Page 127 of Relentless

“You know I can’t do that,” he replied. “Will you have me anyway?”

Oakleigh cupped his bruised face, looking at him with the glow of pure admiration. “You know I will.” Her phone chimed with a notification. She scrolled her thumb over the screen and stood to her feet.

“Ranch business,” she said, “But this conversation isn’t over.”

She leaned in, and whispered in his ear. He responded with a nod, and squeezed her hand. “It’s fine, love,” he assured. “We’re just talkin’.”

Harper could barely make out their words, but she knew they were discussing her behavior. The fact that she had become known as an unsafe person in her daughter’s life made her feel terribly exposed.

Oakleigh gave one last cautionary glance behind her before she stepped away.

“She’s busy today,” Harper commented, attempting to pivot the conversation to lighter things.

“Maeve’s always got her busy,” Crew nodded. “She really depends on her.”

He grimaced, stretching his sore muscles.

“But she can’t keep me from practicing,” he quipped. “Especially since she won’t even come out to the South Pasture.”

“And why’s that?” Harper shrugged.

“Well, you know — because of the accident,” Crew explained. “With Big Slim?”

“Big who?” Harper asked, raising an eyebrow. “The bull you just rode?”

“Same one,” he replied. “That bull just about trampled the tar out of me.”

Harper vaguely remembered Oakleigh mentioning an accident that day on the private jet, explaining away the dark bruise across her cheek. “You must be exaggerating,” she exclaimed.

“I’m not foolin’,” he said. “Oakleigh ran in when she should have run away,” he paused. “That’s when I knew we were meant to be.”

Harper took a deep breath as she tried to picture her daughter’s courage.

“Then that’s it,” she whispered. “That’s the place.”

Crew tilted his head, grabbing his sore neck with a flinch.

“Place for what?”

“That’s where you need to propose,” she stated.

His eyes widened.

She knew what she needed to say, although nothing about it felt easy.

“For what it’s worth,” she said, forcing each word out. “You’re the right man for her, Crew.”

Before he could respond, Stetson Kennedy’s name rang through the stadium.

“You won’t want to miss this,” Crew said, gesturing to Harper to join him on the sidelines.

It was odd to think about, but Crew’s acceptance of her felt like it meant something. She stepped beside him, and took in the drama unfolding in the dirt arena below.

Stetson had drawn Lil’ Slim’s name, and the cocky bull rider stood by the bull chute, looking entirely unprepared to ride. Sam was coaxing him along, snarling insults at the rider.

“I ain’t riding that bull, Sam,” Stetson barked. “Not for a million dollars, and especially not for charity.”

“They’re callin’ you a coward!” Sam shouted. “And you’re making me look like a fool.”

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