Page 69 of Relentless

She was relieved to see Bethany appear in the doorway. She stepped beside Oakleigh, and leaned her elbows on the barn stall.

“Are these the famous chickens I’ve been seeing all over my social media feed?” Bethany asked with a soft smile that matched her tone.

“Aw! Yay,” Oakleigh exclaimed, tapping her hand against her heart. “It’s good to hear that the fans still like my content.”

“I’m still subscribed,” Bethany admitted with a shrug. “Just one of a few million.”

“Every view matters,” Oakleigh declared. “Especially since the town council basically killed my channel.”

Oakleigh’s eyes widened as she voiced her genuine concern. “For a minute there, I thought I was going to start having to do food reviews.”

“The town will come around, Oakleigh,” Bethany reassured. “Look at all the change you’ve started here.”

Oakleigh had always liked Bethany. The young woman was among the first people in town to accept her with open arms.

“Can you and Sawyer just get back together already?” Oakleigh coaxed with a sly smile. “I miss you around here.”

A sarcastic laugh burst from Bethany’s lips.

“It’s the same answer every time you ask,” Bethany replied, interlocking her fingers as she considered.

“We all know his first love is Callaway Ranch,” she sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t compete.”

Oakleigh pulled her in for a side hug, affection that would have been foreign to her in another chapter of life. Being around a family of huggers had freed the part of her that bristled at physical touch. Anotherlovelyquirk she had picked up from her mother.

“Speaking of the ranch,” Bethany pivoted, “I’d like to stay and help with Sawyer if that’s okay?”

Oakleigh had been so uplifted by Bethany’s natural optimism that she had nearly forgotten about Sawyer altogether.

“How is the big lug?” she asked.

“He’ll live,” Bethany replied. “But he’ll have to take it easy for a while.”

Oakleigh rolled her eyes. She had dealt with Sawyer out sick before, and the pathetic cowboy was not an easy patient. She would be more than relieved to have Bethany’s positive spark around the ranch.

“Maeve said —?” she inquired.

“She said yes,” Bethany confirmed, “but she asked me to check with you.”

“If the bosslady said yes,” Oakleigh paused, her eyebrows scrunched together as she tilted her head, “then what does it matter?”

“She might be the boss,” Bethany remarked, giving Oakleigh’s shoulder a firm squeeze. “But everyone knows you’re becoming someone important around here, too.”

Oakleigh took a deep breath, feeling a swell of pride at Bethany’s statement.

“You know my mom is here,” Oakleigh reminded. She didn’t have to break the news — they had witnessed Harper storming past them down the hallway.

“Feel free to stay — if you can handle an onslaught of petty insults,” she shrugged. “We’re happy to have you.”

“Audrey gave me the exclusive today when she was making my coffee,” Bethany snorted. “I know I shouldn’t laugh, but you should have seen how wide her eyes got.”

“She’s seen the aftermath of hurricane Harper,” Oakleigh chuckled. “It’s no joke.”

The last thing she wanted to discuss was her mother.

Baby goats scampered around them, and Oakleigh scooped one into her arms. She handed the little furball off to Bethany.

“Oh my gosh,” Bethany exclaimed, her voice going high as the squirmy, black-spotted baby goat bleated loudly in her arms.

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