Page 13 of Abandoned

He stood planted in place, reeling from Zara’s touch.

The rest of Zara’s night was relatively uneventful. Just a couple of traffic stops and one drunk guy wandering down the center of the street. But in the morning, the disgusting comment from Ernie still plagued her as she walked up to the dry cleaner’s door. The place was tucked into the middle of a long strip mall with a 7-Eleven at one end and a Dollar General at the other.

Why did some men have to make everything sexual? Must be something they were taught in guy school.

But Will wasn’t like that. Always a gentleman. Always respectful. Always treating her like an equal. But not like “one of the guys” either. Both he and Logan were different than most of the guys she had ever interacted with.

She handed over her dirty uniform. “Hey, Ming. This one is”—she waggled her head side to side—“less clean than normal. I don’t think it actually got burned anywhere though.”

Ming, the sweetest woman you could ever meet, smiled at Zara. “I heard about how you saved that baby. Her papa brings his shirts here, said if you had not gone in there she would have died. You are a hero, Miss Zara.”

“I don’t know that I’d go that far. But hopefully the uniform is salvageable.”

“Don’t underestimate the power behind helping people. Let Him use you. Saving lives isn’t simply for this life either.”

“I guess not.”

“Eternity is at play too. Keep that in mind, Miss Zara. And how’s that handsome officer I saw you with the other day?”

“Wait, what?”

“The one with the dark hair. That man looks at you like my Hiro looked at me on our wedding day and most days since.”

“Will? He’s fine.” More than fine. “But we’re just friends.”

“You keep telling yourself that, but you know there is more there. He seems like a good man. Don’t let him get away.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Zara chuckled. “I’m glad I can come to you for advice.” Even if it was advice she didn’t ask for.

“Here’s your clean uniform. Thank you for your service to our community. It does not go unnoticed.” Ming handed Zara the plastic-covered uniform.

“Thank you, Ming. I’ll see you in a few days.”

They said goodbye, and Zara walked out, thoughts of Will warming her cheeks.

Darting her gaze across the parking lot, she walked to her car, dry cleaning draped over her arm.

A truck was parked near her Jetta, and a man came around the front of it. Ernie.

Zara’s heart pounded against her ribs. Instinctively, her hand went to her thigh, where her gun normally was, but she wasn’t on duty.

“Whatcha doing around here this morning, Ernie? Apparently, you made bail.”

“I did. Was wondering if you wanted to take me up on my offer.”

She restrained a shudder. “You know my answer. I’m going to need you to leave now though.”

He approached with steady, haughty steps.

She shuffled backward. Give me wisdom for how to deal with this, God.

“Oh come on, you know you want to have a little fun. I heard from Ivan Dayton—that’s your ex-boyfriend, right?—that you’re a real treat.”

Her throat constricted, and breathing felt impossible. Her ex had been an officer too. He had no right to talk about her to convicted felons.

“What brought you to Hazel Hill?” Had he come all this way to find her?

“It’s happenstance, my pet.”