Page 16 of Abandoned

“Of how much you need a Savior?”

“Yeah, that.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “Some of us need Him more than others.”

Will slid his hand under her still-wet hair, cupped the back of her neck, and drew her close. “He never said it mattered how few or copious our sins were. Sin is sin. One is all it took to put Him on the cross.”

Her vision blurred as moisture pooled in her eyes.

“Whatever your past looks like, Ernie had no right to act like he did toward you.”

“Why are you so good to me?”

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?”

She shrugged and leaned into his touch.

“Seriously, don’t ever hesitate to call me.” His cheeks flushed.

“What?”

“I know we haven’t really talked about what’s going on between us, and I hope I’m not being presumptuous, but it seems like we’re a bit more than friends.”

“I hope so.” She touched his arm and slid her fingers down to his hand.

“Good.” He wove his fingers into hers and led her into the living room.

Without letting go, they sat on the couch. The sun streamed through the windows, warming the place even more than it was previously.

“It’s too hot to stay here,” she said.

“I have an idea that might throw you for a total loop. Up to meeting my parents and a few of my siblings?”

She pulled in a deep breath, but it didn’t go anywhere.

“Zara? We don’t have to if that’s too much.”

She released the air. “Actually, I’d like that. I don’t have any family.”

“None?”

“My mom died a year and a half ago of an overdose, and my dad’s in jail. So, no, it’s just me.”

“It’s the opposite for me. Seven siblings.”

Her mouth dried as it hung open. “Seven?”

He laughed. “Yep, and I’m the baby. My mom wants to meet you.”

“Yeah, I need to meet your mom.” She curled up against Will and rested their hands on her legs. Meeting the woman who raised this man would be an honor.

On the drive to his parents’ house, Will drummed the steering wheel of his truck to the beat of the country music. The fact that his parents lived way out of town was a good thing today. Zara needed the decompression time.

She and Will had been driving for ten minutes. So far, she’d been quiet, but not a distant quiet, a comfortable, relaxed quiet.

Her hand rested beside her on the bench seat, so he reached across and squeezed it. He went to pull away slowly, hoping that she’d react in a way that indicated she wanted to hold his hand.

And she did. She turned her hand over and slowly laced her fingers between his. Her soft hands were cool from the blasting air conditioning.

“You know, most police departments frown on this kind of fraternization.” Her fingers tightened around his hand.