Page 136 of Relentless

“You remind me of someone,” she considered, thinking now of her last conversation with Clara. “Someone I need to get coffee with as soon as I get home.”

Before Audrey could stammer a response, a white Jeep flashed by the large shop window and pulled into the church parking lot.

“If you don’t mind,” Harper interrupted, pulling two large cardboard carafes off the countertop. She was thankful for the first time that she didn’t have the burden of acrylic nails. “I’ll drop these off for you.”

Without another word, she backed her way out of the coffee shop, the door jingling as it opened and closed behind her. She lifted the heavy carafe, gesturing to the impatient driver to keep waiting. Glancing both ways on the empty Main Street, she muttered a quick prayer that she wouldn’t slip on a slick patch of ice.

Going up the steep steps to the front of the church, she paused at the large double doors, taking a moment to catch her breath.

She hooked a finger through the iron pull, which was undoubtedly another aesthetically pleasing choice in Oakleigh’s design vision. Heaving the heavy wooden door wide open, she slipped into the dark, quiet sanctuary.

Oakleigh was already inside, setting up the table and ensuring everything was in its proper place.

“It’s about time, Audrey,” she scolded.

Turning around, her eyes went wide as she took a quick second glance.

“Mom, seriously,” she gasped, bringing her hand to her chest. “You’ve got to stop doing this.”

Harper suppressed the smile over her daughter’s theatrics, setting the heavy carafes on the long table.

Oakleigh crossed her arms as though reinforcing her strong armor. “I thought you left?”

“I did,” Harper replied. “I just thought I’d stop for one last cup of coffee.”

“Okay,” Oakleigh shrugged, diverting her attention back to her work. “Have a good flight.”

Harper knew she had a choice to make.

“Oakleigh, I don’t know how to say this,” she began, “And I’m not really good at any of it.”

She cleared her throat, praying that her voice would stop shaking. “My parents, well —” she paused. “They weren’t good at it either, I know that’s not an excuse.”

She was rambling now.

Her gaze flicked to the beams across the ceiling, and she took a sip of air with frail hopes of steadying her nerves.

“Mom,” Oakleigh interrupted, her eyes glossing over with tears as she nodded. “It’s okay — I know.”

Harper choked back her emotion as she considered.

Maeve had chosen her peace, but had diligently prayed for her all those years.

And Oakleigh.

Despite all the hurt she had caused, her daughter had still earnestly brought her before the Lord — and it hadnotbeen for nothing.

He had heard them.

And his pursuit of her had beenrelentless.

Unshackled from her painful memories, she was finally able to love and accept that she was forgiven.

Harper was free.

“I should have told you this a long time ago, and I’m so sorry I didn’t, Oakleigh.” She allowed her strong walls tocollapse around her as she stepped across the empty church entryway. Ignoring her daughter’s wide-eyed look of surprise, she did something she had never done before.

Harper wrapped her arms around Oakleigh, and pulled her into a tight hug.

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