Gifts Of Love. Crystal Stovall

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СКАЧАТЬ “Mama, mama…”

      For just a second, Jessie forgot she was in the middle of a severe storm as she listened to the precious chatter. Mama, mama—these were words she’d believed she might never hear from a child’s lips.

      With a beholden shine in his eyes, the man said, “I’m David Akers, and this is my daughter, Isabel.”

      “Of course,” Jessie said, relieved to know she hadn’t jumped into the arms of a total stranger. “I’m Jessie Claybrook. I think our parents are friends.”

      “Don and Helene’s daughter.”

      Jessie nodded. “Isn’t it a small world?”

      “It sure is.” Then David turned to more urgent matters. “Were you listening to the radio? What was the last weather report you heard?”

      “We’re right in the path of a major storm system. Just as I left the car I saw a funnel in the west. It must have skipped over us or turned direction—otherwise it would have hit by now.”

      David sighed. “I wish we had a portable radio. From this cubbyhole, I can’t see enough.”

      Wedged into a small pocket beneath the highway which crossed overhead, Jessie felt safe from the pounding rain. At least for the moment.

      “I could ease down the embankment,” she suggested, understanding David would have if he weren’t holding Isabel.

      “No, you stay put.”

      Then Jessie remembered her cellular telephone. For an instant she felt a ray of hope, but the all-circuits-busy signal instantly dashed that.

      As Jessie dropped the telephone back into her purse, she saw David’s lips move, even felt the warmth of his breath on her neck as he leaned closer, but whatever he’d said was lost in the roar of the wind. Bombarded by unyielding gusts, gritty dirt stung their exposed skin and made it difficult to breathe. They heard a grumble in the distance that sounded like a train coming around a mountain. Instinctively, the trio pressed together as the storm raged. Then, suddenly, all was quiet.

      Minutes passed before either Jessie or David moved.

      Slowly easing apart, they listened for confirmation that the funnel had dissipated. Not even thunder or lightning dared to pierce the silence, and even the rain fell lightly.

      Jessie listened to David’s mumbled prayer: “Please, Lord, I know You and I aren’t on great terms these days, but please don’t let anything happen to my baby before we get home. I can’t lose her, too.”

      Unaware Jessie had overheard his plea, David sighed with relief and then matter-of-factly announced, “I think it’s over.”

      “But is it safe to move?” Jessie challenged.

      Unwilling to take any unnecessary chances, they waited a few more minutes before edging down the embankment. They saw broken tree limbs scattered across both lanes when they reached the highway shoulder, as well as slack power lines clinging to leaning creosote poles.

      “That was some storm,” David said, as Isabel held on tightly to his neck.

      “Thank God we’re okay. And while I’m sorry you and your daughter were caught in the storm, I’m glad I didn’t have to tough this one out alone.”

      “I didn’t do much, but I’m glad we made a difference.”

      Uncertain as to whether it was safe to drive, Jessie looked to the sky for answers. The growing brightness seemed to give a go-ahead signal. Still, she feared leaving the overpass, leery of what she might encounter down the road.

      As if he’d read her thoughts, David asked, “Would you like me to follow you back into town?”

      Jessie pressed her hand against her chest with relief. “Normally, I’m not this skittish, but this storm’s really unnerved me. It’d mean a lot to know I’ve got company on the highway.”

      “Then, it’s settled,” David said, though he continued to study the sky.

      Like her, he seemed unwilling to end this brief encounter.

      But Isabel had other ideas. “Mama, mama…” she said, with one finger wedged in the corner of her lip.

      Jessie instantly felt the blush on her face. What had she been thinking? David obviously had a wife to go home to.

      “We should go,” she said. “I’m sure your wife is eager to know you’re safe. You’re welcome to borrow my cell phone to call her….” Her words trailed off to a hoarse whisper, as anguish streaked across David’s face. “I’m sorry. I’ve made assumptions that are none of my business.”

      She languished in the uncomfortable silence before he found his voice. “Please…you couldn’t know. My wife died a few weeks after Isabel’s birth.”

      Jessie gazed at the little girl, her heart breaking over such a tragic loss.

      David took another look at the sky and said, “I think we’d better go.”

      “Thanks again,” Jessie said, extending her hand. When David’s fingers closed around hers, she felt his warmth and kindness and wished they didn’t have to part.

      “I’m just glad we’re okay.” As he walked toward his car, he called out, “Listen, if you’re ever at the Hot & Fresh Deli, stop in. A sandwich and a cup of coffee are on the house. I’m the owner.”

      “It’s a deal,” Jessie said, turning toward her own car.

      But before she could even open the door, the punishing rain and gusting wind started again. Anxious, she glanced back toward David—and that’s when she saw the menacing funnel in the distance.

      Without hesitation, she raced back to the overpass, meeting David and Isabel. Together they scurried up the embankment until they touched the underside of the crossing highway.

      “Hold on to the ledge,” David shouted above the wind, and Jessie quickly followed his lead, gripping the rough concrete. With Isabel sandwiched between them, she prayed with all her heart that the tornado would leap over them, or lose its power as the last one had.

      But it wasn’t to be. Sounding like a jet, the twister charged toward them. The wind became so fierce that Jessie didn’t know if she could hold on, let alone breathe, as loose gravel and dirt swirled around her.

      She lost all concept of time, feeling as if the unmerciful gusts would last forever. Only when lightning flashed could she see David and Isabel.

      Oh, Lord, she prayed, don’t desert us now.

      With her arms tiring, Jessie didn’t know how much longer she could hang on. But it was for Isabel that she found her strength, because pressed against David’s side she helped form a barrier that sheltered the toddler.

      Though it seemed impossible, the winds grew stronger, and Jessie felt as if the three of them were trapped in a vacuum. The temperature continued to drop, and she shook as much from the damp air as she did from fear. With her arm muscles stretched until they hurt and her palms rubbed raw from holding СКАЧАТЬ