Oneshots - Kayce Dutton

Yellowstone and Ice Cream Meetings

Request – Part Two of Hospitals and Ice Cream Meetings

Six months later

You rode in Kayce's truck, turning off the highway and making your way under the large Yellowstone Ranch sign. The road was tree-lined as Kayce twisted and turns his truck, soft music playing in the background.

When he made a final right turn, suddenly there was a break in the trees as he pulled onto another dirt road. You felt your mouth open slightly at the sight before you. There were rolling green hills, backed by the large mountain range in the distance, A large home sat atop one of the hills, with paths leading a few different ways, one down to a couple of large barns and a bunkhouse. There were corrals and pastures as far as you could see.

It was beautiful.

"This is your family's place?" You asked as Kayce pulled up to the main house. He shut the engine off and looked over at you. When he saw your smile he seemed to relax.

"Yeah," Kayce looked out past you. "Been so since the eighteen hundreds."

"It's beautiful," Your eyes scanned around again as you both got out.

You stopped at the front of Kayce's truck and saw a bunch of workers down near the barn. There were cattle and horses mixed about with a few large trailers pulled up to the side. You watched them for a moment, it was like a dance. When the wind would blow just right you could hear the wranglers call out to one another. There was a woman off the side, near the barn. She was blonde and dressed in a pink and black sundress. She had a cigarette hanging from her lips.

"Is that your sister?" You asked Kayce who had stepped up next to you.

"Yes," Kayce nodded.

"Beth, right?" You looked up and had to shield your eyes from the sun to see Kayce smile down at you.

"Come on," He led you up the stairs and into the house. The inside was just as impressive as the outside. Tall ceilings and wooden beams support a large but cozy environment.

Kayce took you around the rooms downstairs, saying upstairs was mainly just bedrooms and office space. The kitchen was inviting and warm, you were introduced to gAtor who was preparing lunch for everyone a little later.

Stepping out onto the back porch, you leaned your hands against the wooden railing as you looked out towards the mountains. The cool air moves your hair around your shoulders softly.

"I can't imagine growing up here," You said to Kayce.

"It was different," He nodded. "There's good and bad with everything though."

"And it was just you, your siblings, and your dad for so long," You took a few steps around. "Must have been some upbringing."

"I warned you," Kayce joked as you looked back at him. He seemed relaxed though, despite his warnings to you about his family, his history, and everything about his past.

"I ain't scared," You giggled. "Now, is that your place?"

You pointed off to the east where a smaller cabin stood. Kayce had told you you lived in the foreman's cabin since he was over the bunkhouse and wranglers of the ranch.

"Yeah," Kayce held out his hand to you. "Come on."

You toured Kayce's home, the bunkhouse, and the barn, and finally made your way back up to the main house for lunch. You met Beth and her husband, Rip. John was in Helena for a few days so you'd meet him at a later date. Beth fascinated you while Rip was quiet but charming. After lunch you found yourself sitting on one of the porch swings, Kayce saying he'd be right back.

The two-seater swing rocked slowly as one of your legs pushed back and forth. Your other leg is tucked underneath you. The wranglers were back to work down near the barn as you heard the back door open again.

"What's that?" You asked Kayce.

"Dessert," Kayce handed you a bowl of ice cream and your heart skipped a beat.

"You got us ice cream?" You asked him softly.

"Kinda our thing," Kayce shrugged, sitting down next to you. You leaned against him as you both ate your desserts. "What do you think?"

"About the ice cream or this place?" You asked.

"Both I guess?" Kayce's eyes found yours.

"Well, it's beautiful," You looked around. "I can see why your family has held onto it for so long. I can see the importance of all of this...It is slightly intimidating to an outsider though. But I think with time it may like me back?"

"It likes you back," Kayce smirked over at you and you suddenly caught the different meaning of his words. "A lot."

"It's hard not to like," You smiled at him. "Especially when it brings your ice cream and calls it our thing."

You both finished your ice cream and Kayce placed the bowls on the table next to him. He leaned back in the swing, pulling you close by wrapping an arm around your shoulders.

"I get Tate next weekend," Kayce whispered against your ear. "You think you'd be up for having supper with us? Maybe go for a ride up here?"

You leaned up slightly and looked back at Kayce.

"You want me to meet Tate?" You asked him carefully.

"Yeah," Kayce nodded. "If you're comfortable with that?"

"I am..." You turned to face him more. "I just want you to be."

"I want you to meet him," Kayce smiled. "He knows about you."

"He knows about me?" You giggled. "What have you told him?"

"That you're a very close friend," Kayce said slowly. "That you're important to me."

"Was he okay with that?" You asked.

"He seemed to be, Kayce shrugged, "I think getting to know you will help him understand the moving on the part when it comes to his mom and me."

"I don't want to jeopardize any of that," You reached out and ran your fingers through Kayce's hair.

"You wouldn't," Kayce shook his head. "I want you to meet Tate. I want you to have a relationship with my son."

You smiled, your heartwarming with Kayce's words. You leaned into him, your lips meeting his in a sweet kiss.

You smiled into the kiss, tasting the chocolate ice cream on his lips.