Page 17 of Abandoned

He matched the intensity of her squeeze. “We do need to be mindful that whatever happens between us doesn’t interfere with our work, but our leaders are more gracious on that front than some departments. Have you met detectives Jared Johnson and Becca Palmer?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“They go to our church too, so you’ll meet them eventually, and it’s worth getting Palmer to tell you their story when you get a chance.”

“What does that have to do with us and fraternization?”

He chuckled. “Trust me. Everything.” He pulled onto another narrow back road.

“Did you grow up out this far?”

“Sure did. This was my parents’ dream home, and they moved in when I was about eight months old.”

“That’s awesome. I love the country. What was it like growing up where you could simply run outside and play?”

“Pretty great. There was plenty of work to do too, but I can’t tell you how many times my mom would kick us out of the house after school so she could have a minute of quiet. Where did you grow up?”

“In a trailer park on the east side of Indianapolis. Mom would kick me out when her boyfriends were over, but I never wanted to leave the porch because I never knew who or what I’d find.”

How he wished he could change the past for her. He squeezed her hand again, not knowing what to say.

She leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. “It’s okay. God’s brought me a long way, and all the glory goes to Him.”

“Amen.”

Silence fell again, but Zara’s hand stayed snugly tucked in his.

After a total of twenty minutes of driving, Will pulled into his parents’ long driveway that led up to the large, century-old farmhouse.

Zara sat up and leaned forward, eyes wide and a smile tugging her lips into an upward curl.

Letting go of her hand, he parked on the grass beside the driveway and turned off the truck. “Ready?”

“I guess. I hope your mom likes me.”

“She’s not the one you need to worry about. My sister Victoria on the other hand … she’s a little harder to please. The last girl I brought home—now mind you, that was years ago—wanted to run off crying because Victoria didn’t approve, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. After all, Victoria won’t be here tonight, and if Anne likes you, that will go a long way to Victoria liking you.”

“Will Anne be here tonight?”

“Most likely.”

Zara’s dark eyebrows squeezed close to one another.

“It’ll be fine.”

He jumped out and jogged around to Zara’s door, but it was open before he got there, so he closed it behind her. Putting his elbow out to her, he asked, “Shall we?”

She giggled and placed her hand in the crook of his arm.

He led her up the front steps to the wraparound porch and to the front door, which he pushed open. “We’re here.”

His mom turned out of the dining room. “William.” The love in her voice warmed his heart. As the youngest of seven, there were days it was easy to feel left out and forgotten, but every time his mom looked at him, he knew he was treasured. He prayed Zara would feel that from his mom too.

“Mom, this is Zara.”

Zara took her hand from Will’s arm and extended her right hand to his mom. “Mrs. Cooper. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Mom shook her head and pulled Zara into a brief hug before holding her at arm’s length. “We aren’t that formal around here, dear. I’m tickled pink to get to meet you. William has said many wonderful things about you.”