She wanted to grasp his little face and smother it with kisses, but she was so tired, she didn’t think her fingers would work.
Gilbert pressed her back into the pillows. “Yes, he’s fine, thanks to you.” He caressed her cheek. “You must rest, now.”
White and green uniformed medical people flooded the room. Her eyelids fluttered. She was so tired.
Chapter 23
Clairebeggedforacup of coffee and a croissant. A nurse smiled at her. “Tout de suite.” The medical exam exhausted her. A young doctor told her she’d been unconscious for eighteen hours. No wonder she was starving.
The doctor left and Gilbert and Luca appeared beside Claire’s bed in an instant.
“They told me I fell into a river?”
“I saved the dog! And you saved me!”
Gilbert smiled at Luca and tousled his hair.
Images of a dog playing ball alongside the river emerged from her foggy memory. She laughed. “That’s impossible. I’m terrified of the water.”
“But—”
“Luca, would you please go get some of Sister Georgette’s cookies for Claire?”
“Bien sûr.” He scooted out the door.
“We bought another box.” Gilbert sat next to the bed and held her hand. “The doctor said you might not remember, but you did save Luca’s life. You jumped into the river with a life ring—very quick thinking—and pulled him onto the buoy and pushed him toward the embankment where a man pulled Luca out. I was running toward you. But—you went under. The dog bit your sleeve and towed you to his owner, who pulled you out.” His eyes glistened. “I am forever indebted to you for saving Luca’s life.” He kissed her fingers. Tears ran down his cheeks.
She wiped his tears. She wanted to believe him; he had no reason to lie. But that just wasn’t possible. “I can’t believe it.”
“Why?”
Words stuck in her mouth like rocks in mud. Her lips struggled to form the words. She coughed against the taste of muddy water and calmed. “I don’t think I can swim.”
“But…then…how?” Alarm filled his eyes. “You threw the buoy, and you jumped in after him. Like you knew what you were doing.”
Had she? The nuns had insisted she attend water-safety classes, but she didn’t remember taking swimming lessons.
The scent of the river made her shudder. She remembered running and grabbing the life ring. And she remembered the first rule of water safety was not to jump in, but to throw the buoy to the victim and tow him in. Was the rope not long enough to reach Luca? Was that why she’d jumped? Had Luca not surfaced?
Luca’s dimpled smile beamed up at her. He held out a plate of cookies. “Did Onc invite you to stay with us for Christmas?”
Gilbert snatched a cookie and handed it to her. “The doctors want to do some more tests, but you should be able to leave tomorrow. They don’t want you to fly until all the results are in, which won’t be until after the holidays. We’d love for you to spend Christmas with us.”
“Si’il te plaît?” chimed Luca.
“I’d love to, but Marti will be so disappointed.”
Gilbert patted his forehead. “I forgot. She kept calling your mobile. I hope you do not mind, but I answered her call and told her. She is very worried.” He reached into his pocket. “She said to call her no matter the time.” He gave Claire her phone.
“Merci. I appreciate your answering Marti’s call.”
Gilbert clapped his hands. “Let us give Claire some privacy. We will return tomorrow morning. Do you wish for me to retrieve your luggage from the hotel? I know the owner, and she will personally pack your things.”
Claire’s arms and legs felt like they weighed more than Santa’s sack of toys. “Yes. Please thank Madame Justine for me. Oh, and don’t peek at the wrapped gift.”
Gilbert smiled, bent down, and kissed her cheek. “À demain.”
She wanted to kiss him back.
