Page 51 of Steadfast

Oakleigh scanned the shop hesitantly. The bluegrass band was in the middle of their set, and the room was packed with more guests than ever.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to stick around here a little longer,” she sighed. It was one of the few moments that she begrudged having responsibilities.

Maeve bit her lip as she looked through the shop’s window. Oakleigh knew she was obviously looking for Dallas. He was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, tapping his foot to the beat.

“It’s about time for me to head home,” Maeve said, “we’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Perfect, I’ll go with you,” Paisley stated, inviting herself along for the ride. “See you back at thefarm, Oaks.”

She wheeled both of her large, silver luggage bags across the pavement. The luggage was covered in colorful, beach themed stickers that displayed the vibrant logo of her most lucrative surfing sponsor.

“Toss your things in the back there,” Maeve directed while she yanked the truck door open with its usual loud squeal.

Without hesitation, Paisley heaved her bags into the bed of the old blue Dodge and climbed into the passenger seat. “I rode in a truck just like this to the North Shore. That’s in Hawaii—you’ve probably never been there.”

“I sure haven’t,” Maeve said, unable to stifle her amused smile.

Paisley shouted over the rumble of the truck. “It even sounded like this! Man, that kind of banging, grinding sound really brings me back!” She reached out far, grabbed the door handle, and slammed it shut with surprising ease.

Oakleigh knew they would get along just fine.

Back to work.

She opened the coffee shop door, and the loud music poured out onto the quiet street.

The night’s activities finally wound down to a close. Oakleigh counted the night’s profits and split them with the band. She was appreciative of Crew, Mia—and even Audrey, who stayed late to help get the shop back in working order.

It was late when they made it back to the ranch that evening. Oakleigh stepped into the living room and was greeted by the cozy, familiar crackle of the fireplace and the piney scent of charred wood. Paisley was sitting on the sofa in oversized sweatpants, sipping coffee from a mug in front of the warm fire.

Maeve stuck her head out of the kitchen.

“Welcome home.”

Oakleigh plopped down beside her sister with an exhausted sigh. “And I see you’ve made yourself quite comfortable.”

“You weren’t exaggerating, Oaks. This place is great,” Paisley said. “Maeve is not how Mom described, like at all.” She paused, glancing into her coffee cup as she collected her thoughts. “Speaking of Mom—”

Paisley’s words were cut short as Maeve stepped into the living room with mugs of steaming hot coffee filled to the brim. She set them down gently on the coffee table with a delicate clank.

“It’s interesting that you both drink your coffee the exact same way,” Maeve observed as she chose her own mug of dark black coffee. She took a seat across from them, casually crossing her ankles as she propped her feet on the coffee table.

Mia came down a moment later, wearing designer yoga pants and a tank top. Oakleigh knew that Mia was dressed as casually as she could allow herself to be.

Glancing around at the people she loved all gathered together in the living room of Callaway Ranch, she noted how the family felt complete.

“Where’sthe cute cowboy?”Paisley asked. “I’m dying to meet him.”

Oakleigh grinned at Crew’s nickname, which had caught on beautifully through social media.

“He’s finishing up some last minute chores.”

With his first national rodeo competition looming, Oakleigh knew he had sacrificed precious time in the practice arena to support her that evening. It made her heart flutter that he put her first, even before his personal success. The topic of his ambition brought her thoughts to Paisley. She knew her sister’s schedule was packed solid with competitions and engagements. Now that she had signed with a sponsor, her life belonged to their every whim and demand. Although strenuous at times, Paisley was quickly becoming a household name in the sport of surfing.

Which begged the question,

Why is Paisley in Montana?

“Paisley?” Oakleigh said, voicing her thoughts. “You know that I love you, so don’t take this the wrong way, but really—why are you here?”

---