Page 99 of Steadfast

Maeve knew exactly what Ruth would have said and done.

She would have simply swooped her into a firm hug and gently reminded her,

Maeve, this life is going to bring you heartache, pain, and loss. Keep looking to Jesus.

She considered how good the Lord had been to bring Ruth into her life. Maeve thought proudly of her boys and the family she never imagined she would have. She felt herself smile for the first time in days as she considered Dallas, who had stayed by her side despite the uncertainty of her grief. And Oakleigh—

Oh, Oakleigh.

Maeve mused as she reached over and peeled the sticky note off her mug. She could have never imagined that Oakleigh, of all people, would be the one the Lord would use to remind her that, despite it all—

He was steadfast.

Chapter 32

Light

Maeve slipped her feet over the edge of her bed and inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with fresh air as she lifted her arms into a deep stretch. Reaching over to the mug of hot coffee that had faithfully appeared every morning, she lifted it to her lips and took a sip. Closing her eyes, she let it nourish her weak body. It had been a week since the accident, and it was time to get up.

Rising to her feet, she went to the closet and chose an outfit for the day. She pulled on her jeans and buttoned up the front of her red, plaid shirt. While running a brush through her chaotic brown hair, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked so pale and tired, even after the long days of rest and recovery.

Maeve stuffed her phone into her back pocket and stepped outside her bedroom door into the empty hallway. It felt good to finally be out of her room.

The house smelled warm and familiar. She steadied herself as she carefully took each step down the wooden staircase,gripping the railing as she went. Her joints and muscles still felt stiff and sore.

Sawyer was in the kitchen, sitting at the island as he munched on cereal and sipped coffee from his mug. He dropped his spoon into the bowl and took a second glance when he noticed Maeve leaning on the doorframe.

“Mom,” he exclaimed. He stepped off his chair and pulled her into a gentle hug, being mindful of her injuries.

She gave him a tight squeeze. “I’m fine, Sawyer,” she reassured him. She went to the coffee percolator on the stove, unable to stifle the wince as she stretched up to grab a mug from the high cabinet.

“Here, I got it.” Sawyer offered. He reached up and pulled it down. “Relax, Mom.”

She conceded, allowing him to help while she sat on the tall chair at the kitchen island. Leaning her elbows on the granite countertop, she rested her head heavily on her fist. Sawyer set the cup of hot coffee in front of her, and she smiled at him gratefully as she grasped the handle.

“You guys sick of taking care of me yet?” she asked, pulling the mug to her lips. It was a great cup of coffee.

They caught up on business at the breakfast table, discussing the state of the ranch in her absence and, most importantly, the whereabouts of Lil’ Slim. Sawyer broke the news that the little bull had been tracked, of all places, to Sam’s farm.

“I have to admit, Mom,” Sawyer rubbed the back of his neck as his eyebrows shot up. “Oakleigh’s sure stepped it up around here. She’s really done a good job.”

Maeve hid her proud smile behind her coffee mug as she sipped. “I knew she would.”

“Now don’t you go tellin’ her I said that,” he started in. “She is the bossiest, most stubborn, hard headed—”

Maeve chuckled in amusement as she raised her hand, promising she wouldn’t say a word.

“Now that you’re up and about,” Sawyer switched gears. “We all got together and decided to get you a little something.” He stepped across the living room into the foyer. When he returned, he had a brand new tan cowboy hat in hand.

Maeve’s eyes gathered with tears. Swiping under her nose, she did everything she could to stifle her emotion for Sawyer’s sake.

“I know it’s not as good as Dad’s,” Sawyer said, looking at the ground. He was now clearly second guessing whether replacing his mom’s cherished possession had been the right thing to do.

She choked back the lump in her throat and took the hat with a grateful smile. “It’s time we start making some fresh memories,” she said, pulling him into a hug. “Dad would have said it’s a mighty fine hat.” When she let go, Sawyer had fresh tears of his own peppering the corners of his eyes.

The sound of the front door opening and slamming shut echoed through the living room and into the kitchen.

“Sawyer,” Oakleigh announced, loud enough for him to hear no matter what room of the house he might be in. “I just got word from Sam. He’s yammering on about how he saw Lil’ Slim on the edge of his property, and boy, did he sound mad.”

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