Page 76 of Always My Love

She told him everything. For once in her life, she didn’t hold anything back, much like the conversation she’d had with Hailey the night before.

It felt good. It felt right.

She felt complete.

After breakfast, she watched some television and then napped.

By midday, she was bored and so ready for a walk. Lucy was whining and obviously missing Blue.

Hailey and Reece showed up just before lunch with a pizza. Nick took that time to run to get Blue from the vet.

When he came back, he informed her that the vet had also neutered Blue while he was there. Blue did not look happy. He had a cone around his head so he wouldn’t bother the stitches on his ear and private parts.

Harper held the dog to her side and thanked him for saving her. There was a small chunk missing from his right ear.

All in all, the dog had weathered the storm worse than she had. Still, after seeing her, Blue became bouncy and full of life again.

“They need a walk,” Nick said after Reece and Hailey left.

“I want one too.” She stood to put on her shoes and jacket.

She watched Nick open his mouth to argue, but then he sighed and nodded. “A short one.”

“We can take them to the beach,” she said. “Then I can sit and watch them run.”

Nick nodded and helped her slip on her coat.

They walked hand in hand, Nick holding the leashes in his other hand.

Harper noticed Blue didn’t tug as much as he had the day before.

When they passed the street area before the beach, she stilled.

“The van,” she whispered, remembering the white cargo van.

“What?” Nick asked, turning towards her.

“There was a white cargo van parked there yesterday when we passed by.” She motioned to the spot. “It had to be him.”

“White cargo van.” Nick nodded. “Any other details you can tell me? If it was him, we can keep an eye out for it.”

She thought back. “It had a worn sticker in the back right window. There was a dent in the left back side.” She shrugged. “Maybe out-of-state plates?” She shrugged. “They were orange looking.”

Nick nodded and pulled out his phone after they stepped onto the beach and he’d unhooked the dogs. While he called and relayed this information to Tom, the dogs raced to the water and down the beach to find a stick.

Harper sat in the sand while Nick paced and talked on the phone.

When he was done, he sat next to her.

“They’re pulling the video from the hospital’s parking lot to confirm the vehicle,” he told her as he took her hand.

They sat in silence for a few moments before she turned to him.

“I’m going to move in with you,” she said with a smile.

Nick smiled and then hugged her.

“Officially, after you catch Fred,” she added. Nick nodded in agreement. “When I know that Hailey is safe.”