For Her, He Will

Chapter Thirty - Birthday gifts that keep on giving.

June 1st

"You've bought from him before?" Oakley asked as Kayce pulled up to a large, red barn with stables.

"Yeah," Kayce turned off the engine. "So has Dad...he gave me a good deal."

Kayce and Oakley had driven out to Billings to pick up Tate's new horse. Getting out of the truck, Oakley glanced around as Kayce walked over to one of the hands working to ask for Gary Sterling. Oakley's eyes found those of a younger woman who was watching her from the side of the barn.

Oakley smiled at the woman, but as soon as she did, the young woman turned and ran behind the barn. Thinking that was strange, Oakley looked over her shoulder at Kayce who was shaking hands with an older gentleman.

"Babe," Kayce held out his arm to Oakley. "This is Gary Sterling."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Sterling," Oakley smiled, walking over to let Kayce wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"Well, you certainly got a looker for round two, Kayce," Gary laughed, turning into a coughing fit.

Oakley frowned, already not liking this guy.

"That him," Kayce nodded over to a yellow horse with a charcoal mane.

"That's him," Gary nodded and turned around.

Kayce and Oakley followed him, Oakley kept close to Kayce. Gary and Kayce both walked around the horse, checking him out and talking about things that Oakley only half listened to. Her eyes spotted the young woman again, on the other side of the barn now. Her hair was in a long braid, but it didn't look like she had washed it in a while.

"Oaks?" Kayce's voice brought Oakley back to look at him.

"What?" Oakley blinked.

"I asked what you think?" Kayce gave her a concerned look.

"He's pretty," Oakley nodded, distracted.

"Thanks, Gary," Kayce held out his hand. "I'll load him up and we'll be out of your hair."

"Anytime," Gary nodded, his eyes glancing over at Oakley. "Tell your father I said hello and congrats on the nomination."

Kayce loaded the new member of the Dutton Ranch into the trailer they had hauled with them. Oakley couldn't find the young woman again as she waited until Kayce was done. Gary was standing near her when Kayce locked the trailer door.

"Nice to meet you, Oakley," Gary smiled at her. "You let me know if Kayce doesn't take care of you now, alright?"

"Have a nice day," Oakley nodded, climbing back into Kayce's truck, and shutting her door.

The ride back was a quiet one until Oakley could see Billings in the rearview mirror. She looked over at Kayce who noticed and glanced back at her in question.

"You can't tell me you didn't pick up on that being weird," Oakley said.

"That?" Kayce laughed. "Or you?"

"What, me?" Oakley asked.

"Yeah," Kayce nodded. "You wigged out on me there...barely said two words and hardly looked at the horse. Do you even remember what color it is?"

"Yellow," Oakley crossed her arms. "You didn't think that he was being... weird?"

"Weird?" Kayce asked. "I mean, he's odd...but he's a horse breeder. His people skills aren't the greatest."

"Did you see the woman near the barn?" Oakley asked.

"What woman?" Kayce seemed confused.

"I saw this woman near the barn," Oakley sighed. "She didn't have shoes on and seemed scared or something."