8. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

W ill pulled his squad car away from the station on Tuesday, the first of his four days on swing shift. Four days had passed since Zara's apartment had been broken into, and three days since she'd asked him about not being a detective. He'd shut down that conversation way faster than he should have, and she hadn't brought it up since, even though they spent much of the last three days together. He hadn't brought it up either.

It was stupid though. Not finishing college had been less of a deliberate choice and more the result of his slacking off. It wasn't that he wasn't a hard worker though. But he didn't want Zara to think that of him. Enough people spent their lives disappointed in his lack of perseverance. He didn't want to add her to the list.

Plus, he absolutely loved being a uniformed officer. That's why he hadn't given much consideration to trying to finish his college degree. He'd started working and loved the job, so why bother finishing college?

With concerted effort, Will shifted his mind to different subjects as he patrolled the city. A half hour later, he headed to the high school. He'd been assigned traffic duty for school dismissal.

Other than a few student drivers that he threatened to ticket for their near-reckless driving, it was an easy duty.

Around five, Zara reported in that she was going to the Garden Park Community to walk around and interact with the residents. That was the trailer park where they'd responded to the domestic call last week.

He didn't doubt Zara's ability to take care of herself, but a second officer around that neighborhood was always a good idea. And maybe a more familiar face like his would be helpful. He had made good connections with a few of the residents over the years.

He reported in that he would join her.

Less than ten minutes later, he pulled into a parking spot next to Zara's squad car by the playground at the front of the community.

She waved from where she was standing by a picnic table talking to a couple of young moms who were watching their children play on the equipment.

One of the moms waved. "Well, if it ain't Officer Cooper."

"Hey, Rita. How's Ron?"

"He's good. Loving that job you helped him find. Thanks again."

"I'm so glad."

Zara shot Will a giant smile.

They chatted with the moms and passed out stickers. A few kids on skateboards came over and, even though they were in their teens, asked if they could have stickers too. Will gladly handed them each a sticker.

As he chatted with the teens about what they were planning for the day, a stout woman with a rolling pin in her hand charged toward the playground. Will rested his hand on his Taser.

He patted the shoulder of the young man nearest him. "I'll talk to you guys later. That woman doesn't look too happy."

"Rainie Bishop is never happy. Crankiest lady in the neighborhood."

The other boy said, "Good luck."

The two skated off, and Will turned his full attention to the woman who was storming straight for Zara.

She tucked the woman she was talking to behind herself. The moms gathered their kids and dispersed.

Rainie was yelling at Zara, every other word a cuss word.

Hand still ready on his Taser, Will walked over.

Zara held her hands up, palms facing Rainie. "Calm down. Let's talk. I don't understand what the issue is."

"You filthy little pig. It's all your fault my Ernie got visited by those stupid detectives on Saturday. That one thinks he's a freakin' cowboy, coming into my house in his stupid cowboy hat and boots."

Wyatt. The man couldn't help it—he was from Texas.

Zara said, "I'm sorry that was a problem. They had to do their job, and Ernie was a suspect. Where was Ernie on Friday night?"

"Heck if I should know. I'm not his mother."

Zara shot Will a did-you-just-catch-that-admission look. "Who are you then?"

" I'm his girlfriend, so you better back off. You can't have him. He's mine! We came all the way from Indiana together, and we're gonna stay together." She raised the rolling pin. "So you'd just better leave him alone."

"I'm not messing with him. Put the rolling pin down, miss."

"Who are you calling miss?" Rainie yelled.

Will said, "Rainie? That's your name, right?"

"Stay out of this, pig." She chucked the rolling pin in Will's direction.

He dodged it by jumping to the right.

Rainie ran at Zara, who had reached for her Taser but couldn't pull it out of its holster fast enough. Rainie slammed into Zara but didn't knock her over.

The women grappled with one another, and just as Will got to them, Zara took Rainie to the ground.

