Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

There is one thing...

Request - Can you write one where both Tate and Kayce hurt the reader in some way and they try to win her back. tate older 14 years and she is a vet and dating kayce, please?

"I don't understand what happened?" John Dutton's voice echoed over the valley.

You stood there, hands on your hips while you took every verbal hit, he threw at you. It didn't matter that you had been dating his son for the past year, had spent holidays with his family, cared for his grandson...none of that mattered with half of his herd sick. You took a deep breath as John came to a pause in his brigade. He was angry, as was you. But your anger didn't come from the worry of not having enough beef for the summer like John's. Your anger came from the hurt because Tate had promised you he would let the mammas and babies of the herd back into the paddocks last night.

There had been sightings of wolves for the past few weeks around the area. You knew they'd come after the herd if you weren't careful. The wranglers had done a good job at keeping the herd safe. But last night was your night because you had to check on the babies. Tate had promised you he'd do it but he didn't. The wolves got ahold of three calves, killing two and infecting the last one...who had now passed the infection on to its momma and the rest of the herd.

Twenty percent of the herd was sick and you didn't have enough medicine to help them. You'd have to get more shipped in and that took three days. You weren't sure how many would survive the three days, but you had put the order in before John ever got out to the pasture. John looked back over at you.

You knew you had a horrible poker face. John's eyes looked over your face as he watched you.

"What happened?" He asked you again.

"I told you," You said softly.

"Don't lie to me," John interrupted you. "Don't protect someone who won't protect you."

"See that's the difference, John," You gave him a sad smile. "I will protect people when I make promises...the medicine will be here in three days. These animals need warm sunshine and water, which they have. We've got round the clock protection on 'em now. There's nothing more we can do."

"Fix this, Y/N," John said before walking away.

You made your way back to the ranch. You'd go back out once the medicine arrived, there was no need for a vet out there when there was nothing to do if one of the cows died. Plus, you had work to do on the ranch anyway. When you got off your horse, you heard Kayce and Tate's voice. You walked over to the edge of the barn and listened to them.

"She's gonna kill me," Tate said.

You frowned, crossing your arms.

"I'll deal with Y/N," Kayce said.

"But I told her I would," Tate said. "She's gonna get mad at you."

"I can take Y/N, son," Kayce chuckled. "She just needs to calm down...you're fourteen too, can't reply on you for adult jobs all the time. She should know that by now."

You narrowed your eyes, walking away from them. Your boots must have made enough noise because you heard Kayce call your name out. You stopped and looked over your shoulder.

"Hey," Kayce smiled at you, walking over.

"Fuck off, Kayce," You snapped and turned back around.

You passed Colby and Ryan as you made your way over to your truck. You didn't need anything in town, but you needed to get out of this place for a while.

**

You felt a sense of sadness pass over you as you pulled under the ranch sign later that evening. You had spent the rest of the day away from this place and Kayce. While it helped slightly, the sight of Kayce's truck at the foreman's cabin made your chest hurt. You parked and took a deep breath before getting out of the truck. Slowly, you walked up the steps...hating that you had to go in there, but you didn't have another place to go. Six months ago, you moved in with Kayce and since it was close to summer, the bunkhouse was full. And you weren't about to go stay with John at the main lodge.

The smell hit you first as you opened the door. It was a rare occasion that Kayce cooked, mainly your birthday or once for your anniversary with him. When you closed the door behind you, you saw Kayce standing at the kitchen, dishing out pasta onto plates. Tate was next to him, slicing through some fresh bread. You crossed your arms, confused by this. Walking slowly over to them, you noticed the table had been set and there was a fresh bunch of wildflowers picked and placed into a jar.

"Hey," Kayce's eyes were warm and his voice soft as you stopped on the other side of the small kitchen island. "We made spaghetti."

"I can see," You said softly. "What's the occasion?"

Kayce looked at Tate who seemed to look like he was about to throw up when your eyes met his. Tate swallowed harshly and sat the bread knife down.

"I'm sorry, Y/N," Tate said, coughing slightly. "I uh...I shouldn't have lied to you about the herd."

You blinked, surprised that Tate was apologizing to you right now. Your eyes flickered to Kayce briefly.

"I don't understand why you didn't just tell me you couldn't do what I asked?" You looked back at Tate.

"I forgot," Tate shrugged. "And that ain't...and excuse, but it's what happened."

Kayce moved to set the plates he had made on the table. When he walked back over he stood next to you.

"I'm sorry," Tate said again. "It won't happen again, I promise...this time I mean it."

"Thank you," You said, feeling a heavy weight come off your shoulders.

"Go put the bread on the table and get the salad, buddy," Kayce nodded his head and Tate walked off.

You looked up at Kayce.

"I'm sorry too," He reached over and rubbed up and down your back.

"What're you sorry for?" You asked him, seeing if he actually knew what bothered you.

"For being an ass," Kayce said. "For saying I could handle you...baby, you and I both know no one can handle you...least of all my ass."

"Then why say it?" You asked. "To Tate who did something wrong?"

"I panicked and made a stupid choice," Kayce sighed. "I never want either of you mad at the other...but I let that cloud my judgment in disciplining my son."

"I wasn't mad," You shook your head. "Just disappointed."

"I know," Kayce nodded. "I'm sorry, baby...this meal is a start at us saying we're both sorry for letting you down."

You looked over at Tate who was waiting for y'all to come over and sit with him. You dropped your crossed arms and gave Kayce a small smile.

"Thank you," You said. "It smells great."

Kayce leaned in and kissed your cheek gently. The two of you walked over and sat down at the table, eating the meal they prepared for you. They were gentle with you, but it was okay. You all finished the meal and Kayce pushed you toward the bathroom for a warm bath while they cleaned up. Tate would then go up to the main lodge with his grandfather to explain to him what happened.

A little while later, the bathroom door opened, and Kayce stuck his head in. You looked over from the tub and smiled at him.

"Come on," You said.

Kayce walked in, shutting the door behind him so the cold air wouldn't come in. He sat on the edge of the tub and looked down at you. You were pretty content as you looked up at him.

"I'm sorry again," Kayce said.

"You've said that enough," You told him, placing your hand over his on the edge. "And you've made Tate do all the right steps."

"You're the last person we ever want to hurt," Kayce swallowed.

"I get that," You smiled. "Kayce...it's alright."

"Thank you," Kayce leaned down and kissed your lips sweetly.

"There is one thing," You whispered as he pulled back slightly.

"What's that?" He asked, his eyes slightly nervous again.

You reached up and grabbed his shirt, tugging hard and making Kayce tumble into the bathtub with you. Water sloshed everywhere as you laughed. Kayce pushed his now wet hair away from his face as he smirked at you.

"There," You giggled. "All good now."

"Uh huh," Kayce pulled your face back to his. "Sure, baby."