"That sounds amazing," Harper said. "Nathan?"
"Count me in," he replied, squeezing her hand. "I'd love to meet your colleagues, especially under the new, better circumstances."
Lydia rose from the couch, smoothing her skirt. "I won't keep you from your day any longer. I needed you to understand how sorry I am about everything that happened," Lydia said, her expression earnest. "No employee should ever face that kind of treatment, and I feel terrible I didn't catch it sooner."
"Thank you," Harper murmured, touched by her manager's genuine concern. Reyna purred contentedly inside her, appreciating Lydia's protective instincts.
"Have a wonderful weekend, both of you." Lydia's professional demeanor returned as she headed for the door. "I'll see you Monday, Harper."
Nathan opened the door for Lydia while Harper stood beside him. They watched as she strode to her car, her heels clicking against the driveway. As Lydia pulled away, Harper felt the last remnants of tension from the past weeks dissolve. She had allies at work now - people who would stand up for her if she needed them.
Chapter 29
Nathan turned backfrom the door, his eyes lighting up as he glanced at the picnic basket. "Well, shall we get Jill and continue with our plans? I think we could all use some fresh air and sunshine after that conversation."
Harper's spirits lifted at the mention of the jackalope. "Yes, let's!"
Nathan led the way into the backyard, heading toward Jill's enclosure. But when Nathan opened the gate and called her, the little jackalope huddled inside her hutch, refusing to budge.
"Come on, sweetie," Nathan coaxed. "Want to go on an adventure with us?"
Reyna stirred inside Harper, her presence becoming more alert.Our kit is frightened,Reyna whispered in Harper's mind.
Harper blinked in surprise. "Wait, you can sense what she's feeling?"
Of course,Reyna replied.
"Can you actually communicate with her?" Harper asked, fascinated by this new development. She'd never considered that Reyna might be able to connect with other animals.
Impressions. Feelings.
Can she understand you?
There was a moment's pause as Reyna considered.I don't know.
Nathan looked between Harper and the hutch. "What is it?"
"Reyna says she can communicate with Jill." Harper knelt beside the hutch's entrance. "Can you tell her we want to take her on an outing? That we're going somewhere fun?"
There was a pause as Reyna reached out to the little jackalope.She understands what you intend,Reyna confirmed,but she feels fear.
Harper relayed this to Nathan, who frowned with concern at his unusual pet.
"That's strange - she wasn't afraid when I took her to the vet clinic after finding her injured. She seemed to understand I wanted to help her."
Clinic safe,Reyna told them.Outside not safe. The woods not safe.
"She's okay with the clinic, but she's terrified of being outside in general," Harper explained to Nathan. "In the woods."
Nathan crouched next to the hutch, his expression softening. "Poor girl. I wonder if it's because she's a jackalope - maybe she's naturally afraid of being seen by humans. Or..." He trailed off.
"Or she's traumatized from whatever attacked her before you found her," Harper finished quietly.
Nathan nodded. "Either way, we shouldn't force her. " He gently stood up. "I'd rather she feel safe."
Harper's heart warmed at his sensitivity.
Harper touched Nathan's arm gently. "When we get back from our hike, we can bring her inside with us. Load her up with love and attention."
