Page 57 of Relentless

She knew that doing the right thing would come at an unspeakably high cost to her peace.

“Harper, wait.”

Maeve slipped out of the pew and followed her up the aisle. “You’re free to go if you’d like,” she informed, “but no one getsthrown outof Callaway Ranch.”

“Is that another one of Oakleigh’s rules,” Harper scoffed. “Or one ofSaintMaeve’s divine edicts?”

“Neither,” Maeve replied as she propped the door open and allowed the light to pour into the darkened sanctuary. “That one was Ruth’s.”

Chapter 17

Poke the Bear

Oakleigh had already planned everything she wanted to say to her mother, intending to unload every ounce of her frustration. To her relief, Maeve climbed into the Jeep beside her before Harper could take her seat, no doubt an intentional move to keep the peace. Harper took her place in the back, where she folded her arms and scowled, looking away out the window.

Snowflakes softly pattered the windshield as they pulled up to the ranch house. The wheels of the Jeep had hardly come to a complete stop before Harper stepped out and headed straight for the front door. Her arms were folded close to her chest, clearly fighting for her life in the cold weather.

Oakleigh bounded up the porch steps. Hooking her arm through Maeve’s, she pulled her to a stop in the entryway.

“She’s gone, right?” Oakleigh pleaded, lowering her voice to a desperate whisper. “Tell me she’s leaving today.”

Maeve put her hands on her hips and glanced down at her feet like she was preparing to break some terrible news. “Italked to her this afternoon, and —” she paused momentarily as though collecting the required confidence.

“She’s staying.”

“You can’t be serious, Maeve,” Oakleigh snapped, her volume rising. Clenching her fists tightly, she felt the urge to pound it into the nearest wall.

“Oakleigh, lower your voice — please.” Maeve calmly requested, putting her hands up as though she were creating a barrier between Oakleigh and her mother.

Harper casually looked up from the sofa where she was scrolling her phone. “You know I can hear you, Oakleigh,” she commented, glancing over her screen.

“Good!” Oakleigh shouted, seeing red as she dared to push past Maeve. “Then I’ve got a few more things to say.”

“Oakleigh, stop,” Maeve implored, reaching for Oakleigh’s arm in a last-ditch effort to bring peace to the increasingly volatile situation.

It was too late.

Oakleigh pulled herself free.

Storming into the living room, she towered over her mother, ready to unleash a lifetime of unresolved resentment.

“Don’t you ever talk to my boyfriend again,” Oakleigh threatened. “Or me, for that matter — I’m done with you,do you hear me?”

“Really, Oakleigh,” Harper deflected with false tranquility. “For the life of me, I don’t knowwhyyou’re so upset.”

“Oh, you’re about to hear why,” Oakleigh exclaimed, knowing she was simply feeding into her mother’s calculated manipulation. Before she could utter another word, the front door opened and slammed shut, shuddering the walls of the living room.

Sawyer swept in, his cheeks red from the biting cold. He was out of breath and visibly flustered.

“Mom, I’ve been calling you,” he fumed.

“I’m sorry, Sawyer, I’ve been dealing with this!” Maeve’s exasperation had reached its peak as she motioned to the battle unfolding in the living room.

“First Oakleigh’s nonsense and nowher,”he barked through clenched teeth. “We have serious problems here, and you’re letting these idiots distract you.”

Maeve’s eyes narrowed.

“Sawyer.”

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