Husbands, Husbands...Everywhere! by Sharon Swan

Author:Sharon Swan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Ryan had his boots off in a flash. Abby was still at the edge of the bank frantically toeing off her own shoes when he raced past her and executed a shallow dive. The ducks sent up a round of squawks as he hit the surface. He barely heard them before he went under. As he’d expected, the water was fairly deep and undeniably cold. Thankfully, it was also clear.

He had no trouble locating the baby. Arms and legs flailing, she was sending up a stream of small bubbles and spinning helplessly. One swift stroke took him to her, then she was locked in his grip and they were both surging to the surface. They’d barely broken through the water when she started crying at the top of her lungs.

When they reached the grassy bank moments later, quiet tears were rolling down Abby’s cheeks, as well. Other concerned faces had joined hers, watching as Ryan used one arm to tug himself half out of the water while keeping the other securely around Cara. Abby quickly bent to take the baby, but the sturdy little arms that had captured Ryan’s neck in a choke-hold refused to budge.

“Let her stay,” he finally said over the baby’s non-stop stop wails, and at that point two men in the small crowd that had gathered acted with dispatch and gained a firm grip on his leather belt. Legs braced at the edge of the water, they lifted Ryan and his burden onto the bank.

“We have to get those wet clothes off her,” Abby said, her voice trembling as she knelt beside him. She already had the blanket in her hands, which were trembling as well.

Ryan had to pry Cara’s arms from his neck so they could get the job done. Once the baby was wrapped in the blanket and snug in Abby’s lap, he stripped off his shirt and socks, pulled on the black boots someone had retrieved for him and got to his feet. And still Cara cried, wrestling the blanket off enough to reach out to him.

“It might be better if I hold her,” he said. He bent to lift the child, blanket and all, and once her arms were locked around his neck again, the crying soon faded to sobs.

Abby picked up the dripping clothing he’d discarded. “I’m taking her to the medical center downtown,” she told him. “I don’t intend to take any chances.”

He nodded. “Fine. I’ll drive you. My car’s in the lot near the main park entrance.”

“That silver bullet you drive may go fast, but it’s too small to hold all of us,” she reminded him. “We’ll have to use my car. It’s parked in the lot, too.”

While Ryan thanked the bystanders for their help, Abby grabbed up his hat and her shoulder bag. It wasn’t long before they reached her late-model sedan, where it became apparent that Cara had no intention of letting Ryan hand her over to Abby so he could drive. Every time he tried to ease her away, she started crying again.

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