27. Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

W ill 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.

AJ's shoulders slumped.

Will reached out and gripped her upper arm. He searched for words, but there were none for his hurting friend.

She smiled at him and mouthed, Thank you. After a deep inhale, she said, "I should get back to work. Keep me updated about Wyatt."

Zara nodded and gave AJ a quick hug.

Will and Zara followed Logan into the waiting room. Doug was already there, as was Jared Johnson, the detective's sergeant.

Will asked, "Any word on Wyatt?"

Jared shook his head. "Nothing yet."

As if on cue, the door that led back to the emergency room opened, and a dark-haired female doctor emerged.

"Madison Baker?" Will hadn't seen Captain Keith Baker's younger sister in years. While they hadn't been as close as their brothers, Madison had been friends with Will's sister Mary.

"Well, if it isn't the little Cooper turned copper, I see." She extended her hand.

He shook it. "Surprised to see you back in town."

"You aren't the only one. I'm guessing you all are the ones who want the update on Wyatt Remington?"

He nodded, and the others gathered around.

Madison said, "He's gonna be fine. The bullet went clean through and did minimal damage to his shoulder—well, as minimal as a bullet can. Thankfully, it wasn't a hollow point. But somehow it missed the bone, so we're stitching him up under local because he refused anesthesia." She shook her head. "He'll be released in a few hours, although he won't be using that arm for quite a while."

Jared snorted. "Desk duty. Wyatt's favorite." He broke into a full laugh.

Doug joined him.

Will didn't know Wyatt very well, but it didn't take much to know that Wyatt Remington didn't let the grass grow beneath him.

Will, Zara, and Logan didn't stick around but headed back to the police station. Reports needed to be given and gear exchanged for street clothes.

After they all gave their reports, Logan and Will got out of their uniforms. They were headed out of the station when a sergeant found Zara and told her that the family whose baby she had saved two weeks ago wanted to speak to her.

Will said, "Zara's voice is gone, but if we have an address, we could go visit them." He glanced at his watch. It was already 8:30. "Maybe we can stop by tomorrow if that's better."

The sergeant handed Will a sticky note. "Why don't you call them and coordinate that?"

"I can do that. Thank you."

He met Zara's eyes. She was tired.

She signed, I'd like to go tonight.

"But you've been through a lot and need rest."

I'm not going to be able to sleep. She stared off to the side.

Healing from all that she'd been through would take more time than a good night's sleep.

"We can see. Let me call."

He called the number and talked to the father of the baby. He expressed his appreciation of Zara and wanted to give her a hug. Will asked, "When would be a good time for us to come over? I will come with Zara since her voice is out of commission from the smoke inhalation." He left out the being choked and screaming for her life parts.

"Our schedule is all out of whack from the hospital stay, if it isn't too late for you all tonight."

"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."

"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."

"Of course." Will tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And how are you?"

Her insides fluttered around. "Better, now that you're here." She ran her hands across his shoulders and behind his neck.

He tugged her close by the hips. "I'm glad you were able to help Miley, but I missed you this afternoon."

"You know what they say about absence?"

"It drives the lovesick crazy?"

She laughed. "Sure. That's it."

He leaned forward, and she met his lips with her own. If their life was a romance story that had started with their silly meet-cute of literally running into one another, wasn't this the part where he'd get down on one knee and ask her for forever?

Will pulled out of the kiss first. His eyes sparkled. "The weather is as beautiful as you. What do you say we walk into town, have dinner, and …"

"And?"

"Maybe stop in the jewelry store and look at rings?"

"The one that's closed on Sundays, and even if it wasn't Sunday, closes at five?"

"Yeah, that one. I guess we can't do that tonight."

"Is it too soon?" She bit her lip.

"Apparently. The store is closed."

She laughed and laid her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her head. "What about the other part? Walk into town?"

"Absolutely." She stepped back and slid her hand into his.

They walked down the driveway and turned down the tree-lined lane that held some of the oldest homes in Hazel Hill.

Half a block down, Will said, "I requested enrollment information from my old college."

"Really? Thinking about becoming a detective?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll at least take a class or two toward my degree and see where it takes me. If you're okay with that."

She squeezed his hand. "Of course. I'm so proud of you. I'm beside you whatever you choose."

"Good." They walked on.

Her mind wandered to the idea of looking at rings. She held up her left hand that still had the twisty-tie ring, although it wasn't the same one. Will had made her a new one the day after Brett tried to kill her.

She said, "I am fond of this one, but it's not very practical. Are you sure it's not too soon for us to get that serious? I haven't even met your sister Victoria yet."

"Anne approves; I don't care what Victoria says. Plus, my parents adore you."

They'd had dinner with his family again last night, and once again, it had been the most wonderful time Zara had ever experienced with a family. Could they really become her family too?

Will stopped under a huge oak tree and tugged her to a stop. "I've already told you how convinced I am about our future. Do you have doubts?"

"No. I don't think so. No, I don't. I have no doubt that I love you. I may have a long road ahead to realize that you really will stick around, but you've proven it, so I have no more doubts."

"Good." Will closed the small distance between them and, with a hand raked into her hair, drew her lips to his.

The world faded away. The cicada's summer song was the perfect soundtrack to their romance, but even that faded into the background as Will deepened their kiss.

Zara pulled away. A ridiculous thought popped into her head.

"What?"

"Do you suppose your best man and my maid of honor can be amicable long enough to stand up beside us?"

"You want AJ to stand up with you?"

"She's my closest friend."

Will dropped his head back with a roaring laugh. "Oh, this will be good."

"You like torturing your friends, don't you?"

"You have no idea. It'll be good, I hope." He took her hand, and they walked toward town.

"Zara?"

"Yes, Will?"

"You're sure you want to be stuck with me for the rest of your life?"

"I love you." It was her turn to stop him. "I've craved stability all my life, and that's what I've found in you. I'd be a fool to run from it … again."

"Promise not to run off on me again when we just need to talk things out? I know I can't promise not to be an idiot, but give me a chance to fix it?"

"I promise."

Will's smile quirked to the side. "Good. I promise to try not to be an idiot."

"I love you too."