Page 5 of Faith
“He never stopped looking for you.”
“He didn’t?” she breathed.
Zeke shook his head, then focused on the road. He drove to his home, assuming she’d want a shower and new clothes.He had something she could wear, nothing like what she was wearing, but he didn’t think that dress was her choice.
He pulled into the driveway of his duplex and sighed when he saw Montgomery wasn’t home yet. They didn’t like the idea of having places far apart, and when the duplex was listed years ago, they jumped on the idea of having each other next door but still maintaining privacy and independence.
Something neither of them wanted for a long time after Nina vanished.
Zeke closed the garage door and let Nina out of the backseat. He helped her out, noting how fragile she seemed. He led the way around his SUV and opened the door into his house.
And was immediately met by a less than happy meow.
Nina gasped. “You have a cat?”
Zeke bent down to pick up Gene, a black and white cat with only three paws. “I have two, actually. This is Gene. He was hit by a car and lost his leg, but don’t tell him because he has no idea there’s anything different about him.”
“He’s precious,” Nina whispered, petting Gene’s head. She laughed, a husky, rusty sound, when Gene purred loudly.
“He’s needy.”
Another meow, softer and more patient, tentative followed.
Zeke turned and spotted Franklin on the kitchen counter. He nodded toward him so Nina would see the tabby. “That’s Franklin. He thinks rules don’t apply to him and never listens.”
Nina went to Franklin and let him sniff her hand. He bumped her knuckles with his forehead, then rubbed his head under her hand, flopping on his back and exposing himself on the counter.
“Jesus, man, have some decency. She just got here,” Zeke said, shaking his head at his cat.
Gene meowed, as though agreeing with Zeke.
Nina laughed again. “They’re wonderful.”
“They’re pretty great, yeah.”
The silence stretched between them. Zeke had a million questions, but he didn’t think he could ask her any of them.
“So, um, the bathroom is upstairs. I’ll show you where everything is and get you some clothes to change into. Montgomery lives next door, but he’s not home, so when you’re cleaned up, I’ll find out where he is and we can go see him.”
Nina nodded, patting Franklin on the head, then following Zeke up the stairs.
The cats followed along, winding between Zeke and Nina’s feet and making her laugh. Zeke fought all the emotions rising up, knowing he had to keep it together until he handed her over to her brother. Zeke didn’t know why she called him and not Montgomery, but it didn’t matter.
She was back.
He went to his bedroom and grabbed the smallest pair of shorts he had, ones with a drawstring, and a dark tee. He didn’t have underwear that would fit her, but he hoped the clothes would be enough for now. He’d buy her an entire fucking store tomorrow. Anything she needed.
She followed behind him, barely two feet away the whole time. When he showed her the bathroom off his bedroom, she sucked in a breath. “Wow.”
“Take your time. I’ll be downstairs. Whenever you’re ready to come back down, you can, but there’s no rush.”
“Zeke?” she whispered.
“Yeah, Nina?”
“Thank you for getting me.”
“Thank you for calling me.”
