Gifts Of Love

Desperate to protect Isabel, Jessie hunched over the child and prayed for God’s mercy as the gusts continued their assault.

Finally, Isabel began to wiggle and squirm, and Jessie realized the winds had calmed and that the roar was fading. She and Isabel had survived. Chills traveled throughout her body as she thanked God for hearing her desperate prayers.

“We’re okay,” she murmured in the child’s ear, then offered sweet kisses of comfort across the top of the toddler’s head. “We’re okay,” she said again for herself.

Too frightened to venture out, she remained huddled beneath the overpass. She knew she’d just lived through a miracle. Without a doubt, God had called her to this exact place to catch Isabel. And as Isabel cried in her arms, Jessie didn’t know if she’d ever be able to let go of the child.

Then she heard a truck on the highway overhead and the loud muffler jolted her back to reality. She had to find David. They needed help. When she tried to stand, her cramped legs rebelled.

“Help,” she called out. “Help us.”

Clutching Isabel, she fought through high weeds and wet grass to reach the crossing highway above. At first, neither her car nor David’s were anywhere in sight. Power lines sparked, and somewhere close by she heard the insistent mooing of a frightened cow.

At the top, frustrated that the pickup truck was long gone, she turned slowly, looking in all directions. First, she spotted their cars. Hers, though right-side up, was riding piggyback on David’s. But that didn’t matter. She had to find David.

“David,” she yelled over and over again.

Looking at the highways she marveled that there wasn’t another car in sight. She tried her cell phone, but once again she heard the all-circuits-busy signal.

A solitary crow flew overhead, and as she followed its elegant flight across the pasture she thought she saw a speck of red. David had been wearing a red golf shirt. It had to be him.

“David,” she called again as she ran toward him. “I’m coming.”

Isabel securely clasped her arms around Jessie’s neck and molded her body to Jessie’s. Halfway across the field, the red dot came into better focus and there was no doubt that she’d found David.

But why didn’t he move? Why didn’t he at least wave? Surely he’d heard her calling his name.

She stumbled as she tried to move faster than physically possible. Each time she fell to her knees in the rutted and uneven field, she picked herself up and trudged forward. By now, Isabel had spotted her daddy and was calling for him. “Dada, dada, dada.”

After a race that seemed to last forever, Jessie fell to her knees beside David. Lying on his back, his hands and legs were spread out from his sides as if he were trying to create a snow angel. With his eyes shut, he looked peaceful and without pain.

Then she saw the slow rise of his chest. She gasped with relief. “David,” she said. When he didn’t respond, she turned to Isabel. “Dada, dada,” she said, encouraging the little girl to chant with her. As she listened to Isabel’s sweet voice, Jessie briefly closed her eyes and prayed for guidance. Other than a basic CPR course, she had no emergency training. She knew it wasn’t wise to move someone who might have a neck injury, and judging by the distance David had been thrown and the position he’d landed in, his injuries were most likely serious.

He needed a miracle. But hadn’t they already had their share tonight? They were too far from the highway for someone to spot them or for her to flag anyone down. And she couldn’t leave David alone in the field. Pulling out her cell phone, Jessie tried again to dial for help. She dialed and then pushed redial over and over again, but she couldn’t get through to the emergency number. Finally, in desperation, she called her parents’ house. The phone rang and rang, until her father finally picked it up. Without wasting a second, she explained what had happened and where she was. He told her to sit tight and that help was on the way.

With Isabel still in her arms, Jessie scooted as close to David’s side as she dared and took his hand into hers without moving his arm. His breathing continued to grow deeper, settling into an even rhythm, and his hand felt warm and strong—good signs, she quickly decided.

There was only one thing she knew to do and that was pray.

Oh Lord, she began, if only there could be an ambulance close by. If David’s injuries are serious, every second counts.

Looking off across the field, Jessie had no idea how widespread the devastation might be. The tornadoes might have touched down only in this little corner of the state, or they could have traveled for miles, destroying all that was in their path. And if that was the case, the emergency vehicles might already be in use or unable to get here.

Studying David’s hands, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of man he was. His fingers were long and sturdy and his nails were clipped short. Everything about him, from his dark hair and his smoothly shaved face to his stylish golf shirt and navy Dockers, was neat and trim. He had that dependable businessman look about him. And she’d only had to hear Isabel say “Dada” once to know he was a devoted father.

