Page 134 of Relentless

Harper’s phone chimed with a loud notification.

“My driver’s here,” she announced.

Maeve put her arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.

Harper stiffened, keeping her hands firmly at her side, hoping with everything in her that the hug would end.

“We’ll always have a place for you here,” Maeve said.

The sincerity of her sister’s tone brought a lump to her throat. She closed her eyes, feeling rebellious hot tears squeeze out from her tight eyelids.

“Thank you, Maeve,” she whispered. “For everything.”

When Maeve finally released her, she stepped back and put the steel travel mug into Harper’s hands.

She noticed immediately that it felt light. “It’s empty?”

“I figured you could stop off in town on the way to the airport,” Maeve suggested. “Get some coffee for the road.”

She knew precisely what Maeve was trying to do, and it wasn’t going to work.

They said their final goodbyes, and Harper wheeled her luggage to the porch. She filled her lungs one last time with the sharp, mountain air, while waiting for the driver to open the hatch. Lifting her eyes across the pastures, she considered what she would be facing when she got home. There would undoubtedly be a fierce custody battle over the twins.

Harper had one last chance to be a mother to two of her children, and she was determined to get it right. In the meantime, a large empty estate was waiting for her, which was lonelier and colder than any Montana winter.

She licked her lips, tasting the lipstick she had applied that morning. It had been a while since she had put on makeup, and she was already feeling more like her old self. She lifted the luggage across the snow-filled driveway, feeling her impatience swell as she waited for the driver to take it from her hands.

“Well?” she demanded.

“Well what?” the driver asked.

“I’m not going to stand here all day,” she barked. “Load up my things.”

“Listen lady, you got one star,” he fumed, his eyes going wide at her audacity. “You’re lucky I’m hereat all.”

She rolled her eyes sharply. Pushing past him, she felt her muscles flex as she loaded her luggage into the back of the SUV.She went next to the passenger door, and whipped it open. Settling into the leather seats, she pulled her seatbelt firmly across her chest.

“You’re pretty far out here?” the driver huffed.

“How about you just don’t talk to me,” she snapped, still feeling her temper bubbling over his lack of hospitality. “Just get me to the airport.”

He shrugged obnoxiously, and steered the car down the long dirt road.

She picked up her mug, wishing Maeve had just filled it with coffee instead of playing her silly games. Attempting to push her sister’s suggestion from her mind, she focused her eyes on her phone screen. Scrolling through her notifications, she noticed Oakleigh’s latest viral post.

The post featured a large diamond ring on her finger, while the couple stood together, engaged in a passionate kiss.

Oakleigh’s followers were going wild over the exciting announcement.

“He did it,” Harper whispered. A proud smile spread across her face, and she felt the sting of a tear in her eye. She took a deep breath, flicking it away. “Dang it, Harper, they’ve made you soft.”

“How’s that?” the driver demanded.

“Nothing,” she answered sharply.

She had learned so much about Oakleigh throughout her short stay. Her daughter had become such a strong, capable, and courageous woman.

Maybe she’s always been that way, and I missed it.

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