For Him, I Would

Chapter Twenty-Six - Sometimes you make the changes in your life.

Oakley was laying in her bed inside the cabin on her parent's land. It had been a little over a week since the state had properly placed her on leave. One week since she had heard from Sarah or anyone she used to work with.

Over a week since she had spoken to or seen Kayce as well. Or any of the other Duttons.

Oakley was tired, even though her days consisted of moving from the bed to the couch, to the fridge, and back. She was emotionally tired, and she was lonely. Not a good combination for her, but one she had her fair share of feeling over the years.

It snowed the night before, a few inches covered the ground outside her window, shining against Oakey's eyes. She couldn't find enough peace to close them for long, her mind taking over when she'd try and an immense heartbreak filled her soul.

She wouldn't talk to her parents when they tried. They gave up or seemed to, after three days of her being home. They seemed to let her be after she said she had been put on leave, that there were three people missing from Yellowstone and she had no idea what she was going to do now.

A knock at her door surprised her. Her parents were walled up in their house due to the weather, so if they had walked over it was probably for an emergency. Oakley made her way off the bed and over to the front door. She cracked it open, enough to not let a lot of cold air through, and saw John Dutton standing on the small porch.

"Hi Oakley," John nodded. "Do you think you're up to talking with me for a bit?"

"Go to hell," Oakley snapped, her voice rough from not being used for so long. She shut the door and leaned her forehead against it. She counted to three with deep breaths but another knock came from the other side of the door.

"I'll get my shotgun," Oakley called from where she stood, knowing John could hear her from the other side of the door.

"I can't find Kayce, Oakley," John's voice was muffled by the door. "Is he here with you?"

Oakley opened the door up again and John took in her appearance. Her eyes narrowed at him like she was trying to figure out if he was serious or just fucking with her.

"No," Oakley bit back. "Haven't spoken to him since I left."

"I haven't seen him in a few days," John sighed. "Called the office and it's the same thing. Like he disappeared or something."

"As I said," Oakley pushed down the growing fear in her stomach. "Haven't seen him."

"Well shit, Oaks," John let out an irritated laugh. "Any ideas?"

"Call the reservation," Oakley shrugged.

"He's not out there," John sighed. "He was supposed to pick up Tate today but never showed, that's what prompted this."

Oakley felt her shoulders drop.

"Do you want me to call him?" She asked softly, leaning her head against the door frame.

"Would you mind?" John looked like he didn't have any other options.

Oakley nodded and motioned for John to come inside. Once she shut the door the warmth started to surround both of them as she walked around the table to grab her phone from the counter. John took a seat and watched her press the screen a few times before holding the phone up to her ear. It rang three times before Kayce's voicemail played in her ear and Oakley hung up.

"Where do you think he is?" Oakley asked.

"I don't know," John shook his head, standing up. "Would you mind calling him again every so often while I go searching?"