“I’m sorry,” Holly began, but he shook his head.
“Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous calls we go on is for a domestic disturbance. Even in a town of only about five thousand, we get more than you might think. The guy knocks his wife or girlfriend around, so she calls us, but when we get there and try to take him into custody, she’s suddenly jumping all over us. No one’s ever pulled a gun on me over that, but several of the other deputies have faced it.” Zack’s face had turned grim. “I won’t miss that part of the job.
Holly found herself staring at this grown-up version of Zack. She couldn’t help comparing his bravery to Brett’s lack of it. The coward hadn’t even had the guts to be honest with her.
“Do you have anything else for the kitchen?” Zack asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“This is it,” she said. “Except for my bedroom and bathroom, I have little else.”
“You need a real bed.” Zack headed toward the bedroom. “I can’t believe you’ve slept on an air mattress all these months.”
Holly hurried after him. “I actually prefer an air mattress over springs. And mine is a double high, so it’s not all that different from a regular bed.”
“Well, you already worked a long shift today and then had to move. Let’s get your bed together so you can get some sleep.” He lifted the rolled-up air mattress from a box. “Where’s the pump?”
“It’s built in. I’ll have you know I spared no expense on that really nice air mattress,” she declared, coming to stand beside him.
Grinning, he glanced down at her, shaking his head like he was trying to figure her out. “Did you sleep on one of these in Denver?”
“No.” At his question, her face closed up, and she said with a tight voice, “I’ll put my bathroom things away.”
Zack grasped the sleeve of her sweater. “What did I say wrong?” He faced her, dropping the air mattress and taking her hand. “I feel like I’m walking on glass sometimes. I’m not meaning to pry, but I need to understand what happened to you, so I don’t touch on sensitive subjects.”
Holly had known this moment would come, but it still made her sick to her stomach. Then a reprieve came via a knock on the door. Zack let out a frustrated huff.
“That’ll be the pizza.” He touched her cheek and met her gaze. “But I still want to know who hurt you.” Without another word, he dropped his hand and strode from the room.
Holly’s eyes stung, and a lump formed in her throat, making it hard to swallow. Zack had shown more concern for her than her parents had. More than her twin sister or the man Holly had been getting ready to marry last December.
She wiped her eyes, put on her big-girl panties, and headed into what was sure to be an evening of topics she had avoided for nearly a year.
“I’m glad you came to Canyondale,” Zack said with a forced nonchalance as he opened the pizza box on the kitchen counter. “I’ve wanted to ask for a while if you remembered I was from here, but I realize now it was wishful thinking on my part.”
Holly had been so worried he would ask for something from her that she’d failed to recognize his insecurity. So much for thinking she was empathic.
“No, I didn’t remember you were from Utah at all.” She selected a slice of pizza with Canadian bacon on it. “I got consumed with college and work and falling in love.” Holly took a bite of her pizza.
“Is he the one who hurt you?” Zack asked softly.
Holly swallowed, but the food settled in her stomach like a lead weight. She’d spent so much time in the past year avoiding talking about Brett. Maybe it was time to just vent.
“Yes. I caught him and my twin sister in a passionate kiss at my rehearsal dinner.”
Zack went still for a moment before setting down his pizza, his face flushing, eyes ablaze. Holly had only seen him angry once in the two summers they worked together, and he’d been fearsome to behold. This mature Zack was even more so. That he was feeling thisonher behalf was incredibly gratifying.
She touched his hand. “Thank you for that.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He shot her a confused glance. “But I confess I’d like to punch someone.”
“I appreciate that. It’s more than I got from my family. Now eat your dinner.” Holly picked up her pizza again.
“I have to know one thing,” Zack said.
“All right.”
“Your parents supported the two cheaters.” His words were a statement.
“Yes.” Holly was proud of herself for the lack of hurt in her voice. Maybe time really did heal all wounds.
