The Texan's Twin Blessings by Rhonda Gibson

Author:Rhonda Gibson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

In horrified shock, William watched the corner of the roof lift, then slam back down. The force of the wind raised it again and peeled it back a bit farther, then again slammed it back down. Each time it lifted, things in the house flew around, crashing against the walls and floor. Rain and dirt covered his head and shoulders. The wind sucked at him. With his body covering the mattress, he braced his legs and wedged his shoulders against the hall wall. The roar of the angry cyclone sent a chill up his spine. He could no longer hear the girls’ cries, and he fought with all his might to hold the mattress over them.

As suddenly as the tornado had hit, it left. Rain flooded through the gaps in the roof. Emily Jane pushed at the mattress, reminding him that he still had her and the girls covered.

He shifted around and, with his arms and feet, pushed the mattress off them. “Are you all right?”

The girls crawled across the floor and Emily Jane’s lap to get to him, their cries tearing at his heart. Their little faces were as white as goose feathers. Fear rounded their eyes. All they wanted was him, and William reached for them, thankful they were alive.

Emily Jane nodded as she helped the girls over her body, sitting up in the process. “You should have come under the mattress,” she scolded. “You could have been killed.” Tears washed down her beautiful face.

William heaved her and the girls into his embrace. All three of them wept into his shoulders. He looked up into the sky and thanked the Lord for their safety.

After several long moments, Emily Jane pulled out of his hold. Rain mingled with her tears. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.” She looked around the room, unaware she still clung to his shirt.

He answered as calmly as he could and hoped his words offered reassurance. “That’s all right. My shirt was wet already.”

The dimple in her cheek wobbled out. “Good. I wouldn’t want to ruin your best Sunday shirt.” Neither of them missed the shakiness still in her voice.

The girls seemed to realize the immediate danger had passed and finally quieted down. Rose turned to Emily Jane. “Up.” She held her arms out, waiting for Emily Jane to do as she requested.

Emily Jane took the baby and held her close. Ruby laid her wet head on William’s shoulder. Her sobs were quiet but still flowing.

“How did you know?” he asked Emily Jane as he stood up with Ruby.

She took the hand he offered but proved unsteady on her feet, so he clasped her close to his side. “I have been here all spring. This is Texas, and you learn real quickly the signs of a tornado.”

William nodded. She was right; he should have recognized the signs, but it had been years since he’d been anywhere near a tornado. If she hadn’t come, what would have happened to him and the little girls? He shivered at the thought.

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