Free A Rescued Heart (Rescued Heart Romance) by Natalie Replogle Page A

head.
    “Why do you think that?”
    Ava stopped the swing and twisted around to look straight at him. “A few problems have occurred in the last couple of weeks that made me concerned about the home life of my student Tessa. I walked her home today to speak with her mom, Kim. Kim’s arm was in a sling and one side of her face was covered in bruises. She was nervous and on edge, clearly hiding something.”
    “Did she admit to being abused?”
    Matt had seen this too much in his profession. If a man had to beat a woman, it only showed that he was weak and a coward.
    “No, but I could tell she wanted to, only we were interrupted by her boyfriend, Ray. Matt, he made me feel so uncomfortable. I couldn’t get out of that house fast enough.”
    “Did he touch you or say something to upset you?” All level-headedness left him. If that man even touched a hair on her head …
    “No, it was nothing like that. He was just stern in getting his point across that I was to keep my nose out of their business. It was mostly the way he spoke to her.”
    Matt studied her, trying to see if he could read her emotions and if she was telling the truth. He speculated she was angry and honest. She wore her heart on her sleeve and her thoughts on her face.
    He let her words soak in and watched the sun begin to set and coat the sky with splashes of pink and orange. They sat in comfortable silence, neither eager to break the quiet. Matt figured she called him for a reason, so he would wait. Ava had so many other people in her life that she could confide in. He hoped this was a good sign, the first step in her trusting him.
    Ava broke the silence first. “Matt, I need you to do me a favor.”
    “If I can.”
    “I need you to intervene and check out this Ray guy, or even get Tessa and Kim away from him.” The pleading in her eyes crushed him.
    Matt figured this would be Ava’s request and he hated having to disappoint her. Domestic abuse frustrated him and left a nasty taste in his mouth. He had taken a vow to serve and protect, but his hands were tied concerning this situation.
    “Ava, I’m so sorry, but there is nothing I can do.”
    “What do you mean, there’s nothing you can do?”
    “Listen, I know you’re upset and I wish I could help, but I can’t.”
    “How can you say that? You’re a cop, isn’t that your job?”
    Her words didn’t come across as callous, just discouraged. Any type of abuse was a tricky problem where the law was concerned. Even if a wife was being abused by her husband, unless she pressed charges there was nothing the police could do. If they were called to the house because of a domestic disturbance, he could take the husband to jail for a night or two, but in most cases they would make bail quickly, and sadly it was usually paid by the wife.
    If it would make a difference he’d knock at Kim’s door right now and check out the situation. However, Ava’s concern came from a hunch, and even if she was right and Kim was being abused, having a policeman show up would only cause Kim more problems. She had mentioned at Kyle and Kate’s wedding about being a part of the abuse support group at her church, which meant she knew the signs, but she also knew the way the system worked. If he were a betting man, he’d put his money on the fact that she knew what his answer would be but felt the need to ask anyway.
    A few kids who looked to be middle school age walked across the playground as a shortcut to the basketball court. They were oblivious to the intense conversation that was taking place. He hesitated to answer her until they had their privacy.
    Matt stood and came around to face her, crouching down to put him at eye level with Ava. He placed his hands on the chains of the swing, pulling her toward him so her knees touched his chest. He was invading her personal space, but he didn’t care.
    “Ava, you and I both know there is nothing I can do. Unless Kim comes forward and presses charges, my hands are