Page 116 of Relentless

“Woah, girl,” she reassured, patting the mare’s soft furry crest. The mare lifted her hooves off the ground, giving a high-pitched whinny. Scanning her eyes across the wooded trail, Oakleigh knew her horse was sensing danger. She had to take charge before it threw her and bolted toward safety.

Harper's horse was equally as frenzied, but she had noticeably better control over the frightened animal. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her chin toward a dense grove of trees.

“There.”

Oakleigh leaned forward in her saddle, looking intently in the direction that her mother was pointing.

Her gaze landed on a dark brown bear frozen in place. Its glassy, emotionless black eyes were staring at them dangerously.

“Get the gun, Oakleigh,” Harper whispered sternly.

Oakleigh’s adrenaline coursed through her veins, causing her heartbeat to pound in her ears. Releasing her grip on the reins, she tightened her knees around her horse’s middle, praying her mare wouldn’t take the opportunity for a hasty escape. She reached back to the saddlebag, and pulled the long-barreled rifle from its place. The firearm felt heavy and clumsy in her hands.

Keep it together, Oaks.

Pressing out a long exhale, she raised the rifle and tucked it tightly into her shoulder, just as Crew had taught her.

Harper’s attention bounced from the bear to Oakleigh.

“What are you waiting for?” she exclaimed. “Pull the trigger.”

Oakleigh closed her left eye, steadying her tremoring hands.

The bear stood high on two legs, releasing a bone-chilling growl before pouncing back down on all fours.

She fumbled for the trigger.

“Shoot the bear, Oakleigh!” Harper shouted.

Oakleigh’s horse reared wildly, sending her scrambling for the reins. Fighting to stay in the saddle, she caught sight of the fierce predator charging at them through the snow.

We’re dead.

She felt the gun wrenched from her grasp.

Oakleigh swiveled to see her mother aiming the rifle with calm precision. She stared down the sight with her finger on the trigger.

The loud crack stopped the bear in its tracks, sending it careening across the icy slush. When it came to a stop, the animal appeared stunned. Coming to its senses, the bear ducked through the broken fence and made a hasty escape into the ravine.

“Did you miss?” Oakleigh heaved, attempting to fill her lungs and settle her heart. She sat high in the saddle as she steadied her frantic horse. “I think you missed.”

Harper brought the rifle down, studying where she had fired.

“I never miss.”

Through the thicket of trees, Oakleigh noticed a flurry of soft fur as dark brown baby bears dashed from the brush. They followed after their mother down the side of the hill, rolling and sliding clumsily as they went.

“I’ve never seen you fire a gun?” Oakleigh remarked, retrieving the rifle from her mother’s outstretched hand.

Harper casually ran her fingers down her winter coat, pulling a speck of dirt off the cuff. “And what did you think we do at the club all day?”

Oakleigh scoffed. “Drink.”

Her mother lifted an eyebrow, but her expression held a rare glimmer of amusement. “Well, we do that too.”

Oakleigh took another deep breath to steady the quiver in her voice. Grabbing the radio from her saddle bag, she pulled it to her lips.

“We have a busted fence in the East Pasture,” she informed, “I repeat, a busted fence in the East Pasture — over.”

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