Emma screamed, slid off the roof and splashed into the dark, murky water. Without even looking his way, Annie jumped into the swirling flood.
His heart froze. All the air was sucked from his lungs as he watched them disappear into the darkness.
* * *
Annie plunged into the water. The icy shock stunned her. Water closed over her head, pulling her under into the churning flood. Kicking and waving her arms like a madwoman, she searched for Emma.
Her daughter screamed off to the left. Annie dived toward the sound, banging into something hard. Pain stabbed her arm. She rose above the surface, straining in the faint moonlight to catch a glimpse of Emma. A swirling wave slapped her face, and she swallowed a gulp of muddy-tasting water. Please, God, help me find her.
Emma’s head popped up. She gasped and disappeared beneath the icy stream.
Annie pulled in a deep breath and dived again, flailing in her maddening search.
Something soft brushed past her hand. She groped toward it, grasped fabric and hair, and rose to the surface. “Emma!”
Her daughter gasped and lunged toward her, pulling them both down. Alarm raced through Annie. She wrapped her arms tightly around Emma, trying to calm her daughter while she kicked to keep them above water. “I’ve got you. Lean against me.”
Annie could see trees and bushes lining the bank. She kicked in that direction, dragging Emma with her. In a few seconds her feet touched bottom. Emma coughed and cried as she clung to Annie.
With her clothes streaming and feeling like one-hundred-pound weights, Annie climbed out of the water. “It’s all right. It’s all right.”
Holding Emma close, she clawed her way to the top of the bank and sank down in the mud, panting. Water rushed around her, pouring into the stream. She had to get to higher ground before they were pulled in again.
“Where’s Alex?” Emma cried in broken sobs.
Annie’s mind raced, while terrible dread rose and filled her chest. She pulled herself up and squinted into the darkness toward the raging stream. She shouted his name, but the only sound she heard was the rushing water storming past.
Emma stood and grabbed her hand, her pitiful sobs growing louder.
Annie lifted Emma into her arms, holding her tight as her own tears overflowed. Oh, God, please. Her mind felt so numb, it was all she could pray.
Her senses reeled as she tried to pull her thoughts together. One thing was clear. She had to get help. Turning away from the stream, she searched the darkness and spotted the lights of the shopping center in the distance.
Holding her daughter close, she sloshed through the water, each step a painful journey. She’d only gone a few feet when she heard a loud sloshing behind her.
She turned, and her heart jumped in her chest.
Alex trudged up the bank, coughing and panting. “Annie!”
She ran toward him, tears streaming down her face again. He grabbed her and held her and Emma tight. She couldn’t speak, but they didn’t need words.
Finally he stepped back, but he still held on to her upper arms. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her tearful smile breaking through at last. “We are now.”
Dripping wet, muddy and exhausted from their battle against the flood, they wrapped their arms around each other and walked toward the distant lights.
Chapter Twenty
Alex pulled the blue shirt over his head. One of the E.R. doctors had taken pity on him and found an old pair of scrubs for him to wear, since his clothes were wet and mud-caked. The pants were a little short, but anything was better than that drafty hospital gown.
He tugged the shirt into place while he listened to the nurses coming and going on the other side of the curtain, where they were assessing Annie and Emma.
His nurse, Melissa, pushed the curtain aside, entered his room and handed Alex his discharge forms. “You’re all set.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed the plastic bag filled with his wet clothes. “Any news on my grandmother?”
“I’m sorry. It’s been such a crazy night, I forgot to check with the admitting nurse. I’ll go do that now.”
“Thanks. Are they done next door?”
“Let me see.” Melissa slipped past the curtain into Annie and Emma’s room. A few seconds later she looked out and smiled. “She says you can come in.”
Alex nodded his thanks and entered Annie’s room.
Annie lay on the bed with Emma snuggled up beside her. Her daughter slept peacefully with her arm draped over her mother. Annie smiled at him, love and affection filling
her eyes.
But he didn’t deserve it. His throat tightened as regret and gratitude continued their battle in his mind.
She reached for him and captured his hand in hers. He held on tight for a few seconds before he could speak. “I’m sorry, Annie, so sorry.”
She blinked, looking confused. “You mean about the car?”
“About everything.” He pulled in a deep breath, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “Going off to Chicago without working things out with you was stupid. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“But I didn’t really give you a chance to work it out.” She clasped his hand more tightly. “I should’ve been willing to listen to you instead of jumping to conclusions.”
“I won’t let anything like that separate us again. You mean more to me than any job, no matter what they’re offering.”
“Thanks, Alex. That means a lot.”
“By the time I got to Chicago, I realized my mistake. But tonight when we got pulled into that stream and the water was rising, and I thought I might lose you—” His voice choked off and he looked down. “You mean so much to me. I can’t believe I...” But he couldn’t finish his sentence. The weight on his heart was too heavy.
“What is it, Alex?”
He straightened and looked down at her. “When Emma fell in, you didn’t hesitate. You jumped right in after her.”
“Of course. She’s my daughter.”
He held her gaze for a second. “But I didn’t. I froze.”
