Page 120 of Relentless

Oakleigh flung her hands wide. “Do something, Maeve,” she shouted. “Make him pull out of the competition.”

“You know I won’t do that,” Maeve replied. “This is the path he’s chosen — Crew’s a great rider, and he knows the risks.”

Oakleigh pulled her fingers across her brow, feeling her temper finally boiling over. She kicked the sole of her boot into a leather sofa, sending it sliding across the platform. Someone had probably noticed her outburst and pulled their phone out to record, but she didn’t care.

“He’s going to die, Maeve.”

“Have a little faith, Oakleigh,” Maeve said, keeping her voice steady and calm in a way that made Oakleigh want to scream. “Now have a seat, and calm down.”

Oakleigh reluctantly complied. Plopping down on the sofa, she buried her face in her hands. Maeve was right about one thing. He had been talking about riding Big Slim for so long, that it was only a matter of time until he pulled the beast’s name.

The announcer’s voice rang through the stadium, asking the audience to stand for the National Anthem. Oakleigh savored the quiet moment, collecting her emotions.

She felt someone sit beside her, and assumed it was Maeve coming to reassure her once again.

“I’m fine,” she informed. “Really, you don’t have to —”

Raising her eyes, she felt her heart sink.

It was Harper.

“Oakleigh,” she scolded.

Harper’s stern tone was one that Oakleigh knew well, bringing back to mind all the years she had felt like a constant disappointment.

“Mom, don’t start,” she snapped.

“I know you’re upset forsomereason,” Harper lectured. “But there are thousands of people watching you unravel — pull yourself together.”

Oakleigh glared at her.

“I wish you would just go home,” she lashed out. The words tasted bitter, and from the look on her mother’s face, she knew that they had hit their mark.

The announcer stepped into the center of the arena. He was wearing a tall, tan cowboy hat and blue wranglers. His voice boomed across the stadium, hyping the rowdy audience as he announced each rider by name. Oakleigh rose to her feet and left Harper behind, taking her place beside Dallas and Maeve.

Crew’s name rang out over the packed stadium, and the charismatic, handsome cowboy took to the dirt. He jogged out of the chutes, causing his fans to erupt in deafening cheers. Despite their heated exchange, Oakleigh yearned for just a simple look in her direction that would signal they were okay.

She didn’t have to wait long to get her wish.

Crew’s blue eyes found her on the platform. He put his hand over his lips and blew her a kiss, accentuating it withhis charming grin. She clutched her hands to her chest, again feeling the sting of tears as her anger dissolved into a puddle of anxious worry.

The announcer removed his cowboy hat, and led the stadium in prayer for the safety of the riders. She felt Maeve take her hand, and Dallas’ wrap an arm around her shoulder.

She wasn’t alone — they all loved Crew.

When the prayer ended, the announcer went straight to business. “Alright, folks, let’s keep in mind this one is for charity.” He swept a hand to the platform. “We want to thank our bull owners for their contribution — Tucker Clay and Melody Fields, always a pleasure to have you.”

Tucker tipped his hat as the audience whistled and clapped.

“And, of course,” he continued, “Maeve Callaway Wilder and Callaway Ranch.”

At the mention of Maeve’s name, the crowd’s energy swelled into a low roar. She graciously smiled and acknowledged her fans. Clasping Dallas’ hand, Maeve included him in the moment.

Oakleigh stood beside them, overjoyed to see them celebrated — and gladly fading into the background.

The first bull in the chute belonged to Melody Fields. It was a solid, muscle-bound beast that rammed its shoulder repeatedly into the iron gate. The rider was a young man with ambition in his eyes. He mounted the bull, seemingly unbothered by the animal’s unbridled aggression.

Tucker spat a stream of tobacco on the platform as he finally spoke up loud enough to reach the ears of Team Callaway. “Now you’re going to see a real bull in action.

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