Page 22 of In Pursuit of the Truth

He was here to keep an eye on the place and make sure Bailey and the boys stayed safe until the police department could figure out who was trying to get her to sell and why.

Nate walked up the steps to the porch and leaned against the railing. “It’s a good thing I didn’t have to run. I ate way too many chili dogs.” He patted his full stomach.

“Well, it looks like you got all three of them properly worn out.” Jenny tilted her head toward the dog and the two boys who were sitting next to her on the grass. “That’s seriously adorable.”

“Yeah, it is.” Bailey smiled again, the dimple in her right cheek winking. “Did I ever tell you guys that Seth once tried to bring Petunia into the house to stay in his room for the night? He insisted that she could be house-trained just like a dog.” She laughed hard.

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Jenny shook her head. “That boy’s going to grow up to be a lawyer or something the way he can argue his point.”

They all laughed some more, but the mood quickly sobered.

“I wish we could’ve found Petunia.” Bailey frowned. “I suppose we’ll never know what happened to her, will we?”

That bothered Nate, too. Granted, the goats weren’t house pets like Minnie was, but if Minnie had gone missing, it would bother Nate every day wondering where she was and whether she was being taken care of. “How’s Poppy doing? Is her wound healing well?”

“No complications, and at least Pansy found her way back. That’s something.”

They sat in companionable silence for several minutes until Jenny moved to stand. “I should probably get out of your hair and get home. It’s my sister’s birthday today, so I need to call her tonight before it gets much later. If anything comes up and you need extra help, don’t hesitate to call me. I’m serious.”

Bailey stepped forward to give Jenny a hug. “I will. Thanks again for everything.”

“Of course. Be careful, okay?”

Jenny flashed Nate a knowing look. “Keep me updated.”

“Will do. Take care of yourself.”

She nodded and then went to say goodbye to the boys before heading for her car and driving away.

It was starting to get dark, and Nate was about to suggest they go inside when Bailey addressed her sons.

“Come on, guys. It’s bath time.” She waved them inside, and Nate brought up the rear, closing and locking the door behind him.

Minnie trotted to the living room and promptly collapsed on the carpet, the perfect combination of tired and happy.

Bailey sent the boys upstairs to get ready for baths. While they complained verbally, they didn’t hesitate toobey. She looked over at Nate. “Make yourself comfortable. We won’t be long.”

“Sounds good. I’ll go out, grab a few things from my truck, and be right back.”

He waited until they’d left, told Minnie to stay, and retrieved his large backpack that contained his clothes and personal hygiene items. Since he wasn’t sure what to expect, he also brought in a sleeping bag and pillow. He didn’t want to assume Bailey would have accommodations for him since all of this was last minute.

Nate got caught up on messages on his phone while he waited for Bailey and the boys to return. When they came back downstairs a half hour later, Seth and Jordan both had damp hair and were in their pajamas. Bailey had changed into a maroon T-shirt, and she must have twisted her hair into a new bun because the strands of hair that had escaped earlier were back in place.

She gave him an apologetic smile. “Let me get them a snack, and then we can get a space set up for you.”

He followed the trio into the kitchen, where the boys took a seat at the small table tucked into the corner. “Anything I can do to help?”

“You can grab the jar of peanut butter out of the pantry.” She pointed.

He found it easily and set it on the counter near where she was slicing apples. She added a generous swipe of peanut butter to each slice and set them in front of the boys. “As soon as you’re done eating, we’ll go brush teeth and get ready for bed.”

Seth glanced at Nate and nodded. Jordan was too focused on his snack to respond at all.

Bailey leaned against the counter. There was no missing the exhaustion in her eyes.

Nate hoped and prayed that having backup at the house would help her relax enough to get a good night’s sleep tonight.

Bailey stifled a yawn. “I figured Seth could sleep on the floor in my room so you can take his bed. I’ll change the sheets quickly after I get them settled.”

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