5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

W ith her hair wrapped in a towel, Zara wandered into her kitchen to look for some food. Coming off four nights of the graveyard shift was always rough to adjust to. She'd only slept for about six hours then took a shower.

The clock on the microwave claimed it was four o'clock, but was that right?

She calculated on her fingers. Yeah, it was right.

Unfortunately, her sleep hadn't been as peaceful as she'd hoped. In addition to her incessant coughing, it was hot today, and her little window unit could only handle so much heat. She'd need a cooler place to hang out until the sun went down.

She ditched the towel on the corner of the counter, opened the refrigerator, and half stared at the contents, half enjoyed the coolness. Breakfast or lunch? She grabbed a yogurt and some granola from the cabinet.

After pulling back the lid, she sprinkled some of the granola then retrieved a spoon as she considered where she should spend the rest of the day.

It was too hot to be outside if she wasn't at a pool. She wasn't going to one of those by herself.

The library would be closed before she even finished eating.

What she wanted to do was call Will. But should she?

She polished off the yogurt, but her soul wasn't sitting right.

Music. That's what she needed. Where had she left her phone this time?

She wandered to her bedroom and found the phone on her nightstand. Once her speaker was turned on, she opened the music app on her phone, and worship music filled her little ground-floor apartment.

Better. But she still couldn't shake the weird feeling.

She sank onto the overstuffed couch and tried to ignore memories of her run-in with Ernie that morning, but it wasn't working.

Should she have reported the run-in? Maybe.

Her phone dinged with a new text message. Will.

Her heart giggled. The message said:

Hope you slept well. Was thinking about you, so I thought I'd check in.

He was thinking about her? The giggle didn't want to stay in her heart.

She texted back.

I'm okay. Ran into Ernie, so feeling a little off.

Not thirty seconds after she sent the text, her phone rang. It was Will. She answered it before the first ring had finished.

"Hey."

"What happened? Are you sure you're okay?"

She told him about the incident. And while she couldn't quite hear him grunting over the phone, she was pretty sure he was.

"Do you want some company?" he asked.

"I would really like that."

"I'll be there in five."

She hung up and held the phone to her chest. Not only did she need company, but she needed his company. She sent a prayer of gratitude for Will to the Lord. And prayed about her unsettled spirit until a knock sounded on her door.

She jumped up and rushed to it as if something horrible would happen if she didn't let him in immediately.

After checking through the peephole that it was indeed him, she opened the door.

Wearing shorts and a not-quite-fitted T-shirt and with his dark hair tousled, he looked amazing, but his smile stopped her heart.

When he met her eyes, he reached out and pulled her against his chest.

She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist as his arms encircled her.

"That encounter shook you up more than you let on." It wasn't a question.

She nodded, not an easy task with her head so tightly smashed against him.

She could stay tucked in his arms forever but maybe not out on her doorstep for all the neighbors to see.

Pulling out of his hug, she tugged him inside.

He pushed the door shut and threw the bolt.

Her past careened forward into her mind. With Will in her life, she hated to think about how often she'd pulled a man into her apartment.

"Where'd you just go?"

She snapped her attention back to Will. "I guess there's a reason Ernie thinks I'd be open to the things he suggested. I'm not your sweet little church girl."

"How long have you been a believer?"

"Like a year."

"That's not very long. I would never have expected you to have lived a Christian life before you were a believer. Most believers struggle to live a Christian life."

"I guess. But I kind of expected that being in relationship with Christ would change things more. Don't get me wrong, I don't go out drinking and sleeping with whoever I want. He's truly changed my heart and my life, but sometimes my old life rears up and reminds me of …" She couldn't find the word.

"Of how much you need a Savior?"

"Yeah, that." She let out a nervous chuckle. "Some of us need Him more than others."

Will slid his hand under her still-wet hair, cupped the back of her neck, and drew her close. "He never said it mattered how few or copious our sins were. Sin is sin. One is all it took to put Him on the cross."

Her vision blurred as moisture pooled in her eyes.

"Whatever your past looks like, Ernie had no right to act like he did toward you."

"Why are you so good to me?"

"Why didn't you call me sooner?"

