Page 60 of Steadfast

“I’m afraid I don’t have much to say aboutthat.” She gave the fans a wave and took her leave. “Goodnight, ladies, don’t stay up too late. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

The followers reacted feverishly to seeing their favorite Callaway finally grace their presence. Amid the flurry of excitement—one notification flitted across the screen that was missed by all.

TheHarperDavenport has left the live stream.

Chapter 19

Dark Skies

Maeve felt overwhelmed by the lengthy list of things to do before it was time to leave for the competition. Many tasks had become so routine over the years that she hardly gave them any thought. Those were the ones that Oakleigh needed to remember the most.

The boys had already headed out, catching a flight in time to help Colton and Wade unload Big Slim and settle in before the big night. Maeve couldn’t help but give a slight eye roll as she recalled the events leading up to their departure. Even the terrible weather couldn’t hasten Oakleigh and Crew’s long goodbye. It wasn’t until Maeve reminded them they had a long drive and a plane to catch that they pried themselves apart. She felt a twinge of guilt for prompting them along, knowing that Oakleigh was anxious over Crew’s competition. She had hoped that being left in charge would have at least taken the edge off.

It hadn’t.

Maeve desperately needed Oakleigh to focus. The Rodeo Nationals had the potential to be career changing for Crew and brand building for Callaway Ranch. Everything needed to go perfectly as planned. After Lil’ Slim had already proven to be a disappointment that season, they couldn’t afford any more mishaps. Even though it was tempting to change course and stay home, she couldn’t do that to Oakleigh. Maeve’s sole purpose now was to make it as seamless as possible for her to succeed.

What could possibly go wrong in less than twenty-four hours?

Stepping in the stirrups, she settled into the saddle on her dapple gray mare. She looked out over the pasture while she waited patiently for Oakleigh. There was a break in the storm that morning. The air was fresh and rich with the earthy scent of soil and grass. Fluffy white clouds drifted across the vivid blue sky. Before she pulled on her aviator sunglasses, she allowed the rays to shine brightly into her eyes. Even though it felt warmer in the sun, the fall air was crisp, and there was a sharp breeze that morning that cut right through her suede jacket.

“You make sure all your gear is ready to go and the quads are fueled up,” Maeve harped. “It’s important that anything you may need in a pinch is within reach.”

“Now you’re sounding just like Sawyer,” Oakleigh said, with a touch of irritation in her voice as she guided her brown and white horse beside Maeve. “We’ve been through this like a million times.”

“I guess this will be a million and one then.” Maeve glanced over the frames of her glasses before pushing them back over her eyes. It was a familiar look that let Oakleigh know that the plan for the day wasn’t up for debate.

They galloped their horses out to the edge of the property, checking fences as they went while Maeve meticulously detailed her checklist of responsibilities.

“You need to check these fences morning and evening,” Maeve reminded her as they guided the horses through the pasture gate. “You do not have the manpower to deal with wandering cows—or Sam, for that matter.” It had been a whole year since Oakleigh’s disastrous mistake, and their cantankerous neighbor was still going on about the damage to his alfalfa field.

“I’ve got it,” Oakleigh replied with just the slightest tinge of annoyance. “Plus, I’ve got Mia and Paisley. We’ve got it handled.”

“About that—” Maeve figured it was a better time than any to bring up the obvious tension in the house, “I’m getting the impression that things are a little strained between you three.”

“We’ll put it aside. They’ll follow my lead, I promise,” Oakleigh said confidently as she squinted in the glaring sun. It was obvious that she was missing Crew’s hat, which he had made sure to snatch from her gasp before he left.

Maeve contemplated whether she wanted to take the conversation a step further. There was so much to do that any extra feltlike a burden.

Might as well.

“You should do more than put it aside, Oakleigh,” she advised.

Oakleigh continued to scan the horizon across the pasture, intentionally diverting her gaze away from Maeve. “I know you’re trying to help, but I’m not really looking for feedback.”

She was noticeably slipping further into a quiet moodiness that day.

Guiding the horses around the edge of the property at a slow gait, they eventually arrived at the East Pasture. The sagging, incomplete wall of sandbags was clear evidence of Maeve’s failure in leadership.

Maeve scanned the dark clouds rolling in over the ridgeline.

More rain was on the way.

She pointed down into the steep ravine on the other side of the fence. “You watch out for flash flooding through this part of the valley. The water comes rushing off that ridge in a blink, and it always takes a lot of land with it. If it’s raining, no one has any business being in the East Pasture under any circumstances.”

“Got it,” Oakleigh said flippantly.

Maeve looked up to see that Oakleigh had pulled out her phone and was fully absorbed in her screen.

---