The woman smacked into the grass with a thud. The force of the takedown knocked the air out of her, and she gasped for breath.

Zara rolled the woman onto her stomach. "Hands … behind … your … back." Zara coughed as she slapped cuffs onto the woman's wrists.

Will said, "Rainie Bishop, you're under arrest for assaulting a police officer." He finished Mirandizing her and got her to her feet.

Zara sat on the ground and coughed again.

You okay? He signed to her.

She nodded.

But he didn't believe her. After taking Rainie to his squad car and shoving her into the back seat, he went back to Zara and offered her a hand up.

She crammed her inhaler back in her pocket and took his hand.

"Are you sure you're fine?"

"Yes." She gripped his elbow. "Thanks for getting the rolling pin out of her hand."

He chuckled. "Just glad it didn't hit me in the process."

"Me too." The sparkle in her eyes almost undid him.

But he kept himself together and professional. "I'll take care of her if you want to get back to patrols."

"I think I'll stick around here a little longer. At least walk the neighborhood before I leave."

"If you insist, but be careful."

"I will."

With reluctance, he left her behind and took Rainie to lockup.

Zara's lungs hurt from the coughing fit, but she didn't want to tell Will how much. The inhaler helped tremendously. She walked down the road, which was barely wide enough for two cars to pass without hitting one another. It wound its way through the trailer park.

She approached the mobile home where Miley and Corbin lived. Keeping her distance, she kept an eye out to see if Brett was home. If he was, she would avoid the home for now, but if he wasn't, maybe she'd check in with Miley and see how they were doing.

The door opened, and Miley stepped out.

Zara waved.

Miley smiled and returned the wave. "Hey!"

Zara crossed the road and strode over to the porch. "How are you doing?"

"We're well. Would you like a glass of lemonade?"

"Sure. It is crazy hot out here."

"Especially with all that gear y'all wear. Come on in." Miley motioned for Zara to join her inside.

Zara climbed the stairs and entered the small home.

Corbin played on the floor with a bin of Matchbox cars. When he spotted Zara, his face lit up.

"Hey, bud." Zara knelt beside the boy, and he handed her a little Mustang. "This is such a great car. Which one is your favorite?"

He held up a red Chevy.

"That's a good one too."

Miley poured two glasses of lemonade, brought them into the living room, and handed one to Zara.

"Thank you so much. So how has Brett been since his night at the station last week?"

"Fine." Miley set the glass down and covered Corbin's ears. "He hasn't hit me again." She let go of her son, who wiggled away.

"I'm glad to hear that. Be sure you call if he does. Or if you need anything at all."

"I'm sure it was a fluke. He's such a nice guy otherwise. He's been good to Corbin. Bought him these cars. Gets him one a week if he's good."

"How old are you, Corbin?"

The boy looked up. "Four." He held four little fingers in the air, his thumb tucked down, not quite touching his palm.

Old enough to remember hiding in his closet for the rest of his life. Her first memory of hiding in the closet was when she was only three.

Footsteps fell on the wooden porch outside.

Miley froze, terror filling her eyes.

Those were not the eyes of a woman who was doing fine with her boyfriend.

Zara stood, and Miley did as well. They turned to the door.

A middle-aged woman stood on the other side of the screen door.

Miley's sigh of relief was felt through the whole single-wide. She opened the door and let the woman inside.

The woman smiled at them both and handed a slip of paper to Miley, who read it. She nodded and went to the kitchen.

The woman studied Zara and smiled.

Zara pointed at herself. "I'm Zara Grant."

From the kitchen, Miley said, "Oh, Claudia can't understand you. She's deaf."

Zara signed. I'm Zara Grant. Do you speak ASL?

Claudia smiled. Yes. I'm Claudia. I'm here to ask for a cup of sugar. I ran out while baking, and I'm almost done.

Miley came back with a Ziplock bag of sugar. She'd added to the note.

Claudia signed to Zara. Tell Miley thank you for me.

Will do. It was nice to meet you.

