Page 87 of Relentless

In the flurry, she had almost forgotten that she was now the pastor’s wife. Looping her arm through his, they welcomed their shivering visitors to the unofficial grand opening of White Bridge Community Church.

A young woman in a thin hoodie sweatshirt with a face tattoo, took out her phone for a selfie with Maeve and Dallas.

“T-thank y-you, M-Maeve,” she said through chattering teeth. “Y-you’re j-just as n-nice as Oak-Oakleigh says you are.”

“Get in and get warm,” Maeve entreated, ushering her inside.

Standing on her tiptoes, she searched for Oakleigh through the sea of faces. She finally found her standing in the back, leaning her head on Crew’s shoulder. Maeve unclasped her hand from Dallas’ and went to Oakleigh, pulling her into a side hug.

“Youdid this, Oakleigh,” she echoed.

“The Lord did this,” Oakleigh nodded, her eyes filling again with tears, but this time they were grateful ones.

The lodgers took their places in the pews, finding their places to sleep for the night. Maeve called her family together to discuss the logistics of serving hot coffee and cinnamon rolls in the morning.

“You’re going to let them eat here too?” Harper scoffed. Before she could utter another calloused word, she was distracted by an incoming phone call. Hardly anyone noticed when she stepped away from the group.

When Maeve had finished giving instructions, she searched the room for any last-minute needs. Her eyes landed on Harper, who was now standing up the aisle. Her sister appeared suddenly ashen, as though she were going to be sick. Maevecouldn’t help but consider the irony after her fit about preserving the hardwood floors.

“Harper?” she called, heading toward her up the aisle.

Before she could reach her, Harper pushed open the heavy doors of the church and disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter 24

Outcast

Harper’s heart was beating so fast that she didn’t notice the icy air hitting her skin, and none seemed to reach her lungs. She stepped into the shadows and turned up the volume on her phone.

“Shep, say that again?” she said quickly.

With all the noisy racket inside the church, she convinced herself she had heard him wrong.

“You’d never believe the mess Oakleigh’s gotten herself into,” she paused. “Then again, maybe you would.”

“Oh, you need me to repeat it?” he sneered.

As usual, he entirely ignored any details about Oakleigh.

“With pleasure,” Shep continued, his voice dripping with disdain. “I’ll shout it from the rooftops if you’d like.”

“Shep, just get to the point,” she fumed, holding the speaker close to her lips.

It took everything within her to restrain the quiver of disdain in her voice. “I need to schedule my hair and makeup before we make the big announcement.” She glanced downat the pink nail polish Oakleigh had applied, which was now beginning to chip away. “And nails, of course, can’t forget that.”

“I’m — Divorcing — You.”

She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“We’re not doing this again.”

Shep’s voice grew serious. “I’ve found a woman who really respects me.”

“Oh yes, another bimbo,” Harper scoffed, incredulous to have to go over all of it again. “Hopefully, she’s older than Oakleigh this time.”

Harper pivoted back to the matter at hand.

“Send the jet, Shep,” she ordered. “Whether we like it or not, we’re in this for good.”

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