Page 13 of Claws and Feathers

She then registered the first part of Cooper’s comment.Part of the job.It was the second time he’d told her that. Abby supposed it was an accurate assessment. She was a case he wanted to close.

Only… it was different for her. Cooper McAllister saved her life.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?” Cooper wondered, taking another step towards her.

Abby shrugged with feigned indifference. “Sure. Itisyour job.”

He blinked, his mouth twitching as he looked away. “You mentioned your kidnapper was gone five days,” he stated. “Are you certain of that fact? I’m sure time was a bit of a blur.”

“I’m certain,” she said firmly. “When your legs and arms are tied up, you don’t have much else to do but count the days.” Abby flipped her hair over her shoulder as the memories began pooling to the surface. Her chest tightened in response. “Also, there was a crack of light that shone in between the van doors. The sun set four times.”

Cooper nodded as he studied her. “And you’re positive there was nothing familiar about this man? His voice, his smell, his demeanor?”

She bristled at the question. “Why would I hold back anything that could catch the guy who tried to starve me to death?”

“Sometimes new memories creep up after the initial shock wears off. I’m just trying to exclude different scenarios.”

“I…” Abby lowered her arms to her sides, forcing her tension to dissipate. She was being defensive when Cooper was only trying to help. “Sorry. No, there was nothing familiar.”

Cooper took a final step closer, the gap between them lessening. Abby began playing with the hem of her baggy t-shirt, trying to avoid eye contact. He had a distinct scent about him that made her shift back and forth on both feet. He smelled like cedar and pine. She made the mistake of glancing up at him, catching his gaze for just a moment, and she felt her skin grow hot.

Dammit.What the hell?

Abby took a clumsy step backwards and almost stumbled on a loose cobblestone. Cooper reached out to steady her balance, but she pulled away sharply. “I need to get inside. Daphne made regular toast.”

Cooper cocked his head to one side, the corners of his mouth pulling into a smile. “Is that different than… toast?”

“I – It’s not French. And there’s… cinnamon. I think.” She ran her fingers through her hair and continued her trek backwards. “Thanks for checking on me... Officer McAllister.”

Before Abby could make a beeline for the front door, Daphne stormed onto the front porch with a spatula in her hand. She held it up like a weapon, her eyes wild. When she spotted Cooper, she lowered it in surrender.

“Oh, it’s you.” Daphne let out a theatrical sigh of relief. “I thought you were the bad guy.”

Cooper raised a speculative brow as he eyed the spatula. “Well, it’s great to know you had it covered.”

She stomped towards him and smacked him on the arm with her utensil.

“Ow,” he frowned.

“Don’t underestimate me, McAllister. I’m hangry and I’m on my period.”

Abby couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. Both Cooper and Daphne looked at her, startled, as if her laughter were unprecedented. She shrunk back. “I’m going inside,” she said meekly, ducking her head. Her eyes floated over to Cooper before she turned away, and it almost looked as if he wanted to say something. Abby didn’t wait to find out. She spun on her heel and disappeared inside the house.

Daphne followed behind. “You okay?”

Abby pulled a stool out from the kitchen island and eyed her plate of partially burnt toast and extra crispy bacon. She puckered her lips, pushing the breakfast away. “I’m fine.”

“Do you want to talk about anything?”

She shook her head. “Honestly, I just want to be normal. I want to pretend like none of this ever happened.”

“Oh, Abs.” Daphne took a seat beside her and rubbed her back. “It’s healthy to talk about it. If you keep it bottled up, it’s going to come out eventually and it’s not going to be pretty.”

Abby glanced at her friend. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to laugh without people looking at me like I grew three heads. I don’t want to bethatgirl.” She knew she was that girl. She would forever be that girl.

“I guess I’m just surprised by how well you’re adjusting. I’d be locked in my bedroom listening to angry Alanis and inhaling a concerning number of calories.”

She shrugged and stood from the stool. “It’s over. I survived,” Abby said. “Time to move on.”

---