Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Mutton Bustin Meetings Part Two

Part Two of Mutton Bustin Meetings 

You felt your phone buzz in your back pocket. Without looking you plucked it out and answered it. 

"Hey," A voice that you had been dreaming about since hearing last night came through. 

"Hey," You prayed you sounded calm. 

"Still okay if I stop by with Tate today?" Kayce asked and you could tell he was driving. 

"Of course," You answered. "Like I said, we're pretty chill today, but we have the animals all out so I know he'll like it." 

"Okay," Kayce said. "We're about thirty minutes away." 

"Sounds good," You nodded. "Just pull around the back to the loading dock and you can come through the door back there. If you're asked you can just tell them" 

"That I'm the Livestock Commissioner and I'm allowed to be there?" Kayce interrupted you. 

You paused. 

"Pretty sure of yourself, huh?" You asked him. 

"You think I'm pretty?" Kayce asked and you could hear the smirk on his lips. 

"Ain't what I said," You laughed. "I'll see you in a bit." 

"Later," Kayce hung up. 

True to his word, about thirty minutes later you heard your name being called by Tate. The boy was running over to where you were with some of the goats. You walked to the fence and smiled. 

"Hey, Tate," You laughed. "Did you leave your dad?" 

"He's talking to my mom," Tate said with a brush off. "They always yell at each other." 

You frowned, realizing Tate didn't know what he just admitted to you. 

"Well, what would you like to do?" You asked him. 

"Got any horses?" Tate looked up at you. 

"This ain't our first rodeo, kid," You winked at him. "Follow me." 

You led Tate over to the large arena where a few horses were being worked on that didn't get a lot out of the past few days. You called out to one of the hands. 

"Hey, Jonny?" You asked. "Can the kid ride Blue for a bit? Just around?" 

"Sure," Jonny untied the horse nearest to him. "Blue's pretty old." 

"How old?" Tate asked as Jonny walked the horse over to where y'all were standing. 

"He's...what? Eighteen?" You asked Jonny. 

"Nineteen," Jonny nodded, handing you the reigns. 

"Thanks," You looked at Tate. "You have ridden before, right?" 

"Sure, I'm a cowboy," Tate nodded. 

"Alright," You leaned a hand down for Tate to step on while he pulled himself up in the saddle. 

You let him get situated, eyeing Blue to just make sure. The last thing you needed was the Livestock Commissioner's son getting bucked off a horse with you. Once Tate was seated he smiled down at you. 

"Hold 'em here," You handed him the reign and helped his fingers hold onto the rope. 

"Got it," Tate nodded. 

You picked up the lead rope and proceeded to start walking around the arena. Tate had a blast, enjoying the ride and laughing when you let him canter some.

"Dad look!" Tate said. 

You looked over and saw Kayce standing next to the fence, his foot propped up on it. He had a smile on his face as he watched the two of you. You led the horse over to where he was standing. Jonny walked up to you, sensing you were done. 

"Already?" Tate whined. 

"I'll take him around some," Jonny offered. 

You glanced at Kayce to make sure and when Kayce nodded, you handed the reigns to Jonny. Off he went with Blue and Tate in tow. You walked over to Kayce and mirrored his pose, facing him. 

"Hi," You smiled. 

"Hi," Kayce's eyes looked a little tired. 

"Everything okay?" You asked, remembering Tate telling you Kayce had been yelling before.  

"Yeah, just..." Kayce trailed off. 

"People?" You offered. 

"I guess," Kayce shrugged. "My uh...marriage wasn't the greatest. The divorce was hell and now I don't even know what it is I deal with." 

"I'm sorry," You frowned. "I've never been married, but ending one doesn't seem easy." 

"Oh, ending it was easy," Kayce said. "It's the sharing a kid part that gets messy." 

You hummed as you glanced behind your shoulder at Tate. 

"For what it's worth," You looked back at Kayce. "Your kid is pretty great." 

"Thanks," Kayce smiled at you. "I appreciate that." 

"You're welcome," You said. 

"So...Butte?" Kayce asked you. 

"Well...about forty-five minutes south of Butte," You nodded your head from side to side. "But yes." 

"That ain't a bad drive from here," Kayce said. 

"Not at all," You shook your head. "And...your ranch is?" 

Kayce smirked at you. 

"Wondered if you'd figure that out," He laughed. 

"Not too hard once you said your title," You pointed out. 

"We're about forty-five minutes north of here," Kayce nodded. 

"Not bad," You smiled. 

"Not bad," Kayce smiled at you. "You and I are pretty close then." 

"Looks like it," You tapped your fingers on the metal fence. 

"Y/N..." Kayce took a breath. "Would you ever want...to maybe..." 

"Maybe what?" You asked, feeling your cheeks warm up for some reason. 

"Dinner," Kayce blurted out. "Go to dinner...with me...sorry, would you ever want to go to dinner with me?" 

You bit your lip to keep yourself from smirking. 

"You asking me out, Dutton?" You tilted your head to the side. 

"Badly...but yes," Kayce laughed. 

"That'd be lovely," You smiled. "Sure." 

"Good," Kayce dipped his head and you could see the pink in his own cheeks. "Glad I didn't scare you away." 

"How would you do that?" You asked. 

"Just...my son," Kayce pointed out. "Talking about my ex...not the usual way someone is introduced to someone." 

"Well, now that I know about it...you can't scare me about it now," You offered. 

"Guess so," Kayce smiled. 

You spent the rest of the day with Kayce and Tate. A few days later, you had your dinner date with Kayce in a small diner between your ranch and his.