Oakley’s POV:
Luckily my hour to myself had greatly improved my mood, even if my lips were still tingling from that kiss earlier. But I’d take tingly lips over depression any day of the week. Exiting my room and headed for the kitchen, I couldn't help but notice how quiet the house was. While it was a big house and people could scatter, it always shocked me just how loud the silence seemed to be in this place. Even the few times I’d been out here when working for John before his retirement, the house had always seemed eerily quiet. A place this big begged for big family gatherings, loud family game nights, and the pitter patter of little feet running on the hardwoods, laughing and filling the house with joy. Unfortunately, Tate was the only grandchild and well, at 12, he wasn't worried about running around the house or filling it with the sounds of children's laughter. Apparently neither were any of John’s other kids. 

One night, a few weeks ago, I stumbled into Kasey’s office and overheard part of a conversation that I probably wasn't supposed to hear. He and John had been talking about Jaime and why he and Beth resinted each other so much. From what I gathered from the little bit I heard before leaving his office, I can't say that I blame her for hating his guts. But like I said, I didn't know the whole story. 

In the short time that Jaime had been Ag Commissioner, I didn't get the best impression. In fact, I almost hated my having to go to work everyday and deal with him. Not that he was so hard to work for or to get along with, there was just something about him that didn't sit right with me. I don't know if it's the way he carries himself or just the vibe he gives off, but there is something about him that even in my mind screams ‘Danger Will Robinson’ every time I would get near him. Needless to say, I had been tickled pink when I found out that he was taking the position of Attorney General for Montana. 

When I reached the kitchen, I quickly scanned the refrigerator to see if anything jumped out at me to cook tonight. After seeing fresh alfredo noodles and chicken breasts, I decided that something fattening and carb loaded would do all of us some good. And by all of us, I meant Tate, Kacey, and I. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to cook for just myself when I was cooking away. Sure, I’d agreed to cook my own meals but what type of person would I be if I left an injured man to fend for himself and his child. Plus, grilled chicken alfredo and garlic toast was always a safe option. Everyone loves chicken, pasta, cheese, and bread.

Gathering all the items, I placed them on the counter before walking over to the bluetooth speaker and connecting my phone. Needing some country music to further lift my spirits, I put on my feel good playlist that had all my favorite Georgia Boys. You know the ones I’m talking about. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Alan Jackson, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, and Zac Brown just to name a few. They all did country music their own ways and each of them had songs that fit whatever mood I was in. 

Hitting shuffle, I sat my phone on the counter and began cooking. I was heating up the grill pan for the chicken and dancing along to Fire’t up when I felt someone walk into the kitchen. Sending up a prayer that it wasn't Kacey -’cause god knows I couldn’t take being alone with him right now, not after that blistering kiss earlier- I turned slowly and released the breath that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding when I saw Tate standing on the other side of the island. 

“Hey buddy.” I said as I hit the volume button on the speaker. “Everything okay?”

“Yes ma'am,” said Tate. I could tell from the soft scuffing noises that he was scuffing his boots on the hardwood. 

“Are you sure? The way you're  stuffing your boots makes me think something is bothering you. You know you can tell me right?”  I said. 

“Do you like my dad?” said Tate.  Talk about a loaded question.  

“Of course I like you dad. I kind of have to since he’s my boss and the reason I get a paycheck.” I said, hoping with everything in me that this was the type of ‘like’ Tate was referring to. But that little voice in my head told me that I was way off the mark, that Tate meant a different kind of like. And to be honest, I didn't really know how to even answer that question. At least not to a 12 year old boy. Well, let me rephrase that, I didn't even know how to answer that to a 12 year old boy or a 32 year old man. All in all, I just flat out didn't know how to answer it. 

“A lot of people don't like their bosses,” said Tate. “But that's not what I meant. You almost kissed dad when he was in the hospital. I might be young but I know that two people don’t almost kiss unless they like each other.”

“Tate, I- what almost happened between your dad and I at the hospital was the effects of that day that everything happened. Your dad literally saved my life that day. You’ll understand when you get older but sometimes, when bad things happen, it makes people do some crazy things. Your dad nor I were thinking straight that day.” I said, trying to convince him and myself that what I was saying wasn’t total bullshit. Once again, the image of Pinocchio’s nose growing popped into my mind as the little voice in my head sing-songed ‘liar, liar, pants on fire’.

“So you don't like my dad then?” said Tate. 

