Page 95 of Abandoned

Zara squeezed her tight then let go and signed, You are safe.

“You’re both safe.” Will rested his hand on Zara’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”

Zara stood and extended a hand to Miley.

She took Zara’s hand and winced as she moved.

Will asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. He hit me a few times when I backtalked, but nothing that won’t heal.” She straightened her back, as if a burden had been removed from her shoulders, which indeed it had.

Will turned to leave, but Miley stayed put.

“There are a few things you guys should know about Brett.”

Will came back.

Zara asked, Like what?

“Apparently, he’s killed like five women. He said he thought we would be different. He had wanted to change, supposedly.”

Will asked, “What made him snap and decide to kill both of you?”

“Zara kept coming around and talking to me. He tried to scare her away, but when she wouldn’t get the hint, he got desperate. He said something about a body being found.”

“I think we started putting the pieces together while looking for you both. Corbin is the real hero in this too. He gave us the clue we needed to find Zara, and she’s why we found you.”

Zara shook her head. Miley is why I knew where to look, even if her signs made no sense to me. Zara smiled at Miley.

She shrugged. “I’m glad you figured it out.”

Zara signed, But how did you know where he was going to take you?

“For a man with such dark secrets, he likes to talk. Before you arrived, he explained his whole plan.” Miley looked at Will. “Is Corbin okay?”

Will nodded. “Let’s get you to him.”

He led the way out, and Zara walked behind Miley.

Thank You, Jesus, for sending Your help!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Will held his hand out to Zara as they walked into the hospital’s emergency room entrance. They had come straight here with Logan to check on Wyatt.

She slid her hand into Will’s, and an electrical current ran up his arm. He was so grateful she was safe and forgiving. They had a road ahead of learning to walk in love and faith, but he was convinced more than ever that he would do whatever it took to help her know he wasn’t going anywhere. They were playing for keeps.

They walked into the building.

“There you guys are.” AJ jumped up from a seat across the lobby. “I have to get back to the station, but I wanted to make sure you got this.” She held out a tall to-go cup, a tower of steam coming from the little hole in the lid, and a bag of cough drops. “Tea with lots of honey.”

Will let go of Zara’s hand, so she could take the items from AJ. “Thank you, AJ.”

Zara nodded her thanks too.

“Of course.” AJ’s gaze left Will and went to Logan.

Will thought for a split second that they would say something to one another, be amicable, friendly even. But Logan resumed his path to the waiting room.