She shrugged and leaned into his touch.

"Seriously, don't ever hesitate to call me." His cheeks flushed.

"What?"

"I know we haven't really talked about what's going on between us, and I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but it seems like we're a bit more than friends."

"I hope so." She touched his arm and slid her fingers down to his hand.

"Good." He wove his fingers into hers and led her into the living room.

Without letting go, they sat on the couch. The sun streamed through the windows, warming the place even more than it was previously.

"It's too hot to stay here," she said.

"I have an idea that might throw you for a total loop. Up to meeting my parents and a few of my siblings?"

She pulled in a deep breath, but it didn't go anywhere.

"Zara? We don't have to if that's too much."

She released the air. "Actually, I'd like that. I don't have any family."

"None?"

"My mom died a year and a half ago of an overdose, and my dad's in jail. So, no, it's just me."

"It's the opposite for me. Seven siblings."

Her mouth dried as it hung open. "Seven?"

He laughed. "Yep, and I'm the baby. My mom wants to meet you."

"Yeah, I need to meet your mom." She curled up against Will and rested their hands on her legs. Meeting the woman who raised this man would be an honor.

On the drive to his parents' house, Will drummed the steering wheel of his truck to the beat of the country music. The fact that his parents lived way out of town was a good thing today. Zara needed the decompression time.

She and Will had been driving for ten minutes. So far, she'd been quiet, but not a distant quiet, a comfortable, relaxed quiet.

Her hand rested beside her on the bench seat, so he reached across and squeezed it. He went to pull away slowly, hoping that she'd react in a way that indicated she wanted to hold his hand.

And she did. She turned her hand over and slowly laced her fingers between his. Her soft hands were cool from the blasting air conditioning.

"You know, most police departments frown on this kind of fraternization." Her fingers tightened around his hand.

He matched the intensity of her squeeze. "We do need to be mindful that whatever happens between us doesn't interfere with our work, but our leaders are more gracious on that front than some departments. Have you met detectives Jared Johnson and Becca Palmer?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"They go to our church too, so you'll meet them eventually, and it's worth getting Palmer to tell you their story when you get a chance."

"What does that have to do with us and fraternization?"

He chuckled. "Trust me. Everything." He pulled onto another narrow back road.

"Did you grow up out this far?"

"Sure did. This was my parents' dream home, and they moved in when I was about eight months old."

"That's awesome. I love the country. What was it like growing up where you could simply run outside and play?"

"Pretty great. There was plenty of work to do too, but I can't tell you how many times my mom would kick us out of the house after school so she could have a minute of quiet. Where did you grow up?"

"In a trailer park on the east side of Indianapolis. Mom would kick me out when her boyfriends were over, but I never wanted to leave the porch because I never knew who or what I'd find."

How he wished he could change the past for her. He squeezed her hand again, not knowing what to say.

She leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. "It's okay. God's brought me a long way, and all the glory goes to Him."

"Amen."

Silence fell again, but Zara's hand stayed snugly tucked in his.

After a total of twenty minutes of driving, Will pulled into his parents' long driveway that led up to the large, century-old farmhouse.

Zara sat up and leaned forward, eyes wide and a smile tugging her lips into an upward curl.

Letting go of her hand, he parked on the grass beside the driveway and turned off the truck. "Ready?"

"I guess. I hope your mom likes me."

"She's not the one you need to worry about. My sister Victoria on the other hand … she's a little harder to please. The last girl I brought home—now mind you, that was years ago—wanted to run off crying because Victoria didn't approve, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. After all, Victoria won't be here tonight, and if Anne likes you, that will go a long way to Victoria liking you."

"Will Anne be here tonight?"

"Most likely."

Zara's dark eyebrows squeezed close to one another.

"It'll be fine."

He jumped out and jogged around to Zara's door, but it was open before he got there, so he closed it behind her. Putting his elbow out to her, he asked, "Shall we?"

She giggled and placed her hand in the crook of his arm.

He led her up the front steps to the wraparound porch and to the front door, which he pushed open. "We're here."

His mom turned out of the dining room. "William." The love in her voice warmed his heart. As the youngest of seven, there were days it was easy to feel left out and forgotten, but every time his mom looked at him, he knew he was treasured. He prayed Zara would feel that from his mom too.

