Page 104 of Relentless

With a deep eye roll, Oakleigh donned her most charming smile and obediently stepped by their side. Just as expected, the crowd let out another roar of support.

Amid the recognizable faces, Sadie greeted them before making her way inside. Bosco, the adorable chocolate lab, was wearing little doggy snow boots over his paws, and stayed obediently beside her.

Maeve leaned into Oakleigh, and whispered, “If Dozer doesn’t have a set of those by tomorrow on his little frozen paws —”

Oakleigh thumbed across her screen. “Already on it.”

Her scrolling was interrupted by a familiar gravelly voice. She looked up just in time to catch Dallas extending his hand to Amos, someone who famously claimed he wouldn’t be caught dead in Sunday service.

“I’m here for the cinnamon rolls,” he barked. “Don’t make it weird.”

“We’re just happy to have you,” Dallas chuckled, giving Amos’ hand a firm grip.

Oakleigh knew he meant it.

Looking across the diverse crowd of friends from town and many fresh faces of those who had connected with them over social media, Oakleigh was proud to say there were no strangers at White Bridge Community Church.

All were welcome.

June made her way to the front of the pack, wearing a long floral dress and a proud look that traveled to the corner of her eyes.

“Love you both,” she whispered, pulling Oakleigh and Maeve into a tight hug. “Ruth would have been so proud of you girls.”

When she released them, she put her arm around Oakleigh.

“And how she would have loved this one.”

“Oh yes,” Maeve confirmed with a proud smile.

Oakleigh felt her eyes sting with tears, flicking them away with her pinky before they could ruin her perfect eye makeup. It felt good to know she would have been accepted by someone who had meant so much to so many.

“And you’re not too shabby yourself, cowboy,” June said, giving Dallas a hard thump on the back, and erupting with a loud, contagious cackle.

“Thanks,” he warmly chuckled. “You better get yourself a seat.”

“Oh, Hank’s already in there,” June replied. “At least he better be, or he’s going to get an earful.”

Maeve leaned into Oakleigh’s shoulder and whispered, “We’d better say a prayer for Hank.”

Nearly every pew was full by the time everyone trickled in and found their place.

It was finally time for the service to begin.

Maeve slid into the front pew, followed by Oakleigh and Crew. In the morning’s excitement, Oakleigh had nearly forgotten about her mother, and all the unpleasantness that came with her presence. She scanned the packed church that was designed to hold more than enough people in the town. With the added guests that day, there was standing room only against the back wall.

Harper’s signature bleached blonde hair caught her eye in the sea of faces. She was standing against the back wall with her arms crossed tightly against her chest.

Oakleigh settled back against the pew.

“My mom’s back there.”

Maeve nodded, scuffing her boot across the hardwood floor. “I know she is.”

“What should we do?” Oakleigh inquired, pulling the gloves off her hands and running her sweaty palms down her polyester snow pants.

Maeve quietly considered. “What would you like to do?”

Oakleigh bit her lip hard.

---