Page 21 of Claws and Feathers

“Delightful,” Abby laughed. “Hey, I’m going to unpack my camera stuff. Want to be my model? I was thinking about getting a photography business up and running.”

“Damn, girl,” Daphne said, her hands raising to her hips. “From almost murdered to boss babe. I’m kind of impressed.”

Abby dipped her head, her eyes settling on her friend’s white shag rug. “Yeah, well. I need to keep busy.” Keeping busy was all she knew. It was how she survived blow after blow throughout her life. She moved steadily from project to project. It was the only way.

“I get it,” Daphne said. Her features softened as she regarded Abby. “I’m proud of you, you know?”

Abby let her smile resurface, touched by Daphne’s words. “So… model?”

“Duh,” Daphne replied. She fluffed her hair. “But unless you’re going for ‘hot mess and eternally single’, I should probably shower and change.”

“No rush.” Abby giggled and watched as Daphne escaped into the hall bathroom. She made her way into the guest bedroom and began digging out her camera equipment. It had been over a month since she’d used it. A wistful smile crossed her face as she stared down at the camera body with fondness. The last gift her parents had gotten her was her very first camera. It had solidified Abby’s passion for photography.

An hour later, the girls were in the front yard, chatting and laughing as they enjoyed the impromptu photoshoot. Daphne had dressed up in her usual pinup style with a polka-dot dress and striking, red lipstick.

“You can Photoshop me to be skinnier, right? And with bigger boobs?” Daphne inquired as she struck a pose.

Abby fiddled with her manual settings, then instructed Daphne towards a shaded tree. She snickered at the request. “I promise you’ll love them. You look amazing.”

A car pulled up behind James’ cruiser, momentarily distracting Abby.

“Abs! You missed that thing I did with my lips.”

“S – Sorry. Is that Cooper?” She squinted her eyes, surprised to see him. Abby had thought James was the officer on duty for the day. She was even more surprised to see that Cooper was in his regular car and not wearing his uniform. He looked like the man she’d met at The Crow Bar – before things got complicated.

Cooper nodded his head in greeting from the edge of the lawn, then approached James, leaning into the open window.

“Earth to Abigail,” Daphne admonished, tapping her pointed stiletto against the lawn. “If I suck in my stomach any longer, I’m going to pass out from oxygen deprivation.”

Abby shook her head, returning her attention to Daphne. “Again with the dramatic.”

“Charm, my friend.” She snapped her fingers. “Get with the program.”

Abby rolled her eyes, but in an affectionate fashion, and tinkered with her camera settings. She found immense satisfaction in the way her fingertips grazed along the familiar buttons. It gave her peace. A sense of healing.

A strong breeze roared through, making her skin come alive with goosebumps. She relished in the innate beauty of it. How easy it was to take for granted such marvelous, little things – a warm breeze, a camera in her hands, lush grass tickling her bare feet.

If any good came out of her ordeal, it was this. Abby would never, ever take these things for granted again.

“You’re off the hook, Walker.”

James looked up from his half-eaten bagel in the driver’s seat. “I just started this riveting audiobook, McAllister. Don’t you sleep?”

Cooper chuckled. “You sound like my sister,” he said. He draped his arms across the hood of the car and leaned forward. “Listen… Ashland County is starting to come down on me. I’ve got too much manpower on this security detail. I honestly thought we’d catch the bastard by now.”

James sighed, then reclined against the back of his seat. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Had a feeling Reynolds would pull the plug soon.”

“Yeah.” Cooper knew it was coming. It was just a matter of time. But he wasn’t ready to cut Abby’s protection just yet – her safety was more important than budget issues and department politics. And until Cooper had her kidnapper in handcuffs, or atleasthad an inkling that she was out of harm’s way, he would take it upon himself to watch over her. Cooper slapped his hand against the patrol car and took a step back. “Why don’t you head into Ashland and talk to the employees who were on duty at Kristoff’s the day the van was stolen? I know we interviewed them already, but let’s do another sweep. There’s got to be something there that we missed.”

“You sure, man? You look like hell,” James countered. “I know it’s a concept, but you should consider utilizing your days off as just that – days off.”

“I will,” Cooper said firmly. “When we catch him.”

“Suit yourself.” James started up the engine and tossed his bagel onto the passenger’s seat. “I’ll be in touch.”

As James drove away, Cooper lifted his head and his eyes settled on Abby. She had her camera out, taking photos of Daphne beneath a drooping willow tree. He could hear her laughter mingling with the early summer breeze, and for a moment, he couldn’t differentiate between the two. She crouched down in her salmon sundress, trying to capture a different angle, and Cooper was temporarily mesmerized. Abby looked better. Color had returned to her cheeks and there was a fresh innocence about her. She wasn’t scarred or haunted. She wasn’t shackled to her demons. She didn’t carry the weight of her insurmountable tragedies.

For just one fleeting moment, she lookedfree.

---