Coffee Date - Part One

                                    

                                          
Request - the reader is from out of state, and she moves to Montana to get a fresh start because her previous relationship ended badly. She works at a store not too far from the ranch where she and Kayce cross paths. It's love at first sight for both, it's electric. But at first, she is afraid of being hurt she tries to hide her feelings and ask that they be friends first. 
Part One 
You watched the snow fall outside the large windows behind the check out counter. There was already a layer from a pervious snowfall, so this one was smoothing everything out. It was a Thursday morning, your slowest day usually but with the snow it was basically dead. Your boss needed you to work though and if you were being honest, you needed the money too. 
You had had one customer all morning long, who needed firewood. The man was in and out in less than two minutes. That was two hours ago. 
Ever since moving to Montana four months ago, you found yourself falling more in love with the state. The winter was harsher than the one you were used to in Utah, but the people were genuine. There wasn't much to do, so you had to make up things naturally. Obviously, nature was top on your list and that was abundant in this state. 
You found your current job after meeting your boss at the grocery store by chance. It was a small convenience store off the main highway out of town. You didn't get many folks stopping in except for the few ranchers who didn't want to drive all the way into town for supplies and the occasionally tourist looking for directions. Right now, in the winter months, your shelves were full of propane tanks, blankets, shovels, and a few cold items in the large freezers along the back. 
It was simple here, something you hadn't realized you needed in your life. Escaping your ex was also something you hadn't realized you needed until you got here. But his constant fighting, drunken words, and smashing glasses had finally taken it's toll on your mental state. You either needed to get out or he would kill you one way or another. He had threatened you when you drove off, saying you'd be back in a week begging him to take you back. But that was four months ago. 
No one knew you in Montana, and you liked it that way. Sure, you had befriended your landlord, your boss, and your neighbor Mrs. Lisa, but that was about it. You kept to yourself mostly and had notice the people around you left you alone. A truck pulling into the parking lot brought you back to reality. 
Well, almost everyone had left you alone. 
Kayce Dutton got out of his truck and placed his hat on his head before walking quickly inside to get out of the falling snow. Your heart picked up slightly watching him shake off his shoulders before his caramel eyes scanned the store before landing on you. The right side of his lips quirked up in a smile as his boots brought him closer to you. 
"Didn't think you'd be open," Kayce's voice was low. You noticed even at his age his spoke like he had lessons learned in his life, like he had a longer history than most thirty-four-year-olds. "It's coming down out there." 
"I love it," You glanced behind you out the windows again before focusing back on Kayce. "It's peaceful." 
"It ain't driving in it," Kayce rolled his eyes. "'bout near took out some tourist who couldn't get up the hill on 71." 
"Well, we don't want that," You smiled, placing both your hands on the counter. "Did you need something in particular?" 
"Uh...yeah," Kayce looked around him, you noticed his eyes fell on the lined propane tanks along the wall adjacent to you both. "I need two tanks." 
"Didn't you get two tanks just last week?" You asked. You had remembered him but hadn't been the one to check him out. 
"Need two more," Kayce shrugged but didn't make a move to pick up the tanks. 
"Okay..." You rung him up. "That'll be $219.87." 
Kayce handed you his card and you finished out the transaction. You glanced up at him while doing so and noticed he still wasn't moving to pick up the tanks. Afterwards you handed his card back to him and smiled. 
"Do you need help with those tanks?" You giggled. 
"Nope," Kayce shrugged. "How long are you staying open?" 
"My boss said at least til noon," You looked at the clock and saw you had a little less than an hour. "But the snow really is coming down." 
"You should probably head home," Kayce glanced behind you out the window. "Do you know how to drive in snow?" 
"I'm from Utah," You smiled. 
"Doesn't answer my question," Kayce nodded back at you. 
"I can drive in snow," You rolled your eyes. "Can you drive in dirt?" 
"I can get dirty," Kayce smirked. 
"Really?" You laughed, walking around the counter. "I think we have some sponges in the back." 
"You offering?" Kayce leaned against the counter and bit his bottom lip. 
"I don't even know your name," You shook your head. "Why would I offer anything to you?" 
"Kayce," Kayce held out his hand. 
"Y/N," You smiled, placing your hand in his and immediately felt the warmth. "Nice to meet you." 
"So," Kayce cleared his throat. "Y/N from Utah who can drive in the snow." 
"Yes," You laughed. "Kayce from Montana who also can drive in the snow...or so he says." 
You noticed he hadn't let go of your hand. His fingers were rough against yours but there was comfort there. Try as you might, the spark hadn't left your nerves leading up into your arm. His caramel eyes were genuine looking back at you. 
"Would you like to grab some coffee?" Kayce asked. 
"Thought you said I should get home?" You asked softly. 
"Not if I'm driving you," Kayce smiled, curling his fingers against your palm gently. Your eyes glanced down to your hands, and you felt you breath hitch inside your throat. 
"Um," You pulled your hand away. "Maybe I should get to closing up." 
"Everything okay?" Kayce asked, leaning back up to his full height. 
"Y-Yeah," You shook your head. "I just..." 
"M'not trying anything," Kayce held up his hands. "Promise." 
"I wasn't saying you were," You reasoned. "I-I just..." 
"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," Kayce offered you a small smile. "I just saw you the other week when I was in here and well...I just wanted to know you." 
"No, I know," You sighed. "Sorry." 
"About what?" Kayce asked. 
"I'm not good with relationships," You offered. 
"Relationships?" Kayce laughed. "It's just coffee." 
"Is it?" You asked, raising an eyebrow. 
"If that's all you want, then yes." 
You looked at Kayce and felt your defense soften. With your history you just didn't feel up for jumping into anything. But he was cute, and charming, and offering you coffee with no strings attached. His eyes were also doing wonders on your thoughts. 
"Just coffee?" You asked after a few moments. 
"There's a place just up the road," Kayce nodded. "I can have you back here in an hour and then we can both get home before the snow takes over." 
"Okay..." You sighed, grabbing your jacket from behind the counter and shutting off the computer. "Just coffee." 
"For now," Kayce said turning around and walking towards the door. You paused and he looked back at you. "I'm kidding." 
"Are you?" You questioned, still putting on your jacket as he opened the door. The cold wind hit your face. "Wait, your tanks!" 
"Come on, darling," Kayce pushed you out the a hand on your lower back as you both made your way to his truck. 
Part Two Coming Soon