Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Morning Cowboy Coffee Run

You woke up to the sound of your alarm going off. It was four in the morning and the current you was now cursing the you from the past who said you'd wake up and take Kayce, and the wranglers with him, their next round of coffee on their night watch. 

Turning your phone off, you sat up and stretched your arms out. Tate was still passed out beside you and you envied his ability to sleep through an alarm. With Kayce on night watch, Tate snuggled with you sometimes during the night and you weren't complaining. Pulling your covers off, you stepped over, into your boots. Your leggings would be fine since your plan was to not stay out there long enough to get cold. You grabbed Kayce's sweatshirt and tugged it over your head before you quietly left your tent. 

You walked out and had to get your eyes adjusted to the dim lights coming from Gator's meal setup area a bit away from where the tents all were. You glanced around you as you headed over there, Kayce's voice telling you to watch for wolves echoed in your mind. When you got closer, Gator came out and smiled at you. 

"Morning," Gator nodded before he started to work on the coffee. 

"Good morning," You rubbed your hands together. 

Moving behind you made you look over your shoulder and see Rip walk up with Walker. They would be relieving two of the wranglers with Kayce. He would stay up with them until around seven or so. 

"Morning, Y/N," Rip nodded. 

"Morning," You offered them both a sleepy smile. 

"You're a good woman, Y/N," Lloyd chuckled. "Haven't seen someone out here since Mrs. Dutton who took care of us while we were taking care of the cows." 

"Well...someone's gotta make sure you all survive until the fall," You giggled. 

The three of you packed up some coffee and biscuits for the crew out with the herd. Your two baskets were slightly heavy as Rip strapped them to your horse's saddle. You pressed a kiss to Gator's cheek as a thank you and hopped up along with Rip and Lloyd. 

It took the three of you about ten minutes to find the herd. They had wandered slightly north from the camp during the nights. The dark circle of cows was lined out by the horsemen who had lanterns on their saddles. You spotted Kayce near the edge of the line. 

Slowly, you were able to pass around a fresh container of coffee and a biscuit for each of the wranglers. With Kayce being your last, you smiled brightly at him as you rode up. 

"Hey baby," Kayce smiled at you. 

"Good morning, cowboy," You rode up so your horse was facing away from his, your legs brushing. "How's the night been?" 

"Cold and lonely," Kayce smirked. "Better now." 

"Hmmm, can't say the same," You leaned in and kissed his chapped lips. 

"What do you mean?" Kayce looked at you confused. 

"I had a bed buddy," You shrugged, unscrewing his thermos of coffee and handing it to him. 

"If it ain't Tate I'm about to be pissed," Kayce grabbed the coffee and looked at you. 

"If it wasn't Tate you'd have heard a gun fire," You giggled at his face. 

"Cute," Kayce took a sip of his coffee. 

"Here," You pulled out a biscuit and some hidden jam you swiped from Gator when the others weren't looking. 

You spread the jam on half the biscuit and handed it to Kayce. He ate it in two bites, making you laugh at him. 

"There'll be breakfast when y'all get done at seven," You looked at him. 

Kayce took the other half of the biscuit and smiled at you before engulfing that one as well. You shook your head as he washed it down with his coffee. 

"Thanks for coming out," Kayce smiled at you. "You couldn't have stayed there though, babe." 

"I missed you," You shrugged and looked out into the pitch darkness behind Kayce. "I don't like you out here in the dark." 

"Don't worry," Kayce smiled. "Ain't nothing gonna get us." 

"You've said there have been wolves around here recently," You reminded him. 

"That's why we have guns, babe," Kayce nodded, his eyes looking at your clothing choice. "Ain't warm enough for you to be out here." 

"Like I said," You shrugged. "I missed you." 

"It's my last night shift this week," Kayce said. 

"Good," You reached over and pulled his jacket toward you. "Cause those blankets ain't doing shit for me either." 

"I'll fix that," Kayce mumbled as he kissed you again. 

"See you in a few hours?" You asked him. 

"Ride back safe," Kayce winked at you. 

You took off and rode back with Ryan and Colby. Once you got back to camp, it was more alive but still quiet. You slowly stepped back into your tent and saw Tate still asleep where you left him. You smiled, tugging your boots off and taking off Kayce's sweatshirt before crawling into bed next to him. 

Your tired eyes closed and you didn't wake until you felt stronger arms around you than Tate's. You opened one eye and looked over your shoulder to see Kayce lying beside you. He glanced over at Tate before snuggling up next to you. 

"Morning," You whispered. 

"Hey darlin'," Kayce hummed back. 

When you looked forward you saw Tate stirring. A few seconds later the kid's eyes opened and he looked at the two of you. 

"Morning," You smiled, reaching you to brush some of his hair back that had gotten longer. 

"Morning," Tate yawned. 

"You hungry?" You asked and he nodded. "Alright...I think Gator probably has another round about to be set up. Please try and wash your hands with something before you eat though." 

"Okay," Tate sat up and stretched. "Think we can go fishing today, Dad?" 

"Sure buddy," Kayce still had you in his arms. "Give me a few hours to catch up on some sleep though." 

"Y/N?" Tate looked at you as if to ask why you weren't getting up with him. 

"I'm still sleepy, Tate," You smiled. "Go get some breakfast and then come back and get me up." 

Tate nodded and got out of the cot, pulling on his boots before he left the tent. You flipped over, facing Kayce whose eyes were already shut. You knew he needed sleep as your fingers ran through his beard. He playfully tried to bite you before you ran your nails through his scalp. 

"Stay here with me," Kayce mumbled. 

"I do need to eat too," You rubbed your nose against his lovingly. 

"I'll keep you satisfied," Kayce smirked. 

"God, you're sure full of it today, aren't you?" You laughed. 

"Wanna be full of me?" Kayce pulled you under him more. 

"Kayce!" You laughed and he opened his eyes. 

"Thanks for the coffee again," He blinked slowly, showing you how tired he was. 

"Go to sleep, baby," You smiled at him, leaning up for a sweet kiss. "I'll see you when you're rested enough to handle me." 

"I can handle you right now," Kayce mumbled. 

You moved away from him and he didn't fight you, telling you he was almost out of it. You sat up and looked down at him as Kayce blinked slowly at you. 

"I'll come get you here after a while and we can take Tate fishing," You ran your finger down his nose. "Then maybe I'll let you fill me on the riverbank while your son's preoccupied?" 

"Mmm, sounds like a dream I'm about to have," Kayce smiled. 

You leaned down and kissed him. 

"I love you," You whispered. 

"Love you, baby," Kayce said back before he shut his eyes.