Page 49 of Relentless

Harper’s nose crinkled.

“Hideous color,” she flippantly remarked. “But I suppose it’s better thannothing.”

Oakleigh felt each sharp word pierce her armor. She steadied her voice as she zipped up her cosmetic bag. “If you’d like to join me at the shop, I’ll be leaving in an hour.”

Without another word, Oakleigh swept out of the room. Arriving in the safety of the hallway, she leaned her head on the doorframe and closed her eyes.

You did the right thing, Oaks. That’s what matters.

Chapter 15

Big Deal

Harper patted her face dry with a fluffy white towel she had found stacked in the bathroom. There was a pink sticky note on top that read —

I brought you the good towels.

Let me know if you need anything else.

— Oakleigh

She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the clean white aesthetic had been Oakleigh’s contribution to the rustic country home.

Relishing the soft comforts of the fine linens, she hated that she felt grateful for the kind gesture. She glanced down at her nails, and had to admit the color wasn’t as horrendous as she had implied. It was odd to be free of the acrylics she had worn for decades, but there was also a surprising sense of freedom.

Taking the tube of foundation from her makeup case, she squeezed a dab into her palm, and patted it onto her skin with afoam beauty blender. She was already feeling like herself again as she whisked mascara onto her eyelashes. It was the bare minimum to her usual daily routine. Gone were the days of personal makeup artists who would meet her every morning for a crisp new look. The sense of loss brought to mind Oakleigh’s role in sending the Davenport Ministries bank account plummeting into the red.

Crumpling up Oakleigh’skind gesture,she tossed it into the little garbage can.

Harper leaned her palms on the countertop in the oppressively silent bathroom. Her thoughts were louder than ever that day, and the walls felt like they were closing in around her. She ran her hands over her designer jeans, giving her outfit one last glance in the mirror. Her only compromise for the cold weather was pulling on the hideous heavy winter jacket over her delicate white top.

She decided that any offer that would get her out of the stifling ranch house was worth whatever hardships or inconveniences she would have to endure. Leaving her room, she went down the hall and descended the stairs.

Rounding the corner, she caught Maeve and Oakleigh on their way out the door.

“I’m going to take you up on your offer after all,” Harper announced.

Maeve looked to Oakleigh, who returned a half-hearted nod.

“Sure, Harp,” Maeve replied, visibly ignoring Harper’s cringe at her childhood nickname. “There’s plenty of room in the truck.”

“Actually,” Oakleigh interjected, “I’ll be driving.”

Maeve rolled her eyes as she slipped on her aviator sunglasses. “You get in one little accident, and they think they’ve got to pack you in bubble wrap.”

Harper saw her opportunity and seized it.

“Really, Maeve,” she scolded. “Why is everything an argument with you?” The astonishment that crossed her sister’s face fueled her. “Oakleigh, I trust your judgment,” Harper continued, striding past them outside into the biting cold. “I’ll ride with you.”

“Harper,” Maeve called after her. “You’re going to freeze.”

“I might,” Harper flung over her shoulder. She closed her eyes and inhaled the frigid mountain air deeply into her lungs, determined not to react to them turning to ice in her chest. “But at least I’ll look good doing it.”

The glacial wind pierced through her designer jeans, and Harper began to regret every life decision that had led her to that moment.

It was a relief when she climbed into the passenger seat of the Jeep, which was a tinge warmer than the outside air. Confident that the place was usually reserved for Maeve, she could handle any amount of discomfort when it came to bringing her smug sister down a peg.

Maeve didn’t say a word as she quietly took a seat in the back. Pulling off her gray beanie hat, she ran her fingers through her wavy brown hair.

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