Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Tell me when...

Request - Reader is having a off day and she cries over the little things kayce goes to work like he usually does but stops and looks at reader later flowers are delivered to the house and a note " don't worry about housework today I love you see you tonight "

You woke up in a funk. Sometimes it just happened, you were only human. It rarely happened, but it was just one of those mornings apparently. You woke up and just felt a heaviness around you. Kayce was already in the shower when you got up and made your way to the kitchen inside the foreman's cabin. You had lived with Kayce for almost a year now, having finally caved to his questioning after almost a year of asking.

You wanted to be sure. Not sure that you loved Kayce, because you did. But sure you could do the ranch life. The Dutton ranch was far away from most things. The middle of town was a solid hour away, the closest neighbors were twenty minutes. Your parents were now two hours away and your sister four. It would be an adjustment, you knew that, but after talking with Kayce for a year you decided to take that leap. And ninety percent of the time, it was wonderful...but on days like today you knew what was wrong...you felt alone.

You had Kayce, yes. But as Livestock Commissioner, he went into the office most days and sometimes on weekends. Then there was the ranch work in general. It wasn't like you could hang out with Rip or the wranglers, they all had their own jobs to do. John was a mystery to you that honestly, scared you slightly. And Beth absolutely terrified you. It was taking time to get to know the Duttons, and while it was working...the time part sometimes bit you in the butt.

You weren't a wrangler; you weren't a rancher. Your parents had worked in the school system and ran the local library back in your hometown. You appreciated the agriculture business, but you didn't know much about it. You were learning though but again...time. One of the discussions on you moving in with Kayce revolved around your job. You had worked at the local Boys & Girls Club in town, but now it would take you almost two hours to get to the club and then back. Four hours out of your day just wasn't worth it, so you resigned. But there wasn't a whole lot of options out here on the ranch.

A hand on your shoulder made you jump. Kayce was standing behind you in the kitchen with a sad smile on his face. You realized you hadn't started the coffee and had been staring out the window this whole time. You now were aware that you had tears in your eyes and quickly tried to blink them away.

"Sorry," You shook your head and busied yourself in making the coffee. "Should be ready in a few minutes."

"It's alright," Kayce said gently, his morning voice still rough. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," You nodded, still not looking at him. "Just...tired I guess."

You finished the coffee and waited for it to drip. You grabbed a mugs down for you and a thermos for Kayce to take since it was getting close to the time he usually left for work.

"Y/N..." Kayce said.

"I'm gonna clean up around here today," You told him, glancing around the room. "Not that it needs it but maybe I can get the windows washed and floorboards cleaned up some...I'll do laundry too so if you have anything besides what's in the bin, let me know."

The coffee dinged and you grabbed the pot. Kayce watched you pour his coffee and then place the lid over it. You handed him the thermos and finally was able to look him in the eyes. Kayce's fingers brushed against yours as he took his coffee.

"You know I can see right through you?" Kayce asked you.

"I'm fine," You said automatically. "You're gonna be late."

Kayce sighed, leaning down and pressing his lips to your cheek gently. He pulled back and you felt yourself start to cry again so you patted his chest and walked around him.

"I'll see you tonight," You called over your shoulder as you walked back into the bedroom to start laundry.

A few seconds later you heard the front door open and shut. You were busy pulling out dirty clothes and you felt tears roll down your cheeks finally. You hated crying, but it was just one of those days.

**

"I keep telling you that you need to come visit," Your mother said on the phone later that afternoon. "Bring Kayce too! We haven't seen you both in months."

"He's schedule is just so busy," You sighed, shutting the dryer door.

"Then leave him there and you come visit," Your mother laughed.

"I'll see what the next month looks like," You smiled at the thought of seeing your family.

You heard a knock at the door. Figuring it was a wrangler who needed something you told your mother you'd call her back later and hung up the phone. Making your way to the front door, you wipe your hands on your jeans before opening it. What greeted you was a large bouquet of yellow, orange, and purple flowers. The delivery guy handed you the flowers and a note before leaving. Carefully, you walked over to the kitchen island and sat the vase down. They smelled heavenly to you as you looked at them. You had never received flowers out here before.

Looking at the card in your hand you turned it over, but it only had your name printed on it. Your fingers opened the envelope, and you pulled out a card, opening it.

Y/N –

I know these don't make up for the fact that I'm not there with you today.
I know you're putting on a strong front for me with what you've promised me you'd do.
It doesn't go unnoticed, and it makes me fall in love with you all over again each time I think of it.

Please don't do any of the housework today. Take a walk, go for a ride, give yourself some grace and I promise to be home as soon as I can.

I love you, Y/N.

Kayce

You read the card a few times, with each time making your heartbeat faster. The acknowledgement from Kayce was what you seemed to need today as you finally felt yourself feeling more like yourself. You heard the dryer go off, signally the last load of laundry was done. A giggle escaped your lips as you thought about how you'd have some of the work done by the time Kayce got home.

**

The front door opening made you look over your shoulder. Kayce came in, shaking off the rain droplets from the downpour that had started a few minutes before. You turned from where you had been making a pie and smiled. Kayce hung up his hat and coat before walking over to you.

"Roads are a nightmare," He told you, coming up and wrapping his arms around you and pressing a kiss to your cheek. "Sorry I'm a little late."

"Don't be," You wrapped your arms around Kayce's neck and hugged him tight. "Thank you for the flowers...they're beautiful."

"Needed to make you smile somehow," Kayce mumbled as he held you against him. "I'm sorry today was hard."

"Just one of those day," You pulled back slightly. "I'll get there."

Kayce's eyes glanced behind you.

"See you still did work," He smirked at you.

"Well...it's my favorite type of pie though," You defended.

"We have the same favorite type, baby," Kayce laughed.

"A coincidence I would think you'd be happy with," You giggled.

"I am happy," Kayce pulled you closer. "You make me happy. You living here with me, makes me happy...I just want you to be happy here too."

"You make me happy," You told him. "And this is just an adjustment period for me...but I did tell my mom we'd come visit her soon. I need that, Kayce...I need that part of me to stay intact."

"Tell me when," Kayce said.

"Your work-"

"Tell me when," Kayce interrupted you.

Your eyes softened at him.

"Soon," You smiled.

"You wanna leave right now?" Kayce asked. "We could be there before midnight."

"No, Kayce," You laughed. "But thank you."

His hands moved from the small of your back up to cup your cheeks.

"I love you," He said softly.

"I love you too," You leaned in and kissed him.