Page 137 of Relentless

“I am so proud of the woman you’ve become. I love you.”

Harper’s voice shook as she held her daughter close for the first time since she was a child. She felt Oakleigh bury her head in her shoulder, her tears dampening her delicate white top.

“Thank you, Mom,” Oakleigh whispered. “I love you too.”

Chapter 37

Six Months Later

After months of sorting through endless swaths of fabric, comparing flower petals, and promoting the date to her fans and followers —

Herday had finally arrived.

Oakleigh could have realistically planned the elaborate wedding in just a few short weeks, but she found herself inundated with her new role around the ranch. The delay had turned out to be a blessing.

It had been a struggle to bring all her loved ones together, even for the sake of her special day.

Paisley had her reasons.

“I’m sorry, Oaks. I cannot under any

circumstances, be in the same room as

that woman.”

Oakleigh understood her feelings on the matter, more than she ever wanted to admit.

The dust had settled since her mother had left White Bridge. She had spent many early morning coffee talks with Maeve, discussing her complex feelings. As always, Maeve patiently listened, offering advice only when she was asked. Finally, one day — she spoke up.

“Why don’t you send your mom a letter?”

“Like in the mail?” Oakleigh asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

“Yes, Oakleigh,” Maeve sighed, thumbing the handle of her coffee mug. “In the mail.”

Oakleigh ordered a pad of flowery, pink stationary paper and a pen. Jotting down a quick letter, she addressed the envelope to her mother’s brand new beachside condo —which had been paid for entirely in the divorce settlement with Shepard Davenport.

Oakleigh wasn’t sure what she was hoping for, uncertain if she would even receive a response.

Much to her surprise, a letter soon arrived in the mail.

Her mother’s penmanship was perfectly scrawled across the beautiful floral pages. Her words were muted, yet hopeful for continued dialogue.

Oakleigh wrote again and received yet another letter in reply.

Each time, her mother’s handwriting showed less perfection. It began with an occasional word dipping under the line here, and then a crossed-out word there. Slowly but surely, sheopened up about her past. Soon, entire sentences began to be scribbled out, and she was seemingly unbothered at all to start over with a fresh page.

When her mother got to the part about her own parents, and finally Shep, she followed up some of her harsh statements with —

“I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

Reading the unvarnished truth made her laugh, weep, and consider what had shaped Harper Davenport — and what had ultimately created Oakleigh. When it came to Harper’s own life choices, Oakleigh expected the weak excuses to begin filling up the pages.

Yet, there were none.

Only apologies.

Eventually, she opened up to Oakleigh about her relationship with the Lord, and how he had met her at her lowest point.

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