Page 12 of Seeing Harper

“I guess,” she said, shaking her head. “But I loved that horse so very much. I miss him every day.”

“What happened to him?”

“He was boarded at the Bigsby’s. He was there for about six years and every day I worked him out, loved on him and talked to him after I finished all my duties. Then one day I showed up to work, and he was gone. Mr. Bigsby told me the owners came to pick him up, they were moving out of state. He said he tried to buy him to keep him there, but they didn’t want to leave him behind.”

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. He was my first broken heart.”

“Who was your second broken heart?” Clay asked.

“Let’s not get into that. It’s a really long story and not something I’ve ever shared.”

“One day?” Clay asked.

“Maybe. I make no promises!” she said. “Now get out of my car so I can go home and get ready to eat my pizza at midnight.”

Clay laughed as he opened the door and got out. “What did Festus look like?” he asked.

“He was a dark gray with lighter dapples of gray all through his coat. He is absolutely gorgeous. Is, not was. I insist on believing that he’s out there somewhere living his best life.”

“Not without you,” Clay said.

Harper smiled. “Yeah.” She picked up his box of leftovers and held it out to him. “I’ll be thinking about you at midnight. I’ll even toast you with a slice of pizza!”

“Same!” he said. “Drive safe, Harper. And would you mind letting me know you made it home okay?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, but, I’ll sleep better knowing you’re where you’re supposed to be and not broken down somewhere.”

“Believe me, if I broke down, my daddy would know.” She held up her phone and showed it to him. “They track me. They always know. But I will shoot you a text anyway.”

“Thank you. And thanks for today.”

“Same. Sleep well, Mr. Soon-to-be mated.”

“Hey! I never said that, and keep that to yourself.”

“They’ll never get it out of me,” she whispered.

“Bye,” he said, stepping back and watching as she slowly made her way around the drive and exited out the other side of the trailer park. He watched as her taillights faded, then turned to go inside. But he stopped in his tracks when his gaze met his father’s.

“Long day,” Richie said.

“Yeah. But a good day. A very, very good day.”

Richie nodded as he watched his son walk toward him.

“That pizza I smell?”

“It is. You can have some, but not all. I’m eating about half at midnight.”

“I’ll take the other half now,” Richie said, following him into the house.

“Where’s mom?” Clay asked as they went into the kitchen.

“She’s out cold. Had a busy day at the party.”