Page 37 of Abandoned

“When we get back. Miley sounded a little distraught, so I don’t want her to wait.”

They walked out the door, but Zara didn’t set the alarm. “Don’t forget the alarm.”

“Oh right.” She spun around and punched in the code. “Serious learning curve. I can’t seem to get the habit down.”

“Habits take a long time.”

“The good ones. I don’t know about you, but the bad habits seem to come easily.”

“Very true.” He opened the door to his truck, and she slid in.

He went around, breathing slowly and praying as he went. God, help me know what to say and what to do to win Zara’s heart. Help her open up about her fears and past hurts so we can work through them.

Zara walked up the steps to Miley’s single-wide. Will had been quiet the whole four minutes of the drive. She wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or not. After being so excited about their relationship, now she just felt disoriented.

She knocked on the screen door, but there was no answer. She opened the screen and knocked on the other door. Still nothing.

Once more she knocked. If Miley didn’t answer this time, Zara planned to call her.

But the door opened slowly, and Corbin appeared.

“Hey, buddy. Where’s your momma?”

Corbin pointed to the end of the trailer where the master bedroom was located.

“Is she okay?”

He shrugged.

“Is it okay if I come inside?”

The boy nodded and reached out for Zara’s hand. He led her across the living room and kitchen, down a little hallway, and into the master bedroom.

Miley wasn’t there.

Zara’s anxiety went from mild to severe in a millisecond. What was wrong?

A glance around the room answered her question.

A large, heavy dresser had been shoved in front of the closet door.

“Miley?”

“Zara?” Miley’s voice came from inside the closet. “Can you get me out of here?” There was a touch of terror in her voice.

“Of course.” Zara was fit and strong. She skirted the front of the dresser and tried to shove the end of it. It wouldn’t budge. She couldn’t get between it enough to give it the leverage she needed to compensate for how heavy the piece was.

She tried another angle. The dresser moved a bit, but it was not enough.

She needed more muscle.

Will.

“I can’t get it, Miley. It’s too heavy. My friend, Officer Will Cooper drove me over here. I’m going to see if he can come help. Is that okay?”

“Please!”

After stepping into the hall, Zara took her phone from her pocket and dialed Will’s number.