34. Strong Willed Woman

Chapter 34

Strong Willed Woman

H arper propped her boot on the metal rail, catching her breath after watching Crew’s harrowing ride. She had a vague idea of the dangers of bull riding, but seeing Crew nearly trampled to death made her typically calloused heart race.

She was relieved when he was brought to his feet, and when he limped off the dirt arena, she nearly felt a sting of a tear in her eye. The whole dramatic ordeal had almost distracted her from the seething rage she felt at the grumpy old man who had made her see red.

Clanking her way down the metal stairs, she attempted to stay out of the way while the medics did their final assessments of the battered cowboy. Oakleigh stayed closely by his side with a firm grip on his hand.

Harper had to admire Oakleigh’s tenacity, especially during the crisis. She knew her daughter was strong, but she considered how they could never fully capture and tame her free spirit. Her eldest daughter always pushed against the grain of authority, and marched to the beat of her own drummer.

Oakleigh leaned over the medic’s shoulder, looking into Crew’s eyes. “Have you checked him for a concussion?”

“Yes,” the medic replied, clearly annoyed by her micromanaging.

“Well, check again,” Oakleigh demanded.

Harper couldn’t help but be amused as she considered how Oakleigh’s grandfather would have hated that spirited defiance. She could imagine his voice even then.

You better break that strong will now while you’ve got a chance.

Even the thought made her bristle.

Although she would never have broken her daughter the way he tried to break her, Harper knew she had crushed her daughter in other ways. If she was honest, she had known all along her harsh words and subtle glances were eroding her daughter’s self-worth.

Maeve had been right — she would rather numb herself than be accountable.

Oakleigh fussed over her cute cowboy while he admired her through his two burgeoning black eyes.

They’re perfect for each other.

The realization brought to mind the way she had treated the young man who had stolen her daughter’s heart. Regret twisted her stomach into painful knots.

“Pull it together,” she murmured to herself. She made her way back upstairs and took a seat on the leather sofa. The moment to herself allowed her to regroup, and put her mind on other things besides her own failures.

Crew limped up the steps and plopped down with a wince in one of the chairs beside her.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she murmured, her eyes flicking to the ceiling.

“What was that?” Crew drawled.

Harper cleared her throat loudly.

“I said — Oakleigh finally set you free, huh?”

Crew laughed, revealing his gapped-toothed smile. “Oh, she’s still down there giving those medics the what for.”

“I figured as much,” Harper nodded.

Give me a chance to make something right.

The prayer that filtered through her mind surprised her. There was something intimate and authentic about speaking to the Lord in that familiar way. She was certainly out of practice, but it was comforting nonetheless.

“You took quite a hit,” she observed. “Sorry about the tooth.”

Crew grinned, running his tongue along where his tooth used to be. “Yeah,” he chuckled. “Oakleigh ain’t too happy.”

“Occupational hazard, I suppose,” Harper said, absentmindedly picking at what remained of her pink nail polish. There was a long silence between them before Harper spoke up again. “You were really something out there.”

“Thank you, ma’am — er,” he quickly corrected. “Mrs. Davenport. ”

“Harper,” she clarified. “And — I think I owe you an apology,” she stumbled, biting her lip as she carefully chose her words. “I made you feel pretty small in our last conversation.”

“Well, I do appreciate that,” he replied. “But maybe —” his voice trailed off.

“You can say what’s on your mind,” Harper reassured. “I won’t bite your head off — this time.”

Crew suddenly looked more nervous than when he had faced Big Slim. He inhaled, digging his fingers into the leather chair as he appeared to gather his nerves. “Maybe you should apologize to Oakleigh first?”

Harper nodded, respecting the young man’s honesty. Despite the tenuous peace between them, she knew her daughter was still hurt.

“She’s pretty upset with me.”

“Yeah, she sure is,” Crew replied, not mincing words. “Especially after, well — you know, the other night?” he said, his eyes going wide. “We’re still sweepin’ up pearls.”

“Maybe it’s for the best,” she shrugged, running her fingers down her shirt and smoothing the wrinkles. “She’s got Maeve.”

“That’s just the thing, Mrs. — Harper,” Crew said, finally gathering the courage to look her in the eyes. “Oakleigh loves hard, and boy, does she fight hard,” he reflected, giving a quick shake of his head. “But I can tell you this — she and Maeve have been praying for a long while. ”

Harper’s eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head to the side as she contemplated his words. “Praying for what?”

“For you .”

Footsteps clanged up the metal staircase once again, and Harper was grateful for the interruption.

Oakleigh appeared with a bag of ice in hand.

“The medics say you’re done riding for two weeks,” Oakleigh announced.

“Well, it’s a good thing it’s off-season,” Crew grinned.

Oakleigh shook her head. “Never again, Crew,” she begged. “Please promise me.”

“You know I can’t do that,” he replied. “Will you have me anyway?”

Oakleigh cupped his bruised face, looking at him with the glow of pure admiration. “You know I will.” Her phone chimed with a notification. She scrolled her thumb over the screen and stood to her feet.

“Ranch business,” she said, “But this conversation isn’t over.”

She leaned in, and whispered in his ear. He responded with a nod, and squeezed her hand. “It’s fine, love,” he assured. “We’re just talkin’.”

