Page 135 of Relentless

No matter how much she tried to push it aside, Harper felt the ache of longing in her chest.

“How could I have missed it?” she whispered.

It felt like yesterday that Oakleigh had been a child. Harper remembered her pride in holding her beautiful baby girl. Her bright hazel eyes looked at her with unwavering trust and adoration — simply because she was her mother.

Harper focused her gaze out the window at the white countryside whirring past, holding back the sorrow warring against her sturdy walls. She was grateful that Maeve had revived the fire in her daughter’s heart after she had doused it so thoroughly.

Maeve had been so generous — even after all she had said and done that had caused so much hurt.

Harper felt the guilt consuming her as she uttered a desperate prayer.

Help me unravel this mess.

Her eyes caught the sign for White Bridge, causing her heartbeat to quicken.

“Driver, I think I’d like some coffee,” she announced, steadying her shaking voice. “Turn off here.”

“Your flight, ma’am?” he said.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your concern,” she snapped.

“This is the last time I pick up aone star,”he grumbled, pulling the car off the highway. As they crossed the bridge,the white church steeple appeared through the bare trees like a beacon to the lost.

Main Street was still empty, but there would be crowds that day now that the weather was a touch warmer.

The driver parked in front of Ruth’s Coffee Shop.

Even though there was a closed sign in the window, Harper knew they would be busy preparing for Sunday service. She pushed open the passenger door, and stepped out onto the icy pavement. Catching a glimpse of herself again in the reflection of the large storefront window, she ran her fingers across her delicate white blouse.

She gave the door handle a little shake.

It was locked.

Rapping her knuckles on the glass, she caught Audrey’s attention.

“Sorry, we’re closed,” Audrey announced, her voice muffled through the locked door. Recognition hit, and her eyes went wide with a touch of fear. She quickly came to the door and unlocked it, pulling it open with a loud jingle.

“Mrs. Davenport, I’m so sorry.”

“Is Oakleigh here?” Harper asked, glancing around at the empty shop.

“Not yet, ma’am — I mean,” Audrey corrected nervously. “Sorry.”

“I’m used to it,” Harper replied, stifling her annoyance. “I don’t suppose I can geta coffee?”

“No problem at all,” Audrey said, going straight to work to fill a travel cup with fresh, steaming hot brew.

She set it down on the counter.

When Harper reached for it, Audrey pulled it back from her grasp.

Pursing her lips, Harper raised a sharp eyebrow. “Is there something wrong, Audrey?”

The young barista steadied herself with a fortifying breath. “I don’t like being bullied by you,” she declared, her words strung together as though she had been practicing all morning. Her confidence noticeably evaporated as quickly as it arrived. “I’m sorry, here’s your coffee.”

Harper smirked as she took the cup and pulled it to her lips. “Good for you, kid.”

Taking a long sip, the coffee was just as good as she had hoped it would be.

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