Page 75 of Steadfast

Climbing the steps, she reached her hand to the knob and quietly cracked open the front door. Before she could take one step into the foyer, Maeve was hit with the sound of a voice that she had never expected to be coming from within her home.

The door was yanked from her grasp as Audrey made a hasty exit past her to the porch.

A frightened look flitted across the young woman’s expression. “Maeve,” she said, recognizing her in the darkness. “I’m gonna go.”

“You should stay,” Maeve whispered, her eyebrows drawn together in concern. “The roads are closed.”

Audrey glanced behind her nervously into the living room and responded in a low voice. “I think I’ll take my chances.” She pushed past Maeve down the stairs and sloshed her way to her car.

Maeve clenched her eyes shut, leaning her head against the door as she contemplated her next steps.

Lord, why tonight, of all the nights? Why now?

The shrill voice echoed again from the living room. “To think, my fabulous girls covered in mud. I guess it’s true what they say about prodigal children,” Harper sneered. “When you wallow withpigs, right Oakleigh? Where is Maeve anyway?”

“M-Mom,” Oakleigh’s voice stuttered.

“M-Mom,” Harper mimicked in a mocking tone. “Aren’t you happy to see me? You all had so much to say on your livestream the other day, I figured youreallymissed me.“ Her words were noticeably slurring together at the ends. “I’m here for Paisley and Mia.”

Paisley stepped forward, “Let’s get out of here, Mom. I’m ready to go home.”

“I’m not,” she hissed. “After all, I just got here. This is the place to be, right? This little dumpy farm. I don’t see what’s sogreat about it.”

Maeve stood in the shadows as Crew came through the front door and stepped beside her.

“What’s all this?” Crew asked. “Who is that?”

“My sister,” she informed him in a low voice.

He pushed forward, prepared to intervene in the increasingly hostile scene unfolding before them in the living room. Maeve threw out her arm and blocked his path.

“You’re going to wait,” she stated firmly, still assessing her next move.

In the dim glow of the fireplace, Harper’s platinum blonde hair uncharacteristically showed some dark roots, and her makeup was smeared chaotically. She was wearing designer skinny jeans and a flowing, long top hanging disheveled off one shoulder. There was no doubt in Maeve’s mind that Harper had been drinking. Her behavior seemed erratic, and her usual harsh undercurrent came spilling over cruelly.

Oakleigh inched closer. “Mom, please.”

Harper stepped dangerously into Oakleigh’s space. “I know you think the world revolves around Oakleigh,” her voice dripped with condescension, “but for once, this isn’t about you at all.”

The tension in the room was palpable. Soaked to the bone and covered from head to toe in scrapes, grass, and mud, Oakleigh refused to stand down.

“If you’re thinking about hugging me again, please don’t.” Harper gave her a scornful glance, looking at her daughter ashatefully as a mother could. “This is the last time I’m going to ask you nicely. Where is Maeve?”

“I’m right here, Harper,” Maeve answered, stepping from the shadows.

“Well,” Harper said, taking an exaggerated, sloppy sidestep, “I didn’t think you’d ever have the nerve.”

Crew ducked around them and went straight to Oakleigh’s side, taking her hand securely in his. “Are you all right?” he whispered.

Harper scoffed at the two. “Why, aren’t you handsome? You must be Oakleigh’s future ex.”

“Maeve, I’m sorry about all this.” Oakleigh’s voice quivered as she attempted to ignore her mother’s barbs.

“You’re sorry toher?” Harper interrupted, her eyes narrowing. “And where’s my apology, Oakleigh? Hmm, I’ve been waiting.”

The low rumble of the generator was heard outside, and the lights of the ranch house flickered on around them. Sawyer came into the living room, wiping grease off his hands with a faded rag.

“That’s a little better,” he mused, completely unaware of what he was walking into. He paused as he caught sight of Mia on the sofa, her ankle a swollen kaleidoscope of purples. Ignoring everyone else in the room, he knelt beside her. “Mia, are you okay?”

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