For Her, He Will

Chapter Eight - How many times do I have to explain this to you?

News Channel

"We are still searching for missing journalists from our sister station in Billings. Andrew Jennings and William Porter have been missing for a week now. Their last known location was their abandoned station car off Highway 70. Due to the snow, searchers have not been able to locate anything to lead them to where they might have walked."

"We would like to note that John Dutton has offered some of his staff on the Yellowstone Ranch, which is the land next to the highway where Andrew and William's car was found, to help search for them. Mr. Dutton is currently running in the Montana Governor's primary race. So far though, nothing has come up or been found. We would like to extend our thoughts and prayer-"

Oakley looked up from her files as to why the news was cut off. Kayce was holding up the remote as he walked around the couch, sitting down next to where Oakley had been working.

"Do you like torturing yourself?" Kayce asked.

"I was just watching the news," Oakley looked at him. "It's not my fault they lead with that story every night."

"Could not watch the news," Kayce offered. "Ain't nothing good on it anyways."

"How would I know where your father was if I didn't?" Oakley looked back at the list in front of her.

"What are you working on?" Kayce leaned closer. "It's too early for cattle logs."

"These aren't for cattle logs," Oakley cracked a smile. "This is our invitation list."

"To what?" Kayce asked.

Oakley raised an eyebrow at him and held up her left hand, flipping it around so Kayce could see the ring on her finger.

"Did you just give me this for kicks?" She joked.

"Sorry," Kayce blushed. "How many you got down?"

"So far?" Oakley quickly counted. "Forty."

"Is that a lot?" Kayce asked.

"Beth said only half of what's invited ends up coming," Oakley handed the list over to Kayce so he could look at it.

"Why?" He asked.

"I don't know," Oakley shrugged. "I've learned to not ask a lot of questions to Beth...anyone you see missing?"

"Maybe the Darlings?" Kayce handed the list back to Oakley.

"Who are they?" Oakey asked, grabbing her pen.

"We've known 'em for years," Kayce leaned back against the couch. "They're up north...Lance served with my dad and they got a daughter who was Lee's age but I think she moved to Idaho."

"Do you have any..." Oakley tried to think of the best way to label the people Kayce served with. "Friends from overseas you want to invite?"

"Maybe a few," Kayce shrugged.

"Do you," Oakley took a breath. "Do you remember who all was at your wedding to Monica?"

Kayce looked at Oakley with caution. They hadn't discussed anything more with Monica since about a month ago when Oakley fessed up her uneasiness when it came to the fact Kayce had been married before.

"No one on that list," Kayce nodded.

"No one?" Oakley was surprised.

"I told you it wasn't...it wasn't like this," Kayce sighed.

They were silent for a few minutes.

"I noticed she's not on the list," Kayce said softly.

"I um," Oakley cleared her throat. "Just hadn't gotten to her...yet."