Page 85 of Relentless

“We’llget there,” Maeve promised, giving her a reassuring glance. “Now let’s get in there and figure this mess out together.”

Maeve pushed open the door with a loud jingle. The moment she walked into the coffee shop, she was met with Harper’s annoyed glare. As much as she felt like confronting her sister for throwing gasoline on the fire at Oakleigh’s expense, there were other urgent matters.

Even though the new generator was running at full capacity, the shop was far from warm. The shivering customers wereclutching their coffees in an attempt to salvage their dwindling body heat.

Audrey looked utterly defeated as she continued to tirelessly fill cups.

“Time for you to take a break,” Maeve ordered. Putting her arm around Audrey, she gave her a squeeze. “We’ll take it from here.”

The young woman’s eyes filled with grateful tears.

Maeve took charge, gesturing for Oakleigh to step behind the counter as Crew began to fill empty cups.

“Coffee is on the house,” Oakleigh cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting over the bustle of clanking mugs and chattering teeth.

Harper shuffled over, leaning her elbows on the counter that was already lacking space.

“You need to be more firm with your staff, Maeve,” she exclaimed. “This is really unacceptable.”

“We treat our employees like humans around here, Harp,” Maeve informed, taking back her authority.

“Oh, Maeve, don’t be so sentimental,” Harper said with a sweep of her hand. “This is business, right, Oakleigh?” Her voice held a tinge of pride. “She gets that from me.”

Oakleigh quietly ignored her.

Harper’s eyes narrowed as she tilted her head. “Oakleigh, you and I are so alike,” she shrugged. “You just need some ocean air and arealaudience again — you’ll be back to your old self in no time.”

Oakleigh turned on her heels.

“I want you to get this through your head, Mom.”

“Oakleigh—” Maeve interrupted loudly. Giving her a stern glance, she nodded at the crowd of engaged followers pulling out their phones with their stiff fingers.

“I don’t think this is how you want to go viral again, hun.”

Maeve pulled out her own phone from the pocket of her snow pants, and bit the tip of her glove to free her fingers.

Maeve — typing…

Dal, we have a problem.

Her phone rang in her hands, and she felt a wave of relief at the sight of his name crossing her screen.

“Maeve, are you okay?” Dallas asked, a touch of panic in his tone.

“There’s a fair amount of people stranded in town,” she explained, knowing she would have to fill him in later about Oakleigh’s catastrophic negligence.

“ — And the power’s out.”

“I’m at the ranch, and we just got Peaches unloaded,” Dallas replied. “I’m headed your way, hold tight.”

She closed her eyes, and clutched her phone to her chest.

He’s safe.

She stuffed the phone back in her pocket, and picked up a tray loaded with full cups of coffee. Turning to Harper, she placed it into her surprised hands.

“Make sure everyone gets one.”

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