Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

You had a day.

Request - Y/N comes home to him after a long day at work (retail) work was stressful that day so when she comes home he just holds her and kisses her and they go for a walk and watch a movie together. 

Most people saw you as the owner of that super cute, western boutique off of Main Street in town. While you were grateful for that, and how built your small business from the ground up...it was days like today when you weren't sure what made you choose this career. 

Your new shipment had come in and you spent most of the morning unloading box after box before you were short-staffed already. You had your best employee quit because she was a month away from giving birth and going to be a stay-at-home mom. These teenage girls tried to steal some necklaces from your shop and you had thankfully caught them, but when their mothers got there, they tried to blame you. There was a water line that busted and caused your back room to flood...making you close up shop early and leave.  

You had been sitting in your car for about twenty minutes, outside the cabin you shared with your boyfriend of three years on his family's ranch. You just didn't have the strength to walk yet, feeling every muscle in your body. Your phone started to ring and you saw Kayce's name pop up on the screen. 

"Hey," You said, rubbing your temples. 

"You coming in or stayin' out there?" Kayce's tone was light as you looked up to see him standing on the porch, smiling at you. 

"Sorry," You huffed out. "It's just been a day and I guess I needed a minute." 

Kayce frowned, shutting the phone off and walking over to your car door. You unclicked your seatbelt as Kayce opened your door, his arm leaning on the top of your car as he bent down to look at you. 

"What happened?" Kayce asked. 

"Nothing horrible," You sighed. "Just a lot of little, annoying things that I honestly don't want to talk about because I might just start crying because I'm so frustrated." 

Kayce nodded slowly, glancing off toward the barn. You could see a thought strike him as he looked back at you, holding out his hand. 

"Come with me," Kayce smiled. 

"Where?" You eyed him. 

"Trust me," Kayce grabbed your hand and tugged you out of your car. 

The two of you walked slowly down to the barn, Kayce's fingers lacing with yours as you did. It wasn't cold yet, but you could feel a cooler breeze blowing from the mountains. They had already had their first dusting of snow on the very tops. 

You smiled as Colby and Ryan walked past you both, back to the bunkhouse. You let Kayce lead you into the barn, the smell of hay and horses filling your nose. They had all been fed for the night and put up, so it was calmer inside the barn. Kayce walked over to the last stall and pulled you into his side. 

Inside was a new horse, you hadn't seen yet. It was a smaller mare, a bit older than the normal "new" horse on the Dutton Ranch. She looked timid as her big eyes watched you and Kayce. You placed your hands on the stall door as you looked in. 

"Who's this?" You asked softly. 

"Rescue," Kayce nodded, his hand rubbing up and down your back. "Her day was pretty shitty too." 

You looked up at Kayce's warm smile and then back at the horse. It was then you could see small scars along her neck and shoulders. Some were old, but there were a few pink ones too. You frowned, hating the thought of any animal being abused. 

"Hey girl," You said to the mare. "I can't tell you how to make it easier, but being here...it's a good start, trust me." 

You felt Kayce press a kiss to the side of your head. The horse shook its mane out slightly before it dipped its head back into the bucket of feed. Horses were always therapeutic, but tonight you needed to see this one in person to help you. 

You turned around, your back leaning against the stall door as you looked up at Kayce. His hands held your waist as he smiled softly at you, his warm eyes bright. 

"How was your day?" You asked, your hands fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. 

"Fine," Kayce's fingers squeezed your sides. "Dad wanted us to come up for dinner." 

"I don't think-" You started. 

"Told him next time," Kayce raised an eyebrow at you. "Figure with your one-word texts from earlier that it had been a day." 

"You're too good to me," You moved your arms to wrap around his neck. "I'm sorry...just don't feel like putting on a show." 

"What do you wanna do?" Kayce asked you. 

"Honestly?" You sighed. 

"Tell me," Kayce nodded. 

"I really just want you to hold me while we watch a movie or something on the couch," You leaned back down on your heels, your hands holding the back of Kayce's neck now. "I just wanna forget today happened and be a slug." 

"Think I can do that," Kayce chuckled, pulling you closer to him. "On one condition." 

"What?" You got nervous. 

"You at least give me a smile," Kayce leaned down to where his lips brushed yours. 

Your lips parted into a small smile and that must have been enough for Kayce. He pressed his lips fully into yours, one of his hands coming up to hold the back of your head. You kissed him back, feeling much of your stress from today leave your body with each touch of his fingertips.

Thirty minutes later, you were curled up on the couch, your back against Kayce's chest as his arms held you close. You held a wine glass in your hands as an old western played on the television in the cabin. Kayce had made some popcorn and cut up a few apples for the two of you to share. 

You weren't paying too much attention to the film as Kayce pressed another kiss to the back of your head.  

"Feeling better?" He whispered. 

"Better," You nodded, taking a sip of your wine. "Thank you." 

"It's amazing what some apples and lovin' can do for someone," Kayce chuckled. "Or a horse."

"Are you calling me that mare?" You leaned up and looked over your shoulder at him. 

Kayce had a wide smile on his face.  

"Careful, mares kick," You rolled your eyes, finishing off your wine and placing the glass on the table. 

You turned more into Kayce as you nuzzled up against him. Your arm was tucked around his chest as you listened to his heartbeat. His fingers gently ran through your hair as his cheek rested on top of your head.  

"Where did you find her?" You asked after a while. 

"Some rancher who couldn't take care of her," Kayce sighed. "Couldn't find a place for her tonight but I'll see about tomorrow." 

"She could stay here?" You shrugged. 

"We got horses, baby," Kayce rubbed your back underneath his old shirt you had on. 

"You didn't find a new place for me," You looked up at him. 

Kayce smirked at you. 

"I'll see what the guys say tomorrow," Kayce offered. 

"Thank you," You leaned up and pressed your lips to his.