Page 141 of Jack

“Maybe the guy who took you.” He turned to the kitchen, spotted a waiter. “We need some ice.”

He turned back to Penelope. “Do you think she could still be here? On the grounds?”

“Maybe.”

“Jack? Everything okay?”

He turned and spotted Austen coming through the kitchen.

Aw.“No. Not even a little. Get the guys. I need their help.” Then he turned to his mother. “Call the sheriff. Then tell Boo I’m sorry.”

He left and stalked outside. Stood on the porch.C’mon, Harper. Where’d you go?

The sun still shone high, hitting the cars, the glistening snow.

She’d be barefoot, thanks to her bridal heels, so she wouldn’t go far. And she’d go somewhere she could hide. Or defend herself.

His gaze shot to the trail. The one that connected their houses. Yeah, he knew about it—mostly because Boo had taken the trail sometimes, sneaking out after dark.

He’d been onto her then, had occasionally tailed her, making sure she got to Bee’s house in one piece.

“Bro.” Conrad, pushing out of the house, Stein behind him, then Doyle and Austen.

Jack turned to Austen. “Tell Boo what’s going on. But tell her to sit tight. We’ll find Harper.”

Austen nodded, headed back inside.

“Jack?” Stein said.

“Grab a shovel and follow me.” Jack headed off the porch onto the drive, headed toward the pathway to Harper’s house.

Hang on, Harper. I’ll find you.

* * *

She wasn’t surprised that Jack had rejected her, frankly.

Because hopes and dreams did that.

She probably shouldn’t have let it consume so much of her mind, however, because it took way, way too long for her brain to catch up when Penelope hugged Kyle Brunley.

Not deadKyle Brunley.

The Kyle Brunley who then told Penny he needed to talk to her. Took her hand and pulled her from the porch.

Maybe it took a second for Penny to catch up too. Harper blamed it on their breeding—too much Minnesota nice. But by the time Harper realized he had ahold of Penny, that she had put on the brakes, they were down the stairs and in the parking lot.

Harper grabbed the shovel that had been used to clean the porch stairs, and maybe her brain had stopped thinking, but?—

Well, it was just like that time with Jenna on the playground. No, she wasn’t going to let someone get away with bullying. She launched herself at Kyle.

Good thing Penelope ducked.

The blow broke her friend free from Kyle, and Penelope spun, tried to run back to the house, but Kyle lunged for her, grabbed her, and somehow in there, managed to send a fist into her pretty face.

Blood. And Harper lost it. She hit him again, this time across the back, and his legs buckled.

But he turned and grabbed hold of the shovel, ripping it out of her hands.