Page 131 of Relentless

“I can barely stand it! I’m literally dying.”

And then another scolding voice, responding loud and clear. “Mia! Let them have their moment!”

She stepped out of Crew’s embrace, peering through the glare of the bright arena lights. When her vision adjusted to the darkness, she could hardly believe her eyes.

Oakleigh took a sharp sip of icy cold air.

“It can’t be.”

Crew squeezed her hand and gave her a playful nod.

“Mia?” she exclaimed, throwing her hands wide as her best friend ducked through the rails, and pulled Oakleigh into a firm hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to pullyou know whoalong, kicking and screaming,“ Mia admitted with a dramatic wide-eyed expression. She threw a thumb toward the sidelines to the other person, bundled up from head to toe and holding a phone high to record.

“Who is that?” Oakleigh asked. Her brow furrowed as she squinted through the pitch black darkness, trying to make out any recognizable features.

“Oaks, it’s me.”

Oakleigh’s mouth gaped, “Paisley?”

Finally stepping into the light, her younger sister ducked through the fence rails wearing her signature obnoxious grin.

Oakleigh pulled her gloved hand over her mouth in a feeble attempt to stifle her sob, as tears filled her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.

“Paisley, I’m — I’m,” she stammered, trying to verbalize the apology she had rehearsed for the off chance she would ever have the opportunity to give it.

“I know you are,” Paisley replied, graciously finishing her sister’s words. She ran her gloved thumb across Oakleigh’s cheeks, wiping away the tears. “And I’m sorry for letting it go as long as I did.”

Oakleigh threw her arms around her sister, squeezing her tight. “But what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Someone had to hold the camera?” Paisley chuckled, swiping a tear from her own eye with her pinky finger.

“Congrats, Oaks. I’m so happy for you.”

“I hate to interrupt the moment,” Mia interjected, holding her arms close to her chest. “But I’mreallycold.”

They climbed into the Jeep, escaping the frigid mountain air. Crew took the driver’s seat, steering them back down the bumpy pasture road. In the warmth of the vehicle, Oakleigh whipped off her gloves and tried onherring for the very first time. Although she had seen the large diamond before, she felt her heart nearly burst at seeing it sparkle on her finger.

“Well done, cowboy,” Paisley congratulated. Reaching from the back seat, she gave Crew’s shoulder a squeeze.

Mia sighed. “It’ll be nice to see Sawyer again.”

Oakleigh swiveled, pointing a stern finger. “Don’t you even think about it.”

She was fiercely determined to protect Sawyer and Bethany until they made it down the aisle, even if that meant Mia wouldn’t get a cowboy of her own.

“So he’s taken?” Mia asked, her voice going high with disappointment.

Crew chuckled. “'Fraid so.”

“All the good ones are,” Mia grumbled.

Listening to the soft patter of snowflakes on the windshield, Oakleigh was still bursting to pepper them with questions.

“Paisley, really though,” she gathered the nerve to ask.

“I told you,” Paisley shrugged. “I had to document your big night — forthe fans.”

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