#oc : elsa dutton

[targwh0re]

Beautiful Disaster Masterlist

Untamable equine

The Meeting

Life Gives, and Life Takes

What We’ve Lost Holds No Cost, It’s Love That Truly Stays

Family Reunion

[countrymusiclover]

40 - Newest Dutton Baby

Country Rancher

This is the final chapter ❤️ thank you for reading

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

I gasped seeing water coming from between her legs since she was wearing just a dress and some socks after her shorts were tighter. “Oh my god. I think the babies coming.”

Kayce and I frantically turned our head towards one another sharing the same terrified look that we weren’t expecting this yet. Her due date wasn’t supposed to be until the rest of the family got back in town. “Call the helicopter!”

Kayce carried his first born daughter in his arms while we had someone else flying the helicopter for us. Carter had grabbed the baby bag. With the rest of our kids piling into the truck. “I’ll follow behind ya’ll. You stay with our baby girl.” Kayce told me when I climbed into the helicopter shutting the door behind me.

“Mommy, I’m scared.” Bree winced reaching for my hand when we rose off the ground flying as fast as we possibly could.

Grasping her hand in mine I sniffled through tears, remembering what it was like when I had her around my early 20’s. I still felt like I was a kid back then but nowhere near as young as she is. “I’m here, B. I’m always here. It’s you and me against the world.”

She sucked in a breath closing her eyes. And she remained that way for the rest of the flight. Finally we landed on the hospital building. Some medics rushed outside, rolling her into an elevator. I never let go of her hand even when her doctor came into the room. “Ms. Dutton, you are almost ready to push. But we will check up on you in a few hours.”

“Thanks doc.” I told her simply before she left the room leaving us alone.

Bree croaked through tears when she had some more contractions in her lower back. “Mommy, what if I can’t do this?”

“Don’t worry, baby girl.” Brushing hair out of her face I blinked through tears. “You are the strongest person I know. Heck when you were five years old you fell off my horse for the first time. But you wanted to get back on the second it happened.”

The door opened where I saw Carter and the others coming in. Kayce shut the door gently behind him. “How’s she doing? I called my dad and told him what’s going on. Unfortunately he can’t be home until the end of this month. So it will be a few weeks before he sees the new grandkid.”

“The doctor said she’s almost ready to deliver. But it would a few hours before she’s fully given the green light.” I shrugged my shoulders at my husband.

Carter went to her other bedside taking her other hand that I wasn’t holding. “Bree, I’m here. Uh…whatever you need from me.”

“Thanks Carter.” My daughter mumbles squeezing his hand.

Tate was helping Dallas and Elsa playing some games on the iPad we had got recently. Kayce walks over to me removing his hat where I got to my feet since he clearly needed to say something privately. “Little B, we’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Bree just nodded where we stepped out into the hallway shuttling the door behind us as we went. Wrapping my arms around myself I sighed heavily. “So what’s going on, Kayc?”

“I just needed a minute. Cause when I look at her right now I…it makes me think back to when I left you and how scared you probably were.” He ran a hand down his face.

Holding my hands I shake my head not being able to handle him crying right now. “Kayce, please don’t cry right now. Okay we’ve gone past this. Was it hard, yes. But you are here now. And I know you’re scared for our girl. But you aren’t alone. We’re in this together.”

“I just….feel like such an ass. For abandoning you for years because I chose Monica first over you. When it’s always been you who holds my heart and no one else will ever be that for me.” He sniffs through tears until I tug him against my chest. He buried his face into my neck where I ran my fingers through his hair.

“Kayce, I’ve forgiven you. Now we have to be there for Bree.” Breaking the hug we went back into the hospital room and just waited for about two more hours before the doctor came back in and said we had the green light.

Bree had asked that me and Kayce be in the room while she delivered even though we knew she loved Carter. So he stayed outside with Tate and the twins. “Alright Ms. Dutton. I need you to start pushing for me.” The doctor instructed her while she clasped our hands in hers.

She bared her teeth down while she began pushing as hard as she could until she threw her head back needing to rest. “I can’t do this, daddy…” She began panicking with her chest heaving up and down.

“Hey, hey, Little B. You are as strong as your mama. If she could get through this, so can you.” Kayce kisses her forehead holding back tears hating to see his daughter in pain and he could really do anything about this.

She gulped, gripping our hands tighter than she already had. She screamed while she was pushing with everything she had left in her. After a few more long pushes she threw her head back in relief hearing a baby’s cry filling the room. “Ohhh…” Leaning forward I kissed her forehead, smiling through tears.

The doctor handed the crying infant over to a nurse. She wrapped the baby in a soft blanket before he delivered the news. “Congratulations Ms. Dutton, you have a beautiful baby boy.”

“Have you all picked out a name yet?” The nurse asked Carter and her.

Carter chuckled nervously. “Uh no we haven’t.”

The nurse nodded gently, handing their baby boy over to them. “He’s perfect.” Bree began crying while she held her baby closer to her chest crying through happy tears.

Covering my mouth with my freehand Kayce moved around the bed. He wrapped his arms around me crying through tears. “Looks like we’re grandparents now huh Kayce. I…I can’t believe it. We’ve got a grandson.”

“Our little girl is just as strong as you are, darling.” He kisses my forehead watching the doctor and nurses leave the hospital room giving us time alone together.

Carter shifts his gaze down to the infant in his girl's arms. “He’s so tiny…”

“Can we meet the new baby now?” Dallas burst into the room.

Tate came in with Elsa dragging him behind her. “Are you going to name it after grandpa or daddy?”

“Kiddos enough with the questions. Alright your sister has been through a lot tonight. Let’s let her get some rest now.” Kayce looks down at the rest of our kids who were being impatient.

Tate dropped his smile. “Awe come on, dad.”

“Tate, don’t push it.” I warned him with a glare.

Bree cleared her throat causing all of us to turn our attention to the teenage couple. “Mommy, I think I might actually have a name for this little guy. Because I have been reading some letters from 1923. And I found a name I rather liked.”

“Honey , you don’t have to rush into this. It took me a while before I found the perfect name for you.” I reassured her by squeezing Kayce’s hand in mine.

Bree shook her head glancing over at Carter. “It’s okay, mom. The name I want is Spencer. Spencer Kayce Dutton.”

“Are you two going to get married at some point?” Kayce asked his daughter, blinking through tears while a grin was plastered on his face at hearing his name being the boy's middle name.

Carter rubbed the back of his neck avoiding his gaze before Bree sent him a grin. “Uh no sir. But I ain’t going anywhere, Mr. Dutton.” I laid my head on Kayce’s shoulder where he tugged me closer to his embrace, happy that we were all okay.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[bear-cubs-art-things]

time to post my fire monster ocs voice claims

First one is Ember!! Her voice is Elsa Dutton from 1883! (Adult TV show but I've seen a few clips of it and it's quite interesting :0 )

You can't tell me this isn't an Ember-esque voice

[minilev]

[biiggerbear]

psa;; i had to take a mental timeout for a bit  but i’m ready to come back with some changes.

dropping: elsa dutton / 1883 teeter / ys also cleaning out everything in my inbox so i’m both sorry && so grateful to everyone who sent me ones. ( meme tag if you wanted to start something new )

keeping/adding: beth, john && now kayce dutton ryan & kate mckendry  adding ava torres ( oc; john dutton’s niece from his late brother, born in texas, ex-army && new transfer to the bozeman swat/srt team ) walker is sticking around, maybe temporarily. maybe not any threads with these muses will be kept & hopefully replied to soon i can also be found over @wiinterhearted again now as well

these changes are reflected in a shiny new doc h e r e  & the interest tracker has also been updated

[countrymusiclover]

33 - What's Enough Proof?

Part 34

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn @hcllfireandhclywater

Walking up from the barn the lights were on inside the main house which I found strange since it was past dinner time. I decided to go on a sunset ride just needing to be outside so I didn’t have to remember that I was raising a five year old on my own. “Little Be you’re supposed to be in bed.” I noticed her sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace.

“Grandpa gives me milk.” She replied in her childish voice with a tired smile.

She was cuddling with her little brown pony stuffed animal that I had bought before she was born. She was laying underneath a cameo blanket where I could see she was almost about to go to sleep. “Well I am happy to see that you like your grandpa. He’s pretty cool.”

“Sorry Y/n. She came into my bedroom saying she wasn’t tired. So I thought about making her some warm milk. It usually would put me to sleep when I wasn’t tired.” John came around the corner from the kitchen holding a light green coffee cup sitting beside her.

Sitting on the other side of my daughter intertwining my hands together my eyes locked onto his. “It’s fine John. It usually takes me almost an hour to put her down for bed. So any trick you have I’ll gladly take.”

He holds the cup so Bree could just slowly take sips and not burn her hands. Her eyes began to fall closed so I rose to my feet gently picking her up over my shoulder and her pony too. “She’s precious Y/n. Every time I look at her I can only imagine that my wife would have loved her and you.”

He followed me into Bree’s bedroom watching me lay her down under the covers. Kissing her forehead I softly closed her door behind me careful not to wake her up. “I bet I would have enjoyed her like I do you, Mr. Dutton. There’s only one thing I am certain of..I want her to have a better life than I did. Even though her daddy has left us.”

“No matter what my son has done, this is a promise Y/n. You and Bree will always have a place here. I won’t abandon you and my granddaughter.” He opened his arms and I wrapped my arms around his neck hugging him. He squeezed me back gently mumbling into my ear. “This family doesn’t abandon anyone willing to fight with and for us.”

I had no choice but to put all the kids in the truck following my husband back to the main house. I couldn’t let him beat the crap out of one of his father’s ranch hands. Now Carter was the father of my grandchild. Hitting the brakes when we pulled in the driveway I turned to my eldest instructing her. “Bree, I want you to listen to me right now. Take your brother and sister inside the house and no matter what you hear you don’t come out.”

“What are you going to do, mom? I should be the one handling it. He is mad at me for what I said.” Bree responded in disappointment.

Grasping her hands in mine I tucked some hair behind her ear for her. “No sweetheart, it's not your job. I am your mother so I will take care of this. Just watch out for your siblings alright.”

“Mommy!” Dallas called out from the backseat before Bree helped the two twins out of the truck dragging them by the arm inside the main house.

Gripping the steering wheel in my hands I bend my head down laying it there for a few minutes. I honestly thought Kayce and I would’ve been past these little fights. The ones that the kids had to see which always makes me feel guilty. Getting out of the truck I could hear a commotion coming from one of the fenced areas where we broke in new horses. “Come here you little idiot. You’ve got some explaining to do on why you had to get my daughter pregnant!”

Shooting my gaze off into the distance Lloyd and the others that had stayed at the ranch were coming back from the long nights work. “Ms. Y/n, what is Kayce arguing with the kid about. I don’t think I have ever seen him this mad.” Lioyd dismounts his horse walking over to me.

“The short version is that Bree is pregnant and Carter is the father. Now Kayce just found out and he is furious with him. He wouldn’t listen to us when we said that Carter said he wouldn’t leave Bree and the baby like Kayce did me.” Shrugging my shoulders I wiped my head around hearing my husband grunt taking a swing at Carter.

Carter ducked underneath his attack trying to get in a fighting stance but Kayce managed to knock him on his ass and into the dirt. “Urgh Mr. Dutton I’m sorry - just give me a chance to explain.”

“Kayce!” I bolted towards the wooden fence quickly climbing over the wood and dropping down on my boots, getting them dirty but I didn’t care. Runners at him I jumped in front of Carter before my husband could take another swing at the teen. “Kayce enough. He doesn’t deserve to be kicked around for caring about our daughter!”

He turned his hands into fists at his sides shouting down at me like we were children fighting over the last cookie in the cookie jar. “If he cared about her then she wouldn’t be knocked up pregnant. He clearly doesn’t care about her at all.”

“God dang it Kayc! He’s doing a lot better than you when I was pregnant.” I shoved my hands against his chest making him stumble backwards. “Bree told me that he was going to stay because he cares about her and he doesn’t have anywhere better to go.”

Carter slowly rose to his feet standing behind me dusting off some dirt from his clothes. “Mr. Dutton, I…I promise I do really care about Bree. I…we have matching bracelets…” He rolled up the sleeve of his shirt on his right arm where I smiled seeing that it was still the same brown bracelet with a gold horseshoe that Bree had made for him the day she told him that she liked him.

“Kayce see he’s not lying.” I pointed my index finger at Carter praying that it was enough to convince him that I was telling the truth. “You know your father told me something when Bree was five. He said that this family looks out for the ones who choose to stand and fight by your side.”

“He doesn’t wear the brand like the cowboys on the bunkhouse and Teeter do.” He scoffed, throwing his arms away from his sides.

Glaring at my husband I knew he had a point. It was a few years before I finally got the brand. But it was for life so I didn’t want to force the kids to do something like that. “You can’t be serious, Kayce?”

“What’s the brand?” Carter asked, shifting his gaze between the two of us.

