Chapter 16
What a day. He and Brandon reported to a domestic disturbance.
His second-most hated call behind anything that dealt with children.
The resulting release of the husband continued to baffle him.
How did a woman put up with being hit and then scream at them not to arrest her husband?
Now, he was late for lunch with Jennie. David pulled up to the curb in front of Mrs. Hanover’s house and killed the engine.
He dropped from his new truck and waltzed over to Officer Hanes’s car.
“Has it been quiet around here?”
Randy dusted crumbs off his shirt and peered up at David with a sheepish grin. “Yes, sir.”
David swiped his hand over his mouth to hide a smirk. “Miss Emily makes amazing cookies, doesn’t she?”
The officer exhaled. “She sure does.”
“Relax, Randy. No one’s going to grump at you.”
“Thanks, detective. I had to use the facilities, and Mrs. Hanover handed me a bag of treats on the way out.”
David nodded. “I get it. No worries, man. I’ll be here for about an hour or so. Take a break and get some real food in your belly.”
“Will do. See you in an hour, sir.”
David waved at the officer as he backed out of the driveway. The weight of the day draped over his shoulders like a blanket. He clomped up the steps and knocked on the front door.
Miss Emily swung the door open and greeted him with a hug. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
His pulse galloped out of control. “Why? What happened?”
“Stop it, young man. Nothing happened. I’m just glad to see you.” She studied him for a moment. “Looks like you could use some comfort food.”
“I wouldn’t turn it down.” He followed Miss Emily through the living room and toward the kitchen. “Where’s Jennie?” He glanced down the hall hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
“She ate earlier and went to take a nap.” The woman checked her watch. “She should be making an appearance pretty soon.”
“Sorry I’m late. We had a call that came in a few minutes before I planned to relieve Officer Hanes during my lunch.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing, son. Jennie’s doing fine. She’s a tough cookie, that one.” Miss Emily rested her hand on David’s shoulder and placed his plate on the table.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“You are so very welcome.” Miss Emily lowered herself onto a kitchen chair.
The two sat and chatted, sharing family stories. When he finished his meal, the tension in his muscles had released. Miss Emily had a way of easing a person’s stress.
He helped with the dishes and meandered into the living room. He still had thirty minutes.
“Hey there, stranger.” A raspy voice entered behind him.
He shifted and gazed at Jennie. Her color had returned, and her eyes were brighter than this morning. She was definitely on the mend. “Hey back. You’re looking better.”
“I’m feeling better.” She joined him on the couch. “You on the other hand look like you lost your teddy bear.”
He chuckled. “Leave it to you to notice.”
“Well?” She twisted. Tucking her ankle under her knee, she draped her arm on the back of the sofa and winced. “What has my bodyguard all twisted in knots?”
Did he dare ask? He wanted to confirm his beliefs about battered women, but did he dare ask?
“I’m not sure you’ll want to hear it.” He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
She squinted and studied him. “One of two things. Either you rescued or recovered a child this morning, or it has something to do with domestic violence.”
His jaw dropped. How did she read him so easily? “How did you know that?”
“Easy.” She rubbed the crease in his brow. “Only those two things put that line right here. Everything else, you seem to roll with the punches. Pun not intended.”
He ran his hand over his face. “An abused woman screamed at me to let her abusive husband go. Pleaded with us not to arrest him.”
“I understand that.”
“I don’t want to bring up bad memories for you.”
“But you want to know why.” It was a statement, not a question.
He nodded. “It’s just that I’m confused. The women always tell us after things settle down that the husband hadn’t meant to hurt them. But I don’t get how they can go back to the abuse time and time again.” He hoped he hadn’t upset her, but he really did want to understand.
She exhaled. “It’s not always about that the woman believing her husband or boyfriend won’t do it again. It’s more about dependence.”
He shifted to face her. “Explain.”
“He might be her only source of income. If he’s in jail, where will she buy food for herself or her children? And then it might come down to being afraid to be alone.”
He clasped her hand and squeezed. “Is that the way it was for you?”
“Kinda.” She stared at the floor.
David waited. He’d ask her to delve into the darkness of her past, he wouldn’t rush her to finish her thoughts.
She shook her head. “For me…it was conditioning.”
David tilted his head. What did that mean?
