Page 53 of Relentless

“If I can tame Big Slim,” he mused with a grin, “I’m sure I can handle her just fine.”

Oakleigh’s eyes narrowed. “You were nearly trampled to death, remember?”

“No faith,” he replied, lifting her chin for one last kiss. “Wish me luck.”

“I’ll be praying,” Oakleigh responded dryly.

He stepped over to Harper’s table and pulled out the chair. “May I join you, Mrs. Davenport?”

His country drawl made Harper’s nose scrunch in disgust.

“You may,” she replied calmly, making a welcoming gesture to the open seat. “Just — call me Harper.”

“Okay,” he agreed. He sat down and folded his hands on the rustic wood table top. “Are you having a good visit?”

Crew’s weak attempt at small talk caused her impatience to rise.

“Let’s get to the point, Crew,” Harper demanded sharply, savoring the ability to fluster the usually calm, cool cowboy.

He cleared his throat, appearing to steel his already failing nerves. “Well, I just can’t seem to get this proposal thing right.”

She sat back and crossed her arms.

“So ask your mom — Maeve is your mom, right?” she feigned ignorance. “I can’t figure out this family for the life of me.”

“She’s as close to a mom as I’ve ever had,” he answered. Shuffling nervously, he tapped his fingers on the table.

Harper’s annoyance was palpable.

She meant it to be.

“In that case, where’s yourrealmom?”

“She’s an alcoholic,” Crew disclosed. His darting gaze indicated it was not only his least favorite topic of conversation, but that his current audience didn’t feel safe to confide in. “I suppose that’s why Oakleigh and me —”

He stopped midsentence.

Harper’s lip pulled into a smirk. She had the young cowboy right where she wanted him. “That’s why you andOakleigh what?”

“Oh, nothin’,” Crew backpedaled, adjusting his posture.

“Finish your thought, Crew,” Harper dared.

Crew gulped hard. “That’s why we connected so well.”

“So, I’m an alcoholic?” Harper crossed her arms. “Is that the story Oakleigh’s spinning these days?”

“I — I don’t know what to say,” Crew stammered.

Harper casually crossed her legs, brightening her tone. “Now, what was it you needed to ask me?”

“I just thought,” Crew exhaled, steadying himself. “You’ve known Oakleigh longer than anyone.” His words came fast now, as though he couldn’t wait to bring the uncomfortable conversation to an end. “Maybe you’d know the best way to propose?”

Harper didn’t want to admit that she was hardly familiar with the version of Oakleigh he had fallen in love with. Never allowing an opportunity to go to waste, Harper aimed for the jugular.

“Have you ever considered that perhaps you’re not the right one for her?” she suggested, savoring the look of dismay that flashed across the handsome young man’s expression.

“Wh — what do you mean?” Crew blurted.

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