this game of his. "Do you have an opinion?"

"Someone who doesn't want to throw away centuries of history and values," John answered. "Times are changing, we need someone ready to fight those changes."

"Change can be a good thing sometimes," Oakley shrugged, catching Kayce's eye again. "It's the one constant in life."

Later that evening

Pulling up to the main house, Kayce kept the truck running as John opened his door. Oakley ran inside to grab a few items to stay with Kayce and Tate. After saying goodnight, Kayce turned the truck around to head down to the foreman's house. Oakley and Tate were quiet in the backseat, full on dinner and exhausted from the day's activities. The three of them piled into the cabin, Tate flopping down on the couch as Oakley walked into the bedroom to put her things up.

In the bathroom she sat her shampoo and conditioner down in the shower and when she turned, she saw Kayce leaning against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets.