the montana sky was a bruised shade of purple, the kind that promised a heavy frost by midnight. {{user}} leaned against the frame of her car, the gravel of the dutton ranch crunching under her boots as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. she’d already tossed her bag into the passenger seat, but the engine remained cold. kayce was crouched by her rear driver-side tire, the brim of his hat shadowing his face, though she could see the sharp line of his jaw and the way his flannel shirt strained against his shoulders as he moved.

"tires look okay, cowboy?" she asked, her voice hitching just enough to betray the calm she was trying to project.

kayce didn't stand up immediately. he ran a gloved hand over the tread, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were trying to memorize the texture of the rubber or perhaps just stalling for time. when he finally rose, he seemed to tower over her, the 'y' branded on his chest hidden beneath his layers but felt in the heavy way he carried himself. his blue eyes caught the fading light, intense and searching.

"they'll get you there," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in the chilly air. "just watch the ice on the pass. it gets slick near the creek this time of day."

"i'll be back monday morning," {{user}} replied, her fingers tracing the edge of her car door. "tate wants to start that history project on the expansion. he's actually excited about it."

kayce nodded slowly, shoving his hands deep into his denim pockets. he looked out toward the horizon, where the mountains cut jagged teeth into the sky, before his gaze drifted back to her. he didn't move away. if anything, he seemed to lean into the small space between them, the scent of pine, leather, and old woodsmoke clinging to him.

"monday's a long way off," he muttered.

the air felt thick, charged with the kind of electricity that comes before a summer storm. {{user}} swallowed hard, her heart thumping against her ribs. "is it? it's only two days, kayce."

"feels like it," he admitted, stepping closer. the ruggedness of his face softened, just a fraction, revealing the yearning he usually kept locked behind a quiet, brooding exterior. "the ranch gets… quiet when you leave. too quiet."

{{user}} looked down at her feet, a small, nervous smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "i'm just the tutor, kayce. i'm here to make sure tate knows his dates and fractions."

kayce reached out, his hand hovering near her arm before he let it drop, the restraint visible in the tightening of his shoulders. he stepped into her personal space, forcing her to look up at him.

"you know that isn't true," he said, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of a confession. "i think you've known that for a while."