Kayce took one step forward where our chest was pressed against each other. Lifting my head up a little I locked onto those soft brown eyes that were trained on mine. “I am serious Y/n. If he wants me to believe that he truly cares about our little girl then he becomes a part of the Yellowstone.”

He walked away after turning on his heels, closing the front door in some anger. Slumping my shoulders in defeat I run my fingers through my long hair. “Mrs. Dutton, what exactly did he mean by the brand. What is it?”

“It’s a vow of life, Carter.” Spinning on my feet I pulled down part of my shirt revealing the now healed Y on my chest. Brushing my hands over my shirt I saw his face turn from confused to utter shock. “When you wear the brand like a cattle, you are committing yourself to this place forever. Until the day you die. I will never force any of my children to bear the mark unless they want to and I would never dream of making you do something like until you were ready-“

Carter stepped closer to me finally keeping his gaze locked onto mine when he delivered his next words. “Would that prove to him that I am serious about Bree…” Nodding my head slowly, yes he paused for a moment. “Then I’ll do it.”

“Carter, there’s always a choice here. I - I can talk to my husband and make him see that there can be another way.” He cut me off making me gasp at the thought that he would vow his life to this place to prove he was good enough for my first child.

He picked his tan hat up from the dust sitting on his head giving me the best brave look he could. “I’ll do it Mrs. Dutton….I’ll take the brand for Bree.”

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

37 - You're my Evelyn, and I'm your John

Part 38

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

Pushing some clothes into a suitcase Kayce and I had decided that we were going to a little cabin off the ranch for the weekend. Tying my brown boots and putting my hair up in a braid falling down my back. "I got my stuff in the truck and called the hotel so we are all set up." 

Kayce came into the bedroom making the wooden floor creak underneath his boots. He tossed his hat onto the bed wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. "I have almost everything packed. Now we just have to tell the kids that we are going away." 

"Are we sure it is a good idea to leave the kids with Lioyd and the bunkhouse boys?" He asked, resting his forehead against mine. 

Running my fingers through his hair I pulled my head back looking into his brown eyes. "Look, I know we are worried about Bree's pregnancy. But as you said that we deserve a date night away from our children now and then." 

"The last time we left Bree and Carter alone he got her pregnant-" He attempted to say. 

Raising a brow at him I shook my head pulling myself out of his grasp shutting the suitcase lid and handing it to him. "That may be true, Kayc. But I know for a fact people didn't agree with what we were doing. Dancing around about our feelings forever. Now four beautiful children and a grandchild are on the way." 

"I'll see you downstairs, darlin'." He sent me a nod grabbing his hat on his head leaving the bedroom. 

Grabbing my brown jacket from the closet I headed down the stairs seeing that the kids were all outside on the porch since it was early in the morning. Carter was saddling his horse with the others getting ready for work since there are no weekends on a ranch. "Hey you guys. You're daddy and I are going out this weekend and we will be back on Sunday. So you will be staying here with Lioyd and the others. I just want you to promise me that you will behave while we are gone." 

“You and dad are gonna kiss really loud again aren’t you?” Elsa asked where I made a face at her words especially when she mentioned her big sisters. They were smarter to notice these things than we thought they would at such a young age. “Bree did the same thing with Carter.” 

Bending down on my knees I opened my arms and they both embraced me in tight hugs. “Alright kiddos. We will talk about that later. I love you guys and we will be back…Tate look out for them you understand.” 

“Sure mamma.” He responded making me smile that he was comfortable calling me that even though I wasn’t his mother by blood. Walking down the stairs I got in his truck brushing my hands down the light blue dress I was wearing with my boots. Kayce said that we were going somewhere fancy since we didn’t have the kids but he wouldn’t tell me where we were going specifically. 

The drive was normal into town before he pulled the truck into the parking lot. It was a large cabin that was an open window restaurant that overlooked the landscape of Montana. He pulled out my chair for me where I sent him a smile removing my hat sitting on the back of my chair. “I wanted to change up our lives. Considering the last time we had a date we had to rush and found the sheriff shot. So here’s to a redo darlin’.” 

“Here’s to a redo, Kayc. I am rather surprised you put on a tie.” I pointed out that he was wearing his normal tan jacket and a dress shirt but it wasn’t a full on black suit that he would wear during a wedding or funeral. He was wearing a light tie alongside it. 

The waitress came over eyeing Kayce until I sent her a glare showing her my ring where she dropped her smirk. “What can I get you two?” 

“We will split the steak and some beers.” He told her where she glanced back at him while she walked away. Clutching my hands into fists on the table he reached across, making me shake my jealousy. “Easy honey. I married you didn’t I. You’ve got nothing to worry about from that girl.” 

She brought our food back where we split the steak, eating quietly sending smirks back to each other. I wanted to tell him about what Jaime said to me the other night. It was weighing in on me and making me nervous about whether he might come after me. We finished our dinner and went back to the cabin that he had rented for the night. He pushed open the door letting me inside first where I leaned up on my toes kissing him for the first time tonight. “We don’t have to worry about the kids tonight cowboy…and I only say that because they said they could hear us.” 

“Well they will understand one day. And I am not going to apologize for lovin’ on you. You’re just too hard to resist.” He wrapped his arms around my waist tugging me into his embrace. I smirked, wrapping my arms around his neck mirroring his smirk when he stared down at me like that. 

He leans down, having me jump up and wrap my arms tighter around his neck. He moved his hands so he was holding me by my legs until we fell back onto the soft bed. “You don’t make it any easier for me either.” I declare running my fingers through his hair watching him reach for the bottom of my dress slowly pulling it over my head and tossing it somewhere on the floor. 

Moving my hands up to the buttons of his shirt I started undoing them. At the same time he was untying the tie, yanking it over his head grinning ear to ear, crashing his lips onto mine hungerly. “I know that four kids is a handful but I could do this everyday with you…” He muttered, removing his lips down onto my neck making me moan the second he hit my certain spot. 

“Kayce!” Gripping the brown curly locks he moaned, running his fingers over my body slowly entering me. We rolled underneath the covers enjoying the feeling so much more than I remembered. It didn’t take long for us to both reach our high where we broke the kiss panting like crazy. 

He rested his forehead against mine before he flopped down onto my bedside. Rolling over to face him I gasped laying my head on his bare chest listening to his heartbeat. “I love you more than I thought I could anymore….Y/n you are my Evelyn.” 

“Oh Kayce..” I could see tears forming in his eyes. Leaning up on my elbow I pressed my lips onto his where he smiled into the gentle kiss until I broke it. "How about we go to the bathroom hmm?" 

He immediately jumped up tossing the covers aside and I squealed when he scooped me up in his arms carrying me into the bathroom. We both climbed into the bathtub throwing some water around onto the floor. He wrapped his arms around me where I sat on his lap deeply kissing me. "You are a brilliant woman. Stubborn as a horse and beautiful it makes me weak to my knees everytime." 

"You really are trying to have baby number five aren't you, baby…" I moaned when he cupped my face in his hands tilting my head so the kiss would go deeper. 

He broke it tracing some patterns on my bare shoulders smirking. "Are you saying you don't love me? I mean there should be a bunch of kids running around our ranch." 

"You're ridiculous!" Splashing water in his face he glared at me pushing some back at md where we both now soaked but both grinning regardless. "Of course I love you, Kayce. In fact if I am you're Evelyn then you are my John." 

Pressing my lips onto his I lay my head on his bare chest feeling him wrap his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on top of my forehead. "Bless my boots sweet girl. We might never leave this hotel room." 

"I just might hold you to that, babe." I responded by lifting my head up when he crashed his lips onto mine filling the room with our desires of round two. 

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

34 - Dutton Life Goes On

Part 35

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn @hcllfireandhclywater

“Carter, there’s always a choice here. I - I can talk to my husband and make him see that there can be another way.” He picked his tan hat up from the dust sitting on his head giving me the best brave look he could. “I’ll do it Mrs. Dutton….I’ll take the brand for Bree.”

It had been a few weeks since Kayce and Carter had their little fight in the middle of the ranch. Walking down the wooden stairs I saw Kayce sitting on the couch in the living room slowly drinking from a beer bottle from the kitchen. “So are we just not going to talk about getting that boy off the ranch. Because I don't understand why you are still defending him.”

“I am defending him because he is choosing to stay. He is choosing to be there for her, Kayce. Most guys when they get their girlfriend pregnant when they are a teenager don’t stick around.” Crossing my arms over my chest I leaned against the stone fireplace.

Kayce sent me a glare rolling his eyes at me. Our first long standing fight between one another was dealing with Monica until she broke it off with him not being able to accept his lifestyle. “I told you how that boy can earn my trust and make me believe in his loyalty.”

“You're forcing him to take the brand. Do you not see that by doing that you are turning into the man your father used to be. I thought you didn’t want to be like that.” I spat stomping up to be in his face.

Kayce jumped up from the couch getting in my face where we were both death glaring at the other. His brown eyes never broke away from mine where I could see the seriousness yet regret remaining there too. “I am not going to do what my father did. But he doesn’t deserve our daughter. He…he isn’t good enough for her!”

“That’s what this is really about isn’t it, Kayce?” Parting my mouth open I suck in a breath finally realizing that he was being a natural protective father. He repeatedly told me that he didn’t want her growing up but now he truly meant it. “You’re terrified that she will get her heart broken and as her father you feel responsible for her happiness. But we can’t control who she loves and how her life goes-“

He cuts me off short, crossing his arms over his chest. “I sure as hell can so long as she lives underneath my roof and on this ranch!”

“Kayc, come on you have to believe what I am saying here. Yes we are her parents but we have to add the truth that she will grow up. She will become a mother like I am and she will have her own children. That’s how life goes on. That is how the legacy of this ranch and everything we fight for goes on.” Grasping his hands in mine I unfolded his arm’s making him look me in the eye.

He sighed heavily, resting his forehead against mine releasing some breaths. Closing my eyes I wanted to freeze time here and now. Keep our chin all the same age and keep the ranch just how it is. So that there wouldn’t be any more changes. The wooden stairs creaked making us pull slightly apart seeing Bree coming down. “Mom. Dad, I have a doctor's appointment today. Can you guys drive me and Carter?”

“Uh sure sweetie. I’ll grab my coat and keys.” I broke away from my husband heading up the stairs to go find Tate and ask him to babysit the twins until we got back. Walking down the hallway I halted in my tracks seeing a bunch of papers scattered on my daughter’s bed. Entering her room I picked one of them up reading the dates that were all linked to 1923 and were written by a woman named Cara. Unfolding one of the letters I mumbled something under my breath one last sentence there. “Dying is the most alive you will ever feel, Spencer Dutton.”

Footsteps came down the hall where I glanced over my shoulder seeing Bree leaning against the doorway. “Mom, are you coming? Dad says he will get the truck ready.”

“Bree, where did you find these letters at? I’ve never seen them before and I mean the dates are so old.” Holding up the letter in my hands I showed it to her, moving some of the others counting a lot of them. I hadn’t studied the family tree that much even though I had named my second daughter Elsa. It was certainly complicated as most family trees are.

Bree entered the room locking gaze with me where I could see that her stomach was getting bigger where we could hopefully learn the gender considering she told me she was pregnant when she was into her pregnancy by a month or two. “I got bored so I went searching around in grandpa John’s room. I found them hidden away in his closet so I decided to read them. Please don’t be mad. I know I shouldn’t go to his room without permission.”

“You’re not in trouble this time but don’t do it again, get it. Now we should go, otherwise we will be late to the appointment.” She nodded leaving the room before I turned back towards the bed finding the bag that the letters were in. Quickly going downstairs I put them away in our bedroom needing to read them later tonight.

The drive to the hospital was quiet and intense where none of us dared to utter a word. Closing the passenger door Carter and Bree walked side by side with him wearing his tan cowboy hat. I was wearing my black one with the golden clip and Kayce had on his normal hat opening the front door for us. The nurse got us into the doctor's room. “Well I am surprised to see you back so soon Mr and Mrs. Dutton. I would have thought after the twins you two would take a break.”

“Well you see the thing is we’re not pregnant doctor. This time it’s…” I trailed off sending my daughter a look while she sat on the table playing with her hands before she gave me a small head nod. “Our eldest is pregnant, Bree.”

The doctor had to blink a few times before he got everything set up so she was laying on the table. Carter and Kayce were asked to wait outside leaving me alone with my daughter. The doctor put the cream on her stomach showing the video on the screen. “Then I suppose congratulations are in order. And according to this I should tell the gender how far along you are. Would you like to know, Bree?”

“Mom…” She lifted her head up grabbing my hand in hers.

Squeezing it back I move to the door telling the boys to come back inside so that they could hear at the same time. “It is completely your choice, Little B.”

“The gender of your baby should be a boy.” The doctor declared looking between Kayce and I then it shifted down to Carter and Bree. The Dutton name would always keep growing.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

29 - The Ranch Legacy

Part 30

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @artoldfartsandunicornhearts @hcwthewestwaswcn

"Mom, can I ask you something. It's about me and Carter?" Turning my head in the direction of the sound of my daughter's voice, I stopped brushing the hair of my horse when she walked up to me.

Sitting the brush down I sat my hat down on the hook on the wall leaning my back against the wall focusing my attention on her. "Sure anything baby girl. What's going on. Will I need to get your father involved?"

"No not dad please. He'll just make a threat or something and I don't want that." She explained tipping her tan hat up with her hair falling over her shoulders looking like the girl version of her father more and more everyday.

Chuckling with a smile on my face. "Oh I think the threats were hinted at by the wall of shotguns in the kitchen when he first arrived here. Anyway what about you two hmm?"

"He wants to take me out for ice cream when he finishes work for the day. Can I go?" Bree asked me to intertwine her hands together begging like she was still a child.

Nodding my head yes towards her I could barely get the sentence out. "Yes, you can go. Just be back before-" I grunted, catching her arms flinging around my neck and her giggling in my ear before rushing outside to go find him.

Shaking my head I opened the door leading my horse outside by the reins stepping outside seeing my husband helping Rip with the cattle. Rip had set up a team to move the cattle off the ranch and somewhere else since they almost got sick from the grass here. I was about to climb on my horse and go for a ride until John came over wearing a suit and tie since he was going to meet the leader of the Indian reservation about something. "Y/n, can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah John. Do you need me and Kayce to go with the others?" I asked, holding my dark cowgirl hat in my hands. Leaning against the wooden fence looking up at my father in law.

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit wearing his typical black cowboy hat too. "I need to ask Kayce and you something while I'm gone. And no you don't have to go with them. It's the opposite, actually I need you and Kayce to stay here. Someone always needs to be here at this place. Otherwise this ranch won't be here for your children. For Bree, Tate, Elsa and Dallas."

"You never have to ask us, especially me to stay , John. I gave you my loyalty years ago when I came here and you offered me a place in your home when I was pregnant with Bree. The only thing I regret is that I didn't do this sooner." Pulling part of my shirt down I showed him the brand on my chest that was now healed and not beating red. "This ranch is my family. It always will be."

John smiled seeing Kayce come over to me wearing his tan shirt and black hat which is the same exact outfit he wore the day we met. "East camp. There's an old house there that needs a little work, but it's yours if you'll take it." He paused, resting a hand on my shoulder. "I can't give this ranch to my grandchildren if it's not here and I don't want that nightmare to ever come to the surface."

"Anything you need, dad. We'll be here." Kayce came up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist resting his chin on my shoulder eyeing his father.

Intertwining my hands over his I smiled leaning against his chest savoring the feeling of being like this. We usually get so little moments anymore. "I've been a Dutton at heart from the day I met this guy."

"Momma, Dallas won't get me back my pony!" The front door opened and we heard Elsa hollering through the property.

Dallas came outside sticking his tongue out towards her. "I'll tell Auntie Beth on you. You know that you can't call all the ponies Evelyn!"

John chuckled, waving bye to us heading towards his governor car driving off leaving us alone to deal with the twins. Kayce nuzzled his head into my hair kissing the crown of my head. "How about you go riding? I'll handle the two rascals." He tilted his head towards the front porch offering me his right hand helping me up onto my horse even though I was fully capable on my own.

"Thanks Kayc. Don’t forget to remind me them that the wrath of auntie Beth is much worse than any punishment we give.” I clicked my tongue, getting the horse to slowly start running as I called over my shoulder back to him. “Oh and I love you!”

He chuckled with a dorky smile on his face waving back to me. “I love you too, darlin’.” He walked towards the house as I focused my attention in front of me feeling the wind blowing through my hair. When I stepped onto this ranch with my parents to introduce ourselves to our neighbors I never imagined that I would have found the love of my life too.

It was almost dark by the time I returned to the main house of the ranch. Entering the barn I dismounted my horse before removing my ant running my fingers through my hair tousling it a little bit. Putting my horse up it was gonna be weird not having everyone here for awhile. But the life of a rancher was never an easy one. Entering the front door I gasped seeing a paper flower trail at my feet leading me into the living room. Standing in front of the fireplace was my husband holding a guitar in his hands smiling nervously at me. “I’ll take the shock on your face as a good sign homey.”

“Kayce, what is all this. Not that I am not enjoying this view but what is the occasion. Our anniversary is still a few months away.” I giggled walking around the couch taking a seat in front of him resting my hands on my knees removing my hat in the process.

He smiled, messing with something on the guitar staring longingly at me. “The twins made the flower trail on their way to bed. But this was my idea. I just thought we’ve been so concerned with the legacy of the ranch that we need a second to focus on our legacy. The legacy of me and you. Because I am absolutely overwhelmed with you by my side sometimes so listen to this.”

Kayce started strumming his fingers across the strings and I grin ear to ear the way he is at this moment. No stress without his hat allowing his natural curls to run free on top of his head. “I'd be spinnin' my wheels goin' nowhere fast. Pocket full of sorrys and an empty glass. All hat and no cattle and some tumbleweed boots. I'd be blowin' in the wind if I didn't have you. I'd be a drunk without a drink to drink. A guitar with a broken string. Without you, I'd be a fallin' star without a midnight sky. A cowboy with no horse to ride. I'd be drivin' in the dark with no headlights on. On a one way highway that didn't go home. I'd have to borrow from the devil just to pay my dues. I'd have nothin' worth havin' if I didn't have you. Be a drunk without a drink to drink. A guitar with a broken string. Without you, I'd be a fallin' star without a midnight sky. I'd be a train runnin' out of tracks. Missin' pages in a paperback. Without you, I'd be the kind of lost that's hard to find. Walkin' through this world a liar. A cowboy with no horse to ride."

Jumping up to my feet I was crying happy tears when he sat the guitar on the ground catching my body when I fling myself into his muscular arms. He buries his face into my shoulder muffling my giggle with his own laughter. He spins us around for a few seconds finally sitting my boots back on the floor cradling my face in his hands. “I love you Y/n Dutton, I always will. I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t have you by my side.”

“I love you Kayce. I have since the first day we met.” Draping my arms over his shoulders I leaned up on my toes kissing the cowboy in front of me deeply. He deepened it, tugging me up against his chest, smiling at me. “The legacy of this ranch couldn’t be in any safer hands than ours, cowboy.”

Comments really appreciated ❤️ Since we aren't getting anymore episodes for awhile send me any ideas of what you would like to see next and I'll see if I can update this book again

[countrymusiclover]

35 - Letter Storm

Part 36

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

Thunder roared outside the large windows of the Dutton house. Kayce and I had called in today and asked the assistant to call us if it was an emergency. I had started working at the Livestock Office again since the Sheriff and I no longer have issues. Rummaging around in the bag that Bree had found the other day with letters from Spencer and Cara Dutton. Picking up the pile of papers I headed into the living room seeing my husband sitting on the couch. "Where are the kids at, Kayc?"

"Tate is playing with the twins inside the barn. And I think Carter and Bree are upstairs thinking of baby names. Oh and don't tell her but I took one of the security cameras from work and hid it in her room." He sends me a smirk while I round the couch plopping down beside him.

Raising a brow at his words there were some times that he went overboard. This was one of those moments. "Kayce, don't you think that is a little much. I mean she's already pregnant."

"Doesn't mean they can't still sleep together again, darling. What are those letters you have?" He draped his arm behind me scooting closer seeing the envelopes in my lap.

Unfolding one of the letters I had pulled out I lay my head on his chest with him moving his arm to wrap around my waist. "Bree found them one morning. I haven’t read any of them so I just thought it would be interesting too. They seem to be dated from your ancestors named Spencer and Cara Dutton.”

"Well go ahead and read one then." He told me simply looking up at the window seeing that the rain was starting to pick up and hit the glass softly.

Shifting so I was snuggled up against his warm embrace I cleared my throat attempting to read the old handwriting. "Alex, I am not good at writing. I am just a man of action who doesn't waste moments in life. When I met you I was struggling with what happened during the war. I didn't really care what happened when I was hunting animals. You have made my life better since then so I decided to write this letter to you. For when we are reunited at my family's ranch. I will find a way back to you, Spencer."

"I think I remember dad mentioning that there was a hunter in our family. What do the other ones say, Y/n?" He asked me to move some of them around and hand me another one. He honestly enjoyed it when I would read to him like he was still a child. I figured it had something to do with losing his mother at such a young age.

I did wish some days that I could get to know my mother in law. Be able to tell her how much I loved and adored her youngest son. That she could see her beautiful grandchildren the way John does. Evelyn Dutton was missed by everyone in this household. "Um let's see. Oh here's one that's written from Alex I think…Dear Spencer, I am burning to be with you again. I managed to get off the ship we were on and am now hoping to find passage to Montana. My love for you only grows during the time we are apart. Until we reunite, my love.”

“Awe this is so sweet. I can’t believe that they were separated.” My husband responded back, lifting up and meeting my gaze. We heard footsteps coming from down the stairs where we both turned our heads seeing our daughter and Carter.

Bree had her bag in her hands, sending me a look. “Hey mom. Dad, could we go get something to eat in town. I am craving ice cream and we are out?”

Kayce and I turned our heads back at each other both sharing the same look. The rain had stopped for a little bit and it wasn’t supposed to storm any worse until later tonight. “I guess so but just remember that you need to be back before the storm comes. I don’t want any of my children outside tonight.”

“We will be. Thanks uh…Mrs. Dutton.” Carter tipped his hat, taking my daughter’s hand in his, leading her out the front door towards the truck since he was old enough to drive now.

It was an hour after they left that the thunder and lightning had begun picking up. Kayce had gone to bring the other kids inside the house and close up the barn. Closing the fridge I had put some microwaved pizza on some plates giving them to the kids to eat. Kayce and I had crawled into bed where he opened one of the drawers of the nightstand beside the bed. He pulled out a notepad showing it to me. “I went and snooped in our daughter's room and I found this. I think that’s why she was keeping the letters.”

“She was thinking of baby names. Jewels, Gordon, Harrison, Spencer and Olivia.” I read off the names on the list seeing the lights of the house flickering on and then remained off longer where when they came back on we heard multiple sets of feet on the wooden floor.

The bedroom door got kicked open suddenly where we lifted up noticing that Elsa and Dallas were huddled together. “Mommy, can we sleep with you?” She asked, squeezing her teddy bear to her chest.

“Of course, sweetie.” I patted the bedside where she ran forward climbing up and getting in between her daddy and I.

Kayce turned his focus back to his younger son seeing that he was standing in the doorway. “You want up here too, bud. You’re mother and I don’t mind.” The lights went off again where he made a noise at us.

He still remained standing there glancing out into the hallway until I heard Tate’s voice. “Dad, he’s acting like me…I thought I was too old too - ah!” He jumped now standing behind his younger brother, sending us a concerned look.

“Come on Tate. Age don’t matter right now.” Tossing the covers aside I picked up my little boy in my arms waiting for Kayce’s other child to climb in our bed. The power completely went out where the twins latched onto us in fear.

Tate layed his head on my stomach hearing the front door get slammed open telling us that his sister was home. I didn’t feel like getting out of the bed so I just texted her that I was happy she was safe. “At least they got home safe. Now our kids are here.” Kayce draped his arm over my shoulder kissing my forehead.

Shutting my eyes I was about asleep until my phone went off on the nightstand. I scooted myself out of the bed doing my best to not wake up the kids since it was hard enough getting them to sleep when there was a heavy storm. Stepping into the hallway I didn’t check the caller ID. “Hello who is this exactly?”

“Y/n, this is Jamie. There’s some interesting information I discovered recently. And I don’t think you want your children to learn what their grandpa really does on that ranch.” He responded through the phone making me glance over my shoulder seeing that Kayce was still fast asleep.

Pressing the phone back to my ear I whispered. “What do you want from me, Jamie. And under no circumstances will you come after my children.”

“I want John to pay. What I want from you is help me become Governor or I will pull up your records with the sheriff and bring all that past drama back into your life.” The former Dutton threatened where I hung up the phone running my fingers through my hair heading back to bed. Jamie had no right to do any kind of threat against me.

[targwh0re]

Life Gives, and Life Takes

Summary: Sometimes stories are just memories come to greet you from the past, and sometimes they’re a warning coming back up to bite you in the ass

Warning: cursing, drinking, almost drowning (all very briefly

A/N: this is part three of our story, so if you haven’t already, go back and catch up. This one’s a bit of a longer one but I’m tryna get this show on the road so we can get to the good stuff

The sun was relentless, blazing down on the city, casting a warm light upon the bustling square. The dusty streets were brought to life by the people, the clamor of energetic voices, and the clattering of worn-out wagons. Amidst it all, and as the dust swirled and settled, the McCarty family stood out amongst the rest.

A sum of fifty dollars seemed a minimal fee for the monumental task that lay ahead of them. But the deal had been struck. As the dust kicked up to swirled and settled for a second time, Patrick McCarty, the patriarch of the hard-pressed and frankly downtrodden family approached the man called Amos. His face, weathered and etched with lines from hardship, bore an expression of deep gratitude.

"Sir," he began, voice roughed by the days tribulation, "We can't thank you enough. But if you don't mind my asking, why did you do it? We've nothing to offer you." His eyes were sincere yet honest, reflecting the stark contrast of life's harsh realities as he studied Amos' face.

No sooner had Paddy voiced his query when Calamity, before Amos could respond, chimed in with a youthful voice that cut clear through the quiet conversation. Her gaze had been assessing the wagons, nose crinkled up in distaste. And though her words were seemingly about the wagons, it was clearly a pointed remark about people before them. "These wagons may be as beat up as Moss, but they're still looking worth more than what my eyes are showing me." She stated rudely, her gaze previously fixed on the beaten wooden structures that barely held together, flitted to the penniless folks before them.

Her audacity punctuated the air, drawing a few hushed murmurs from the townsfolk walking around them in the square. Amos, a bear of a man with a rugged exterior and a heart as soft as a ripe peach, gave her a rough pat on her back that nearly knocked the wind out of her. "Would you like to shell out 75 to 100 dollars for better ones, for their sake, then?"he teased, a twinkle glistening with amusement in his eye.

"Horseshit," Calamity shot back, her voice echoing in the bustling town square. Despite being taken aback by his daughter's brash language, Amos couldn't suppress an uncomfortable chuckle. His gaze shifting back to the shocked McCarty family, whom had been silent spectators, and couldn't help but look taken aback.

"Calamity, ixnay onyay ethay ussingcay," he chided gently, the hint of a soft smile tugging on his lips.

"Orrysay," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing a shade of crimson with embarrassment.

The silence that seemed to be overwhelmed the once bustling square was filled with anticipation as Amos turned back to the McCarty family, Paddy, Kathleen, and young Billy and Josie McCarty. Their wide eyes, previously fixated on Calamity, quickly shifted their attentions back to him. Beside them, their youngest son, Joe, known as Josie, was pulled closer by Kathleen. Now huddled together, they were a picture of resilience - battered yet unbroken, a living testament to endurance in the face of adversity.

Sensing the need for introductions, he cleared his throat, "Before we go any further," Amos started, "I reckon we should get to know one another better. "I'm Amos, and this firecracker over here is my daughter, Calamity." Paddy nodded, introducing his family in return, "I'm Paddy McCarty, this is my wife Kathleen, and our boys, Billy and Josie." Kathleen pulled both boys a bit closer, their young eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and awe.

Amos's gaze lingered on Kathleen. She bore an uncanny resemblance to his late wife, a pang of nostalgia tugging at his heart. The way she kept her hair, her posture, even the determination in her eyes, everything about her brought back memories of his beloved Birdie. Sure, maybe they had different eye colors, and hair colors, and Kathleen was a bit paler; but their face, it was exactly the same, and her mannerisms made it seem more real. Pushing aside his emotions, he focused once more on Paddy's previous question.

"You ask why I helped?" Amos began, his tone steady and calm. "Paddy, life out here isn't about gold or guns. It's about people, it's about a community. We've all seen hard times, and it's in those times we learn the true value of helping one another. It's not about what we can get, but what we can give. When it comes down to it, we're all just trying to make it in this tough world. Isn't that right? So, today I could lend you folks a hand. So, I did it. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

His words hung in the air as the midday sun continued to shine down brightly above them. The McCartys were silent, their expressions a mix of gratitude and newfound respect. Paddy nodded, a silent thank you, while Kathleen drew Billy and Josie even closer. Their journey was far from over, however the two families found solace in the fact that they wouldn't be alone amidst the vast, unforgiving wilderness.

As Calamity and Amos journeyed from the teeming cityscape of New York to the boundless heartlands of Kansas, the vast expanse of the American wilderness lay like a canvas of green, punctuated by slivers of winding streams and dirt paths created by thousands of wagons and feet undergoing the same trek as them, creating the veins and arteries. Rolling hills rose and fell like the chest of the land in a slumbering breath. These mounds of green, swathed in a verdant quilt, whispered tales of a land untouched by the iron will of civilization, their gentle slopes harboring secrets in the soil. It was an ever shifting piece of art weaved from the very earth.

The land whispered tales of the untamed wilds, like an old friend, that had cradled Calamity since birth. It was a landscape that Calamity had come to know as intimately as the lines on her own freckled hands. It all spoke to her in a language only those born of the trail could comprehend.

To her, the notion of staking claim to a single patch of earth seemed as foreign as the city skylines she'd only heard tales of. It was on the back of her trusty steed, Noble, amidst the rolling hills and the sinking streams, that she felt most alive. She had been reared on the move, her spirit as free as the wind that danced through the tall prairie grasses. This was her home—a home that was never the same two days in a row. It was a land that promised prosperity, yet demanded respect. A land where the journey was as treacherous as it was transformative.

As they traveled, Calamity and Amos rode with the wagon train, the wooden wheels creaking a steady rhythm that underscored their progress. Yet, as she rode alongside her Pa, the incessant rustling of her riding skirt grated against the serenity of the frontier. The skirt was a constant agitation, a reminder of a world that demanded propriety even in the face of adventure. The fabric, a gift from her Aunt Clara, seemed to have a life of its own, catching on the leather at every opportunity, as if rebelling against the stillness it was forced into. Her thoughts wandered, imagining what it would be like to cast off the cumbersome fabric and ride unencumbered. But with each pull and tug, the material seemed to mock her, whispering louder as a relentless adversary to her desire for freedom.

Amos was a man of the frontier, his ears pricked for the faintest hint of trouble, his senses attuned to the subtlest shift in the breeze or the distant crack of a twig. So, you can imagine, the rustling beside him was nagging at these senses, pulling his focus from where he felt it truly should be. He knew the dangers that lurked beyond the visible trail, and his daughter's battle with her attire was a needless diversion. Yet, as he glanced at her, his heart couldn't help but soften. The fire in her eyes, so like her mother's, was a source of endless pride.

"Calamity, do you reckon you could keep it down? You're louder than a tin can tied to a stray dog's tail," he remarked, a playful edge to his voice despite the annoyance.

She shot him an apologetic glance, her large, warm brown doe eyes filled with both apology and defiance that no riding skirt could quell. "Sorry, Pa. This dang skirt's got more opinions than a saloon full of drunks. Can't sit still for the life of me," she apologized, the corners of her mouth betraying a hint of a smile. What she thought however was, I'd rather be draped in the stars and night sky than this prison of lace and linen.

Her father, not one to let the matter slide, retorted with a stern finger pointed in her direction. "Hey! That was a gift from your aunt Clara. That skirt is a piece of family, girl. You'll wear it and respect it, just like any gift from kin." His 'dad look' followed—a blend of exasperation and affection only a father could muster.

Her father's stern admonition was met with an eyeroll, a constellation of freckles playing across her sun-kissed face. She muttered slyly under her breath, "Alright, I'll have Aunt Clara make you one too next time, so you can wear the definition of uncomfortable until it's worn its use." Although inwardly, she understood his sentiment. It was about more than the garment; it was about honoring the threads that connected them across miles to those they left back home.

Her father's gaze hardened, the quintessential look that spoke volumes without a single word—a mix of disappointment, authority. "You see anything out there?" he asked, his voice cutting through the tension.

"No," she replied hastily, eager to move past the scolding.

Her father pulled on both of their reins, bringing the horses to a halt. He leaned in, his eyes searching hers. "Now, you listen here. I need you to look, and I mean really look. What do you see?"

Calamity, taken aback by the seriousness of his tone, scanned the wagon train with a critical eye. She took in the wagon train, a procession of pioneers like a colony of ants carrying their belongings like a grain of sand in search of a new home. She observed Paddy with the most reproach as he scrambled into the back of a wagon, his movements awkward and ungainly. "Pathetic," she whispered, letting her true feelings slip before catching herself.

Amos caught the word, his expression turning stern. "Don't you go looking down on these folks, Calamity. They're doing what they can, same as us. We're all in this together, you hear?" She knew these people, their dreams and nightmares, weren't so different from her own. She felt conflicted, torn between her innate understanding of the land and the realization that not everyone could feel the rhythm of its beating heart in their bones.

"Most of these people, they don't know the land like we do, Pa," she began, her voice a soft rumble of contemplation. "They cling to their possessions, drag them across the country like a tortoise with its shell. They think they'll find happiness by putting down roots, but they don't understand—the roots are already here, in the journey, not the destination."

Her attentions were drawn to the wagon at the front of the train, where Billy—a boy with eyes full of dreams, someone who seemed to share a kindred spirit—talked animatedly with Moss. Though she had spoken of the settlers with disdain, her eyes softened as she watched him. Internally, she marveled at the fire she saw in him, a fire that mirrored her own passion for the untamed world they traversed. "Maybe they ain't all cut from the same cloth. Some got a fire in 'em that's kin to our own."

Amos, though unaware of whom she spoke, sensing his daughter's shift in perspective, appreciating her change of heart. He understood her better than anyone, her longing for the wild, her disdain for the mundane. But he also knew the value of empathy, the strength found in unity. His thoughts, though unspoken, echoed her sentiments: the true essence of life on the trail was in the shared experiences, the bonds forged through hardship and the collective will to persevere.

In a moment of stillness, letting the sun's warmth caress her freckled face in a warm embrace, she coaxed out the fragrance of the land and listened to it all unfold around her like a movie with no scene. The joyous chirps of birds fluttered from the trees, the throb of hooves against the earth, squirrels darting and chasing each other in the branches above—they all coalesced into a picture of the natural world ,a world of constant motion and untamed beauty.

And then, a subtle detail caught her attention—hoofprints near the treeline, distinct from the well-trodden path of the trail. "Wait," she murmured, half to herself, reigning in her horse Noble with a gentle tug. Her instincts licked at the inside of her belly. With a subtle squeeze of her calves and a soft cluck of her tongue, she urged him closer to examine the tracks with a practiced eye.

Amos, ever watchful, drew alongside her, his own thoughts mirroring hers. His eyes followed her gaze on the tracks, a silent demand before it escaped his mouth. "Tell me what you see."

"Well, they're not on the trail..." She shared her observation, her voice laced with caution as it trailed off into the breeze.

"True, but that doesn't mean some folks haven't slipped away without us seeing," he countered, his voice tinged with the wisdom of experience.

She nodded, trying to coerce her heart into agreement. "That could be true, but we should still keep our eyes open and our ears peeled. But maybe keep it between us for now, so as not to arouse any panic?" she suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty and earnestness, her mind racing with the possibilities.

Amos's response, however, was a smile, a silent affirmation of her wisdom. In his heart, he knew that Calamity was growing into a force to be reckoned with, her intuition as sharp as any hunter's. He started back towards the wagon train, his hand finding its way to the top of her head, where he playfully tousled the twin braids of pure gold. "That's my girl," As he ruffled her hair, his mind was at ease, confident in the knowledge that she was every bit the daughter he had hoped she would become.

Together, they turned their attention back to the trail, their senses alert and their spirits undaunted. And amidst the vastness of the frontier, Calamity and Amos rode on, vigilant sentinels in a land of boundless opportunity.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, dropping its velvet shroud over the canvas of the frontier, the last visages of deep orange and purple retreated behind the horizon, and the wagon train settled into its nightly ritual. The tents rose like ethereal sentinels in the twilight, their canvas walls glowing in soft orange lantern lights.

Calamity, her silhouette framed by the dying light, stood outside her family's tent, her figure a ghostly wisp in her white cotton nightgown, and found solace in the rhythmic strokes of her fingers running idly through Noble's thick mane. Her hand moved in gentle strokes along his mane, a silent language of trust and companionship between them. Noble exhaled contentedly, his breath visible in the cooling air, he enjoyed the affection as much as she welcomed the quiet moment of reflection.

The cooling air of the approaching night whispered across the plains, carrying with it the day's warmth and the subtle scents of hard-packed earth and freshly trodden grass. In these quiet moments, Calamity's mind wandered. She thought of the rolling hills that had embraced their caravan, and the way the streams had whispered secrets as they passed. Her thoughts lingered on the settlers, each with their own reasons for braving the unknown, and of Billy—whose own spirit resonated within her own from behind eyes of blue fire. She pondered the strange notion of 'home' and how, for her, home was not a place but a feeling found in the freedom of the open trail.

Her Pa's voice, warm and familiar, called to her from inside the tent, breaking the evening's calm. "Calamity, time for bed," he said, the words carrying the gentle authority of a father's care.

Her reverie was gently broken by the sound of her father's voice calling her to bed. With one last affectionate pat for Noble, she ducked under the tent flap and entered their shared space, her nightgown brushing against the grass as she entered the spacious abode that would shelter them through the night. Amos sat waiting on the pallet, his straightened silhouette haloed by the flickering lantern light, an anchor in the sea of uncertainty that was the trail. He beckoned her beside him, already preparing for bed.

With practiced tenderness, hands steady and sure, he began the nightly ritual of freeing her golden locks. His hands casting larger-than-life shadows on the tent walls, the shadows flickered and danced, creating a puppet show as they mimicking the gentle motions of his fingers as they worked through the tangles of her day. Calamity watched, captivated by the dance of light and dark, as her hair fell free, cascading around her shoulders.

After her braids were undone and her hair had fallen, Calamity lay down on the soft bedding, her eyes wide and alert as they searched the canvas above her. Though her body was still, her mind was anything but. The day's events replayed in her head, mingling with the anticipation of the journey still to come.

Amos, worn from the day's ride, waited for sleep to claim him. They lay down, father and daughter, their faces turned toward one another in the dim light. Amos studied her for a moment, her face serene in the lamplight, and thought of the woman she was becoming. He marveled at her spirit, so like her mother's, and yet wondered if he had done enough to prepare her for the challenges that lay ahead.

"What now?" he broke the silence, his eyebrows arching with a mixture of exasperation and care.

"I'm not tired," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, as if fearing she might create a stark contrast to the stillness of the night.

Amos, feeling the weight of his own weariness, responded in kind. "Well, what do you want me to do about it?" His hand gestured in the air, lifting from his knee in resignation before settling it back down.

"Tell me a story," she said, her voice soft and wistful.

With a groan that spoke of aching muscles and the comfort of rest deferred, he acquiesced, lying back down. "Oh, you want a story? What type of story?" he inquired, his face turned towards hers, their eyes reflecting shared stories of days gone by.

"I like the scary ones," she whispered, a mischievous spark of excitement lighting her features.

Amos inhaled sharply, running a hand through his own golden hair and began to weave a tale from his youth, his voice a low rumble. "The scary ones! You like the scary ones, that's right," he murmured, casting his gaze upward as if drawing inspiration from the canvas above. His mind wandered back to a time long before Calamity had been born.

He spoke of a time when he served in the Navy, on a ship that faced the wrath of an unforgiving sea. "Imagine the waves, out on the open sea, each one a dark monstrous behemoth, clawing at the ship with the fury of the deep in a thunderous assault. Each one crashed against the ship's deck with the force of a thousand hammers, sending spray flying, each droplet a bite that stung against the skin..." His voice, deep and resonant, conjured images of a ship at the mercy of the sea, the taste of salt ever-present, the deck a treacherous landscape of motion.

In the lantern's flickering light, Amos' hands came to life, the shadows they cast growing into the very waves he described. They rose and fell, cresting and breaking against the imagined hull of the ship that held his captive audience of one.

Calamity's eyes widened as she visualized the scene her father painted—a vessel, small and insignificant, adrift in an endless expanse of churning sea. The salt spray bit at the sailors' faces, a stinging reminder of the ocean's raw power. The taste of brine filled their mouths, a constant, unwelcome companion as they fought to keep their footing on the slippery planks.

"The wind screamed like the lost souls of the deep, each gust more ferocious than the last, tearing at the sails, daring to rip the masts in half. It was a force that could sweep a man overboard with a mere flick, lost forever to the depths below, a sailor's nightmare," he continued, the shadow-play miming the chaotic dance of the howling gale that buffeted the shadow ship.

Calamity lay entranced, heart racing with the imagined danger, her own adventure melding with the sailors' plight. She could almost feel the dreadful rocking beneath her, the relentless motion that left men's stomachs lurching and their hearts full of dread. She could taste the salt on her lips, the darkness of the night all-encompassing, the stars obscured by storm clouds that blotted out any hope of light.

"And then, in the heart of the tempest, a rogue wave—a towering titan reared up, threatening to send us all to Davy Jones's locker..." Amos's hands rose high, casting a monstrous silhouette that seemed to loom over them, ready to crash down and plunge the shadow ship into shadowy depths. "It loomed over us, a moving mountain of angry foam, ready to break upon us."

Her breath caught in her throat as Amos described the terror of the wave, growing taller and more menacing as the wave threatened to engulf the shadow vessel and its crew, the inevitability of its descent. The shadows cast by Amos' hands took on an ominous form, growing taller and more menacing. The sailors, he told her, clung to whatever they could, their knuckles white, their prayers whispered and lost into the gale.

"But, even the fiercest storm must eventually break, and the world kept turning. The sea, though merciless, is not a heartless foe. We held on, and when dawn broke, the waters calmed. The ship, battered but unbroken, carried on, just as we must always carry on, no matter how fearsome the storm gets."

As the story reached its crescendo, it took a turn, leading them away from the stormy seas to a moment of destiny. Amos's voice softened, winding down like the storm he'd just described. "And after that, when we made port, the first thing I did was stride into the nearest saloon, belly up to the bar, and order the strongest drink they had," he said, a wistful smile touching the corners of his mouth. Calamity noticed that it made the line from years of smiling and laughter more pronounced on his otherwise deceivingly youthful face.

Calamity, hovering on the edge of sleep, listened as her Pa's tale took a turn toward the serendipitous. "And there she was—your ma. Sipping on some whiskey neat, with a fire in her gaze that outshone the fiercest star. Within her was the same untamed spirit that I see in you every day." His voice held a reverence reserved for cherished memories, for moments that change the course of a life.

Calamity's eyelids grew heavy as the tale wound down, the lantern's light dimming as she succumbed to sleep. A yawn escaped Calamity, she sighed deeply as she nestled deeper into her bedding. "I wish I could've met her," she murmured, the words slurred by the tug of dreams.

Amos leaned over, his movements deliberate and tender, and placed a tender kiss on her temple. "She would've loved you, just as much as I do," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

As she drifted off into the realm of sleep, she imagined herself there, on the deck, facing the elements with the same fierce determination she saw in Amos' eyes. Her thoughts lingered on tomorrow, on the face that she too might face her own storm on the raging river they would cross on their journey westward. She told herself that though the tale had been thrilling, it was more than that, it was a lesson—a reminder that they were made of stern stuff, capable of weathering any tempest, terrestrial or otherwise.

In the silence that followed, Amos watched his daughter sleep, her chest rising and falling with the peaceful rhythm of the innocent. His gaze drifted to the wedding bands that hung around his neck—a tangible reminder of a love that endured beyond the confines of mortality. His fingers toyed with the rings, tracing the familiar contours, each curve a memory, each touch a bittersweet reminiscence.

With a final look at his daughter's peaceful face and a deep breath, Amos reached out and turned the lantern's knob, the flame sputtering before surrendering them to the embrace of the night. And as the lantern flickered one last time, he whispered a silent vow to protect her, come what may, on the wild trail to Kansas.

The only light now was the soft glow of the moon filtering through the canvas.

Outside, the world was still, save for the occasional rustle of grass or the distant call of a night bird. Inside the tent, Amos and Calamity lay side by side, the bond between them unspoken but as palpable as the rings around Amos's neck. And as sleep claimed them both, the echoes of the sea and the warmth of a mother's love stood vigil, guiding them through the quiet hours of the night.

The sun had barely crested the horizon when the wagon train awoke to another day on the trail, the air crisp and filled with the scent of earth and dew. With methodical precision, the tents were dismantled, supplies packed, the canvas structures collapsing like wilting flowers at the end of a long day, supplies packed, and the wagon train prepared to resume its westward crawl. Calamity moved with practiced ease, her hands deft as she rolled the bedding and secured their belongings. They broke camp with the efficiency that comes from days turned to weeks on the trail. The only deviation from the norm was the river that lay ahead.

The river, wide and seemingly calm at first glance, lye in wait deceitfully in wait with its stillness masking the powerful currents beneath. Its surface mirrored the morning sky, masking the swift and treacherous currents that surged below. The settlers approached with caution, their wagons lining up along the bank. A hushed silence fell over the caravan as the first wagon tentatively entered the water, the gentle lapping of the waves belying the strength of the unseen forces below. As they neared the water's edge, the procession slowed to a stop, and a murmur of trepidation spread among the settlers.

Amos, ever vigilant, surveyed the scene, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. When the caravan came to an abrupt standstill, Calamity, sensing the change, questioned her father, "What's going on? Why are we stopping?" Her voice was laced with confusion and anticipation.

Amos, eyes narrowed as he peered ahead, replied without turning, "I don't know. But I have a pretty good idea swimmin' about." His gaze fixed on the unfolding chaos ahead.

Then he saw it—A wagon, besieged by the current, was rapidly taking on water, horses rearing in a blind panic, their terror-filled cries piercing the morning calm as they struggled against the weight of their burden.  Amos watched as the canvas of the wagon twisted and thrashed in the water.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, spurring his horse forward with a grim determination. He cursed their late start and the complacency that had allowed them to fall behind the lead wagons. The peace that had accompanied their journey thus far had been a fragile thing that had draped the caravan in a gossamer veil, now shattered by the river's unexpected wrath.

Calamity, spurred by her father's urgency, followed her father's lead. As they approached the tumultuous scene, Amos's experience with rivers and crossings came to the forefront. He knew that the key to a successful crossing lay in calm and confident handling of the animals and precise maneuvering of the wagon. Amos dismounted with urgency, his boots splashing into the water as he moved to help guide the floundering process.

"Stay put," he ordered, leaving instructions that were as sharp as they were laden with concern while he focused on the crisis at hand. She nodded, her trust in her father's abilities unwavering. He approached the distressed team, his voice firm yet soothing as he took the reins and spoke to the horses in a steady, calming tone. With reassuring pats and gentle tugs, he guided the animals, steadying them enough to regain control.

Amos waded deeper into the river, the cold water an afterthought as he worked to reposition the wagon, distributing its weight to counter the pull of the current. His movements were deliberate, his strength evident as he pushed against the wagon's frame, guiding it to a shallower passage he had spied upon his approach.

As she watched her father wade into the turmoil, her horse, Noble, became a creature of sheer instinct. The animal, spooked by the cacophony and the fear that hung heavy in the air, bucked wildly. Overwhelmed by the bedlam, he unseated her with a powerful lurch, sending Calamity plunging into the icy embrace of the river.

The churning waters seized her immediately, pulling her into its depths with a disorienting force, the light from above growing dim as the current tossed her like a leaf in a storm. Light and dark, up and down, the water was a living thing, dragging her deeper, tumbling her about until the world lost all meaning. Each attempt to swim was a struggle against the current, her lungs burned for the taste of air as her mind desperately grappled for some sense of direction.

But then, fighting with every fiber of her being, she broke through the surface of the murky depths to meet the light, the air rushing back into her lungs in a violent, desperate gasp of the sweetness of life. The world was noise and chaos once more, but she was alive, she was breathing.

Amos, upon hearing the splash, a sound that cut through the din, felt a cold dread gripping at his heart. He saw Noble bolt past, riderless, and his world narrowed to a single point. His daughter's name tore from his lips as he plunged into the river in a fury, his fear propelling him forward at a speed he did not know he possessed. His eyes scoured the water, his hands, guided by a father's desperation, searched the deep until his hands finally found her and pulled her free from the river's relentless grasp. She surfaced, coughing violently, expelling the water that had invaded her lungs.

His relief only allowing a brief moment of anger, her coughs a symphony of life as she expelled the river from her lungs. "I told you to stay put!" he yelled, his fear and relief bleeding into anger.

But as he gazed upon his daughter, his expression softened, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her soaked hair, cradling her against him. His relief was palpable in the tremble of his arms, as he send a silent thanks for her safety.

Kathleen's voice shattered the reprieve, her  voice pierced through the air, her cries for Billy drawing their attention back to the river. Amos released Calamity, gaze meeting Kathleen's, and in her eyes, he saw his own reflection from moments ago—a recognition of similar pain and loss as her screams grew more frantic. With a protective arm, he held Calamity back before diving into the water once more.

Calamity stood beside Kathleen, joining her cries, the two of them bound by shared terror. Finally, Amos emerged, dragging Billy to the bank, his body racking with coughs but alive. Her eyes met Amos' in a silent exchange of thanks.

As the chaos of the river rescue waned and Kathleen's son, Billy, lay safe in her arms, Amos allowed himself a moment to study Kathleen. Her eyes, wide with maternal fear now softening with relief, so reminiscent of his late wife, brought a flood of memories, stirring the embers of a love that time had not extinguished. It was more than the shape or the color—it was the raw emotion, the depth of love that seemed to transcend the physical world. He remembered that same look, one of fierce determination and boundless affection, a look that once brought him back from the brink, just as it had brought Billy back to his mother.

Amos's thoughts lingered on his wife as he observed Kathleen whispering her thanks. The way her lips moved, the slight tremble as she spoke, it was like gazing through the mists of time. He felt the weight of his wedding bands against his chest, Amos's fingers brushed the wedding bands at his neck, a reminder of a bond that, although broken by death, still tethered his heart to a love that refused to fade.

Meanwhile, Calamity, shivering from the cold and the adrenaline ebbing from her veins, watched as her father's gaze held Kathleen's. She knew that look, had seen it in the quiet moments when he thought she was asleep, a look of longing and remembrance. She understood the silent language, the memories that were stirred, and the silent homage he paid to the love he once shared with her mother.

She understood, more than he realized, the depth of his loss and the strength it took to carry on, to be both mother and father to her in this untamed world.

