Page 44 of Jael

“I’ll be a minute,” Danny said. “I’m not going to drag her out.”

“Why not? I need you in here. Let’s go.”

“Give me a second.”

Christopher shook his head, then added an eye roll. “It had better not take more than a second.” He added a second eye roll before disappearing back inside.

Danny looked back at the girl, realizing how far he’d come in some areas. God had done a big work in him since those days. But he was at a loss about how to handle this situation without causing any damage to the girl or himself.

God, I could use some help here. I’ll protect her with my life if you give me an idea about how to get her out.

She wiped at her nose and sniffed hard, reminding him of someone he didn’t want to remember. He closed his eyes for a second, but it didn’t dislodge the image from his mind. Danny hadn’t asked God to open old wounds, but that’s what He’d done.

“My little sister used to do that,” he said. “Sniff real hard. Especially after I told her to get a tissue. Her name was Lilly, but I used to call her Lolly because she liked candy so much. Do you like candy?”

The girl’s mouth twitched before her lips separated. “Does she still like candy?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

“Why not?”

“We were in foster care. She was adopted, I wasn’t. I tried to find her, but I haven’t been able to. It’s probably for the best.”

“Do you miss her?”

“Very much.”

The girl chewed on her bottom lip, then said, “Some people came to put me in foster care once.”

“Oh yeah? So…is Burger your dad?”

She nodded slowly.

“Do you know your mom?”

The girl’s eyes dropped to the ground. “She didn’t want me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I know how that feels. But at least your dad does.”

She shrugged. “He makes me stay in my room a lot.”

“He doesn’t hurt you, does he?”

The girl shook her head, not noticing his concern.

“Good. Do you feel like telling me your name now?”

“Eva.”

“Eva. Really? That’s a very pretty name. Eva, I won’t let anything happen to you. Okay? That guy back there? I won’t let him touch you.”

“I don’t like him.”

“I don’t like him much either.”

“Then why are you here with him?”

“That is a good question. I think I’m here to make sure you’re safe.”

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