Page 69 of Seeing Harper

“She did. And still does.”

“I tell you what. I don’t have the number at my fingertips, but give me yours and let me see what I can find out for you.”

“I’d really appreciate that.”

“If he’s still breathing and we can get him back to you, I’m sure he will, too. He loved that little girl. If my wife hadn’t been so attached, I’d have given him to her back then. Give me a couple of days and you’ll hear from me.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Let me see what I can find out first.”

~~~

Harper sat back and gently pushed the now empty dessert plate a few inches away from her. “That was my second Napoleon. And I ate three Crème Brûlée. I ate too much.”

“In your defense, the Crème Brûlée is a very small portion. And how does anyone eat here and not eat too much?”

“I’m not the one with that answer,” she said.

“You ready for the piano bar?” Joel asked.

Harper looked at Joel with a soft whimper. “I’m so tired.”

“I know. The piano bar was just a tease anyway. I know you need to get some rest.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Joel smiled at her. “What time am I picking you up for the trade show tomorrow? I was thinking about 7:15. It gives us time to grab a bite here before driving over.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can catch a ride share or something.”

“I’ve told you I’m not going to be the one calling your dad to report you missing because I didn’t pick you up and escort you around. And by the way, I already shot him a text to let him know I met you at the airport and drove you to the hotel.”

“Thank you for letting him know. I’m sure he has no doubt where I am, though,” she said, as she reached for her purse and started digging for her phone.

Joel watched as a crease formed between her brows. “Something missing?”

“No, I must have dropped it into my carry on.”

“Dropped what into your carry on?” Joel asked.

“My phone.”

“I’m sure you did. You had it when you got out of the car.”

“That’s probably what I did, then.”

“You have your key card?”

“Yes, I do. And Henry was going to leave the spare at the front desk. I’ll pick it up on the way to my room,” she said with a yawn.

“We better pick it up. You never know who might drop by unexpectedly with that extra card if you don’t have in your possession. Unless of course, you’d like a visitor.”

“That wouldn’t be wise. I’m the type to shoot and ask questions later.”

“Self-defense kind of woman,” he said with a chuckle.

Harper didn’t laugh. Instead she just watched him expressionlessly.