Page 98 of Abandoned

“Me too. I can’t thank you enough for the new curtains. They are perfect.”

“I had hoped they would give the room the biggest splash of change, and I think that’s exactly what they did. I’m so glad you like them.”

“I really do. Maybe not as much as you like that cop boyfriend of yours.”

Heat rose in Zara’s cheeks. “It would be weird if you liked curtains as much as I like him.”

They laughed.

Zara pulled her legs up on the couch and turned toward Miley. “How are you doing? Like really doing?”

Miley’s smile faded, and she pressed her lips together. She mirrored Zara’s position. “Okay, I guess. It’s hard to process, but I’ve already seen the counselor twice, and she’s really helped. Are you seeing her too?”

“Yes, I’m so glad I found her.” Little did Miley know, Zara was footing half of Miley’s bill so that she could go see a Christian counselor instead of just anyone off the street. “She’s helping me process more than what Brett did to us, but what my dad did too. Maybe I’ll finally realize God and Will are nothing like the guy that locked me in the closet as a kid.”

“I’m so glad. Will deserves for you to give him a chance to prove himself.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“I don’t need to. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

Zara couldn’t restrain a giggle.

Miley grew quiet.

“What is it?”

“Tell me about Jesus. You claimed God is good. You say that He’s the One Who helped us survive Brett. But why do you say that?”

Zara’s heart raced. “That’s a huge question.” Lord, give me the words. “I say that because I know it’s true. I prayed. I finally remembered to cry out to the Lord in the middle of my struggle. And even despite my fears and past trauma, I had peace. The only way I can explain that I had peace while trapped in that crawlspace was that it was from the Creator Himself. He promises to never leave or forsake His children.”

Zara paused and let Miley process.

When Miley looked at Zara expectantly, she continued and told her about Jesus, how He came to earth and died for each of our sins. How He rose again and beat death. How salvation is found in Christ and Christ alone.

Miley listened intently and asked a few clarifying questions but didn’t say anything more. Instead, she got up and offered Zara some iced tea.

Zara didn’t push. But she prayed. The seeds were planted. Now they needed to germinate.

A couple of hours later, after Miley’s home was resituated and anything that was Brett’s—not that there was much—was gone, Zara drove back to the apartment she shared with AJ.

She pulled into the driveway, but it wasn’t empty as she had anticipated.

Will’s truck was there.

She got out of her car and found him sitting on the steps.

“How’d it go?”

“I thought I was going to call you when I got home.”

“I couldn’t wait.” He stood and came to her.

“Miley asked about Jesus, and I got to share the gospel with her.”

“Praise the Lord.”

Zara nodded. “Just keep praying for her.”