1. Twelfth of Never

Chapter 1

Twelfth of Never

O akleigh 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. Her cute cowboy stood 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 amount of arguments over early morning coffee could convince that woman to wear a dress. Her only response was that it was her wedding and she would do it her way. Her way 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 a no from 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 tapped post, 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 a schedule 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.

“Lead the way,” Maeve relented, wearing an irrepressible smile.

They went through the pasture towards home. Maeve and Dallas lingered a few paces behind, enjoying the quiet moment together before they were bombarded with excitement from their family and friends.

The sprawling ranch house was surrounded by cars and trucks lining the long, dusty driveway.

Oakleigh had attempted to narrow down the guest list, and Maeve eventually told her to just throw in the towel. When they had announced friends and family were welcome, they knew that meant everyone.

Callaway Ranch had plenty of room to accommodate them all.

The fire was crackling in the large fireplace, warming the expansive house from the brand-new hardwood floor to the beams of the vaulted ceiling. June, who had been a friend to the Callaways longer than anyone could remember, had been hard at work all day making sure to meet all of Oakleigh’s specifications. She was bustling around in her best floral dress and barking orders to the ladies on the church events committee .

The guests were mingling throughout the large living room. There was a symphony of the clattering of plates, clinking of silverware, and friendly chatter.

Sawyer propped a wooden stool beside Bethany near the warm hearth. Picking up his guitar, he gestured with a nod. She pulled the microphone to her lips and began to sing a lilting melody. Her long brown hair was pulled into a low ponytail over her shoulder. It was clear she couldn’t help but smile when he was near.

Oakleigh was certain Sawyer couldn’t possibly have that same effect on anyone else.

She observed them together. They were perfect for each other but matched at the wrong time. Even though the two had broken up over a year before, they had managed to maintain a close friendship. After leading worship in the coffee shop together every Sunday, it was only fitting that they filled the corners of the house with music for Maeve and Dallas’ wedding reception.

Oakleigh propped her arm on Crew’s shoulder, lifting her chin in their direction. “You think those two will ever work it out?”

“Eh, I dunno,” Crew said with a shrug. “Sawyer doesn’t have anything on his mind except Callaway Ranch.”

Taking in the sight around her, she noticed Maeve leaning on Dallas with her hand on his knee. Through all the ups and downs of their relationship, the chemistry between the pastor and the most talked about widow in White Bridge had been undeniable.

“If it could happen for those two,” Oakleigh remarked. “I suppose there’s hope for Sawyer.”

Crew took her hand and gently ran his thumb over her smooth palm. “And what about you and me?”

She leaned on his muscular shoulder and clasped his firm bicep. “Us too.”

Crew cleared his throat, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “Mind if we get some air?”

She tilted her head as she attempted to decipher his sudden change in body language. “Sure? I guess?”

Crew stood to his feet and offered his hand. He led her to the front door, and she noticed his grip going clammy. She took one last look behind her before heading outside, catching Maeve’s concerned expression from across the room.

Oakleigh simply shrugged, entirely unsure of why her cute cowboy was in such a hurry.

Propping the door open, he placed his hand on her lower back and ushered her over the threshold. She stepped into the chilly night air and could already see her breath making clouds. Another sign that the frigid Montana winter was already on its way.

“What are we doing?” she asked, slightly annoyed to be taken away from the party .

“Just come sit with me for a minute,” Crew replied. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he led the way to their favorite spot on the porch swing.

Feeling his warmth beside her, Oakleigh’s annoyance evaporated. She pulled his strong bicep closer, holding on with a grip that conveyed all the yearning built up over the time he was away, competing in the sport he loved.

“You missed me, huh?” Crew breathed as he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly.

She sighed. “Things just aren’t the same when you’re away.” She had been keeping busy around the ranch, taking on more responsibilities, all the while juggling her social media career. She was even spending less time at the coffee shop, handing over the position of manager into Audrey’s eager clutches. It was all an effort to keep her mind off her boyfriend’s booming rodeo career that kept him on the road for weeks at a time.

They rocked gently together on the swing. The icy mountain breeze brushed over them, sweeping through her long blonde hair.

“I’m hoping you can join me on the road for a bit,” Crew spoke up apprehensively.

Oakleigh gave him a skeptical sideways glance. They had both approached Maeve with the subject on multiple occasions. She had responded with a sarcastic burst of laughter, muttering under her breath something like —

Yeah, sure. We’ll discuss that on the twelfth of never .

She knew why Maeve had set the strict boundaries for the household. The sweeping ranch house was large enough for the entire family, but living under the same roof as her boyfriend required a tremendous amount of restraint. Maeve was always reminding her during their early morning coffee talks that her newfound faith and platform of influence meant a commitment to authenticity, even if it killed her — which sometimes felt like a real possibility.

“Well, I suppose that’s the thing about it,” Crew hesitated, lifting her chin and catching Oakleigh’s gaze in his sky-blue eyes. “Maeve says it wouldn’t be a good example to be on the road with my girlfriend.” He searched the tight pocket of his jeans and pulled out a platinum ring with a large diamond that shimmered in the porchlight. “But I’d like you to join me on the road as my wife .”

Oakleigh released a shaky exhale, clearing her throat to keep an excited squeal from escaping. She calmed her racing heart as she placed her feet firmly on the ground, bringing the porch swing to an abrupt halt.

“Um, Crew,” Oakleigh responded. “I have a couple questions.”

“Is that a yes?” Crew asked, running his sweaty palms over his pant legs.

“First of all,” she began, steadying her voice as her eyebrows narrowed. “You’re just letting that gorgeous ring fly free in your pocket?”

Crew ran his hand over the back of his neck as he stumbled to explain himself. “Well, I had a box, but then my jeans were too tight —”

Stopping him midsentence, Oakleigh swept away his flimsy excuses with a wave of her hand. “Second.” she paused. “You’re just going to pass it on over and expect me to say yes?”

Crew’s voice dropped to a whisper as he quickly understood what Oakleigh was driving home. “I suppose I should have gotten down on one knee.”

“And then what? Overshadow Maeve’s day?” She wondered then how many times he had hit his head that season. “You just return that absolutely stunning little ring where you got it from and try again, cowboy.”

He leaned back on the porch swing, fumbling the smooth band between his fingers as he collected his words. “Like right now?”

Oakleigh pressed out a long exhale, gazing out across the dark pasture. “I love you,” she said, wrapping her arm around his. “But we’re just going to pretend this whole thing never happened.”

“You gonna tell Maeve about this?” Crew asked.

She gave his bicep a reassuring squeeze. They both knew she was absolutely going to tell Maeve all about it, but just not that day.