“I didn’t say that.” I replied. “It's just- well, it's complicated, Tate. Like I said, you will understand when you get older.” 

“Why does everyone always say that? I’m 12. I think that's old enough to start understanding shit. I mean I have killed a man. Doesn't that make me old enough for people to start being honest with me, dammit?” said Tate, his tiny body practically vibrating with frustration. I felt for the kid. I really did. Because he had a point. If anything made him man enough to learn the cold hard truth about how much of a fickle bitch life is, it was killing a man and defending his home. 

“You're right.” I said with a sigh as I walked around the counter and took a seat on the barstool beside Tate. When I sat, he followed suit. Turning so that I was looking him in the eyes, I continued. “You deserve the truth after all you have been through. And while I can't give you the answers to all your questions, I can give you this one. The truth is, that I really do like your dad. And not just because he’s my boss. You're dad is an amazing man who always puts others first and protects those that mean the world to him at all costs. But no matter how much I like your dad, I can't act on my feelings towards him for personal reasons. It had nothing to do with him and everything to do with me.”

“What does that mean?” asked Tate. 

“Well, it means that something happened in my life a long time ago that changed how I view things, relationships in particular. I have this unwritten rule about getting romantically involved with people I work for. Those relationships are doomed to fail from the start. It's just better for everyone involved to steer clear of those situations.” I said. Catching movement from the corner of my eye, I turned my head and found Kacey standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Seeing him standing there made my heart skip a beat and my thoughts go straight to the kiss we had shared earlier. A kiss that had ignited my entire body. A kiss that both excited me and terrified me at once. 

Depending on how long Kacey had been standing there, he was going to have a lot of questions. Questions that earlier I had wanted to avoid like the plague. But now, I found myself wanting to make him understand why we couldn't act on whatever this thing was between us simply because he deserved to know the truth. Better to be straight up with him, telling him why things between us would never go anywhere, than to leave him wondering why and leave the door open for him to chip away at my resolve. Sure there was the chance that even telling him why wouldn't hinder his plot to make m ehis if he decided that’s what he wanted. But a girl could dream right? 

“Tate, I need a minute with Oakley.” said Kacey as he walked into the kitchen, his eyes never leaving mine. I swear, I could feel them boring into my soul. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Tate stood from the stool he had been sitting on and walked out of the kitchen. It wasn’t long before Kacey settled down onto the now vacant stool.

“How much of that did you hear?” I asked, trying to keep my beating heart from pounding right through my chest wall.

“Enough to know that I have some questions.” said Kacey, placing his hand over mine. Just like always, electricity flowed through my veins. 

“It’s a long story and I’ll tell you everything. But for now, will the cliff notes version suffice?” I said, as Sam Hunt crooned about taking my time. 

“For now,” said Kacey. 

“Well.” I said repositioning myself on the stool so that I was facing him a little more. As I turned, my knee brushed against his, and the spark from the touch of his hand only intensified. Taking a deep breath to will my racing heart to slow down, I continued. “Long story short, my mom had an affair with her boss. When he had gotten what he wanted out of her, he fired her and then basically blackballed her from working in brokering and logistics in the area anymore. No one within a 100 mile radius would hire her because of his opinion of her.” 

“Oakley, you can't live your life thinking that the same thing that happened to your mom would happen to you,” said Kacey. 

“I promise you will understand my reasoning when I tell you everything. But like I said, the cliff notes version will have to do for now.” I said standing from the stool. As I stood, the music changed to Brantley’s smooth voice singing about hard days. From the moment I’d heard that song, it had been an instant favorite. I felt long fingers clasp my hand. Turning, I watched Kacey standing from his stool and pulling me to him. Helpless to fight him, I went into his arms. Swaying softly to the music, I let the lyrics wash over me life a healing balm as I let the feel of Kacey’s hands on my body flames licking through my bloodstream. It felt like both heaven and hell to be in his arms like this. Heaven, because I couldn't think of anywhere else I would rather be. Hell for the same reasons. 

All too soon, the song was over and the little reprieve I’d allowed myself to enjoy was gone. Backing away from Kacey, I put some distance between us before he could try to keep me from moving. 

“I have to start the sauce. Dinner should be ready in about 15 minutes.” I said as I turned to the stove, putting my back to Kacey. Before I knew it, Kacey was standing behind me and his lips were pressing against the crown of my head.

“Not every day has to be a hard day. Like the song said, we learn from them.” said Kacey. “See you at dinner Oakley.” And just like that, he was gone.