Page 37 of Steadfast

Maeve kneeled beside him and scuffled his ears. “Aw—it’s—ok, Bosco. We love puppies. You’re welcome anytime.” She looked back at Oakleigh with a radiating smile. “Aw, we need a dog, don’t we?”

“Yes!” Oakleigh threw her hands in the air. “It’s what I’ve been saying this whole time!”

Maeve gave Bosco one last affectionate tousle, “I think you might be right.”

If Oakleigh hadn’t been steadying herself on the counter, she might have fainted with the rare acknowledgment.

Bosco began barking wildly at a shadow in the doorway as Sam’s salty, gritty voice came echoing into the shop. “Anyone serving coffee in this petting zoo?”

Sadie attempted to correct her pooch as he snapped the leash taut. “No, Bosco!”

“Get that thing away from me.” Sam recoiled with a deep scowl.

Oakleigh crossed her arms, determined to show calm and poise. She was perfectly capable of managing the shop even with the most challenging customers, and Sam happened to be near the top of the list.

“Sam, you know we’re closed for church tonight,” Oakleigh answered.

She braced herself for Sam’s usual Sunday tirade about howRuth’s is always closed these days.

To her relief, Crew’s rich, deep voice came to the rescue. “Wow, nice to see you at church, Sam.”

The old man sputtered as he snapped his suspenders, turning on his heels straight out the door.

“I guess that means he’s not staying?” Crew’s white smile sparkled as he swooped Oakleigh into a bear hug, nearly lifting her feet off the ground.

“Really?” Sawyer sneered as he came in behind them with his guitar in a case strapped across his back. He paused as he noticed Mia eyeing him head to toe. “Miss,” he said, casually tipping his hat to her as he continued on toward the little stage.

Maeve’s eyes narrowed as she gave a nod to the clock on the wall.

“I know we’re a little late, Mom. I’m sorry,” he called back over his shoulder as he navigated through the growing crowd in the shop.

Crew released Oakleigh from the hug, and she felt her toes connect again with the ground.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” Oakleigh started in. “Audrey’s back for some reason—and Maeve’s being weird.”

In Oakleigh’s absence, Maeve stepped in to greet the congregants, who were now pouring in around them. June stopped to chat with Maeve in the doorway. She was wearing her usual bright colors and a little hat to top off her Sunday best.

Oakleigh could only make out a snippet of the conversation between the two good friends, but she did overhear her name mentioned clearly through the loudness of the chatter around her.

Filling a cup with strong black coffee, she used Maeve’s weakness as an excuse to intervene.

“Did I hear my name?” Oakleigh asked, raising a curious eyebrow. She handed the cup to Maeve, who took it from her hands with a grateful glance.

“June was just saying you’ve come a long way,” Maeve replied. Her eyes showed a glimmer of pride as she took a sip from her mug. “Your coffee making skills have greatly improved, if I do say so myself.”

“And praise the Lord for that,” June cackled.

Oakleigh let the timely word of encouragement wash over her.

When Maeve turned away to greet other guests, Oakleigh let her hurt feelings spill out to June’s always attentive ear. “I just wish Maeve would realize I can handle things around here without her.”

“You’re doing a great job, hun. It’s not easy fitting into a small town,” June said, wrapping Oakleigh in one of her tight, comforting hugs and lowering her tone to a discreet whisper. “Trust me, Maeve knows about that better than anyone.”

“I heard that!” Maeve’s voice came echoing over.

“Well, you do!” June hollered back. She smiled and winked at Oakleigh before leaving to find her seat in the front row.

That evening, the lights were dim, and the cafe was packed with people worshiping together in devoted unity. Sawyer strummed on his guitar while Bethany sang alongside him. Even though they were no longer a couple, the two set theirissues aside, working seamlessly together onstage. Bethany’s melodious voice rang through the shop’s new speakers, and Oakleigh had to take some credit for the quality of the music. During the remodel, she had insisted on installing a top notch sound system. Despite Sawyer’s predictable pushback, Maeve agreed.

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