"Mom, this is Zara."

Zara took her hand from Will's arm and extended her right hand to his mom. "Mrs. Cooper. It's so nice to meet you."

Mom shook her head and pulled Zara into a brief hug before holding her at arm's length. "We aren't that formal around here, dear. I'm tickled pink to get to meet you. William has said many wonderful things about you."

His cheeks warmed.

Zara shot him a glance. "Oh, has he?"

He shrugged one shoulder and flexed his eyebrows before taking his mother in his arms.

When he released her, she said, "Show Zara around while I finish switching laundry. Your sister will be here soon."

"Anyone else coming tonight? And by sister, you mean Anne, right?"

"Of course, and I have no idea if anyone else is coming yet." She waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss him and wandered off to the back of the house.

He directed Zara into the first room off the front hall. "This is the—"

"Let me guess." She grabbed his arm. "The living room."

He laughed.

She wandered into the room and over to the fireplace. On the mantel sat an eight-by-ten photograph of him and his siblings from last Christmas. She picked it up and examined it. "You all look so much alike."

He strolled to her side and pointed out his siblings in birth order. "George, Victoria, Richard, Beth or Elizabeth as Mom prefers to call her, Mary, Anne, and me."

"All so royal."

He shrugged. "With names like Henry and Diana, Mom and Dad couldn't help themselves. They are total nerds."

"Did I hear someone say you all homeschooled?"

"That's correct. From Beth down to me, we were all homeschooled all the way through high school."

"That's amazing. I would never have wanted my mom to homeschool me, but a mom like yours? Now, that would have been amazing."

"You barely met my mom."

"That's all I needed." She set the picture back on the mantel.

Behind them, a voice called out with the monotone, nasal sound with a slight touch of sing-song that was distinctly Anne's. "You finally brought her home."

He spun and signed to his sister. Finally? She only moved here a month ago.

Anne laughed. And that's how fast you fell for her, so of course I'm saying finally .

Zara jumped in. Fell for me? Oh really? Will Cooper, you didn't strike me as one to fall in love at first sight.

Will's cheeks caught fire. While signing for the ease of his sister, he said, "I had no idea you knew ASL."

"Surprise." She moved her hands to the sides of her face with her thumbs beneath her eyes and raised her index fingers while moving her hands away. She turned to Anne and signed, It's nice to meet you, Anne.

Anne said, "I take it Will didn't tell you I was deaf."

Zara continued to sign while she spoke. "No, he didn't."

"In my defense, it's not exactly natural to be like, ‘oh yeah, my sister has been deaf since she was fifteen months old.'"

The women both laughed, and Anne came across the room and wrapped Will in a hug.

They were only eighteen months apart, so by the time he was born, his sister had already lost her hearing after repeated ear infections.

Anne asked, "When did you learn ASL?"

Zara answered, "I took classes at the community college so that I'd have a foreign language on my résumé when I applied for police work. At my last department, it became my thing. Surrounding counties would request me to interpret when needed. So I've kept learning."

Will's mom came in and hugged Anne. Their father followed Mom, and Will introduced him and Zara. They moved toward dinner. So far so good.

Zara gave Will's mother one last hug before they walked out the front door. She absolutely loved his family, well, at least the part she'd met. She'd hit it off well with Anne, and George and his family had stopped by for dessert.

"Well?" Will asked when they were halfway to his truck.

"Well, what?" Her laugh gave her faux naivety away.

He shook his head and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "As much as I want them to like you, I want you to like them too."

"Your family is amazing. Kind of like the way the weather has turned this evening."

He opened the door of his truck for her. "M'lady."

"Why, thank you, sir." She slid in but didn't buckle yet. Would it be too presumptuous to sit in the center seat? The draw to be near Will was so strong tonight, but she didn't want to push what would be appropriate. This whole Christian relationship thing was so new to her. And they were such a new thing.

He climbed into the driver's seat and considered her. "Is it nice enough for windows down as we drive?"

