Page 20 of Forever my Love

She shrugged. “I’ve never been near one, so I don’t really know. I like looking at them though.” She pulled a coat from her closet and put it on. “I think I’ve got everything.” She turned towards him. “I’m only staying with you because I know my sister won’t let this go. She believes I’m safe with you.”

“You are,” he assured her.

He carried her bag out to his truck, but she wanted her own truck with her, so she followed him to his place.

When they parked, he could hear Ali barking, and he realized he’d left in such a hurry, he’d forgotten to put the dog in his kennel.

“Sorry,” he said as he pulled her suitcase out of the truck. “I forgot to put Ali up. Hopefully, he hasn’t messed up the house.”

Hailey smiled. “Lucy learned early not to mess with anything if she wanted to be left out again.” She stopped at the base of his front steps and looked up at his home. “Wow, it’s bigger than I thought it would be.”

He nodded. “It doesn’t look big from the road. Come on in. Make yourself at home while you’re here.” He stopped suddenly. “I mean that sincerely.”

She smiled and nodded. “Thanks.”

“I’ll give you a quick tour after we put your things in the guest room.” He glanced around the house as Ali jumped up to eagerly greet Hailey.

“He looks so much like Lucy and Blue.” She laughed and then nudged Ali down.

Reece snapped his fingers. It didn’t appear the dog had messed with anything, so he gave him praise for a moment.

“I really appreciate you allowing me to stay here,” she said as she removed her coat.

“I’m just thankful Nick and I don’t have to camp out in your driveway.”

Her eyes narrowed, but then she nodded. “I prefer not to run…”

“From the man who is stalking you and your sister?” he asked. He wanted to give her space, but at the same time he needed to know just what he was up against. What he was protecting her from.

She nodded slowly. “His name is…” She paused for just a heartbeat. “Fred.”

“And he is…” He waited.

She shrugged. “He was our mother’s boyfriend.”

His entire body relaxed. Not her boyfriend. Not her ex.

Then her eyes moved up to his. “The man who beat and raped Harper and me when we were kids.”