Page 125 of Relentless

His lip quivered at the unexpected acknowledgment, but the stern cowboy wouldn’t allow a tear to fall.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re not going to worry a bit about me, or the ranch,” she ordered. “The Lord brought us Dallas.”

She hesitated.

“And as much as you’re going to hate me saying it,” she chuckled. “He brought me Oakleigh, too.”

Sawyer responded predictably with a deep eye roll as he muttered under his breath.

“She’s come a long way,” Maeve said. “And she’s got a vision for the ranch that reminds me of, well,” she smiled as she considered, “It reminds me of your dad — full of big ideas and zero practicality.”

“Dad at least had some sense,” Sawyer blustered. “She is the most —”

Receiving a subtle glance from Maeve, Sawyer conceded. “She’s come a long way,” he admitted, running his fingers down his mustache and over his short beard. “I’ll give her that,” he sighed. “You think she’s really up for the task?”

“Oh, I’ll have to hire a few more hands,” she acknowledged. “But I should have done that a long time ago.” She pressed her lips together, giving Sawyer a knowing glance.

“You’re irreplaceable, son — I hope you know that.”

Surrounded by Team Callaway, Maeve considered her blessings. She said a quick prayer of thankfulness as she looked around at the family the Lord had given her.

Putting her arm around Sawyer, she gave him a reassuring squeeze. “The Lord provided beyond what I could’ve ever imagined,” she said. “And he’ll do the same for you.”

Chapter 34

Strong Willed Woman

Harper propped her boot on the metal rail, catching her breath after watching Crew’s harrowing ride. She had a vague idea of the dangers of bull riding, but seeing Crew nearly trampled to death made her typically calloused heart race.

She was relieved when he was brought to his feet, and when he limped off the dirt arena, she nearly felt a sting of a tear in her eye. The whole dramatic ordeal had almost distracted her from the seething rage she felt at the grumpy old man who had made her see red.

Clanking her way down the metal stairs, she attempted to stay out of the way while the medics did their final assessments of the battered cowboy. Oakleigh stayed closely by his side with a firm grip on his hand.

Harper had to admire Oakleigh’s tenacity, especially during the crisis. She knew her daughter was strong, but she considered how they could never fully capture and tame her freespirit. Her eldest daughter always pushed against the grain of authority, and marched to the beat of her own drummer.

Oakleigh leaned over the medic’s shoulder, looking into Crew’s eyes. “Have you checked him for a concussion?”

“Yes,” the medic replied, clearly annoyed by her micromanaging.

“Well, check again,” Oakleigh demanded.

Harper couldn’t help but be amused as she considered how Oakleigh’s grandfather would have hated that spirited defiance. She could imagine his voice even then.

You better break that strong will now while you’ve got a chance.

Even the thought made her bristle.

Although she would never have broken her daughter the way he tried to break her, Harper knew she had crushed her daughter in other ways. If she was honest, she had known all along her harsh words and subtle glances were eroding her daughter’s self-worth.

Maeve had been right — she would rather numb herself than be accountable.

Oakleigh fussed over her cute cowboy while he admired her through his two burgeoning black eyes.

They’re perfect for each other.

The realization brought to mind the way she had treated the young man who had stolen her daughter’s heart. Regret twisted her stomach into painful knots.

---