Page 34 of Always My Love

ChapterEleven

When she walked into work the next day, the last thing Harper expected was getting cheered for. Everyone in the restaurant—employees and customers alike—stood up and clapped when they noticed her.

She felt her face heat as she quickly ducked behind the bar. Then she saw the flowers with her name on them and melted.

Reading the card, she smiled and then laughed.

“Thinking of you today. You’re my hero. –Nick”

She knew he had the day off. When she’d left him and Blue that morning to go home to shower and change into her work clothes, the pair had been heading to the beach for a long walk.

“So, who are those from?” Connie asked. Connie was another bartender. The woman had hired Harper and was easily the nicest person to work under Harper had ever had.

“None of your business,” Harper joked, tucking the flowers under the bar.

“Honey, it’s a small town.” Connie smiled. “Everyone knows they’re from Nick.”

“Yeah, I figured.” Harper laughed. “Still, it was worth a shot. You know, keeping my love life a secret.”

“Not in Pride. Nothing stays a secret for long. Hey, did you hear your little heroics made national news?”

Harper’s heart felt like it stopped beating for a full ten seconds. “What?”

“That report was aired on the big networks first thing this morning. They’re calling the pair of you true heroes,” Connie said, then she went to fill someone’s order.

Harper wanted to run. To hide. To shout. To punch something. Instead, she put her fears aside and got to work since the lunch rush was just starting.

During her first break, she called her sister.

“That report when national,” she said when Hailey answered her phone.

“It did?” Hailey sounded excited at first, then asked. “Do you think he saw it?”

“I don’t want to take any chances. From now on, we stick close. I won’t spend any more nights at Nick’s away from you,” Harper said, feeling a little sad. She’d really enjoyed the past two nights lying in Nick’s arms. Waking up to him beside her.

“Don’t put your life on hold because you’re afraid for me,” Hailey said firmly. “I can take care of myself now.”

“No, you can’t,” Harper hissed.

“Yes, I can. I’m… I’m signing up to take self-defense and boxing lessons from Reece.”

Harper’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Reece Crawford?”

“Yes,” Hailey answered happily. “I just talked to him earlier today. He’s agreed to teach me how to box.”

Harper felt a little better knowing her sister might be able to protect herself. Still, she knew that what was coming for them wouldn’t hesitate, while Hailey would. She always had. Her sister froze when things turned… crazy. It was the number one reason Harper had always looked out for her little sister.

One of the reasons she hadn’t paused when jumping in to help the kids escape the school bus. Her first instincts were to help. To protect those who couldn’t. To fight whatever evil was hunting its prey.

And Harper and Hailey had been the prey.

“I don’t like it,” Harper finally said. “Still, I think it’s a good thing you learn some self-defense,” she admitted. “But neither of us are left alone from here on. We should ride to work together…”

Hailey’s groan stopped her. “This is Pride. I can’t sneeze without someone we know saying bless you.” Hailey was quiet for a moment. “What have you told Nick?”

“Not…” Someone came out of the back door of the restaurant and lit a cigarette. “Not everything. I have to get back to work,” she said quickly. “I’ll be home tonight.”

“Okay.” She waited. “Harper, he’s not coming for us.”