< previous page page_197 next page >

Page 197
coughing lightly, realized that her once-white gown was as streaked with smudges as Mike's face, and her feet were still bare, the pavement beneath them cold and rough.
The man asked, "Anyone hurt?"
"She was trapped inside," Mike said, gently thrusting Abby toward Montgomery as she coughed once more. "But fortunately the fire hadn't spread too far into the room."
He cast a questioning glance toward Mike. "You got her out?" Mike nodded.
Abby shied away as Montgomery neared her, but Hannah explained, "He's a paramedic, dear. He'll help you."
Montgomery quickly drew some equipment from a large bag he carried and put a mask over Abby's face. "Breathe," he said.
Still fearful, she nevertheless obeyed. Immediately her lungs and throat seemed clearer and she clutched the mask, inhaling deeply the cleansing air as Montgomery proceeded to check her over.
As they all watched, the black, swirling cloud emanating from the house turned gray, then white. After a while, it vanished.
Still, firemen continued to bustle about. Abby, exhausted but coughing less, sat on the ground, and Mike and Hannah joined her. Throwing her a worried glance, Mike took Abby's chilled feet in his lap and clasped them tightly in his large hands, warming them. She smiled shyly. This was one of the dearest, most tender acts anyone had ever performed for her.

 
< previous page page_197 next page >