The river continued to wreak havoc, and as Kathleen called out for her husband, another figure, Frank, burst from the water's grasp, a nearly lifeless Paddy being dragged behind him towards safety. The Irishman's stubborn grasp on his belongings nearly cost him everything. As Paddy was pulled into the safety of his wife's arms, coughing his way back to consciousness, the caravan seemed to collectively exhale with relief, the tension of the moment dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

Billy, now coughing and spluttering but very much alive, was a mirror to Calamity's own recent brush with death. As he regained his composure, his pair of perceptive blue eyes found hers across the chaos-strewn riverbank. They shared no words, but in their silence, understanding and respect were communicated without a word. In his gaze, she saw the echo of her own resilience. His gaze also held a question, a silent inquiry into her well-being, and she responded with a subtle nod.

Their shared look was a silent pact, a mutual acknowledgment of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which it could change. They were survivors, kindred spirits who had stared down death and now looked upon each other with a newfound appreciation for the threads of fate that connected them.

Amos, pulling himself from the past, gathered Calamity into his arms, his protective embrace a fortress against the unpredictable world. His mind raced with what-ifs and close calls, but as he held his daughter, feeling the steady beat of her heart, he allowed himself to feel relief. He was reminded once more of the preciousness of the child entrusted to him, and of the unwavering resolve that had become the cornerstone of their existence.

Calamity's gaze wandered back to the river, to the remnants of their life and memories it had claimed, feeling the sting of their material losses as she watched the face contorting all around her. The loss was palpable, a shared wound floating openly down the riverbank, caused by its own fury. It was a stark reminder of nature's capriciousness, yet it was the unspoken words between her and Billy that offered a quiet solace. In his blue eyes, she saw not only a reflection of her own experiences but also the dawning understanding of what they still carried within them—their resilience, their courage, their hope— it was far more valuable than any object the river could take.

As the sun climbed higher and the river continued its indifferent flow, Amos and Calamity stood at the edge of a world, faces etched with the day's trials. The river had tested them in taking everything, but it had also shown them the unyielding bond that tied them to each other and to a destiny that awaited them on the open trail. The trail ahead was long, but they would face it together, one step, one breath, one heartbeat at a time.

[countrymusiclover]

39 - The Slow Side...You're Wrong

Part 40

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

Kayce, Lee and I all climbed down our horses from our day ride. Holding Kayce’s head down while I climbed down my horse. My boots hit the dirt as the sun was setting on the horizon. “So what did you think of the land, Y/n?”

“It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.” I responded to Lee’s question where he took the reins of my horse and led them towards the barn.

Kayce led his own following us as we walked until he walked beside me where I had to look up since he was taller than I am. “That’s good that you enjoyed it. So uh….would you be okay with going to get some dinner with me tonight or some other time?”

“Wait a minute. Are you asking me out on a date, Kayc?” Whipping my head around when I spun on my feet I blush not expecting to have him ask me that when we had just met a few hours ago. I mean he was an attractive guy but again we had just met this morning.

He gently put his horse in the stall shutting the door behind the horses tail where Lee had already left us alone. He hung up the white cowboy hat he was wearing on a hook showing his curly brown hair for my view. “Uh yeah. I get it if you don’t want to…”

“I’d like to do that. I’d like to go on a date with you sometime, Kayce.” Taking his hat off of my head, handing it back to him where he set it on his head smiling at me.

He gestured towards the door where I followed him to the front porch never dreaming that I would call this place home thirteen years later. “Good. I’ll pick you up from your parents at six.”

Dallas and Elsa were playing on the front porch when Tate and I were coming back from the fields since he had asked if he could help us out. It would be a few more weeks before John, Rip and the remaining bunkhouse workers return to the ranch after being away. “When is Bree gonna stop walking around the house with a bouncy belly?”

“Tate, be nice to your sister now.” I warned him with a raised brow kicking my horse in the belly to race back to the barn with him in tow behind me.

Once we reached the barn he dismounted his horses sitting his tan hat on the saddle making a face at me. “Have you seen her belly? It looks like she might explode or something.”

“Hey, what did I just say.” Spinning on my feet I waved my fingers at him where he raised his hands up in the air following me towards the main house. “And even though she feels like crap right now. You need to remember that you will be an uncle soon. That is just as important as being an older brother.”

Walking up the front porch steps I held the door opened letting Tate inside first. The second we stepped inside I caught a whiff of the smell of baked goods almost. Finding my way into the kitchen I halted in my tracks seeing that there was a mess of flour and other ingredients on the kitchen floor. “Mommy, we’re making biscuits!” Elsa threw her hands up, flinging her messy hands around my knock where I almost dropped her on the floor.

“Oh Elsa!” I grunt shifting my hands underneath her butt so her head was laying on my shoulder. “Who’s idea exactly was this?”

Bree sat down the oven mits after closing the oven where the biscuits are cooking. Her stomach was round and a lot bigger where Tate was right that she did look like a balloon. “The baby has been craving biscuits so I was trying to recreate the recipe that was marked as grandma Evelyn’s. But Elsa decided to throw half the ingredients around like a monkey.”

“Woah what are ya’ll doing down here?” Someone came down the stairs where I turned my head seeing it was Dallas and Kayce who was carrying his guitar in his hands.

“Trying to make your mothers famous biscuits it seems. But I doubt she was as messy as this one is.” I tickled Elsa by her feet where she squealed until I sat her back down on the wooden floor.

Dallas ran up to his sister and picked up some flour from the floor throwing it on her. “Flour fights!” She begins throwing some back at him and it goes on for a few minutes.

“Why do you have the guitar. I thought you only sang songs around our anniversary. I mean not that I’m complaining, I’m just curious.” Crossing my arms over my chest I smiled at my cowboy husband seeing him take a seat on the main couch in front of the fireplace.

He sat the instrument on his lap eyeing our eldest daughter. “Hey B, bring a towel down so your messy siblings can sit. Tate, go help her then come here. I heard a song on the radio that I think is talking about me and your mother a little bit. So I thought I’d try it out myself.”

“Alright Kayc, let’s hear this song from the radio.” I clasped my hands together plopping down beside him. Tate and Bree managed to wrangle their twin siblings, all four sitting down in front of us.

Kayce began strumming his fingers on the guitar strings avoiding our gaze for a moment as he played. “Well, you know how it goes. When you meet somebody. That you like somebody. Wanna hold somebody. But you just can't stand. To think about somebody. As another somebody. Becoming someone else. When it all goes to hell. Why can't we keep it on the sweet side. See how it feels to take a slow ride. This time.”

“So you try to run away from the one somebody. That you like somebody. Wanna hold somebody. But you can't stay away from the one somebody. 'Cause there ain't nobody else running through your dreams. So we complicate things.” He began shifting his gaze upward seeing that the kids were now clapping to the beat.

I grinned at him where we met the others gaze where I started tapping my boots on the wooden floor. “Why can't we keep it on the sweet side. See how it feels to take a slow ride. This time. You don't need to meet my mama. You don't need the key to my house. We don't need to dream and plan and scheme. Ain't nothing here to figure out.”

“Wouldn't it be nice just to find somebody. That you like somebody. Wanna hold somebody. And you didn't have to worry about losing somebody. 'Cause you pushed somebody, a little too hard, too fast. I could use some of that.” Kayce and I slowly sang in unison where we both started laughing together finishing the song. “I wanna get back on the sweet side. I wanna get back on the slow ride. Want every kiss to give me butterflies. See that oh, baby come here look in your eyes. This time.This time.”

Bree got to her feet grinning brightly at her father resting her hands on her stomach. “That was great dad…oh!” She bent her knees a little, moaning in pain.

“Bree!” Jumping to my feet I rushed towards her placing a hand on her shoulder trying to figure out what was wrong with her.

Kayce jumped up to his feet shortly after hearing the front door opened and Carter hung his hat on the wall seeing that we were all concerned about something. “What is going on here?”

“Mom, dad, what’s happening?” Dallas and Elsa huddled to their feet alongside Tate when he stared at his sister.

Bree bent down lower to the wooden floor once Carter had rushed over to her side and I gasped seeing water coming from between her legs since she was wearing just a dress and some socks after her shorts were tighter. “Oh my god. I think the babies coming.”

“Oh shit!” Carter cursed under her breath getting a glare from me. “Um sorry.”

Kayce and I frantically turned our head towards one another sharing the same terrified look that we weren’t expecting this yet. Her due date wasn’t supposed to be until the rest of the family got back in town. “Call the helicopter!”

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

38 - Tough Scars and Scares

Part 39

Country Rancher

The longest chapter I have ever written 😁

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn

Rubbing my daughter's back while she was still puking whatever was in her stomach from last night. The morning sickness for her is a lot worse than what I went through with any of my kids. Holding her hair back I helped her lean back against my chest. “I am going to be so happy when I don’t get sick anymore.”

“Trust me baby this won’t be the hardest part of being pregnant.” I whispered, pushing her hair away from her eyes rising to my feet.

Kayce was downstairs in the kitchen making breakfast for her trying to help her out. Tugging Bree up to stand she wraps her arms around me since she was unstable from being so sick this morning. We made our way down the stairs letting her sit down at the kitchen table. “Thanks mom.”

“You’re welcome. Kayce, can we talk on the porch alone please?” I asked my husband, gently grabbing his forearm leading him out onto the back porch shutting the door behind us.

He raised a brow at me, shoving his hands in the brown jacket pockets. “What’s going on, darlin’. You don’t seem like yourself since we got back.”

“I got a phone call a few weeks ago. The night we had that huge thunderstorm and it was from Jamie.” I huffed wrapping my arms tightly around myself beginning to feel a nervous pit grow in my stomach. It had been eating away at me because I knew he knew everything that the rest of Montana didn’t know.

“What did he say, honey?” He asked me to step closer until I walked around my husband leaning against one of the pillars on the porch looking out over the land.

“He is coming after me, Kayc…” I mutter under my breath where he almost couldn’t hear me.

He asked again, moving closer behind my back, placing a hand on my shoulder so I would look him in the eye. “Y/n, what did he call you about exactly? You can tell me anything you know.”

“He’s coming after me, Kayce. He threatened to tell our children the truth about the train station and everything else that we are hiding from the town. Unless I help him impeach your father from office.” Spinning around on my feet I felt some tears falling down my face.

His brown eyes scanned over my body, not used to seeing me crying over something like this. I mean he has seen me cry before but not about something when it came to fighting for this land. I owed almost everything I have to this family and to the land attached to the name. “Hey, hey, easy come here.” He opened his arms where I ran into his chest clutching the fabric of his jacket. “Now you listen to me honey. Jamie is not going to come after you or our children. He knows that family comes first always on this ranch.”

“But he has the closed charge of when the sheriff tried to lock me up on not having a license to carry a firearm when we were made livestock agents in a field.” I drew slightly back away from him shaking my head seeing that he wasn’t getting the seriousness.

Kayce rested his hand on my cheek feeling me lean in while his freehand was on my waist holding me closer to him. “Y/n, we beat that charge and we will handle this like always. We are Duttons and Duttons don’t back down - what are you doing here, brother?”

“What?” Whipping my head around I shivered seeing that Jamie was standing beside his car in the driveway staring up at us, meaning that I didn’t even hear his car pull up at all. “What the hell are you doing here, Jamie!”

He slowly walked up the stairs causing me and Kayce to separate from one another. This is the first time he has come back to the ranch so it was quite strange seeing him here. Thankfully it wouldn’t get more awkward since the kids were off doing their own things. “I was hoping to talk with you, Y/n. You didn’t really give me an answer during our last phone call.”

“That’s because I didn’t give you one.” I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest tipping the front of my black cowgirl hat to the adopted Dutton son.

“Is there any chance that we could talk in private?” He asked once more.

“Not a chance in hell.”

Kayce squeezed my forearm leading me a little ways away from his brother whispering under his breath. “Hey easy now. We don’t know why he is here. At least hear what he has to say. Look, I can even be in the room with you if you want.”

“No, it's fine. We can just have our conversation im his office or in your dads old office here.” I responded, turning on my heel stomping up to the lawyer.

He tilted his head in the direction of the helicopter that we had brought back to the ranch since we would have to move the cattle in the fields in the months to come. “Let’s head to my office. I can take the helicopter if you want.”

“That will work. Let’s go then.” I sniped heading towards the chopper glancing over my shoulder back at my husband, sending him a concerned look the entire time.

Kayce silently watched the pair go towards the helicopter and it was strange but also hard to see that this really worried the love of his life. He remembered the last time she was so terrified like this and he hated that he was seeing something like it again.

It was the middle of the night when I woke up in the bedroom Kayce and I shared together. Tugging my sweatshirt that was actually one of Kayce’s I felt a cold breeze entering the kitchen finding that I was hungry or something. Opening the fridge door I grabbed the milk then searched for the jar of cookies. I ended up finding them on a high shelf that I thought I could reach. Raising myself up on my toes trying to reach it but my leg that was injured during the shooting suddenly cramped up and I collapsed on the floor. “Ow…god. Fuck that hurt!”

“Y/n! Are you okay, shit.” Footsteps rushed down the stairs where I held a hand to my head and my other hand was gripping where part of my leg always hurt from the accident. “What the hell happened to you, baby?”