You too. Claudia gave Miley a quick hug and left.

Zara turned to Miley. "She said thank you."

"That's so awesome that you can sign. Can you teach me?"

"Sure. I have to get back to work soon, but I'd love to show you a few today, and maybe we can get together and I can teach you more."

"I would love that. Claudia is so sweet, but writing notes gets tiresome. I'd love to be able to communicate with her more clearly."

Zara checked her watch before sitting down and teaching Miley the basics of sign language.

Exhausted, Will pulled his squad car into its parking spot just before midnight and the end of shift. He was wiped. After taking Rainie in, he'd responded to multiple calls. Then during a routine traffic stop for a broken headlight, he'd busted a drug dealer who not only had an abundance of drugs, paraphernalia, and cash, but also an illegal firearm. After taking that guy in, he'd pulled over another druggie. At least that one was only high on weed.

But the shift was finally over. All he wanted to do was go home and sleep, although he did hope to at least see Zara first.

He went into the station and took care of his end-of-shift duties. He changed in the locker room, and when he came out, Zara was exiting the women's locker room.

She smiled at him, but it was a weak, tired smile.

"The rest of your shift was fun too, I take it?"

She chuckled. "Not as fun as yours from what I hear."

They walked out together, and she told him about teaching Miley sign language and the rest of her shift, which while busy, held nothing as intense as dealing with a drug dealer.

He walked her to her car, which was parked two down from his truck.

"You know you don't have to walk me to my car. We're at the police station."

"I know you can handle yourself; you proved that earlier today. But maybe I want another minute with you."

"If I weren't so tired, I'd suggest waffles."

"Don't tempt me."

She giggled while twirling the keys in her hand. Instead of unlocking her sedan, she leaned back against it.

He glanced around the parking lot. They were alone, so he propped his hand on the roof of the car just above her shoulder and leaned in close.

Their faces only inches apart, the scent of her spearmint gum enticed him closer. "I'm glad that crazy lady didn't hurt you earlier."

"That rolling pin was the greater risk." Zara wove her fingers into his other hand.

He stepped closer, their bodies still not quite touching.

Her other hand came to rest on his chest.

His heart jolted.

"If only you were a detective. I'd feel better if you were the one working the case of who broke into my apartment."

His whole body stiffened as if he'd been doused with a bucket of ice water.

"If only I were a detective?" The bite in his tone was harsher than he intended, but he couldn't help it. Her words all but screamed his shortcomings. He pulled away.

"That was supposed to be a compliment." She squeezed his hand, preventing him from pulling it away.

"Some compliment. Just point out my failures."

"I never said you failed at anything."

Except that she had. Only not in so many words. But he knew the truth about his failures. He didn't need her to rub his face in them.

He didn't want to fight with her, but he had no desire to explain why he'd never be a detective. "Let's drop it, okay?"

He stepped back, but she clung to his hand with a grip so tight he feared his hand might cramp.

"Wait, is that why you didn't finish college?"

Right to the gut. She might as well have punched him. College was the biggest fail of his life. "Look, college and I didn't jibe. It was only one class, but it was enough to derail my plans."

Horror streaked her face. "Are you the kind of guy that when things get tough you ditch out?" Her voice shook.

His breath caught in his chest. Was he that kind of guy? He didn't want to be, but he didn't know how to answer.

"You are, aren't you?" Her jaw quivered as she stared at him. "When things get tough, are you going to give up on us? On me?" She didn't give him time to respond. "I can't do that again." She dropped his hand and shoved him away.

This was ridiculous. They both needed to calm down and talk. "Zara, don't overreact."

"Overreact?" She shook her head. "No. I'd rather be alone than abandoned."

She whipped around and yanked her door open.

"Zara!"

She slammed the door.

He reached out and touched the window. "Come on, let's talk this out."

She smashed the car into gear, zipped out of the parking spot, and sped out of the lot, leaving him reeling.

"God, what just happened?"