Page 49 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
Jack probably could have left and maybe should have, but he needed to know that the doc was happy with her results before he could leave her there alone. He’d seen the worry the nurse couldn’t hide, and it had started a seed of anxiety growing inside him that only a doctor’s examination would resolve.
***
By the time he’d gotten the final results, he’d seen that time had moved on, and he was late for his swim date with Maisie. It bothered him, keeping her waiting. He didn’t like to do so and never would have except for what he considered an emergency.
Not knowing why, he suddenly felt anxious. His foot pushed the gas pedal down, forcing the truck past the speed limit. Hell, he’d gotten enough tickets in his life that he knew better than to take chances, but something drove him on.
By the time he’d reached the driveway and parked, he heard the screams coming from the pool area. He took off running, clearing the hedge by a foot, leaping over the fence without slowing down. It was Lucas’s voice he’d heard yelling and driven by fear, his adrenalin spurred him on faster.
By the time he’d reached the pool, his eyes saw what his heart couldn’t take without pain stabbing him raw. A little girl’s body floated at the bottom. Suddenly, in front of his eyes, she was being forced to the top by Lucas who had leapt in seconds before he’d gotten there.
It was the angel who got her to the side. And it was he who breathed into her mouth so gently that the air of life worked its magic. Or maybe it was the angel’s magic that gave back life. Jack never did know.
Lucas pushed her into Jack’s arms. “Keep breathing for her. She took in very little water. I got to her in time, but she got soscared, she passed out. She’ll be fine, Jack. Don’t have a heart attack, my boy.”
Jack felt a gentle swoosh of life inside himself. It was as if Lucas hugged him spiritually and gave him the strength to fight for Maisie’s life.
Swimming with her to the steps, he was able to force the little bit of water she’d taken in from her lungs. After a few seconds, he felt the difference. She began choking and crying.
That’s about the time he heard Mia’s scream.
Chapter Twenty-six
Mia arrived in time to see Maisie start to recover. Her screams had Mark speeding in right behind her. Jack could see Maisie’s eyes spring open. Knowing the person she needed most, he lifted her toward Mia.
Distraught, shaking, crying hard, Mia scooped her up and held on for dear life, rocking, hugging, saying over and over, “Thank God! You’re all right, baby. You’re okay, now. Jack saved you. Don’t cry, Mia’s here.”
Clinging tightly, she rocked the little girl, trying to calm Maisie’s fears and dissolve her own nightmarish panic.
“I’m sowwy, Momma Mia. I’m so-sowwy.” Between hiccups and her wails, Jack clearly heard the message Maisie needed to share. She’d done wrong, been bad and knew it.
Finally, after many minutes of hugs and kisses, Mia took the towel Mark held ready and wrapped the little girl in it. Engulfing her like a mummy, she held her away and began to speak. “Maisie, saying sorry isn’t going to cut it. Not this time.”Mia’s face took on a stern look, and as much as Jack wanted to intervene, he knew better. Obviously, so did Mark, who’d crossed his arms and stepped back.
Jack caught the man’s small head shake and appreciated the warning. Biting his tongue, he waited.
Mia made Maisie lift her head off her breast where Maisie had tried to hide and shook her to get the child’s attention. “What did Mia tell you about the pool?”
Maisie looked at Jack for help, but all he did was nod encouragingly. Then, she finally met Mia’s glare, and her head dropped like a wilting flower on a tiny, slender stalk. “You said I’m not allowed wifout Jack.”
“Yes, I did. And why do you think I said that? No, don’t look at him to save you. Look at me, young lady. Why?”
“Because I’m a bad giwl?”
“No.”
“Because I can’t swim?”
“Yes. Do you understand now why I said that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“’Cause I dwownded and an angel had to save me.”
“Yes. Jack is an angel, but he’ll not always be around.” Mia’s voice firmed. “You need to go to your room until I come to you and think about what you did… and no playing with your toys. Either make up your mind that you will listen to me and never go to the pool without an adult. Or, we’ll roll the cover over the pool, close it down and no one will swim. Promise me you won’t pull another stunt like today… and mean it.”
Jack figured Mia knew darn well that the cover was automatic, and it could be opened or closed by pushing a button anytime. They kept it open so it didn’t heat up too much.