“Everything started in a wonderful way. My husband’s friend, helping me out and giving me the support I needed. Then over time, he gaslighted me. I started thinking I was worthless and couldn’t fend for myself. By the time he started the physical abuse, I believed I deserved it.”
“Please tell me you don’t think that anymore.” David held his breath. This sweet woman had been through so much.
She laughed. “You seriously have to ask? No. I know that I’m worth more than being a doormat for that egotistical jerk…” She inhaled deeply and released the breath. “I will never be dependent on anyone like that again.”
And there it was. The fence erected between them. He didn’t want her dependence.
“Jennie, I want your trust. Because, believe me, I’m not all that dependable.”
“I do trust you, David. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy you are watching out for Zoey and me, but I have a feeling you’re the one keeping secrets now.”
And just like that, she zeroed in on the problem. He rubbed the back of his neck, debating whether or not to come clean. What if she turned her back on him? Didn’t trust him anymore? “You told me your darkest secret. I suppose it’s only fair I tell you mine.”
She shook her head. “No. This isn’t about fair. It’s about you wanting to open up to me.”
“I want to. You deserve to know.” He held her gaze, determined to tell her how he’d failed the woman he once loved.
“Four years ago, I was engaged to a woman named Brenda. I don’t know why, but she put up with me.
I was different then. Work came first. My relationship with her and my faith were afterthoughts.
Something I’ve changed since then.” He swallowed the emotions that crept up his throat.
“We had dinner plans. I’d promised her I’d pick her up, but I was running late—like usual.
She told me she’d meet me at the restaurant.
I agreed since it meant I could finish up what I was working on.
Brenda called me a little later saying she had a flat tire.
The street she was stuck on wasn’t the safest. I knew that, but I told her to hang tight, and I’d be there as soon as I finished up at work. ”
Jennie cupped his cheek and her thumb wiped under his eye.
He hadn’t realized tears trickled down his face. “A half an hour later I received a call from my commanding officer. Brenda had been shot and killed during a mugging. It was my fault she was on that street without help. I ignored her, thinking my work was more important than the woman I loved.”
“So that’s why you watch out for Zoey and me.”
“I can’t lose someone else I care about.” He placed his hand on top of hers. Their combined hands warmed his cheek.
“You care about me?”
“Jennie. Somewhere along the line, I’ve fallen for you.”
She leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Without questioning his actions, he deepened the kiss. He hadn’t allowed himself to consider a relationship with another woman until Jennie crashed into his life. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “Wow.”
Her timidness was adorable. “I shouldn’t—”
“Don’t you dare apologize,” he smiled. “I wish I would have had the strength to kiss you first.”
Her face brightened with confidence. “I didn’t think I’d ever want to be with another man, but you’re making me question that.”
“I never thought I could love another woman again, too afraid I’d fail her, but you’re making me rethink my stance.” He closed his eyes and gathered all the courage he could muster. “Would you be willing to try at a relationship together?”
She bit her lower lip. “Yes, but…”
“What is it?”
“Please don’t do anything controlling. I can’t handle that.”
“I want to be your partner, not demanding.”
“Okay.”
“As in you’ll go out on a date with me and see where this leads?”
She nodded.
He tucked her next to him and rested back on the couch. “For the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to the future.”
She giggled. Actually giggled, and it was the most amazing sound he’d ever heard.
Twenty minutes later, David’s phone rang with Zoey’s ringtone. He furrowed his brow. “That’s Zoey.”
Jennie straightened as he answered.
“Zoey?”
“Help.” Her voice, barely above a whisper.
“Zoey, what’s wrong?” David jerked to his feet and grabbed his keys.
“He’s after me.”
“Where are you?” He headed for the door.
“I’m in the bathroom at school. I pushed the metal trash can against the door, and I’m hiding in the stall.”
“Smart girl. I’m on my way. Don’t come out for anyone but me. Got that?”
“Okay.”
“Don’t hang up. I’m handing the phone to your momma while I call dispatch.” He punched the speaker button and handed the phone to Jennie and traded phones with her.
Jennie’s fingers shook as she clasped his phone. “Hi, baby.”
“Hi, Momma.” Sobs sounded from the other end. “I’m scared.”
“I know, sweetie. But we’re on our way.”
David tried to ignore the mother-daughter conversation as he called for assistance.
“9-1-1 what’s your emergency?”
“Gloria, it’s Whitman. I need units at Roosvelt Elementary code 3.”
“Copy that, detective.”