had lost you.” She tightened her arms around him. “We’re both very lucky. It’s all right now. We’re both fine now. Shhhh.” She continued to stroke his head and held him for a few minutes more but grimaced as Tommy grasped her tightly.
Watching the two of them, Rick must have seen Jamie’s expression of pain and bent over his son.
“Tommy, son, we need to let Jamie rest now. She needs to rest so she can get better.”
At this, Tommy loosened his embrace and backed away, assessing Jamie for himself. Wiping his tears away with his sleeve, his face was creased with worry.
“I want you to get better, Jamie. Okay? Promise?” Tommy’s voice cracked.
“I promise, don’t you worry. I’m just a little tired. We’ll talk soon. You and me.” Jamie looked at Tommy, then smiled as he nodded and she kissed his cheek.
“Okay.” He lingered, and before he left, Tommy kissed Jamie’s cheek, causing her to tear up again.
“I’ll see you later, big guy.”
Tommy stood up to leave but now his father bent down on one knee and ever so gently cupped Jamie’s chin in his hefty hand. He looked her in the eye as he spoke.
“I will never forget what you did today. You not only saved Tommy’s life but you saved mine too, because I would not have recovered if I lost him.” And Rick kissed Jamie’s other cheek. Witnessing this giant of a man expose his heart to the woman who had saved his son’s life was powerful. For a moment no one spoke.
“Rick,” Jamie paused, and then whispered, “I need to talk to you. Could you send Tommy away for a few minutes?” He furrowed his brows but nodded.
“Tom, could you go find Uncle Mike and get Jamie some hot tea to drink? Make sure he makes it like she likes it, with lemon and sugar.”
“Sure, Dad. I can do that.” Anxious to be helpful, Tommy ran toward the mess tent.
Once Tommy left, Rick turned his attention back to Jamie.
“Rick, it wasn’t me that saved Tommy.”
Chapter 9
Jamie inhaled and looked at Rick, Ben, and Kevin. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I can’t keep it in. I have to tell someone, especially you, Rick.” Jamie focused her eyes on him.
“I know you haven’t known me long, but I promise I’m not a religious fanatic or nut.” Jamie paused again and looked at Rick, taking a big swallow before she started.
“When I saw Tommy on the climb, I knew in my gut that it wasn’t good. I knew something would happen so I started running over the bridge to try to get to him. I didn’t know what to do but I had to do something. As I ran across the bridge, something, someone stopped me. I felt someone with me and she guided me the rest of the way. I stopped, climbed over the bridge railing and waited, all per her instructions. She told me when to jump and guided my hand to grab in the water for Tommy. It happened so fast but I wasn’t scared. I felt strangely calm and trusted her completely. The water was so powerful but the only thing I knew is that I had to hang on to Tom no matter how hard the water tried to tear us apart. She helped me grab that rock and gave me superhuman strength to pull us toward it against the rough waters.”
Jamie paused and took a breath. “Rick, it was your wife, Roseanne.” Jamie stopped as she heard Rick gasp. “I don’t know how I know that but I do. She used me to save her son.” All eyes were on Jamie but no one said a word. Jamie turned to Kevin.
“Kevin, after you took Tommy, I tried to climb up on that rock to get out of the water. I was so cold. Then something hit me in the back and I went under. At first, beneath the water, it was so cold, and I couldn’t pull up, no matter how hard I tried. Then, after a moment, I felt warm and relaxed. I wanted to let go and float away. I felt very peaceful. But Roseanne wouldn’t let me. She told me that it wasn’t my time and I had to go back and give Rick something.” Jamie rose to her knees watching Rick.
Rick remained motionless, with tears in
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