Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Animal Lover

Request - The reader takes care of an animal and the animal dies. 

You had grown up with animals your whole life. You knew the circle of life and what all it entailed. You had seen plenty of animals die, but that never meant the next time was easy. You were currently waiting for the vet to come back to where you were sitting. 

One of the ranch dogs had gotten into a fight with a wolf and it didn't end well. The dog had been bitten a few times and you knew the wolf would have something bad in its saliva. But you were still holding out hope. 

This ranch dog was one of yours though. Scotty, you had named the shepherd. He took a liking to you and followed you around more than Kayce or the wranglers. He was tough but sweet to you. He would sleep outside on the porch of the foreman's cabin in the summers and you even got Kayce to let him inside this past winter. 

Kayce warned you to not get attached to a ranch dog. Their lives were not usually long, but Scotty was going on about five years now, three of which had been with you. You hated to admit it, but you had fallen in love with the dog. 

The door opened and the vet walked back in, sitting down next to you. He placed his hand on your shoulder and gave you a sad smile. 

"He went peacefully," He told you. "The infection would have eaten away at his bones and in a few weeks he'd have been dead...this was the humane way to do it, I promise." 

"Thanks," You nodded, feeling a tear fall down your cheek. 

The vet handed you Scotty's collar and you took a shaky breath. After signing a few papers, you walked back out to your car. The ride back to the ranch was a quiet one. You had told Rip and Lloyd you didn't want company when you took Scotty in earlier. Now you were wishing you had because, by the time you pulled up to the cabin, you had cried hard for a good bit. 

Walking slowly inside, you wiped under your cheeks but Kayce saw immediately. He stood next to the couch while you let a deep breath out. His eyes held sympathy for you though and he opened his arms up. 

You walked into his embrace and nuzzled your face against his neck. Kayce rubbed up and down your back, as he squeezed you tight. 

"You were right," You mumbled. 

"About what?" Kayce paused his movements. 

You leaned back and looked up at him. 

"I shouldn't have gotten attached,' You frowned. 

"Oh baby," Kayce reached up and held your cheeks in his palms. "I love that you get attached." 

"You do?" You asked. 

"You got the biggest heart I've ever known," Kayce smiled at you. "And while I don't think we need to stop if there's a ladybug on the window for you to save it...I love that you want to save it." 

"This part sucks though," You blinked. 

"Scotty was a good dog," Kayce nodded, his thumbs rubbing under your eyes. "I'm sorry for what happened to him...I'm glad you got to say goodbye though." 

"I don't think I can do another dog," You sighed. "Not a cow dog at least...I can't do this in a few years," 

"What if it was more like twelve or fifteen years?" Kayce asked. 

"Huh?" You asked, confused at the years. 

Kayce pressed a kiss to your cheek before he walked over to the kitchen island where you saw a large box sitting on it. Kayce took the top of the box off and reached inside. You stepped closer, curious. 

Kayce pulled out a small orange kitten in his hand and smiled at you. Your eyes grew in size as you realized Kayce was in fact, holding a kitten. 

"Figured he could be more of an inside cat for you here," Kayce shrugged. "Life expectancy is a bit better that way and you won't be lonely when I'm out for work." 

"You got me a kitten?" You asked him as you walked over to where he stood, 

"If you want him," Kayce shrugged, "He can go be a barn cat if you don't." 

"Over my dead body!" You reached out and cradled the kitten to your chest. "Hi, sweet one." 

"Gotta pick a name," Kayce smiled. 

"Felix," You said immediately. 

"Did you just have that at the ready or what?" Kayce chuckled. 

You looked up at him. 

"Thank you," You leaned in and gave Kayce a kiss. 

"You're welcome," Kayce reached out and tickled Felix's chin. 

You sat Felix on the ground and watched him walk around his new home. You pulled out Scotty's collar from your jacket though and looked at Kayce with a sad expression. He sighed, taking it from your hand. 

"Circle of life, baby," Kayce pressed another kiss to your cheek as he walked over to the cabinet by the front door and sat the collar on one of the shelves. 

Felix meowed at you, falling on his back and playfully flicking his paws at you. It made you smile again as you leaned down. 

"Circle of life," You whispered.