Page 49 of Steadfast

“Late as always,” Oakleigh teased, taking advantage of the camaraderie they had built over the past year.

“Hey now,” Dallas chuckled. “I’m on Montana time.”

“You’ve never graced us with your presence on Live Music Night,” Oakleigh shouted over the loud music. “What’s the deal?”

“You’ve never had a country bluegrass band,” he winked, his smile pushing up the corners of his thick brown mustache.

“I’m sure you know where to find Maeve,” Oakleigh raised her chin toward her usual spot on the back wall. She said it simply to observe his reaction, trying to discern the severity of the breakup.

At the mention of Maeve, Dallas raised his eyebrows in surprise. There was maybe just a dash of hurt feelings in his expression, but there was no anger to be found.

“Thanks, Oakleigh,” he said, tipping his hat once again. “Will you excuse me?”

Oakleigh fully expected him to take his leave, which was certainly what she would have done if she had been in the presence of her ex.

Yet Dallas, always the gentleman, did quite the opposite. He made his way through the crowd, excusing himself politely as he went. He paused to greet those that he knew, which was nearly everyone.

When he had finally navigated through the room to Maeve, he simply took the place on the wall beside her with his arms crossed.

Oakleigh was so engaged in the scene that she was completely unaware of Crew sliding up next to her at the counter.

“What’s caught your eye?” he asked. His closeness and the feeling of his breath on her neck raised her heartbeat to a low hum.

She gave a nod in the direction of the couple against the wall. “What’s going on with those two?”

“Who knows, really,” Crew replied with a shrug.

“I’m worried about it,” Oakleigh said, allowing her recent concerns to spill out.

“Don’t be. They’ll figure it out,” he said with his usual confident swagger. “They’re meant for each other.”

Mia leaned her elbows on the counter and cradled her chin on her two fists. She clearly wasn’t concerned in the slightest about being caught snooping. “You watching them too?”

Oakleigh nodded. She had filled Mia in on just enough of their relationship for her to be thoroughly engaged in the trajectory of their developing love story.

As the music shook the walls of the little shop, Dallas leaned in close and whispered in Maeve’s ear. She gave him a quick nod, allowing him to take her by the hand and lead her through the tight crowd. When they arrived at the door, he propped it open with the toe of his cowboy boot, and Maeve stepped past him into the chilly night.

“Crew! Watch the counter,” Oakleigh commanded enthusiastically as she grabbed Mia’s arm and yanked her through the kitchen.

He shook his head with a grin. “You girls are ridiculous.”

Oakleigh flung the back door open. Pulling Mia in tow, they stepped quickly around the building, halting in their tracks as they saw the two together. Maeve and Dallas were speaking together in hushed tones, too quiet to hear against the loud blue grass music spilling from the coffee shop.

“What are they saying?” Mia whispered so loudly that it could hardly be considereda whisper.

Oakleigh threw her finger over her lips in vain attempts to silence her.

Maeve stepped into Dallas’ arms. Following his lead, they danced together, swaying out of step with the music. Under the warm glow of the street lamp, Maeve and Dallas were in a world all their own.

“This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Mia once again whispered loudly, “You should golive.”

“Mia!” Oakleigh pleaded. Stamping her foot, she threw her hand over her best friend’s mouth.

It was too late.

Maeve’s voice rang out above the music, “No, you should not golive.” She shook her head and gave Dallas an apologetic look. He offered her one last long glance as though he were savoring the moment before he took his leave back into the shop.

Oakleigh and Mia stepped from the shadows.

---