Page 28 of Relentless

Much to her dismay, the peaceful moment was shattered by the sound of a phone call.

Her eyebrows pulled together with concern when she saw the Deputy Sheriff’s name cross the center console screen.

“What could Angus be needing at this time of day?” Dallas asked.

Maeve shrugged casually, but her mind turned to every possible worst-case scenario. Steeling her nerves, she tapped the green button on the screen to answer the call.

“Hey, Angus,” Maeve answered.

“It’s Harry,” his voice boomed through the speakers, “Sorry to bother you, Maeve. I know you’re on your honeymoon and all.”

“What’s up?” Maeve tried to keep her voice from shaking while her mind continued to shuffle through everything that could have gone wrong at the ranch in her absence.

“I have a woman here at the airport,” Harry quietly disclosed. “Terrible, ornery thing. I mean, really, Maeve. I thought you were difficult, but she is —”

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Get to it, Harry.”

“Well, she claims,” he recounted cautiously, “—that she’s yoursister.”

Maeve’s mouth gaped as she exchanged a glance with Dallas. “What does she look like?”

“Oh, “ Harry calculated. “Blonde, skinny as a rake. Tongue sharp as razor wire.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she exhaled. Maeve pulled her fingers across her brow and dragged them down her chin. It was almost incredible how Harper had a knack for showing up at the worst possible times.

“Hang on just a minute, Harry,” Dallas hitmuteand gave her hand a squeeze. “Talk to me.”

Maeve took a moment to process her next steps.

“I guess I have to get to the airport,” she resigned.

“You really think it’s Harper?” Dallas ventured.

Maeve gave him a long glance. “I know it’s Harper.”

“Well then, we better get going,” he concluded. Flipping the left blinker, he promptly turned the steering wheel.

Maeve was overwhelmed with gratitude for the man beside her. Dallas was not only a constant partner but also a willing participant in the dumpster fire undoubtedly about to unfold.

“Dal, stop,” she said, placing her hand on his forearm. Maeve wished more than anything to let him take the lead with her problematic family, but this was her burden to bear.

“I could use you here,” she insisted, “— to make sure Colton and Wade don’t get themselves in trouble.”

And keep you out of Harper’s crosshairs.

His eyes connected with hers.

“You really want me out of this?”

She nodded, knowing without a doubt he saw right through her flimsy facade. “I need you here.”

While Dallas drove the truck back to the inn, Maeve unmuted the phone call with Harry and let him know she was on her way.

Dallas parked and went around to the passenger side, dropping the key fob in Maeve’s open palm. Putting his hands around her waist, he pulled her into one last tight hug. Having to leave the safety of being tucked away in his arms felt nearly unbearable. Holding her close, he whispered a prayer over her and the journey ahead.

She climbed into the driver’s seat and pressed the ignition. Steering the truck onto the highway, she caught one lastglimpse of Dallas in her rearview mirror. How she yearned to call Harry back and let him know Harper was on her own.

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