Maggie ran. Short, percussive spurts of breath were all she could manage. Her throat ached and her chest burned with fear.
“It is you!” A strong hand gripped her arm and pulled her to a stop. She gasped and exhaled in rapid, uneven breaths as she swung her arm at him. He caught it and bent toward her. She tried to call out, but her voice was raspy. The sound wouldn"t carry.
is“Maggie, it’s me.”
She stopped struggling but didn"t trust what she’d heard. “Who?”
“It’s me. Jake.” She flew into his arms. Unprepared, he staggered back a step, then planted his feet firmly and wrapped his arms around her. He held her and stroked her shoulders and back. “What’s happened? Maggie, you’re shaking.”
With his strong and tender hands, he smoothed the hair and the tears from her face until her breathi