Harper could barely make out their words, but she knew they were discussing her behavior. The fact that she had become known as an unsafe person in her daughter’s life made her feel terribly exposed.

Oakleigh gave one last cautionary glance behind her before she stepped away.

“She’s busy today,” Harper commented, attempting to pivot the conversation to lighter things.

“Maeve’s always got her busy,” Crew nodded. “She really depends on her.”

He grimaced, stretching his sore muscles.

“But she can’t keep me from practicing,” he quipped. “Especially since she won’t even come out to the South Pasture.”

“And why’s that?” Harper shrugged.

“Well, you know — because of the accident,” Crew explained. “With Big Slim?”

“Big who?” Harper asked, raising an eyebrow. “The bull you just rode?”

“Same one,” he replied. “That bull just about trampled the tar out of me.”

Harper vaguely remembered Oakleigh mentioning an accident that day on the private jet, explaining away the dark bruise across her cheek. “You must be exaggerating,” she exclaimed.

“I’m not foolin’,” he said. “Oakleigh ran in when she should have run away,” he paused. “That’s when I knew we were meant to be.”

Harper took a deep breath as she tried to picture her daughter’s courage.

“Then that’s it,” she whispered. “That’s the place.”

Crew tilted his head, grabbing his sore neck with a flinch.

“Place for what?”

“That’s where you need to propose,” she stated.

His eyes widened.

She knew what she needed to say, although nothing about it felt easy.

“For what it’s worth,” she said, forcing each word out. “You’re the right man for her, Crew.”

Before he could respond, Stetson Kennedy’s name rang through the stadium.

“You won’t want to miss this,” Crew said, gesturing to Harper to join him on the sidelines.

It was odd to think about, but Crew’s acceptance of her felt like it meant something. She stepped beside him, and took in the drama unfolding in the dirt arena below.

Stetson had drawn Lil’ Slim’s name, and the cocky bull rider stood by the bull chute, looking entirely unprepared to ride. Sam was coaxing him along, snarling insults at the rider.

“I ain’t riding that bull, Sam,” Stetson barked. “Not for a million dollars, and especially not for charity.”

“They’re callin’ you a coward!” Sam shouted. “And you’re making me look like a fool.”

The crowd began to boo loudly around them.

“Better a coward than a dead man!” he declared.

“Hey, Stetson,” Crew hurled out, catching the bull rider’s eye. “Afraid of a big bad bull named Lil’ Slim ?”

“You look in the mirror lately?” Stetson growled. “I like keepin’ my teeth.”

No amount of convincing could persuade the arrogant rider to mount that bull. Soon enough, the judges called it a forfeit, causing Sam to furiously stomp away, flinging sharp insults as he went.

Harper couldn’t help but relish in the horrible man’s childish temper tantrum.

With Stetson out of the running, the winner was clear. The announcer made his way to the center of the arena and spoke loudly in the microphone, driving the audience to their feet.

“First place rider,” he announced. “Creeeew Beckett with a monumental eight second ride on Big Slim.”

Maeve made her way over and patted Crew hard on the back, causing him to let out a painful oof.

“And winning bull,” the announcer went on, biding his time to build energy in the crowd.

“Big Slim — Callaway Ranch!”

Tucker Clay pounded his fists on the top rail of the fence.

Maeve went down the line, hugging each of the Callaway Ranch team. Making her way over to the Melody Fields, she offered them each a firm handshake.

“Well played, Maeve,” Tucker congratulated.

“You keep doing what you’re doing,” Maeve said, giving his shoulder a firm squeeze. “You’re keeping me on my toes.”

Tucker’s expression lit up at her gracious words.

Harper stood by the sidelines and observed while the Callaway Ranch team made their way out to the center of the arena. That night’s winning cash prize went to charity, but the accolades from their fans seemed satisfying enough.

Maeve took the microphone to give credit where it was due. “We have the dream team here at Callaway Ranch,” she began. “Like my son, Sawyer Callaway,” she gestured, putting her arm around his shoulders. “We wouldn’t be here without his hard work and dedication.”

She searched him as though wondering if the moment was the right time. He responded with a sentimental smile, and a nod.

“We’re losing him to the love of rodeo,” she announced. “He’ll be coaching Crew full-time next season.”

The crowd went wild.

Maeve let out a burst of laughter at their robust reaction to the news. “We better see some big wins out of Crew.”

Sawyer leaned into the microphone. “Guaranteed.”

The cheers reignited around them.

“I’m excited to announce someone on our team who will hopefully be taking his place,” she said. “Her vision for the ranch is unmatched, as is her hard work and pride in what we’re building together.”

Maeve beckoned to Oakleigh — who, for once in her life looked speechless.

“Me?” she stammered, pointing at herself.

Maeve nodded, giving her a warm smile as the young woman stepped beside her .

Harper looked at the cohesive family unit in the center of the arena. They shared an unbreakable bond of love and admiration. No matter how much they bickered and argued, it was clear they loved each other.

Maeve hadn’t become a mother the same way she had, but she couldn’t deny that her younger sister was incredibly blessed.

Pulling her phone from the pocket of her jeans, Harper knew what she had to do next.