Page 97 of Abandoned

“We’ll be there in twenty.” Will hung up and found where Zara had wandered toward a crime-scene technician.

Zara removed her purse from a large evidence bag and pulled out her phone.

The tech said, “Thought it’d be handy to have this. No need to keep it in evidence at this point. Glad you all are safe.” The tech left.

Will pulled Zara into his arms. “Me too.”

“You aren’t the only one.” Her voice was soft and raspy.

“Don’t talk. Rest your voice, so it can come all the way back.”

She pushed him back a bit. What? You don’t want to sing next to a bass at church?

He laughed and shook his head. “Let’s go see that family whose baby you saved.”

Her eyes widened along with her smile. She gave a little clap. And after saying goodbye to Logan, they left.

It only took ten minutes to arrive at the address the father had given Will, and Zara barely waited for him to come around the truck to walk up the path with her.

Will knocked.

A man, not the baby’s father, opened the door. “The police officers?”

Will nodded.

“Come on in. I’m Matt. Greg and Amanda are in the living room.”

Matt ushered them to the room where the baby and her parents sat along with another woman. Matt introduced her as his wife, Veronica.

Greg stood, as did Amanda with baby Phoebe in her arms.

He embraced Zara. “Thank you so much for saving our baby.”

“You are—” Her voice gave out.

Greg released her.

Will finished her sentence. “She’s trying to say you’re welcome.”

Amanda handed the baby to Greg and reached for Zara. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, and Will answered for her. “She lost her voice from using it too much after the smoke inhalation.”

Zara signed, It was worth it to save Phoebe.

Will interpreted.

Amanda hugged Zara, then Zara reached for Phoebe. Tears glistened in Zara’s eyes as she hugged the tiny girl.

They all sat and visited. Greg and Amanda told them about their trip to Charlotte to the pediatric intensive care unit. Phoebe then stayed in the PICU for the last two weeks and had just come back to Hazel Hill today. But she was recovering beautifully. Their house was mostly lost, but they had a good support system and insurance.

Will thanked the Lord for His provision. He had taken care of Zara, Miley, and Phoebe. Not everyone made it out of these types of situations alive, but His hand was evident right now, and He deserved all the glory.

On the following Sunday afternoon, Zara helped Miley shift the couch to a different wall. The young mom was doing better than Zara had anticipated, and while she couldn’t afford to move to a new home that hadn’t been the place where Brett had threatened to kill her, she could rearrange and give it a fresh feel. Zara was happy to help after church.

They got the couch into place, and both collapsed on it.

Zara, whose voice was almost back after days of rest, said, “I like it over here.”