Page 25 of Abandoned

“Good decisions have never been my MO, but I want to make them, especially when it comes to Will.”

“Keep taking it to Jesus. He’ll show you. I’ll be praying for you too.”

“Thank you. It’s been so good to talk about things other than what I found in my apartment.”

“Then don’t start talking about it again.”

Both women laughed. After another ten minutes of chit-chat about AJ’s furniture, which she said was mostly from an estate sale, they both turned in for the night—what little was left of it anyway.

Zara pulled the sheet up to her chin and closed her eyes. Instantly, she saw Ernie chasing her around her car this morning. God, please clear my mind. Keep me safe from whoever ransacked my place tonight.

Chapter Seven

Right before noon the next day, Will pulled up in front of AJ’s grandmother’s house where AJ had an apartment over the garage. He waited for Zara who said she’d meet him out front. He hadn’t slept great—the break-in at Zara’s spun around in his head over and over again. It had to be Ernie that broke in. But why not wait for her? Why toss her place?

Will needed to learn more about this guy to answer those questions.

The apartment door opened, and Zara, in mid-thigh-length shorts and a T-shirt, came out and bounded down the stairs, her long, dark ponytail bouncing behind her.

His heart revved like a muscle car ready for a street race.

When she was halfway down the driveway, he leaned over and opened the door for her.

“Hey!” Her smile lit up her whole face.

He sat up, and she jumped into the cab. “Did you sleep all right?” It was a stupid question; he really wanted to pull her into his arms.

“Sufficiently, I suppose. I’m ready to be distracted today. What’s the plan?”

“Hungry?”

“All I ate was a piece of toast. Apparently, AJ needs to go shopping.”

“Are you two getting along then?”

“We are. I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what happened between you two?”

“It’s not my story to tell. She’ll tell you when she’s ready. Do you trust me enough to not push about it?”

“I do.” Eyes wide, she shook her head a little. “Look at that. You’ve got me trusting you. Trust me, that’s significant.”

“I’ll take it.” He put the truck in drive, and they were off. First stop, brunch.

Fifteen minutes later, they’d been seated at a local diner in a booth toward the back. Will took the farthest seat so he could see the door and was a little surprised that she let him take that seat without any protest. They placed their orders, and Will reached across the table and took her hand.

The tenderness of her hand drew his attention to it, and he ran a thumb across her knuckles. What if the intruder had still been inside her apartment last night? If they hadn’t driven around for so long, he might have been.

He tightened his grip around her fingers.

“Are you okay?”

“Letting my mind go to dark places. Sorry. You’re safe right now, and that’s what matters.”

“Exactly. So let’s enjoy our meal and not worry about it. I’m guessing it was Ernie. Hopefully, Ramirez and Remington can find him.”

“Tell me about him.” He pulled his phone out and opened the Notes app.

“He’s a regular ol’ lowlife. I think he thought my precinct had a revolving door.”