Page 99 of Sudden Summer

Juniper let out a squeaky cry as she chomped down on her hand, and I patted her bum, trying to soother her. She wasn’t going to wait much longer to get that bottle. “Okay.”

“I was the deputy who went to the hospital after you talked to Colt, to get the footage and your official report from the assault that happened with our suspect.”

I nodded, happy that Colt hadn’t waited to move on what I told him. “Oh, I hope they were helpful.”

“That’s just it.” Nate continued to palm the back of his neck, his face filling with regret. “There wasn’t any record. Not of the guy being trespassed out of the hospital by security. Not of you filing anything against him. The security footage from that night was gone. Some sort of glitch in the system. The person I talked to was apologetic, but said there was nothing they could do to get it back.”

My mouth dropped open. “I…I don’t know how that could be.”

“Look, I’m not giving up on it. There will be a lead that pops up, and we’ll follow every single one we get, until that baby is found.”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Please let me know if there is any way I can help. I feel like I let her down. I knew he was dangerous and still…I didn’t think…”

“Hey. There was nothing more that you could do. Colt said you were the reason the nurses gave her information on the resources available. It sounds like she kicked him to the curb. There just wasn’t a safety net for her between the two of them, and that’s where the community failed her. It’s not on you. Just like my mom’s death wasn’t on me.”

I held my arm open, Nate sliding in to give me a side-hug while he patted Juniper’s back.

“Let me know more about that non-profit when you’re ready.”

“Yeah, I will. Please tell Isla it was so nice meeting her. You need to bring her out some time for family dinner.”

He smiled before turning toward the well house. “Yeah, I will. See ya around, Birdie.”

“Bye.”

My brain was running a mile a minute, trying to think of where to start first. Beau had supported the idea, but Nate being willing to help felt like it was just the push I needed to get started.

“I think this is going to be perfect, Juniper. It’s going to be so much work. And I’m going to need a ton of investors. I honestly don’t know if it’s even possible… But it sure is fun to dream.”

A happy little babble streamed out from the bundle of joy tied tightly around my chest.

“What do you think?” I asked. “Do you want to go see the horses and tell them all about our plans? I don’t think they’ll care at all, but they might give us some good advice if we listen closely and offer them a sugar cube or two. Plus, it will give me some time to practice my pitch to Daddy.”

“Hey, girls. What are you doing over here?” Danny smiled from behind the desk in the small office as I walked in.

“Hey, Juniper, look! Is Grampy out here?”

He stood up, walking out into the room, his arms raising out toward me. “Hand her over, Birdie.”

I laughed, helping Daniel scoop her from the carrier. If you had asked me a few years ago how I thought he’d take to being a grandparent, my confidence would have been shaky. But it was clear to see that he not only loved his kids, but that love extended to his grandchildren, too. He’d made a mistake with how he treated Hawk and Jessie when they were expecting Beckett, but I’d watched him work every day to not let that mistake be his legacy.

“You know,” he winked at me, “I was just about to walk over and see you two. Doll and I were thinking we could have Juniper for the night, give you and Beau a break and get some cuddles with Juniper before we take off for our road trip. We’re taking Beckett tomorrow, and Connor the next night.”

“That sounds great. I can’t imagine Beau will have a problem with that.”

“Perfect. I’m all done in here, why don’t I take her up to the main house now?”

I hesitated. “Oh, I don’t have any of her stuff with me…”

He raised his hand. “We have a stash of stuff up at the house. Dolly got a few canisters of her formula the last time we were at the store, and some outfits for her to use whenever she’s with us. She’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure Beau will want to stop in just to say goodnight to her, at the very least. She wasn’t up yet when he left this morning.”

“That’s fine. Why don’t you both plan on stopping over for supper? We’ll feed you and send you on your way.”

Laughter bubbled out of me. “Sounds like the kind of deal I can’t refuse.”

“Dang right, it is! Alright, Juniper. Say bye-bye to Birdie.” He picked up Juniper’s hand, waving it up and down at me before blowing raspberries into her chunky cheeks.