AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Moving in a blur, we stumbled outside and fell to the ground, Phoebe’s limp body tumbling out of my arms. I didn’t think, I didn’t hesitate. I pulled her chin up, opened her mouth, and blew. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zane climb on top of her and begin chest compressions. In a strange rhythm that we found instantly, he pumped her heart, and I breathed life into her. After three rounds of nothing, panic set in. I couldn’t lose her again.
As I lowered my mouth for another breath, a tortured wheeze exited her cheeks, and she coughed furiously.
“Phoebe?” I stroked her hair, her cheeks, her lips…anything to let her know I was there. “Phoebe, that’s it, baby…breathe, come on, princess. Come back to me.”
Drawing in another ragged breath, her eyes fluttered open and rolled my way. I panted in relief, tears clouding my vision.
Make that five times I’ve cried in my life.
A barely audible whisper struggled from her throat. “You’re late.”
I stared down at her, her face cradled in my hands. I’d never remove them. For as long as I lived, I’d never let her go. “Traffic,” I answered, kissing her bruised cheek. “It’ll never happen again.”
***
Phoebe and I sat in the backseat of the BMW with Iris cuddled between us as Chloe drove to the hospital. With her head on my shoulder, I brushed her hair out of her face.
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened in there?”
Her head lolled onto my chest. “Someday.”
Chloe tightened her fingers on the steering wheel. “What are we supposed to tell the police when we get there?”
“That won’t be a problem.” All eyes turned to Faith, who sat on Zane’s lap in the passenger’s seat.
“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.
“I called Jaxon Hough while you guys were inside.”
“You what?” Zane’s voice betrayed his frustration.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Don’t give me that look. He’s a good guy. I was worried about his job. He did leave his position to help us, you know.” She gave me a pointed look. “So, I let him know we’d found Phoebe, and we’re taking her to the hospital.” She glanced at us. “What the hell is everyone’s problem? Jaxon and I have it all worked out. He got an anonymous tip. Now we can say he saved Phoebe, and he’ll get a hero’s commendation.” She cast a downward glance at Zane. “Happy?”
I held my wife and daughter tightly in my arms and kissed them both. “Ecstatic.”
