Page 1 of Relentless

Chapter 1

Twelfth of Never

Oakleigh Davenport felt the gentle mountain breeze combing through her golden blonde locks, carrying with it the sweet scent of wildflowers. Her hazel eyes gazed across the golden pastures marked with purple and yellow blooms that reflected the late afternoon sun. Hercute cowboystood across from her, his shaggy blonde hair tucked under his signature black cowboy hat. Crew was smiling with that contagious sparkling white grin that made her powerless to resist. When his ocean-blue eyes flashed her way, she felt the electric attraction between them, reminding her why they were still one of the top trending couples.

However, that particular afternoon wasn’t about them at all.

“Will ya’ll stop already?” Sawyer chided. “Mom and Dallas will be here any second.” He looked nervous with his Bible tucked under his arm and one hand stuffed into the tight pocket of his jeans. Despite the cool breeze, he had beads of sweat peppering his forehead under his brown cowboy hat.

Oakleigh rolled her eyes. “Just because you’re all sad and alone, don’t take it out on us.” His relationship with Audrey, the coffee shop’s cheerful barista, had been predictably short-lived.

Seeing what was quickly escalating into an argument, Crew stepped in to keep the peace. “Knock it off, you two. Here they are.”

Oakleigh went quiet, which was no easy task.

Maeve and Dallas were holding hands as they crossed the open pasture. Dozer, the ranch’s loveable golden retriever, bounded beside them, tongue hanging from the side of his furry mouth.

Oakleigh inhaled deeply in an attempt to settle her frazzled nerves. She had planned every meticulous detail of the simple wedding, and it was important to her that it went off without a hitch.

The couple was dressed like any other casual afternoon at Callaway Ranch. Dallas was wearing his Wrangler jeans and a black button-up shirt. Oakleigh was relieved that his thick, brown beard had at least gotten extra attention that day. The beard oil she had slipped him last week after Sunday service had been put to good use.

Maeve intertwined her arm with his as he led the way across the uneven grass. Oakleigh persuaded her into wearing a white and tan plaid button-up shirt paired with her usual dark denim bootcut jeans. Her tousled chestnut brown hair was kept somewhat tame under her tan cowboy hat. No amountof arguments over early morning coffee could convince that woman to wear a dress. Her only response was that it washer weddingand she would do ither way. Herway also meant that there would be no live streaming. After the recent town hall meeting that made the local's not so enthusiastic opinions known on Oakleigh’s social media presence, she was relying on the boost in views she would receive from a big wedding day post. Since Maeve and Dallas’ very public engagement, any mention of the couple took the top trending spot.

It was anofrom Maeve.

In that moment, none of it really mattered. Maeve was happy, and Dallas’ eyes held an unmistakable spark of joy. When he looked at her, it was as though she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. All the time and effort Oakleigh had put into capturing the perfect late fall wedding aesthetic couldn’t possibly add a single thing to their glow.

Maeve wrapped her arms around each of them, giving them all a tight squeeze. “Thank you for pulling this together.”

As though they wouldn’t move mountains for Maeve, and the man who had stolen her heart.

The couple took their place in front of Sawyer, who had been ordained at their request for just that occasion. Dallas took her hands in his as they exchanged their simple handwritten vows. Just like Maeve and Dallas, their words were sweet and to the point.

In the blink of an eye, Sawyer announced them as husband and wife.

Maeve leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I love you.” He pulled her close and softly kissed her lips.

The sweet moment gave Oakleigh pause as she reached over and grabbed Crew’s hand just before slipping her phone from her pocket. Giving a quick pose, she took a selfie capturing the entire beautiful scene. She examined the picture, feeling a smile spread across her face. When she tappedpost,she looked over her screen and noticed that her action had not been missed by Maeve.

“Just this one, Maeve,” Oakleigh launched into her defense, with no attempts to hide the pleading in her voice. The social media backlash of keeping the ceremony private would be harsh enough.

Maeve ran her fingers down her chin, exchanging an exasperated look with Dallas.

His smile pushed up the corners of his mustache. “Oh, let her do it,” he said with a conspiratorial chuckle. “I’ll be getting your mind off all that soon enough.” He winked, putting his hands around Maeve’s waist and pulling her close.

“Dal!” Maeve gasped but couldn’t hide the amusement in her eyes. “Not in front of the kids.”

“Oh, this is never going to get old,” Crew laughed.

“No, it is,” Sawyer muttered, “It definitely is.”

The two were adorable together, and Oakleigh couldn’t remember when Maeve had been so lighthearted. However —

She had aschedule to keep.

“If you both could put all of that on hold,” Oakleigh quipped, her nose crinkling as she focused back on her screen. “I have a beautiful reception planned, and they’re waiting for us back at the house.”

Dallas took Maeve’s hand in his, giving her another subtle wink.

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