Page 14 of Love and Memories

Isabella’s brows crowded together. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Blackwater.”

“It’s where we found you. I work for the Blackwater Fire Department.”

It didn’t make sense. “Where is it?”

“We’re in Cody right now, but Blackwater is a little northeast of here.”

“What state? I don’t recognize any of those places.”

“Wyoming.”

Isabella stared in disbelief. “I’m from Omaha.”

Travis frowned back at her. “You mean the other side of Nebraska? That’s a good twelve-hour drive from here. Maybe more.”

She placed a hand gently on the bandage covering the side of her head. How had she gotten so far from home?

“Is there a chance you could’ve been taken? I mean, human trafficking is a real possibility, especially for young women.”

Her hand slipped to her throat.Hadshe been taken? Was that why she would have been left for dead? Her chest grew tighter as her lungs constricted.

Travis scooted closer and spoke softly. “Easy. Try to even out your breaths.”

“I–I don’t know. I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t be looking for me.”

“You said your parents are in Omaha. Do you want me to see if I can find them?” Travis asked.

Hope filled her lungs like a balloon. “I guess so. Well, I’m not sure.”

“You’re afraid to go back to your dad?” he asked, careful to word the question with grace instead of judgment.

“I don’t know. I don’t even know how old I am. Maybe I don’t live in Omaha anymore. How long have I been here?”

Travis glanced at the clock on the wall. “We found you around eight thirty Monday morning. The call came in about half an hour before that, so someone had found you at least by then.”

“So, a few days that we know of?” Isabella repeated.

Travis nodded. “I’m sorry I don’t know more.”

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. Can you tell me some things about Blackwater? Maybe that’ll spark some memories.”

“Sure. What do you want to know?”

“Are you from there?” she asked.

His eyes darkened, and his gaze shifted to the clock again. “I’ve lived there a while, but I’m originally from Seattle.”

Isabella scoffed. “Wow. We started out so far apart,” she pointed out.

Travis looked up at her and the shadows in his eyes lifted. “But we met in the middle.”

It was a calming thought–that they’d been brought together by some divine force. She certainly had no clue how she’d gotten here, but there had to be a reason.

He fidgeted his thumbs as he continued. “It’s a lot like any other small town. The people are great. I love my job, but thankfully we don’t have a ton of calls.”

“Do you have a family?” she ventured to ask. Taking all the focus off her might help her mind relax enough to remember something.

“I do, but they’re back in Seattle. I moved here alone.”

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