Her eyes widened, then filled with sympathy. “Oh, Alex—”
He lifted his hand. “Please. I want to get this out. It’s not an excuse, but when I saw Emma fall in the water and you jump in after her, I felt like I was twelve again, caught in the flood, watching my dad try to save me.”
“That must’ve been terrible.”
“It was like I was in a wrestling match against my fear. It took me a few seconds before I could get past that and jump in.”
“But you did.” She smiled, assurance in her eyes.
He shook his head, still feeling like a coward, knowing she was the one who had to save Emma. “You could’ve both drowned, and it would’ve been my fault.”
“No, that’s not true. Listen to me. When the engine died and we were trapped in the car, I was so scared I couldn’t think straight. But you stayed calm and thought of a way to get us out. I don’t know if I would’ve thought to kick out the window, and even if I’d thought of the idea, I don’t know if I would’ve had the strength to do it.” She wrapped both her hands around his. “This is the truth. Emma and I would’ve died in that car tonight without you. Your strength and quick thinking are what saved our lives.”
He let her words wash over his heart, soothing the sting of self-doubt and condemnation. He still wished he would’ve acted more quickly, but in the end he’d beat out his fears, jumped in the water and searched for Annie and Emma until he found them. That was enough for Annie, and he had to let that be enough for him.
He reached for her and hugged her tightly. “I love you, Annie.”
“I love you, too, so very much.” She kissed his cheek, then leaned back until she could look him in the eyes. “Ple
ase, Alex, let’s give God the credit for saving us all tonight and be thankful.”
His chest expanded, and he nodded. Then he leaned down and kissed her, more grateful than ever for her gracious love and forgiving heart.
The curtain swished back. “Alex? Annie?”
Alex turned, and his eyes widened.
His grandmother stood there, dressed and smiling, with her Bayside Treasure friends clustered around her. “Well, for goodness’ sake, it is you. The nurse told me you were here. What happened?”
“We had an accident on the way to the hospital, but we’re okay. How are you?”
“I’m fine. They ran all kinds of tests. The doctor says it was probably just heartburn from overeating.” Her face flushed, and she held up her hand. “I know, Annie warned me not to overdo it. But I promise I’ve learned my lesson this time.”
Alex shook his head as he grinned at his grandmother. “I certainly hope so.”
Marian tugged on Irene’s arm. “I think we should go and let them finish...you know.”
Irene’s eyes lit up. “Good idea. We’ll just step out so you two can have a little privacy.”
“We’re sorry we interrupted you,” Barb added. “Just go back to whatever you were doing.”
Hannah’s eyes twinkled. “I told them there was nothing to worry about. Sooner or later you two were going to realize you were perfect for each other.”
“Now, girls, we don’t want to be sticking our noses in their business,” Irene added.
“Oh, no, we’d never do that.” Hannah snickered and grabbed Marian’s arm. “We just pray and see what the Lord has in mind when it comes to matters of the heart.”
“That’s right,” Irene said with a decisive nod. “We pray and wait for Him to move.”
Barb chuckled. “Well, sometimes we do like to help Him along...just a little.”
“Come on, girls.” His grandmother herded her friends out to the hallway. Then she turned, winked at Alex and pulled the curtain closed behind her.
Annie laughed softly and shook her head. “They are so cute.”
Alex nodded, then leaned in closer. “Now, where were we?”
“I think we were right here.” With her eyes sparkling, she smiled and tapped her lips.
“Oh, yes, now I remember.” He bent closer, her eyes slid closed and he kissed her like a thirsty man who’d found a sweet mountain stream.
Epilogue
Annie wrapped her red scarf more tightly around her neck and scanned the bustling crowd gathered on the sidewalk in front of the newly remodeled Jameson’s Bakery Café. The sign announcing the grand reopening fluttered in a cool breeze drifting in from Bellingham Bay. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was due to start in five minutes.
Emma grasped her mother’s hand. “There sure are a lot of people here.”
“Yes, there are.” Annie’s heart warmed, thankful that so many had come out to share this special time with them.
Irene stood near the front door with her Bayside Treasure friends clustered around her. The women were all dressed in warm coats and hats to protect themselves from the chilly weather as they chatted and greeted friends and neighbors.
Annie scanned the sea of faces, looking for Alex. She spotted him standing on the far side of the crowd with Ross and Adrie Peterson. Ross managed a nearby photography studio and had recently married Adrie, who was Marian Chandler’s granddaughter. Adrie and Ross had met at Bayside Books almost a year ago when he took over as manager so she could pursue a music career. But she fell in love with Ross and decided to stay in Fairhaven instead. Now Adrie gave music lessons to foster children and played her flute in the Whatcom Symphony.
Ross and Adrie made a lovely couple. Annie couldn’t be happier for them. She smiled, remembering how Irene and the Bayside Treasures had helped bring them together through their matchmaking plans and prayers. They seemed to have quite a talent for matching up their younger friends and relatives, including her and Alex.
She called Alex’s name and waved to him.
