Page 41 of Steadfast

They spent the better part of the day doing everything they could imagine to motivate Lil’ Slim, but none of it seemed to matter to the little bull.

When the gate was flung open, Lil’ Slim would simply saunter by, looking for dandelions to munch on at the arena’s edge.

Wade flung his hat into the dirt. “That’s it, there ain’t nothin’ to be done. This bull is a dud.”

“We can’t give up,” Crew chimed, always a source of optimism.

“We’re going to be the laughing stock at Nationals if we present this as the next Callaway contender,” Sawyer said, shaking his head in disgust.

Maeve plucked off her hat, running her fingers through her long brown hair as she considered their predicament. Knowing she needed to take the lead, she pushed her hat back on her head and took a confident step toward Lil’ Slim. She could feel the piercing, watchful gaze of the group of cowboys as her boots crunched gently in the soft, powdery arena dirt.

“What you doin’, Miss Maeve,” Wade hollered. “You got an idea?”

She knelt in the dirt beside the little brown and white bull. Now at eye level to what should have been a brutish beast, she gave him a scratch between his ears, and Lil’ Slim shook his head in nearly puppy like delight.

“C’mon big guy,” Maeve whispered. “We’re depending on you.”

“A lot of good that’s gonna do,” Sawyer yelled. “What’s next, make him the new ranch house pet?”

“Just move him right in, Maeve.” Crew’s warm laughter filled up the space in the arena.

Shaking her head, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Their antics reminded her that despite everything, they remained unified.

She made her way back to the group of cowboys who had each been defeated that day by a fluffy little animal.

“I think that’s it for today, boys.” Maeve took the lead. “I don’t want you to worry. We’ll figure this out.”

“Dad would have had this bull buckin’ in no time,” Sawyer murmured.

“He sure would have,” Crew agreed, staring at the ground.

Maeve’s eyes shot to the earth near her feet as she tried to catch her breath at the mention of Abel. They hadn’t done it on purpose, she knew that. The boys missed him as much as she did, and the absence of his vision and direction was overwhelming.

Theywere right.

“Dad would’ve known just what to do.” She cleared her throat, reinforcing her words so they wouldn’t shake. “We’ll get it though, I promise.”

Maeve was thankful for her sunglasses that day. She could hide the emotion in her voice, but she couldn’t disguise the agony that flashed through her eyes. She pushed her way through the gate and untied her horse’s reins. Sawyer’s voice called out after her, prompting her to pause as he came to her side.

“I’m sorry for comparing you to Dad,” Sawyer said, looking down as he mashed a rock into the earth with the toe of his boot. “You’re doing a great job. I didn’t mean to act like you weren’t.”

Maeve put her hand up to stop him, “Sawyer, please.” She looked away now, choking back the lump of emotion in her throat. “Talk about Dad as much as you want. That’s how we keep his memory alive.”

Knowing if she lingered any longer, her thin armor threatened to fail. She mounted up once again and brought her horse to a gallop across the long pasture.

Now surrounded only by the green fields of grass and the mountains towering in the distance, she tugged on the reins.

“Slow up, boy,” she said.

Her horse obeyed, slowing to a quick trot and then to a stop.

She sipped up a breath and exhaled.

Steadying herself as she dismounted, she made her way towards the property’s fence line. Leaning her elbows on the wooden post, she let the breeze gently comb through her hair.

She recalled Abel’s gentle kindness that made his lead easy to follow. It seemed like their strong personalities would have clashed, but the reality was quite the opposite. They softened each other’s rough edges. When Maeve was down, Abel lifted her. When he couldn’t find the strength, Maeve was always there by his side. Most importantly, the Lord had been at the center of it all.

Now, the family was looking to her for direction.

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