"Absolutely. And I have a request, I know gas ain't cheap, but suppose we could drive around for a bit? I'm not ready to go home, and I know you're the kind of guy that's not going to come in when we get back to my place this late."

"You are correct on all counts, and I like the idea of driving." After starting the truck, he buckled in and draped his arm across the back of the seat. And with the slightest tip of his head, he invited her close.

She slid over and buckled her seatbelt before leaning her head against him.

His hand settled on her shoulder, and he drove.

The day hadn't started well, but it was amazing right now, and she didn't want it to end. Thanks to Will, her head was clear and unweighted by the trials of their job. Instead, she'd seen a bit of light tonight through the Coopers. They all loved Jesus, and it was evident in the way they acted around one another. Were they perfect? She wasn't naive enough to think that, but they lived out dependence on Christ. She could learn so much from them.

They drove past fields dotted with fireflies, the wind blowing through her hair, making her feel freer than she had ever been before.

Thank You, Jesus. I can't even believe I could have found someone like Will. But I know that's You, not me.

She closed her eyes and relaxed, but a coughing fit seized her lungs and killed the moment. She leaned forward and tried to get air in.

Will rubbed her back. "Do you have your inhaler?"

She managed to squeak out a no between coughs.

The cough didn't let up, and fear began to seize her heart. What if she couldn't get air in?

Will pulled over to the side of the road. "Raise your arms and see if that helps. Try to get some deeper breaths in."

She did as he suggested, and the air finally fought past the bronchial spasms. She took a few good breaths and turned into Will's chest. Never in her life had she been scared that she couldn't get another breath in.

Will hugged her. "You got it. Let's get you home and get your inhaler. I think you should be carrying that with you wherever you go."

She pushed off his chest. "I have been, but I haven't needed it much. I'm fine now. Keep driving." She settled back in her seat and wrapped her hands around Will's elbow.

He pulled back on the road, and they chatted about his childhood and about how he and Logan had been friends since they were kids.

After another thirty minutes of driving, Zara attempted to stifle a yawn but failed miserably, and Will caught it.

With a promise to hang out after a good night's sleep, he drove her home. It was already eleven o'clock after all.

He pulled into the empty parking spot in front of her apartment in the old quadplex and turned the engine off.

"I loved meeting your family. I really did. Thank you."

"Thanks for taking us seriously enough to come with me." His eyebrows shot up twice.

He opened the door and stepped out then turned and offered her his hand.

This gentlemanly behavior was going to do her in. No one, absolutely no one, had ever done that kind of thing for her before.

Holding her hand, he walked her to the door.

Her heart pounded in anticipation. She wasn't sure they were ready for the first kiss. Should they wait longer? They hadn't even actually defined what was going on between them, but was that necessary? It wasn't like they were sixteen.

In front of her door, they turned to face one another.

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and wordlessly spoke of his affection with his eyes.

She was a goner. Placing her hands on his chest, she broke eye contact. If she didn't, she would end up kissing him. But she kept trying to remind herself to let him lead.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead.

Her heart launched into the stratosphere and soared above the darkness of the night.

Pulling her against his chest, he wrapped her in his arms. "Thanks for a great evening. I'll call you in the morning."

All she could do was nod and hug him.

She drew her keys from her pocket and unlocked the door. With one more glance between them, she said, "Good night."

"G'night." Will turned and walked toward his truck.

She went inside and closed and locked the door. Leaning back against it, she let all the coiled emotions release. A giant giggle and gleeful eek escaped her lips. She was falling hard and fast, and she didn't care if her parachute deployed.

But the apartment was quiet. Too quiet.

She flipped the light switch on. Two bins that lived in the top of her doorless coat closet to her left were dumped all over the floor—hats, gloves, sunscreen, goggles, and other such things. How on earth would those have fallen out? Her jackets were dropped from the hangers, and her shoes were scattered.

Had someone been … was someone … here?

A third bin fell and slammed into her shoulder.

She screamed. Then smacked her own hand over her mouth. If someone was inside here, she shouldn't scream.

Her hand went to her thigh. No gun. When would she start carrying off duty too? It wasn't like she didn't have a purse designed for that.

What should she do?

She crept forward. If anyone was here, they already knew she was too.