Page 76 of Steadfast

“And who is this? Mr. Callaway, I presume?” Harper threw her head back and erupted in raucous laughter. “Goodness, Maeve, you do like them young.”

“Don’t be vulgar, Harp. He’s my son.” Maeve hadn’t intended to use the familiar nickname, but it came naturally to her even after all the years and distance between them. “My husband’s gone, he passed away.” She wished immediately she could pull the words back into safety, knowing that she had given her cruel sister ammunition.

Sure enough, Harper’s lip curled into a mean smirk. “Good, I’m glad he’s dead.” She gritted her teeth, and the words dripped like poison. “Now, you understand a fraction of the pain I’ve felt since you took everything from me.”

It was the verbal assault Maeve had anticipated.

“All right, that’s enough,” Crew intervened, giving Sawyer a nod. They stepped by Harper’s side and gripped her around the elbows. “You’re not welcome here.”

“You let go of me. Don’t you know who I am?” Harper twisted to free herself, but the strong cowboys held her tightly. They led her past Maeve toward the front door.

Paisley squeezed Oakleigh’s arm, finally breaking her vow of silence with her sister. “Don’t let them put her out there in the storm, Oaks,” she pleaded. “She might be a trainwreck, but she’s still our mom.”

Oakleigh and Maeve exchanged glances.

“She’s been drinking, Maeve.” Oakleigh shrugged, as she came to her mother’s defense. The words didn’t come easily as she bit the side of her lip.

Maeve unfolded her arms, calmly running her thumb across her palm as she heard the boys fling the front door open. She listened to the sound of the harsh wind and downpour of rain. She had never intended to actually let them do it, but she couldn’t help but savor the moment just a little.

“Boys, hold up.”

Crew and Sawyer stopped in their tracks in the doorway.

“Show her to the guest room and let her sleep it off,” she calmly instructed.

“You sure, Mom?” Sawyer asked, raising an eyebrow as he held Harper in a vice grip.

She gave him a nod. “Go on, Sawyer.” She turned her attention to Harper, who simply glared back at her. “Your room is stocked with towels and whatever else you’ll need for a couple days.”

“You can’t make me stay for acouple days.” Harper spat as she was ushered to the stairs. “Girls, pack your things and call the driver. We’ll be on our way.”

Maeve’s jaw clenched as she felt pressed to her limit. She went to the front door and flung it open to reveal the empty, flooded driveway. The strong wind and rain bent the tall trees, and lightning marked violent streaks in the dark night sky.

“Your ride is gone, the power is out all over the county, and by now, the roads are closed. If you would like to get struck bylightning or swept away in a flash flood, be my guest, Harper. Start walking,” she said, exchanging an icy glance with her sister. “The girls are staying.”

Harper pressed out a lengthy, exasperated exhale. Being the first to break eye contact in her standoff with Maeve, she glanced around at the girls, all weather beaten, drenched, and covered in mud.

“Just listen to her, Mom,” Paisley spoke up. Angry, embarrassed tears filled her expression at her mother’s behavior. “We’ll figure it out in the morning.”

Harper gave a weak nod and allowed them to show her upstairs to her room.

The moment she was gone, Maeve collapsed on the arm of the sofa. Running her fingers across her brow, she only had a moment to breathe and collect her thoughts. Based on their tattered appearance, injuries, and the fact that Oakleigh refused to meet her eyes, she knew what lay before them would most certainly be a difficult conversation.

When the boys returned downstairs, Sawyer went straight to Mia’s side on the sofa. He threw his shoulder under her arm as he clumsily helped her stand.

“You sure that’s not broken?” Sawyer gave a worried look at Mia’s black and blue ankle.

Mia shrugged pathetically and leaned into Sawyer’s strong arms. Her eyebrows raised as she bit her lip excitedly at the opportunity to be a wilting flower in Sawyer’s sturdy embrace.

“I’ll help you upstairs. Let’s elevate this leg and get some ice on that ankle.”

Crew took his first opportunity to sweep Oakleigh into a much needed tight hug. He pulled her muddy face close to his chest.

It was then that Maeve took her leave, giving them some space and time alone together. She couldn’t help but feel thankful for an extra moment to herself as she went to the kitchen. Feeling too emotionally drained to even make coffee, she leaned back on the counter. Even though she would never let it show, having her sister under her roof had shaken her. While she steadied herself, preparing for the looming talk with Oakleigh, she couldn’t help but overhear the couple chatting at the foot of the stairs.

Crew held Oakleigh’s palm, eyeing the deep gashes. “You okay?”

“I’ll be fine,” Oakleigh answered, withdrawing her hand from his. She ran her fingers across her tender wounds. “I’m really proud of you. I wish I could have seen you ride.”

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