A Rescued Heart (Rescued Heart Romance) by Natalie Replogle

comments, but that didn’t change the fact that she said them.
    “I’m sorry, Matt, that must have been horrible.” Her bad week suddenly sounded pathetic by comparison.
    “Yeah, sometimes I want to deck the guy and say, ‘How did that feel?’ But unfortunately they frown upon that at the department.”
    Ava twisted a piece of grass in her hands, examining the blade’s detail. She wanted to crawl into a hole, but first she needed to apologize.
    “Matt, I’m really sorry for my words the other day. You kindly came at my request and I threw it in your face.” Bringing her eyes to reach his, she exhaled slowly wondering if she had caused him to think less of her.
    “Ava, there’s no need for you to apologize. You had every right to ask me to help Kim. I’m just sorry I can’t right now. Have you heard from her yet?”
    “No.”
    “Don’t lose hope, keep praying. God is good.” He stood and stretched. “I brought a Frisbee, do you want to play?”
    “Sure, I haven’t played in years. Sounds like a great way to embarrass myself.”
    They casually tossed the Frisbee back and forth for a while. Once they both loosened up, they stepped it up, lifting their legs and throwing it underneath, whipping it around their sides and chucking it backwards and backhanded. It was as if they were teenagers again. Matt’s throws were smoother than hers and his Frisbee arrived at its exact destination every time. Ava’s throws usually made him run. After twenty minutes her arm started to get sore. She agreed quickly when he suggested they take the hike he had mentioned earlier.
    They followed the wilderness path at an easy pace, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Ava loved the spring. After the long winter it was nice to see color on the trees again and flowers blooming with their scent of new life.
    The sun came out from behind the clouds. Ava closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth upon her face. She realized she closed them too long when she tripped on a log and started to fall forward. Matt’s quick reaction stopped her before she hit the ground. His arms gathered around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. He held her a few seconds longer than necessary. She didn’t protest.
    He released her as she giggled nervously. “Thanks,” she said as she rubbed the goose bumps that appeared because of his touch. “I guess you could say I’m not very coordinated.”
    “Good, because perfection is overrated,” he teased.
    They continued up a small hill that led them into the woods. The air became crisp in the shade. Ava put on her sweat shirt, thankful she’d remembered it. Matt had mentioned while they were driving to the park that if she shared some information with him today, she would get some clues about next week’s date. Ava was slightly concerned about what information he would be seeking. She wasn’t ready to share anything serious yet. He had already invaded her willpower to keep a distance and if they bonded over her past she would lose all leverage.
    Matt led the way to a clearing with a rickety wooden bench overlooking a small creek. Ava sat gently, not sure if it would break under the pressure of their weight. The water rushing over the rocks had a calming effect on her nerves. The birds chirping reminded her of God’s instruction in the Bible about worrying.
    “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
    Ava loved the moments when God’s Word spoke to her heart. Reminding her how He had everything under control and loved her.
    Matt turned toward her and put one arm on the back of the bench, careful not to touch her. “All right, I’m ready for my information.”
    “Your wish is my command,” she said,