He caught sight of her and returned her smile and wave. After a few more words to Ross and Adrie, he made his way through the crowd toward her. “I was wondering where you were.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Emma’s gymnastics class ran late.”
Alex laid his hand on Emma’s shoulder. “How’d it go?”
She looked up and sent him a proud smile. “I walked on the balance beam.”
“Good for you. I knew you could do it.” He gave her a hug, then stood and pulled his phone from his coat pocket. “It’s time to get started.”
Annie nodded and gazed up at the bakery with its beautiful old brick exterior, freshly painted trim, new sign and awnings. Small evergreens filled the planters by the front door, and Annie could imagine how nice they’d look in the spring, filled with tulips. Maybe she’d plant geraniums in the summer.
“Hi, Annie. Alex.” Jason approached with his daughter, Faith, and a few of the men who’d worked with him on the remodeling project. Faith and Emma exchanged smiles.
“The bakery looks great, inside and out.” Alex held out his hand to Jason. “You did a terrific job.”
“Thanks. I have a good crew.”
“We’re grateful,” Alex added. “It’s not often you hear about a renovation job finishing on time and under budget.”
Jason chuckled. “That’s true.” He shifted his gaze to Annie. “But I said I’d give you my best.”
“And you have,” Annie said with a smile. “Thank you.”
A more comfortable friendship had developed between all of them in the past month after Alex announced he’d be staying in Fairhaven and managing the bakery with Annie. Jason and Faith had come over for dessert on New Year’s Eve, and Annie had watched Faith a few times for Jason.
Irene called to Annie and Alex and motioned for them to join her by the front door.
“I’ll let you go,” Jason said, stepping back.
Emma tugged on Annie’s hand. “Can I watch with Faith?”
Annie glanced at Jason.
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” he said.
Annie leaned down to Emma’s eye level. “Okay. Be sure to stay with Faith and Jason.”
“I will.” Emma clasped Faith’s hand and followed Jason a few feet away to where they’d have a good view for the ribbon cutting.
Alex slipped his hand into Annie’s. “Time to get this party started.” Warmth and confidence flowed through his fingers into hers.
Delightful tingles traveled up her arm. Sharing this day with Alex and Irene meant so much to her she could barely contain her happiness.
They joined Irene and stood in front of the entrance.
Walter Morris, the president of the Old Fairhaven Association, held up his hand. “Can I have your attention, please?” The crowd quieted. “We’re here today to celebrate the reopening of one of Fairhaven’s finest businesses, Jameson’s Bakery, now known as Jameson’s Bakery Café. We want to offer our hearty congratulations and best wishes to the owner, Irene Jameson, and to the new managers, Alex Jameson and Annie Romano. We hope you’ll enjoy many more years of successful business in our community.” The crowd clapped. “And now Pastor James from Grace Chapel will say a prayer of blessing.”
The pastor stepped forward, and the crowd hushed and bowed their heads. “Father, thank You for the way You’ve blessed Irene over the years and allowed her to operate her business and provide such delicious food to our community. We ask now that You’ll continue to oversee the operation of Jameson’s Bakery Café. Bless all who work here and all who enter these doors. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.”
The crowd clapped again.
Marian Chandler unrolled a bright red spool of ribbon and passed one end to Hannah Bodine. They stretched it acro
ss the doorway and looked expectantly at Irene.
She took the scissors from her purse and held them out to Alex.
“No, Gram,” he whispered. “You should cut the ribbon.”
She placed the scissors in his hand. “I want you and Annie to do it together.”
Alex’s eyes softened, and he kissed his grandmother’s cheek then shifted his gaze to Annie.
She stepped forward and laid her hand over his, and together they cut the ribbon. The crowd cheered, and soon everyone was shaking their hands or patting them on the back.
“Come on inside,” Irene called. “We’ve got hot coffee and bakery treats for everyone!”
Annie and Alex stood back, greeting people as they walked toward the front door. Soon most of the crowd had moved inside.
“Hey, look, it’s snowing!” Emma danced around, holding hands with Faith. The girls laughed and tipped their faces up to catch the puffy flakes on their cheeks.
Annie gave them another minute, then called Emma. “Come on inside, sweetie.”
Jason herded the girls toward the entrance. Annie was about to follow them inside, but Alex caught her hand.
“Wait a minute.” He smiled, and a mischievous twinkle lit up his eyes.
Her heart fluttered. “How come?”
“I was hoping for a minute alone with you.”
She sent him a teasing smile. “I don’t know. It’s awfully cold out here.”
He slipped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you warm.”
She snuggled against him, savoring the comfort and safety of his arms. This was the love she had waited so long to find. And God was the one who’d guided her home and brought them together. Thankfulness rose from her heart in a silent prayer, and she sensed His blessing on their future together.
Emma leaned out the door. “Hey, are you coming? Gram’s gonna cut the cake.”
“Be right there,” Annie called over her shoulder. She turned back to Alex and smiled up at him, drinking in the look of love that shone in his eyes.
“Cake sounds good,” he said, “but I have something sweeter in mind.”
Snowflake Sweethearts Page 19
