Page 68 of Always My Love

Nick leaned on the counter towards him. “What has Hailey told you?”

Reece shrugged. “That this guy was dating their mother before she passed. That he was abusive and now he’s stalking them.”

Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s not my story to tell,” he said, just as the toast popped up.

He pulled out the Nutella and set it and the toast on a plate. He poured a large glass of orange juice and set a seltzer next to it, then added a handful of grapes on the side. He had just picked up the tray when the doorbell rang.

“That’ll be Dr. Stevens. Let him in. I’m taking this up to Harper.”

Reece walked over and opened the door as Nick climbed the stairs.

He heard Reece greet Dr. Stevens and knew that Harper would have to agree to see the man before he’d let him upstairs.

He knocked on the closed bedroom door.

“Come in,” Hailey answered.

Harper was lying on the bed, her sister sitting beside her.

“I brought you some toast.” He set the tray down. “Dr. Stevens is here…”

“I don’t need a doctor,” Harper said quickly.

“I know, but still, it would make me feel better if he took a look at that.” He motioned to the side of her head. “You know, clean it up. In case I missed some dirt or sand.”

Hailey took Harper’s hand and nodded. “Just let him look you over. For Nick’s peace of mind.” She smiled at her sister.

Harper nodded. “Fine.” She motioned to the food. “Bring that here.”

He took the tray and set it on the bed next to her.

She opened the seltzer and took a drink. “Thanks,” she said, meeting his eyes.

He turned to Hailey. “How much do you want Reece to know?” he asked her.

Hailey frowned and then crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll tell him everything myself. For now, just… tell him that Fred attacked Harper tonight.”

He nodded and then left.

He shook Dr. Aaron Stevens’s hand when he met the man at the bottom of the stairs.

“How is she?” Aaron asked.

Nick had been going to Dr. Stevens his entire life. He was not only his doctor, but a close family friend.

“Thanks for coming, Aaron.” Nick shook his head. “She’s still pale. I cleaned up the gash right here.” He ran his finger over where Harper had a cut. “It appears to be small, but still, she says she blacked out, and she threw up when I was carrying her away from the beach. She says she still feels sick to her stomach. I gave her some seltzer and toast.”

Aaron nodded. “A bump on the head will do that. Is she up for a visit?”

He nodded. “Head on up. I told her you were coming.”

Aaron nodded and then walked up the stairs.

While they waited, Nick turned back to Reece. “I’ve been instructed that Hailey will fill you in completely. For now, we believe it was Fred who attacked Harper tonight. She didn’t get a look at who it was, but we’re pretty sure it was him.”

Reece’s eyes moved to the stairs then he turned back to him. “Why? Why is their mother’s old boyfriend going after them?”

Nick took a deep breath. “You’ll have to ask Hailey. I’m sorry.” He shook his head and felt like punching something.