Sisters of Holmes County Omnibus by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Author:Wanda E. Brunstetter [ BRUNSTETTER, WANDA E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62029-525-0
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2008-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Help! Help!”

Martin came up out of the water, gulped in some air, and spotted Gideon, kicking and splashing for all he was worth. “Can you swim?” he called to the boy.

“He can’t, and neither can I!” Abe, who was several feet away, also struggled.

The frigid water stung Martin’s skin and took his breath away. Even though he considered himself to be a good swimmer, he knew he needed to get out of the icy water as quickly as possible. Needed to get Abe and his son out, too.

Since Gideon was the closest and seemed to be having the most trouble staying afloat, Martin swam over to the boy, grabbed hold of his shirt, and pulled him toward shore. He kept pulling until they were in shallow water and he knew Gideon could stand. “Climb out and wait on the shore,” he instructed.

Coughing and gasping for air, Gideon did as he was told.

Martin dove back into the water and swam toward where he’d last seen Abe. Only Abe wasn’t there!

Treading water, Martin looked around frantically. “Abe!” he hollered. “Where are you?”

“Don’t let Papa die!” Gideon shouted from the shore.

Martin whirled around. “Don’t come back in the water! Stay right there while I look for your daed.”

He dove down and spotted Abe under the water near where the boat had capsized. His hand snaked out and grabbed Abe’s arm, then he kicked hard, pulling them both to the surface. Abe wasn’t moving, and Martin feared the man might have drowned. Dear God, he prayed, don’t let him be dead.

Several grueling moments later, Martin pulled Abe onto the shore.

Gideon rushed over and dropped down beside his father. “Don’t die, Papa,” he sobbed. “Don’t leave me like Mama did!”

Martin had learned CPR when he’d done volunteer work with the local fire department, so he quickly set to work on Abe. The cold air stung his eyes, and he struggled with each breath. His lungs burned, and he feared his strength would give out, but he wouldn’t give up. Abe was his friend, and if their roles were reversed, he knew Abe would do the same for him.

Finally, Abe coughed and spit water out of his mouth.

Martin breathed a prayer of thanks. “He’s going to be all right,” he said to Gideon, whose eyes were wide with fear. “We need to get back to your house so we can get out of these wet clothes.”

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