Looking right at David’s fingers, she thought she felt them move. She discounted the light flutter to reflexes, or too much hope on her part. But the second time he rubbed his palm against hers, she was sure. Then Isabel shrieked with glee and clapped her hands. Jessie looked up and directly into David’s dark brown eyes.

She’d never in her life seen eyes so beautiful. Never seen a smile so tender or thankful. Dark bangs feathered across his forehead, and without thinking she gently brushed them aside. Pressing the back of her hand against the side of his cheek, she sighed in relief.

No words needed to be spoken. Together, they’d beaten the odds. When David covered her hand with his and their fingers interlocked, Jessie reveled in the comfort.

“Thank you,” David said, his voice a notch above a whisper. “Thank you for saving my baby.” When he gazed at Isabel, who’d been distracted by a spring flower, his eyes misted over.

Jessie’s throat closed off as a wave of emotion crested in her heart. “I was no hero. It’s as if God dropped her in my arms. I’m just glad I was able to hold on and protect her.” And she hadn’t let go of the little girl since.

Goose bumps rose on her arms as she relived the moment again in her mind. “Isabel came through without a scratch,” she assured him. “But what about you? Are you in a lot of pain?”

When he tried to sit up, Jessie cautioned him to lie flat. “I called my father, and he should be here any minute now.” Send an ambulance, she prayed silently. “I don’t think you should move until you’ve been examined by an EMT.”

David sighed loudly with a resignation that worried Jessie. Either he was hurt more badly than he appeared, or he was just exhausted. Whatever the case, he seemed unwilling to let go of her hand.

So the three of them sat in the field in the middle of nowhere and waited. When Isabel plucked a brightly colored flower and presented it to David, he smiled.

Yes, Jessie thought, everything is going to be okay.

At the sound of an ambulance’s siren, Jessie felt a tiny tremor of emotion. As soon as help arrived, their fragile bond would be broken. And that saddened her in a way she hadn’t expected. Clutching Isabel with her free arm, she hugged the child tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.

Clearly moved by the tender expression, David squeezed Jessie’s hand.

As her father and the EMTs raced toward them, Jessie released David’s hand to stand and wave. Looking back down at him, she encouraged him with a smile. They would go back to their separate lives, and while their paths might never cross again, she knew she’d never forget him and Isabel. This brief moment had cracked open a part of her heart she’d thought she’d sealed off forever.

Chapter Two

L ying in the deep, wet grass, David knew he’d forget neither Jessie’s kindness, nor her courage. She had protected his daughter as if Isabel were her own, and for that he would always thank God.

Looking up at her, he smiled, and when their eyes met he knew she felt the same measure of relief he did. He couldn’t think about what might have happened.

“You’re sure Isabel’s okay?” he asked again.

“Yes,” Jessie said gently. “Though she could use a bath. In fact, we could all use a bath, a hot cup of tea and a change of clothes.”

Jessie grinned, and when she did, so did Isabel. David didn’t know when he’d seen a more beautiful sight.

The EMTs set down their equipment and immediately went to work on David. While they assessed his condition, monitored his vital signs and checked for spinal injuries, David watched Jessie and Isabel.

A few feet away, Jessie embraced her father, who had just arrived. “Daddy, I’ve never been so glad to see you in my life.”

“Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”

“Do you know where the storms hit tonight? Was there much damage?” she asked, eager for information.

“From the radio reports I’ve heard so far, a series of tornadoes touched down. However, most of them were south of Springfield, and they all hit in less-populated areas like this. So far, no fatalities have been reported, and I’m praying there won’t be any. But there has been a lot of wind damage to homes and barns in this area, as well as several power out-ages across the city.”

As one EMT prepared to transport David to the hospital, the other checked Jessie and Isabel, declaring them both in good condition.

Jessie met David’s eyes briefly, and though she didn’t say anything, he knew her thoughts. They easily could have been fatalities. But somehow, and for some reason, God had spared them.

Jessie kept pace with the EMTs and her father, as they hurried back across the field to the ambulance. Though her arm tired from holding Isabel, she refused her father’s offer of help. Neither did she let go of David’s hand. Though the storms were over, she still felt the need to hold on to him and to feel his strength.