Chapter 14: Now, Kent
Kent struggles with where to go with the case after taking Ella to the shelter
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WILD GIRL
Chapter 14: Now, Kent
Ella Abalo leaned her head against the truck’s window frame as they left Waimalia Valley behind. She rubbed her rounded abdomen in thoughtful circles.
Kent couldn’t remember being this close to a pregnant woman before. Anything could happen at any time, and it was likely to be messy and unpleasant for all involved. Anxiety made his palms sweat against the plastic of the steering wheel.
How would he know anything about dealing with a pregnant woman? He was an only child, born to aging parents who’d been the only members of their family to settle on Hawaii; a loner without many friends, perpetually single because he lived and breathed the job and liked his personal space too much to share it.
He glanced over at Ella. Her high, rounded cheek gleamed with tears.
Compassion squeezed his chest. Fucking emotions; he hated them. He cleared his throat. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Don’t know. I only had one prenatal visit and it was too soon to tell back then.” Ella glanced at him. “Manny’s sure it’s a boy.”
“Do you know when the baby’s due?”
“Couple more weeks.”
“So you’ve got time to prepare.”
She shrugged. “Whatever that means. I don’t know why I let you talk me in to this.”
“Because you don’t want to be hurt anymore, or take chances with the baby’s life,” Kent said softly. “What any reasonable person would want.”
Fat tears welled immediately from Ella’s eyes and rolled down, but her face stayed expressionless. Her hand continued its soothing motion against her belly. Kent was drawn to it, wishing he could feel what she did beneath her palm.
He cleared his throat again. “Tell me more about these enemies your husband has.”
“I can’t talk about his personal business. I’m in enough trouble as it is.” She turned those streaming eyes on him; he was stabbed by them. “Please don’t ask me anything more.”
Kent focused on the road. They passed a colorful fruit stand, a WELCOME sign in tropical colors snapping in the breeze, drawing attention to a bin of mangoes and coconuts. “Tell me about your friend Koa, then. Who does she live with?”
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