Page 101 of Steadfast

Maeve enjoyed being close to Dallas while they observed Sawyer and Oakleigh bicker back and forth. Crew stood by with his arms crossed, amusement splashed across his face as he casually chewed on a toothpick.

“That reminds me,” Dallas chuckled. “You check your apps lately?”

“When do you think I’ve been checking apps?” she asked, playfully shoving him with her shoulder. Her eyebrows pulled together with a sudden look of concern.

“Should I be checking apps?”

She took her phone from her tight pocket and turned it on for the first time all week. A flood of chimes began one after another as her phone vibrated violently in her hands.

“What in the—?”

Tapping her newsfeed, her eyes went wide as she noticed the top trends.

PrayforMaeve

“Dang it, Oakleigh,” she whispered, running her fingers across her brow.

“Eh, you can’t blame her,” Dallas grinned. “Oakleigh’s doing what Oakleigh does best.”

She wasn’t mad.

It was a relief to see that life was returning to normal, or as normal as it could be at Callaway Ranch.

Maeve gazed out over the pasture at all of her blessings. Saying a quick prayer, she laid the uncertainty of the future at the feet of the one who was always faithful.

She took Dallas’ hand in hers, and for the first time in forever, Maeve’s heart felt light.

Chapter 33

Six Months Later

Oakleigh leaned on the iron rails, squinting under the glaring lights of the rodeo arena. Beside her on the sidelines, Maeve and Dallas chatted together, analyzing the various rides of the night and discussing the top contenders. Even though they were each dealing with the pressure of the moment in different ways, they were all anxiously awaiting the judge’s decision on Crew’s ride.

She glanced over to hercute cowboystanding by the bucking chutes. He was pacing while Sawyer attempted to ease his nerves. Colton and Wade stood by, kicking around dirt and spitting tobacco while they listened for the announcer to make the final call on which rider would take the first place belt buckle that evening.

Audrey chimed in beside her, breaking Oakleigh’s concentration with her shrill voice. “Oakleigh finished up the Spring drink lineup. The menu is lookin’ really good, Miss Maeve.”

“That’s nice, Audrey,” Maeve politely replied. She leaned in toward Dallas’ ear and whispered loudly. “There’s a drink with some sort of foliage on top. I’m a little concerned.”

Oakleigh gasped theatrically, “They’re rose petals, Maeve, and it is delightful.”

“Whatever you say,” Maeve smirked. “I suppose a vanilla rose latte just isn’t my thing.”

“You should really consider expanding your tastes,” Oakleigh responded with a twinge of judgment in her tone.

Maeve gave Dallas a long glance.

“When pigs fly,” Dallas interjected with a chuckle.

The lights dimmed, and the announcer stepped into the arena with his microphone in hand.

“Everyone quiet,” Oakleigh waved at each of them, directing their attention. “They’re about to announce.”

The announcer’s deep, commanding voice rang over the speakers and echoed through the arena. “The judges have made their final decision,” he paused dramatically into the microphone to build excitement and anticipation through the crowd. “It’s another sweeping win for Crew Beckett and the folks over there at Callaway Ranch!”

Oakleigh excitedly turned to Maeve, who had already been lifted off the ground and was firmly in Dallas’ embrace. With no one else beside her, Oakleigh resigned herself, throwing her arms around Audrey.

“Yay, us!” she said, giving Audrey a squeeze.

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