And took a deepbreath.
She steadied her nephew as he straightened. Color was rushing back into hisface.
He was a big kid. Nearly a preteen. But his facecrumpled.
She grabbed him in a hug, squeezing him tightly. Realized his head already reached hercheek.
She could've lost him, just thateasily.
Tears blurred her vision. She saw Dan step away to hug both girls, calmingthem.
Brady pushed away from her. He sniffled loudly, his eyes red but no tears on hisface.
Miles still stood nearby, white-faced. "I'm sorry, man. That was a stupidgame."
"You should never play games that involve putting food in your mouth," she snapped. She meant the words for all of them, didn't mean for her fear to manifest in such an angry tone, but she couldn't help the emotions running through her as the adrenaline drainedaway.
She was shaking. And she couldn'tstop.
She couldn't dothis.
"Excuse me." She turned and ran. Past the horses. Out into the open field. Finally stopped when her tears stole her breath and her shaking legs wouldn't carry her anylonger.
She buried her head in herhands.
She'd almost lost Brady. Like she'd lostEmma.
She heard footsteps in the long grass. No way to sneak up on anybody outhere.
She knew it was Dan. Felt hishesitation.
And then he stepped nearer and drew her into hisarms.
She clung to him. Wept against his chest. Poured out the intense fear from just moments ago, poured out the grief she kept bottled so she wouldn't scare thekids.
He held on to her. Strong and steady, a boulder unshaken by the tempest of hertears.
Finally her sobs subsided to the occasionalhiccup.
"I can't do this," she said into his soggyshirt.
He moved back slightly, enough to cup both hands against her cheeks. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Dowhat?"
"Be a parent. I'm not cut out for it. All my training—I completely blanked on what I should do.Youhad to do theHeimlich."
His smile was small, and soft. "I’m glad I was here. But I know if you’d been alone, you’d have stillmanaged.”
Maybe.
“And,” he continued, “I hate to break it to you, but you already are a parent. A good one. Even good parents get scaredsometimes."
He was so near, and her emotions were stillrioting.
She really wanted to kisshim.
He must've seen the desire in her face because his expression hardened even as his eyes wenthot.
But he didn't breakaway.
