Page 50 of Steadfast

“You know what I think?” Oakleigh loudly interjected.

“No,” Maeve answered, giving the slightest of eye rolls. “But I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”

“You’re right, I am,” Oakleigh responded. “I think that despite what’s going on, you two are going to work out.”

Maeve crossed her arms and looked down at the pavement. “We’re just friends, Oakleigh, and I need you to stop making it more than it is.” She scuffed the bottom of her boot on rough sidewalk cement. “You understand?”

“Looked a lot more than friendship to me,” Oakleigh challenged, completely ignoring Maeve’s defensive attitude, as well as her simple request.

Before Maeve could offer a retort, a familiar voice cut through the muffled sounds of the fiddle, spoons, and now the deep whistle of a musical jug.

“My Uber driver deserves a five-star rating and one heck of a tip for taking me all the way out here.”

Oakleigh recognized the voice immediately, but it belonged to someone who she could have never imagined would be standing on Main Street in White Bridge, Montana.

Dropping her luggage carelessly on the cement sidewalk in the freezing cold night air—wasPaisley.

Chapter 16

Coffee With A Side of Tea

Oakleigh swiveled in the dim light of the street lamps. She gave Paisley a quick second glance while her mind caught up with the fact that her little sister was really standing there on the uneven sidewalk.

“What on earth are you doing here?” Oakleigh exclaimed. She flung her arms around Paisley and lifted her short, athletic frame completely off the ground.

“I just missed my big sister, I guess,” Paisley answered. As soon as her feet hit the pavement, her attention was pulled back into her screen. “Really though, I’m leaving that driver like fifty percent.” She scrolled and tapped distractedly with her thumbs. “You weren’t joking, Oaks. This really is the middle of nowhere.”

“You’re so tan!” Oakleigh observed. Even in the low light, she couldn’t help but note her sister’s healthy, sun kissed glow. Her brown hair was pulled into a tight ponytail and streaked with highlights from her time spent in the ocean.

“Wait,” Oakleigh stammered, finally able to digest Paisley’s so casually tossed statement. “Did you say you had a driver?”

“Yeah, a rideshare—from the airport,” Paisley replied, still fully immersed in her phone that glowed brightly in the darkness around them.

Oakleigh ran her fingers across her brow while exchanging a wide eyed glance with Maeve.

“Hun, that trip must have cost you an arm and a leg,” Maeve voiced their mutual concern.

“Oh at least,” she said flippantly while tapping away.

“Well,” Maeve followed up with an amused smile, “you probably made that driver’s entire week.”

Paisley casually lifted her gaze, tilting her head with a squint as she attempted to identify who it was that was offering her feedback. A warm look of recognition crossed her face when she made the connection. “Oh! You’re Aunt Maeve!”

Maeve simply nodded.

Paisley threw her arms out excitedly and pulled her into a hug.

“I’ve heard about you my whole life,” Paisley said. “I just never thought we’d actually meet because—well, you know,” her voice lowered as though she were conveying some sort of secret, “Mom hates you and all.”

“Paisley!” Oakleigh’s eyes widened at her sister’s brazen yet accurate statement.

“What?” Paisley blurted out. “It’s true.”

Maeve’s easygoing nature allowed it to casually roll off as usual. “It’s good to finally meet you too, Paisley.”

“Mia’s here,” Oakleigh rushed to share the news.

“Trust me—I’m aware,” Paisley replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm at the obvious. “Before we get into all that, I need a shower, some food, and maybe a cup of coffee?”

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