Page 61 of Relentless

Oakleigh considered Bethany’s request. The timing wasn’t ideal, yet she had no doubt that her presence would lift the injured cowboy’s spirits. She couldn’t deny that they all could use a dose of Bethany’s positivity.

Oakleigh — typing…

Sure. You’re always welcome.

She tapped send while rounding the corner into the kitchen. Looking up from her screen, she felt a jolt of dismay as her eyes landed on her mother perched at the island, tapping her fingers impatiently on the marble countertop.

“Now that you’re back,” Harper announced. “I think it’s time for us to finish our littlediscussion.”

Chapter 18

For What It’s Worth

Harper had been seething for the better part of the afternoon. The heated exchange with Oakleigh had put her on edge, and she was determined to have the final word, no matter the cost to their already fractured relationship.

She was starting to understand the rhythm of the household by now. Like clockwork, Oakleigh began brewing a pot of coffee on the stove. It was perfect timing in Harper’s estimation because she happened to be brewing for an argument.

Oakleigh’s movements around the kitchen were punctuated by the slamming of cabinets and the loud clangs of ceramic mugs on the marble countertop. Oakleigh filled the stovetop percolator with water, turned on the fire, and poured in a heaping cup of coffee grounds. While waiting for the coffee to perk, she leaned against the counter and crossed her arms as though she was determined to endure their time together in penetrating silence.

“Do you have something you’d like to say to me, Oakleigh?” Harper spoke up, boldly shattering through the thick tension.

“This might come as a surprise, Mom,” Oakleigh said quietly. “But not everything is aboutyou.”

Harper rolled her eyes, shaking her head with disappointment. “Oh, I saw you helping that terrible man up the stairs,” she remarked coldly. “Serves him right if you ask me.”

“ — for the life of me, Oakleigh,” her voice went high, giving a dismissive wave of her hand. “I cannot fathom why you would lift a finger for the likes of him.”

Oakleigh quietly spun the empty mug. Her eyes flicked to the ceiling as though she were holding back a flood of unspoken thoughts.

“Because he’s family, Mom,” she finally said. “That’s why.”

The coffee on the stove began to bubble. Oakleigh lifted the handle of the heavy percolator and poured the boiling hot brew into the mugs. Filling the last one to the brim, she set the cup of coffee in front of her mother.

The kindness of the gesture gave Harper pause, but only for a moment.

“I don’t know why you choose to live like this,” she needled. Pulling the mug to her lips, she took a long drink of the strong, bitter coffee. “You could be on a beach right now withPaisley.”

Harper knew precisely what she was doing. Knowing every weakness in Oakleigh, she intended to exploit each one until her stubborn daughter gave up the fight.

At the mention of her sister’s name, Oakleigh aggressively yanked open the fridge. Retrieving the carton of cream, sheslammed it down beside her mug, causing little white droplets of milk to rain onto the marble countertop.

“What do you want from me?” Oakleigh pleaded, her eyes glossed over with unshed tears.

Harper couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed by her daughter’s poise. By now, she had expected Oakleigh to be flinging harsh insults at the top of her lungs and at least one ceramic mug to be the unfortunate collateral damage of her daughter’s volatile temper.

“What do I want from you?” Harper echoed, tilting her head as she considered the question, knowing she had Oakleigh on the ropes. “I want you to live up to your full potential, Oakleigh,” she announced. “You’re a Davenport, not —” Harper raised her hand, encompassing the entirety of the ranch house around them, “whateverthisis.”

Oakleigh leaned her palms on the countertop.

“You sent me here, remember?”

Against all of her willpower, Harper erupted. “To teach you a lesson!” her voice strained. “And apparently, it backfired because you’re becoming just likeher.”

“Say her name,” Oakleigh stated with an icy tone.

Harper’s jaw ticked, seeing her advantage slipping.

“She broke your grandmother’s heart, Oakleigh,” Harper fumed, rehashing the narrativesheherself had created. “She didn’t want anything to do with us, withyou. She didn’t even care that you existed until—”

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