Page 114 of Relentless

Oakleigh felt a pang of guilt that her mother had obviously noticed her hesitation.

“You’re fine, Mom,” she reassured, with a casual sweep of her hand. “As Maeve loves to say,it’s a trail ride, not a beauty pageant.” She immediately second-guessed bringing up Maeve, hoping it wouldn’t trigger Harper’s annoyance.

Yet, she seemed to take the comment in stride.

Leading the way out to the porch, Oakleigh snapped a quick selfie before her nose and cheeks turned pink from the icy wind. She posted it quickly with a simple caption, enough to maintain the momentum she had gained over the last few days. She trudged through the snow to the barn, where she was not only surprised to see two horses already saddled but Sawyer back on his feet. Maeve stood nearby with Crew and Bethany while Sawyer tightened the last strap on the saddle.

“I thought he was injured,” Harper observed as she stepped beside Oakleigh.

“So did I,” Oakleigh replied, watching the ranch hands gather around.

Walking up to the group, she noticed Sawyer standing askew, showing just how tender and sore he still was.

“Well, son —” Maeve began.

“Don’t say it,” Sawyer grimaced.

“You ready to get back on that horse?” she grinned.

They had all endured Abel’s long-established tradition, whether fully recovered or not. Maeve was determined to continue the legacy in his honor.

“My ribs hurt,” Sawyer complained, although he must have known it wouldn’t make any difference.

“If you can lead worship,” Maeve chimed, stepping into her horse’s stirrups and swinging her leg over the saddle. “Then you can ride.”

Colton and Wade chortled in delight while Bethany looked on with a tight, concerned expression.

“That’s enough out of you two,” Sawyer barked, mounting his horse while holding his arm tightly across his ribs. His eyes radiated sheer aggravation as he pulled on the reins.

“I hate this,” Bethany fretted, chewing her lip with worry.

“Better him than me,” Oakleigh emphasized, knowing she was one slip off the saddle from being in Sawyer’s unfortunate shoes.

The barn door slid open again, and Colton led out two more horses that were saddled and ready to ride.

“Thanks, Colt,” Oakleigh acknowledged. “It’s good to have you boys back.”

“Okay,” Colton deadpanned, handing her the reins.

She still hadn’t won them over, no matter how hard she had tried.

“Hold up,” Wade called out. He spat a stream of tobacco, staining the white snow. “Sawyer made us promise we wouldn’t let you leave without this.” He tucked a rifle into the holster of the leather saddle bag.

“Forget about it,” Oakleigh refused, digging her heels in. “My horse, my rules.”

“He said you’d say that,” Wade grunted as he swiped the stain of wet tobacco from his lips with the side of his fist. “And then he said,take it or you don’t ride at all.”

Oakleigh ran her tongue along her teeth as she considered.

“Fine,” she reluctantly conceded.

Mounting up, she patiently waited for her mother to put her feet in the stirrups and settle into the saddle.

“We’re checking fences on the East Pasture,” Oakleigh instructed, pointing out in the general direction. “Keep up, I’d like to be back before nightfall.” Putting her heels down, she prompted her horse from a quick trot to a slow gallop across the snow-covered fields. Harper stayed a few paces behind, but rode with the expertise of a well-seasoned rider. Arriving at the East Pasture, Harper brought her horse to a stop beside hers.

“You’re a decent rider, Oakleigh,” Harper observed.

Oakleigh bristled at the offhanded compliment.

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