Page 112 of Relentless

There was Maeve.

“Aren’t you tired, Harp?” Maeve asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Harper felt rebellious tears overflow from her eyes down her cheeks. She wanted to pull her hand away, and hide in the darkest corner, but even still she felt the truth would find her.

Harper was exhausted.

Feeling Maeve’s arm around her, she laid her head on her little sister’s shoulder. Rocking quietly on the porch swing, Harper released the lifetime of anger that had shaped her. Yearning for the same peace that Maeve and Oakleigh had found, she spoke to the Lord for the first time since she was practically a child.

She let the simplicity of it all wash over her, finally allowing herself to accept what she could never seem to earn. Even after all her decades in ministry, it wasn’t until that moment that Harper finally understood the meaning ofgrace.

Chapter 31

Mama Bear

Oakleigh observed the icy driveway as she parked the Jeep in front of the ranch house. Early that morning over coffee, Maeve had talked a big game about shoveling snow, but it appeared that very little had been accomplished. Remembering her mother’s seemingly pretentious suggestion, Oakleigh thumbed over her phone screen, curious as to what it would actually cost to install a heated driveway.

“Hmm, expensive,” she muttered.

Making a note on her phone, she intended to delve into the details when she had a free moment. It would take a persuasive case to convince Maeve of such a luxury.

Oakleigh had spent the afternoon checking up on the shop. She had promised herself that she would do better at supporting Audrey, although she could already feel her ambition pressing against it. She felt the nagging drive to focus her attention on expanding and improving the ranch business.

Climbing out of the Jeep, Oakleigh felt her boots sink into the deep snow. Thankful the weather was clear, the sun’swarmth left her feeling renewed after so many dark, cloudy days.

As she opened the front door, she immediately caught the aroma of smoldering wood in the fireplace and the earthy scent of freshly brewed coffee. Going through the house, she found Maeve in her usual corner of the kitchen.

Oakleigh paused in the doorway.

Not only was it odd for Maeve to take a break from her long list of mid-day responsibilities, but she seemed quiet and distracted.

Oakleigh announced her presence with a dose of levity. “You sure you don’t want a splash of cream in that?”

“It never gets old, Oakleigh,” Maeve smiled dryly as she went to work preparing her coffee just the way she liked it.

“So, I’m looking for my next project,” Oakleigh announced, taking her first sip of the perfectly amber colored brew.

“Oakleigh,” Maeve sighed, although clearly amused. “We just finished the church — can’t we let the dust settle for one day?”

“Yeah, that’s a no,” Oakleigh replied, taking another long drink of coffee before setting down her mug. “Here’s what I’m thinking.” She rattled off her notes, purposefully leaving out her plans for the driveway. Despite Maeve’s hesitation, Oakleigh noticed she was always a captive audience.

“And finally,” Oakleigh concluded with a touch of exasperation in her tone. “If Creweverasks me to marry him —”

“He’s asked,” Maeve interjected, with a slighteye roll.

“You know what I mean,” Oakleigh responded. “I’d like to expand the upstairs just a tad,” she said, pinching her finger and thumb together to accentuate her point.

“A tad?” Maeve asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I want a bedroom likeyours,”she clarified with a wince, knowing she was pushing her luck.

Maeve began to shake her head before Oakleigh had even finished her statement.

“Oh — come on, Maeve,” Oakleigh pleaded. “We have plenty of room.”

“You’re not wrong there, it’s just,” Maeve paused. “Sawyer gets first choice.”

Oakleigh scoffed, “You really thinkhe’sgoing to get married?”

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