Groaning in pain I laid my head back against the wooden cabinets seeing that the stupid cookie jab was balancing off the edge of the cabinets now where it might fall on my head. “Trying to get one of the cookies from last night but I guess your dad put them up higher than he thought. But this dang leg keeps ruining my life Kayce.”

“Hey, hey, what are you talking about. You can still walk, ride horses and do everything else like you used to.” He brushed hair out of my eyes seeing that I was tearing up.

Sniffing through some tears this wasn’t the first time that this limp kept me from doing things. During my recovery when I was panicked about Bree and everything I fell off my horse and spooked it when my leg cramped and I accidentally kicked the horse in the leg. “Kayce, I have fallen off my horse several times. I still can’t walk up stairs the straight way I have to walk up them sideways. I can’t play tag with Bree and Tate. I mean what if it just keeps getting worse. I…I don’t want to not be able to ranch anymore. This life is something I never knew I wanted until I met you. I don’t want to lose it…because of those assholes shooting me and John on the side of the road.”

“Sssh honey. Come here, come here.” He pulls my head into his chest where I flung my arms around his neck crying lightly. “Your leg isn’t a burden. It makes you stronger do you hear me. I told Tate this recently that you have already beaten the biggest thing in your life. You’re not weak because of that limp, if anything it makes you ten times as stronger than you were before.”:

“Yeah but what if things get worse. I thought I could handle the physical therapy and everything but I’m scared that one day things are going to get worse for us. Where you might leave me and Bree someday because it’s too much work or that I can’t do what I need to keep the place I love.” I sobbed into his shoulder hating that even though he had taken care of the guys who shot me they still managed to have an effect on me.

Kayce lifted my head up cradling my face in his hands wiping away tears with his thumbs. “You aren’t weak, darlin’. You are one of the strongest people I know. You raised Bree all on your own when I bolted with Monica. You didn’t lose that strength, it will be with you always just like I will be.”

“Yeah but come on, Kayc. You have your own crap to deal with. You don’t have time to deal with my problems. I’m not the girl I once was…I won’t always be so strong.” Sniffing through some more tears I gripped his shoulders wanting to pull away staring down at my injured leg.

The youngest Dutton lifted my chin upward, pressing his forehead breathlessly. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, baby. I have my moments that I won't let you see. Yet we can change that. If something is bothering either of us then we tell one another. No matter what, no matter how small, no matter how big, we will be there for each other. Can you agree to that cause I love you too much to see you upset. You are my whole heart and soul.”

“You are my heart and soul too, Kayce.” I breath out feeling him press a long kiss on my forehead. Burying my face underneath his chin he rested it there softly wrapping his arms around my waist just holding me on the kitchen floor.

Jamie held his office door opened for me letting me step inside first before he quickly and quietly shut it behind him. I sat down in the chair in front of his desk watching his movements closely. “So what did you want to talk about?”

“Don’t play this off like you don’t know what phone call I was referring to. Now will you help me or not?” He got straight to the point so I tried to go the other direction.

“John is an amazing governor of the state, Jamie. Sorry you didn’t run but maybe you should have had a stronger champne or better yet actually know your audience. The people in this state don’t care about fancy airports and casinos. They want the land to stay the way it is.”

He leans back in his chair disgruntled. “Yes but this town can’t make some good changes if it stays the same. Surely you can agree that John Dutton has done some questionable things over the years.”

“No. He was doing what he had to so he could protect his family and the ranch legacy. Now for the love of Montana can you just tell why the hell you thought it would be a good idea to come after my children. Huh, I mean you're possibly coming for the place that they will inherit one day. But you want to take that away because you want some big shot job that you might not even get if the people don’t vote for you.” I grumble towards the man in front of me. I was scared coming in here but honestly I only had one charge against me so there was nothing he could do since he was the one to fix the problem in the end.

He rose to his feet with his hand’s hitting the wooden desk making me slightly jump. “I can have your failure to carry a firearm with a liescines charge brought back to the surface. I can tell everyone what really happened to the Malisha you and your husband took out. I can blame so many things on you and take away the whole ranch from your children if you want!”

“But this is still about hurting, John. You can’t hurt him without hurting everyone else he loves. So you know what, I am going to walk out that door because you have nothing against me.” Raising to my feet I turned around not surprised by what he was saying. He had made me so worried but like Kayce said we wouldn’t let him hurt our family. Flinging the door opened I gasped not expecting to see the person standing before me considering Kayce had chosen me in the end. “Monica, what the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m here to help him convince you to help him…” She stepped inside the office with my shuffling my feet backwards not expecting to ever see her again. “Because in case you didn’t realize, according to legal documents that I was told by Jamie it says that you and Kayce never signed the papers to make you Tate’s legal guardian. Making me to always be his mother. So I can take him away from you.”

Whipping my head around to Jamie I growled in his direction turning my hand into fists. “You’re gonna turn this into a custody battle huh that’s really mature.”

“Watch your tone, Y/n. You aren’t as innocent as you want everyone to believe. My adoptive father has turned everyone on that ranch into something destructive and dangerous. And it won’t be just about Tate, all your children are under the age of being adults.” The former partner of the family stepped towards me.

Monica wrapped her arms around herself looking at the ground for a moment. “That doesn’t have to happen if you just get that dangerous man out of office.”

“You don’t know anything about John. You are so judgmental and find this entire family dangerous but you are dangerous too. After the attack you were trying to make my own daughter afraid of the outside world. You were gonna let Tate live underneath the bed and turn him into an adult with a paranoid disorder or something worse. All because you couldn’t come to realize that yes we all have our issues but all we are trying to do is protect the family ranch.”

She sniffs some tears. “For the sake of our children’s well being, please put someone else in the government. Save them from being evil - urgh.”

Raising my hand I suddenly slapped her across the face not wanting to hear anymore of her crap. She grabbed her burning cheek stumbling backwards. “I am his mother whether you see that or not, Monica. He has your blood but you are going to have to realize that he lives with me and Kayce so he has more than two parents. And I can’t believe you would do something like trust the son of the man who tried to kill us. John Dutton isn’t the problem. I’m out of here.”

Flinging the door opened once more hearing Jamie call out my name. “I’ll make your life a living nightmare, Y/n. You can’t handle this on your own.”

“You’re right Jamie I can’t do this on my own. But you seem to forget something. You are the trailer park and my sister in law is the tornado and there’s a storm coming for you.” I threaten him heading to the helicopter wiping away tears with the pilot flying me back to the ranch knowing that we weren’t done fighting anytime soon.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

31 - We’re So Done For

Part 32

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @hcwthewestwaswcn @hcllfireandhclywater

“Bree, look at me. Please tell me what the hell he is talking about?” My daughter finally met my gaze, muttering the words I never expected to hear from her mouth, causing me to see my own life flash before my eyes. “I’m…pregnant.”

“Dad is going to kill me, mom!” Bree blurted out pacing back and forth in the barn.

Carter ran his fingers through his hair, his chest heaving up and down in a panic attack alongside her. “What am I gonna do? I’ll be kicked off the ranch for sure.”

I remained frozen in place, not sure what to say to her. She wasn’t even in high school yet and she was pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant with her I at least was completely out of school. Granted I didn’t go to college because we moved to Montana. Rip and Beth were gone so Carter would be facing the full wrath of my husband. “Mom, what are we going to do. Please don’t let dad hurt him.” My daughter begged, grabbing my hands in hers.

Shaking my head I was finally pulled back to reality knowing I needed to say something to the teenagers. Because they were terrified out of their boots. “Okay you two listen this is what we are going to do. You two don’t say a word to anyone about this. We’ll find the right time to tell him, I promise that. Now go get ready for bed.”

Bree nodded, wiping away some tears exiting the barn. Glancing back over my shoulder Carter just blankly stared at me. “Mrs. Dutton, I just need to say again how sorry I am. We just got carried away but I will leave this place if that is what you want-“

“Carter stop.” Holding up my hands I cut him off not thinking anything like that. “That isn’t even close to what I want you to do. In my experience if you run when she needs you the most it won’t end well. So I beg you not to run. I’ll handle her father, you don’t need to worry about it.” Turning on my heels I tipped my hat to him heading back to the main house. The wooden floor creaked underneath my boots as I tossed them at the edge of the bed.

Footsteps approached behind me where I felt familiar arms wrapped around my waist. “Hey baby, everything okay?” Kayce asked, nuzzling his nose into my hair until I turned around in his embrace.

“Yeah I uh…just got to thinking we should go to the East Camp for awhile. You know, move our stuff up there. It would be good for the kids to maybe have their own rooms to themselves. Instead of having to bunk with each other.” I explained biting my lip. I hid the lie in the back of my mind.

He nodded while I draped my arms over his shoulders, leaning up and kissing him before he spoke softly. “What brought this on Y/n. We just took them to the fair today. Has something happened?”

“No, no, everything is fine.” I shook my head, needing to play it cool otherwise he would figure it out. “Can we just please go check out the cabin this weekend?”

Kayce nodded tugging me down to climb into the bed. Snuggling into his chest I lay my head down. He wrapped his arms around my waist whispering in my hair with my mind flashing back to the night we had a fight.

“Kayce, please don’t do this. I need you right now.” I begged him standing in the driveway of the Dutton ranch. I was only a few weeks pregnant and he just told me that he had gotten a girl from his high school pregnant too.

The young cowboy slumped his shoulders in frustration. “Y/n, I’m going into the Navy to make money. Since I can’t go to college now-“

“But you’re doing it to help her aren’t you!” I raised my voice, throwing my hands out from my sides. I hadn’t told my parents or even John yet. “You’re choosing her over me. You lied to me when you said that it was only you and me!”

Kayce started to say something but he saw me start crying a lot. He softly wrapped his arms around me, hugging me into his chest. I clutched the fabric of his jacket crying into his shirt until I remembered what he was about to do. “I can’t do this, Kayc. You’ve made your choice…now I’m making mine.”

“Y/n, just wait.” He called my name watching me run inside the main house slamming the door in his face. Sobbing on the floor behind the door I secretly glanced over the window seal seeing him staring at me for a second. That was the last time we saw each other for eleven years.

Opening the door to the wooden cabin I smiled seeing the twins running between my legs heading all through the house. Kayce sat down some of the boxes on the kitchen table. Closing the door behind me my gaze shifted to Bree who was texting on her phone most likely Carter. “Hey Bree, let’s go pick out your room yeah.”

“So did you tell dad yet?” She followed me down one of the hallways before we both headed inside one of the rooms with the window having a view of the wood line.

Resting my hands on her shoulders I knew she was stressing over this. “I haven’t told him anything. You don’t have to worry. He won’t find out I guarantee that-“

“Y/n. Why did I find a pregnancy test in one of the bags?” Kayce called out to us, making me and Bree both turn white. Cracking the door opened we both tilted our head into the hallway seeing him holding the test Bree had taken before we left showing me it was true. “Darling, are you pregnant again?”

Bree turned to look at me like a ghost knowing we were in deep trouble. “We’re in trouble now.”

- A little short for an update but the next one will hopefully be more exciting ❤️ Comments really appreciated

[countrymusiclover]

28 - A Cowboy Kinda Life

Part 29

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @artoldfartsandunicornhearts @hcwthewestwaswcn

Tying my hair in a braid falling down my back, I tugged on the reins of my horse feeling the wind blowing through my hair. Closing my eyes I lean back on my horse sighing in relief at this feeling of being so free. I haven't felt such freedom since we were spending our time at the summer camp. This feeling I want to hold onto for as long as possible. Dismounting my horse the tent flap gets opened revealing my husband who gave me a small smile. "Hey baby, I woke up and you were gone."

"It's fine Kayce. I just went out for a morning ride." I replied, tucking hair behind my ear wrapping my arms around his neck.

He rested his hands on my hips tugging me closer to his chest, smirking playfully. I mirror his expression knowing it would only lead to something reckless in the cowboy way. "I wanna show you somethin' while the kids are still asleep on their saddles."

Climbing back on my horse I followed him through the treeline where we rode for a little ways finding a rock ledge that reveals a huge clearing of a beautiful open field of orange and yellow. Slowly dropping off my horse Kayce tugged me down to sit beside him. He wrapped his arms around my waist kissing the crown of my head. "This spot brings me back to our summer honeymoon...I think we're getting back to that darling."

"I'd have to disagree." I teased, lifting my head to glance up into his brown eyes.

He squeezes me lightly, nuzzling his nose against mine getting my smile to grow. "Is that so. Tell me Mrs. Dutton, what exactly am I missing?"

Gently pushing him onto his back on the ground I hold myself up with my hands on either side of him. "Well we didn't really have a honeymoon since your father called us. So I think we deserve a re-do. Because I love our children, but we have four little ones and they take a lot out of me." I sighed with my hair falling in front of my eyes.

Kayce reached up tucking it behind my ear chuckling up at me rolling us over so I was the one on my back. "Oh I think I can do a re-do right here. With the woman that I love laying in the most beautiful scenery on earth.." He leans down pressing his lips onto mine where I immediately kiss him back.

