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“Do any of you see a little inhaler? It’s about this big and white…”. I describe it while holding my fingers out, hoping that someone spots it.
“What’s the trouble,” a deep, calm voice asks me. I stare up from the dirty floor where I’m crouching, my hair a tangled mess and a wild look on my face.
“M-my daughter is having an asthma attack and I can’t find her inhaler. My purse strap broke and everything went all over the place.”
His sharp brown eyes narrow on me and then he scans the floor hurriedly. “There it is. I think that’s what you’re looking for.” He reaches a big hand down and picks up the little inhaler, holding it out to me.
My face flushes as I take the thing from him. I must look absolutely nuts. My hand was almost right on top of it.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Then I turn to Miracle and hold the inhaler up to her mouth. I see her drag in a breath and then her color starts to improve. Little by little the sucking gasps slow down until she’s breathing normally.
Her blue eyes fill with tears and she cries pitifully. I pick up her trembling body and cuddle her, rocking her side to side until the sobs are reduced to little whimpers.
“It’s alright,” I whisper into her pale curls, kissing them lightly.
“Is she okay?” Gavin whispers, his voice shaking.
Immediately the man who helped me gets down on one knee and smiles at him. “Your sister is going to be just fine. Don’t worry about a thing, little man. What’s your name?” he asks him.
Gavin draws himself up to his full height and he looks the man in the eye. “I’m Gavin and that’s my little sister, Miracle.”
My face flushes again as I realize how rude I’ve been. “I’m so sorry. I should have introduced myself to you too.”
He stands up and lays a strong hand on Gavin’s shoulder, smiling down at him when Gavin stares up at him like he’s some kind of hero.
Which he is.
“I’m Jessica. Jessica Harcourt. And these two tired little ones are my daughter and son.”
“Are we going to go home now, Aunt Jess?” Gavin asks me and the older man cocks his head, staring at me.
“I just got papers going to adopt them. My sister and her husband were killed in a car accident and I’m their only living relative.”
He nods. “Well, I’m glad that they found you. I’m the Chief of Fire Station 124 here in town. I’d just like to take a quick peek and make sure that she’s alright and the meds are working okay. I can call an ambulance if you want me to…” his voice trails off.
“No. I’m sure that will be alright. Thank you. I’m sorry I panicked. That’s the first time she’s had one of these since they arrived. I’m afraid it…well, it was different than I expected.”
I glance down at the shining blond head in my arms and smile gently.
“That’s alright. Come with me and I’ll take a quick look and you can finish up your shopping if you need to.” He glances down. “Actually maybe we should gather up your things first.”
I look down and moan, seeing that all my things are scattered on the floor where everyone can see them.
“Yes. I think that would be best.”
He kneels down and begins handing me things and I struggle not to wince when I see my lipstick and other personal items in his big hands.
Surely as a firefighter he’s seen worse?
I hope so. Because I may never live this down and I have a feeling when I tell Leslie she’s just gonna die laughing.
Such is my luck. I throw my purse at a strange man’s feet while panicking over Miracle’s asthma attacks.
Classic me.
CHAPTER2
Richard
