Heart At Risk. Ana Leigh

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СКАЧАТЬ in, then felt a shock of pain to his knee when he hit the water.

      Visibility was poor in the murky water and without goggles it was difficult to see. After several painful dives, he caught sight of Scotty and brought him to the surface.

      Elizabeth was on her cell phone calling 911 for help and came quickly to his aid to help get Scotty out of the water. Kurt’s knee was throbbing and by the time he succeeded in hoisting himself out, Elizabeth had Scotty stretched out on his back and was attempting to give him CPR to get some air into the unconscious boy’s lungs.

      Kurt took over the rhythmic procedure and after several more attempts Scotty began to spit up water. Kurt quickly flipped him onto his side as the boy regurgitated the water out of his lungs. “Elizabeth, get the blanket from the backseat of my car.”

      She nodded and hurried to get it. By the time the volunteer fire department and every other emergency vehicle in town arrived with sirens blazing and lights flashing, Scotty was wrapped snugly in a blanket and sitting up coughing a bit but coherent.

      The paramedic with the fire department checked Scotty’s vital signs. Satisfied, he packed up his emergency equipment. “He’ll be fine. His lungs sound clear and the rest of his vital signs are okay, Ms. Bennett.”

      Beth had remained calm and efficient throughout the whole ordeal. “Thank you, Kevin. How’s the new baby doing?”

      “Mother and child doing fine,” he said. “And Sandy loves the sweater and booties you knit for the baby.” He shook his head. “Each summer we have to pull a kid out of that hole. The county should either drain it and fill it with dirt and rocks, or build a fence around it. Last year one of the kids wasn’t as lucky as Scotty here. We lost him.”

      When the vehicles had all departed Elizabeth grasped Kurt’s hand. That steel control she’d maintained throughout the ordeal had dissipated, and her voice trembled when she tried to speak.

      “How can I ever thank you enough, Kurt. Scotty would have drowned if you…” The bubble finally burst. She couldn’t go on, and broke down sobbing.

      Kurt put his arms around her and let her cry. It would do her good.

      “I’m sorry,” Scotty said sorrowfully, tears streaking his cheeks. “I feel real bad that I made you cry. Please don’t cry anymore, Aunt Beth.”

      Elizabeth knelt beside the boy and kissed him, then dried her tears and held him in the circle of her arms.

      “Sweetheart, it wasn’t your fault. I’m just so happy you’re okay. I think I better get you home and into some dry clothes.”

      Kurt started to hobble back to his car. He had some pain pills in his pack, but rarely used them to avoid becoming dependent on them. Right now the pain was too severe to try and tough it out.

      “Oh, dear, you injured your leg again, didn’t you?” Elizabeth asked.

      “I’m sure it’s nothing serious. I aggravated it when I dove into the water.”

      “Well I insist you come home with me and let me check it out. Besides, you’re soaking wet and should change into dry clothing.”

      The last thing he wanted to do was go back into town. But he did want to get out of his wet clothes.

      “I can change right here, Ms. Bennett.”

      The sweet old lady’s countenance hardened into a stern frown. “I do not intend to stand here and argue with you, young man. You’re coming home with me.”

      The issue was settled.

      In a lighter vein she added, “Besides, you wouldn’t abandon us out here, would you?”

      “How did you get here?”

      “We walked. Are you able to drive, or should I?”

      “My right leg’s fine, Ms. Bennett.”

      “And please drop the formality,” she declared. “I’m either Beth or Aunt Beth. Whichever you prefer. And I think I should probably drive.”

      “Yes, ma’am,” Kurt replied, tempted to snap off a salute.

      “Come on, honey,” she said to Scotty, slipping an arm around his shoulder and helping him into the car.

      Once they were on their way, a twinkle appeared in Beth’s eyes. “You take orders very well, Kurt.”

      “A habit I picked up in the military,” he said.

      “Army, navy or marines?”

      “Navy.”

      “How long have you been in?” she asked.

      “I enlisted right after graduation.”

      “What’s your rank?”

      “Actually, I’m not in the navy anymore.”

      Her surprise was apparent. “What do you do for a living?”

      “I work for the government.”

      He was spared any more of the interrogation when she pulled into the driveway of a two-story, cream-colored house with black shutters and roof.

      Scotty appeared none the worse for his near drowning. He jumped out of the car and raced ahead into the house.

      Beth stayed behind to offer a helping hand to Kurt, who appeared to be the only casualty of the incident.

      Beth insisted he shower to cleanse the quarry water off him. By the time he finished, the painkillers had kicked in and eased the pain considerably.

      “Give me your wet clothing and I’ll wash it with Scotty’s.”

      “That’s not necessary. I’ll pack up and get out of here.”

      “I won’t hear of it,” Beth declared as she took the wet clothes from him. “It won’t take long and in the meantime I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee. So just sit down and relax.”

      She returned a few moments later, put a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table and poured them each a cup of coffee.

      Beware of maiden aunts bearing chocolate chip cookies. What was she up to?

      Suddenly the door burst open and Maddie rushed in. Kurt doubted she even noticed his presence. “Where is he?” she asked breathlessly.

      “Relax, dear. Scotty’s taking a bath. Kevin gave him a clean bill of health.”

      Beth could have saved her breath. Maddie rushed past and up the stairs. She returned moments later.

      “The bathroom door’s locked and he won’t open it. He said he prefers privacy when he bathes.” Her mouth curved in the barest suggestion of a grin. “Privacy! I’m his mother! That little munchkin! I ought to warm his bottom when he comes out.”

      “I know, dear, I got the same response, and I’m a nurse. СКАЧАТЬ