Wrapping my arms and legs around him he puts his weight down on me deepening the kiss. One of my hands reaches up, knocking his black cowboy hat off his head threading my fingers into his brown curls. When I tugged on them he released a moan making me break the kiss for a split second. "Slow down cowboy. We've got time..."

"I don't want to wait Y/n. We have to live everyday to the fullest." He said in a raspy voice pressing his lips onto mine making me moan, twisting my fingers into his curls. We got so caught up in one another that we almost didn't hear the sound of another horse coming our way.

"Mom, Dad?" Bree's voice filled the air making us break away seeing her holding her younger sister on her horse staring at us slightly confused and embarrassed. "Are you two...you know?" She punched a fist into the air, blushing.

Kayce doesn't dare look me in the eye while I attempted to sit up pulling leaves out of my hair blushing myself. Everytime I look at my daughter I still see her as the eleven year old who wanted to play ranch with her grandfather and stuff her face with warm briscets. "Um - maybe. What do you need, honey?"

"Grandpa said to come find you. It's time to herd the cattle." She replied, clicking her tongue signaling her horse to go on its way back to the others.

Kayce flopped down on his black beside me running a hand down his face chuckling at me softly. Turning my head in his direction I hold myself up by my right elbow shaking my head at him. "Sometimes I wish she didn't grow up and just kept playing with ponies."

"Hey, look at it this way. She clearly knows what we were about to do. So you might not have to have the talk." He threw his hand in the air until I playfully shoved him hearing him start laughing at me.

We got back on our horses and everything actually went pretty well in regards to herding the cattle. John said he actually didn't think the whole thing would go as fast as it did. Carter, Bree and Tate were all settled up under the same tree for the night. Dallas and Elsa were running around playing roping with each other. "Got ya sissy!" He cheered making his sister trip falling on her knees getting some mud on her clothes.

"Eat dirt." She threw some dirt in his direction, sticking her tongue out. Dallas dropped his rope tackling her further into the dirt playfully wrestling with her.

Glancing over my shoulder I tilted my head up. I warned them before they both started whining over who was right. "Hey, you two. Cut it out or I'll make you go to bed early tonight!"

"Fine momma." Elsa smiled, shoving him off.

Dallas crossed his arms over his chest pushing hair out of his face. "She started it."

"He tripped me!" She started.

Dallas fought back, rising on his toes trying to be taller than her. "Tattle tail!"

Kayce came over crossing his arms over his chest glaring towards the twins backing me up. "Listen to your mother. There will be no fighting on this trip." The twins finally stopped running over to go hang out with Lioyd who wanted to show them something about his horse.

Removing my hat I leaned my back against the tree seeing the sun starting to set off in the distance of the mountains. Laying my hat on my lap Kayce wrapped his arms around me after pulling out a blanket we brought. One for the kids and the other for us to share. Turning over to face him I laid my head in the crook of his neck hearing him whisper in my ear. "I love you, Y/n. I always will. I just want you to know that in case I don't say it enough."

"I love you too Kayc, always have and always will." I mumbled under my sleepy breath snuggling into his cuddly embrace.

The next morning I didn't get woken up easily instead Kayce was shaking me awake mumbling something about a cowboy dead. Rubbing my eyes I quickly got to my feet following the direction he was leading me to find his father sitting beside the older cowboy named Emmett who had joined us on the journey. The branding was happening today and I had to bet his wife would be there. "Oh my gosh. John I, how did this happen?" Dropping down on a knee before the two cowboys Kayce and I both removed our hats in the process.

"He cuddled up on his saddle with that blanket. And we laid underneath the stars..." He took a long pause for a breath staring into my eyes. "He never opened his eyes when I came to wake him up...I couldn't have imagined a better way to go."

Wiping some tears away I watched Kayce climb back on his horse and put his head back on his head, eyeing his father. "Best way to go for a cowboy."

"Best way for anyone to go." I replied climbing back on my horse with everyone riding back to the ranch. Once we got back John immediately rushed to Emmett's wife right as I saw the camera crew focusing on them. "Oh no they don't!"

I attempted to run forward and scold them for filming such a sad moment but Kayce snagged my wrist holding me back with a warning glance. "We don't need to get involved. If they make it turn bad my dad will take care of it. Let's get something to eat." Nodding in agreement I watched John embrace the crying woman in a tight hug

Once we had gotten something to eat Kayce took the kids to get them some food too since they were busy playing a few minutes ago. Walking through the crowd of people I noticed Ryan leaning against the fence post then he climbed to sit on it to get a better view of the Abby girl who was performing on stage. "She's got you bad huh Ryan?"

"Huh - what are you talking about?" He turned his head in my direction , blushing a little.

I started laughing a little at him climbing up and sitting beside him on the fence watching everyone dancing to her song. "I've since that look on Kayce when he stares at me sometimes. The look that says you want them so bad you're just not sure you can manage it."

"The only thing I can't manage right now is...how am I supposed to get that girl on the dance floor when she's the one on stage?" He slumped his shoulders as Walker came our direction.

Jumping from the post he tipped his hat to me smiling. "Y/n, what can I do for you?"

"Actually it's for Ryan." I pointed my index finger towards the stage showing him Abby.

He nodded simply moving through the crowd before I offered my hand to Ryan. "Come on, cowboy. I'll lead you to her." He placed his hands in mine. Our hands intertwined with his other hand on my waist spinning us through the crowd.

My hair flies around as we kicked up some dust dancing in the crowd of people until I felt someone tap my shoulder. "You mind if I get a turn?" Abbu asked seeing that Walker was now on stage playing.

"It would be rude if I said no. Have fun you two." I tipped my hat at the pair moving through the crowd. Leaning my back into the fence post I scanned the crowd smiling at an event like this. Twirling my wedding ring on my finger I knew my mother in law would have loved this.

Foosteps broke through the crowd before I heard someone clear their throat making me focus my attention on my father in law. "Care for a dance, Y/n?"

'Oh John. Normally I wouldn't ask this but why aren't you asking Summer?" I smiled tucking hair behind my ear gently.

He extended his hand and I placed my hand in his letting my father in law lead me out onto the dance floor. "I asked her and she said no. So I thought I should ask my daughter in law. Plus your husband is over there dancing."

"Oh that's adorable." I chuckled following the direction towards the barn seeing him twirling Elsa and Dallas each underneath his arm.

John twirled me out and back into his chest intertwining our hands together. I always pictured him as being a good father in law and he hasn't let me down yet. "I am glad I can still lead a girl to the dance floor but I'll let someone else cut in."

"I enjoyed our time, John." I smiled feeling familiar arms wrapping around my waist from behind. John tipped his black hat to us before I spun around in those arms seeing my husband. Kayce intertwined my right hand while my other hand rests on his shoulder. He put one hand on my waist while we simply swayed side to side with Abby softly sang a song. Breaking a good end to the cowboy weekend.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[countrymusiclover]

26 - Choosing What We Want

Part 27

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @artoldfartsandunicornhearts @princessviseyna

Entering the barn I heard voices coming from one of the horse stalls. Removing my hat from my head I sit it on the saddle of my horse walking over towards the voices recognizing Carter and Bree. "What are you two talking about in here?"

"Oh hi momma...nothing important." Bree quickly replied focusing her gaze on me.

Carter removed his hat sitting it on his lap. He was feeding a baby Cafe at the moment before I caught them. "Just feeding her. I think she likes me, Mrs. Dutton."

"Of course she likes you. You're feeding her so she thinks you're her momma." Rip's voices entered the barn tilting his head towards the doorway telling me to follow him. Following after his footsteps I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans.

"What's going on, Rip?" I questioned hearing the young teens going back to talking and laughing about something I didn't know. It's been a few days since the party for John becoming governor so we haven't got to talk.

He tipped his hat down following two agents searching for some dead wolves. "I need you to lead the boys today. Also it's Loiyd's birthday." Once he's good I make my way into the bunkhouse seeing the crew already up and ready.

"Hi Y/n, what are you doing here?" Ryan came up with a smile being the first one to say anything.

Placing my light brown hat on my head again Loiyd entered the room where I smiled his direction. "Happy birthday, Lloyd. Let's go Rip put me in charge today." For the most part everything went well. Pulling the reigns on my horse to make it stop I saw my husband standing near his father. Leaving the boys in the field I ride up on them dismounting my horse slowly walking over to them. "Where are the twins. I thought you were picking them up from school?"

"I did. They're inside the house watching TV." Kayce replied leaning his elbows on the fence post beside his father. Standing on the other side of my husband I do the same just looking out at the horizon. "I needed to talk to you and dad about something. So it's actually good your here, darling."

John and I glanced to one another waiting to here what he had to say. We both knew he thinks with his heart most of the time anyhow. "What do you need to discuss with us, son?"

"I've been thinking lately. I can't do both things dad. I can't be livestock commissioner and be here for my family..." Kayce sighed bending his head down with a heavy sigh. Closing my eyes briefly I knew it would only be a matter of time before he made this choice. Even the day he got the job I knew he was against it. "I missed eleven years of Bree's life...I don't want to lose anymore time with her or the twins for that matter. So I  - im giving you this back, dad. It's what I choose to do." He reaches into the pocket of his brown jacket handing him the commissioner badge.

My father in law takes the badge from his son's hands nodding simply. "If that's what you want then we can do that."

"So you're gonna work here with me then, Kayce?" I asked feeling the wind blowing my hair in front of my face. It suprised me a little considering he once told me he would never work for his father.

He intertwined my left hand with his right we lock eyes with each other. "I'm not choosing a job or where it will be. I'm choosing you and our children. For Bree, Tate, Elsa and Dallas." He squeezes his hand in mine leaning forward kissing my forehead. Laying my head against his shoulder the three of us just stood there in silence for a few hours.

Once night had hit everyone was inside the bunkhouse except for me and Kayce. John was inside the main house enjoying the piece. The twins were spending the night over at my parents house with Tate. Bree was in the bunkhouse with Carter. Sitting on the front porch swimg I wrapped a blanket around myself before Kayce sat down beside me. "You shouldn't still be holding regrets over your head about me and Bree. You do know that right?"

"It's hard not too, Y/n. I know we've had the conversation over and over again but I still think about it. I missed her first steps, first words....and here I am now getting to see that all with Elsa and Dallas." He slumped his shoulders removing his hat with a sigh. "I still feel guilty over my mistakes.."

Staring at my husband I hated seeing him like this. I loved him with my heart and I always would no matter what he's done. "Come here, Kayc." I mumbled laying his head on my chest. Resting my chin on top of his head running my fingers through his brown curly hair.

"I never stopped loving you, Y/n..." He mumbled just listening to my heartbeat enjoying when I played with his hair. It was always something that made him feel better.

Kissing his forehead I tilted his chin up so he'd look me in the eye. He blinked away some tears just staring into my eyes now. "I love you too, Kayce. No matter what happened between us. I'll never stop."

Suddenly before anything else could happen we heard everyone come out of the bunkhouse where Ryan waved us over to follow them to wherever they were going. "Y/n, Kayce come on. Beth's buying birthday drinks for Lioyd!" Kayce and I chuckled reluctantly following the cowboy crew to a bar in town. Entering the building I grinned catching sight of Ryan's girl he danced with at John's party.

"Hey Ryan!" Grabbing the back of his shirt pulling him back towards me. He nods following where my index finger was pointing to. The Abby girl was singing on stage with people covering the dance floor. "Go get her cowboy."

He tips his hat to her while she headed towards the bar for a drink smiling at him. "Hey look my cowboys back."

"Care for a drink or a dance?" He asked her with a cheeky grin.

She takes his hand in hers letting him lead her somewhere. "I'll take both."

Picking up my beer from the bartender I take a long sip feeling arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Let's have some fun tonight. For once we have no kids around." Leaning into his touch I giggled letting him tug me onto the dance floor. Resting my hands on his shoulders he put his hands on my hips starting to sway.

"I'm happy you're choosing our family. I never thought we would get to have nights like this again after the attack." I replied leaning up on my toes kissing him slowly. He leans down falling in with the kiss until I heard glass being shattered.

Breaking the kiss I watched my sister in law fighting with a girl with dark brown hair. "Get your fucking hands off me!" She screamed when a bouncer grabbed her by the neck.

"Get your hands off her!" Rip swung a punch towards the other causing the other bunkhouse cowboys and Teeter to start fights around us too. Which only results in the police getting called.

Police officers shoved Beth in the car as I drew my badge from my belt not thinking she should be arrested. "Sir, that's the governor's daughter."

"Put the badge away ma'am. This isn’t a livestock situation." The sheriff responded when I felt Kayce's hand rest on my lower back. My phone started ringing in my pocket so I moved away from my husband.

Pressing the phone to my ear I asked not really sure who would be calling me this late. "Who is this?"

"Y/n, it's John. I got to thinking since Kayce is stepping down. How would you like to be livestock commissioner?" My father in law questioned through the phone. Glancing back to my husband he looked back to me.

Comments really appreciated ❤️