Page 31 of Always My Love

ChapterTen

Nick drove the Jeep cautiously all the way back home. He knew without a doubt that the bus had slipped on black ice. He’d hit the same patch and, thankfully, had gotten the Jeep back under control before they’d ended up in the ditch as well.

Twenty-three kids. There had been twenty-three kids under the age of twelve on that bus who had almost lost their lives. Instead, only one older gentleman, the bus driver, had died today.

Nick had gotten used to jumping into action during chaotic times while in the military. Jumping into the bus had been second nature to him. He hadn’t been squeamish when he’d seen what the accident had done to the driver. Still, he hadn’t wanted any of the kids or Harper to witness the horror.

Harper had fallen asleep. No doubt she’d gone into shock after the entire ordeal was over. Still, he’d been impressed that she’d kept it together long enough to help him get all the kids out and safe.

“Do you think they’re okay?” Harper asked after he pulled into his driveway and shut off the Jeep.

“Yeah, a couple of broken bones, some cuts and bruises. But twenty-three kids will get to sleep in their own beds tonight, safe and sound.”

“Thanks to you,” Harper said, taking his hand in hers.

“And you,” he pointed out. “I know you work tomorrow, but I was hoping…” He pulled her close.

“I’ll stay. I already sent Hailey a text.” She smiled. “I don’t go into work until eleven. I should have plenty of time to head home and get ready.”

He kissed her. “How about we go inside, grab a shower, then I’ll make us some popcorn and we can watch a movie with the dogs?”

“Sounds wonderful.” She sighed.

“I can throw your clothes in the wash.”

She nodded, and then to his horror, she burst out crying.

He pulled her as close as he could.

“I’m being stupid,” she said against his chest.

“No,” he kept saying as he stroked her hair.

“Those kids. They were all so scared. I used to be scared too. I remember being so afraid to go home. So afraid of Heidi. So afraid of Fred.”

He wanted to ask her who Heidi and Fred were, but he just let her mumble on about her childhood fears. Most of it he couldn’t understand, but he clearly heard some words and tried to hold in his anger as she mentioned how her mother would abuse her and Hailey. Then she mentioned something that had his arms tightening around her and broke the spell.

“I’m sorry,” she said, jerking in his arms. He let her pull away and watched her as she wiped her hands over her face. “I didn’t mean to…” She shook her head.

“Share?” He nodded. “I get it.” He took her hand in his. “Let’s head inside.” He knew she was probably thinking of a million excuses to leave now.

He didn’t want her to go. Not because she’d dropped her guard for a moment and let loose some of the darkness that held her back. He wanted to know more, but the look in her eyes told him that she wasn’t ready.

She nodded after a moment, and he jumped out of the Jeep before she could change her mind.

When they walked into the house, the dogs were so happy to see them. Harper hugged Lucy as the dog licked the dry tears off her face.

He let them out as they stripped the soiled clothes off themselves. He told Harper to head up to the shower while he waited for the dogs to return. She nodded and, after wrapping a robe he had hanging in the laundry room around herself, she headed up the stairs.

When the dogs returned, he went upstairs, not caring that he was only in his boxers. Instead of leaving the dogs locked in the laundry room, he let them roam the house. Their feet were wet, but otherwise they were fairly clean. He knew that Harper would need their company.

He stepped into the shower and pulled her into his arms, holding onto her while the hot water washed over them.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that,” he said into her wet hair. “I’m sorry today brought up bad memories for you.”

She shook her head. “It didn’t. Not really. It just stings knowing those kids will have bad memories from today.”

“You helped calm them down. They’re going to remember the kind woman who helped when they needed it.”