Page 19 of Abandoned

Zara answered, “I took classes at the community college so that I’d have a foreign language on my résumé when I applied for police work. At my last department, it became my thing. Surrounding counties would request me to interpret when needed. So I’ve kept learning.”

Will’s mom came in and hugged Anne. Their father followed Mom, and Will introduced him and Zara. They moved toward dinner. So far so good.

Zara gave Will’s mother one last hug before they walked out the front door. She absolutely loved his family, well, at least the part she’d met. She’d hit it off well with Anne, and George and his family had stopped by for dessert.

“Well?” Will asked when they were halfway to his truck.

“Well, what?” Her laugh gave her faux naivety away.

He shook his head and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “As much as I want them to like you, I want you to like them too.”

“Your family is amazing. Kind of like the way the weather has turned this evening.”

He opened the door of his truck for her. “M’lady.”

“Why, thank you, sir.” She slid in but didn’t buckle yet. Would it be too presumptuous to sit in the center seat? The draw to be near Will was so strong tonight, but she didn’t want to push what would be appropriate. This whole Christian relationship thing was so new to her. And they were such a new thing.

He climbed into the driver’s seat and considered her. “Is it nice enough for windows down as we drive?”

“Absolutely. And I have a request, I know gas ain’t cheap, but suppose we could drive around for a bit? I’m not ready to go home, and I know you’re the kind of guy that’s not going to come in when we get back to my place this late.”

“You are correct on all counts, and I like the idea of driving.” After starting the truck, he buckled in and draped his arm across the back of the seat. And with the slightest tip of his head, he invited her close.

She slid over and buckled her seatbelt before leaning her head against him.

His hand settled on her shoulder, and he drove.

The day hadn’t started well, but it was amazing right now, and she didn’t want it to end. Thanks to Will, her head was clear and unweighted by the trials of their job. Instead, she’d seen a bit of light tonight through the Coopers. They all loved Jesus, and it was evident in the way they acted around one another. Were they perfect? She wasn’t naive enough to think that, but they lived out dependence on Christ. She could learn so much from them.

They drove past fields dotted with fireflies, the wind blowing through her hair, making her feel freer than she had ever been before.

Thank You, Jesus. I can’t even believe I could have found someone like Will. But I know that’s You, not me.

She closed her eyes and relaxed, but a coughing fit seized her lungs and killed the moment. She leaned forward and tried to get air in.

Will rubbed her back. “Do you have your inhaler?”

She managed to squeak out a no between coughs.

The cough didn’t let up, and fear began to seize her heart. What if she couldn’t get air in?

Will pulled over to the side of the road. “Raise your arms and see if that helps. Try to get some deeper breaths in.”

She did as he suggested, and the air finally fought past the bronchial spasms. She took a few good breaths and turned into Will’s chest. Never in her life had she been scared that she couldn’t get another breath in.

Will hugged her. “You got it. Let’s get you home and get your inhaler. I think you should be carrying that with you wherever you go.”

She pushed off his chest. “I have been, but I haven’t needed it much. I’m fine now. Keep driving.” She settled back in her seat and wrapped her hands around Will’s elbow.

He pulled back on the road, and they chatted about his childhood and about how he and Logan had been friends since they were kids.

After another thirty minutes of driving, Zara attempted to stifle a yawn but failed miserably, and Will caught it.

With a promise to hang out after a good night’s sleep, he drove her home. It was already eleven o’clock after all.

He pulled into the empty parking spot in front of her apartment in the old quadplex and turned the engine off.

“I loved meeting your family. I really did. Thank you.”