Free Serendipity by Joanna Wylde

it," Jax said encouragingly. Able twisted to look back at him, scorn on his face.
    "Of course I can," he said. Without warning, he pushed himself free of Jax's arms and started paddling back toward the shore. Instead of watching the boy this time, though, Jax watched Sarai's face. Her expression was a mixture of concern and pride. She loved her children so much it was almost painful to watch at times. He felt like an intruder on their intimacy. Could he ever really be a part of the family?
    Able had reached the shore, and Sarai wrapped him tightly in her arms. Mali jumped up and down, squealing in delight and clapping her hands.
    "I can do it, too!" Mali said suddenly. She leapt forward.
    Before either he or Sarai had time to react, the little girl flung herself into the water, flailing her arms and legs.
    Chapter Eight
    Jax leapt forward, unsure if she had any idea how to swim. She paddled her arms and legs furiously, just managing to keep her head above water. Then the slow current started tugging her away from him, and he leaped forward to catch her.
    She squealed in delight as his arms came around her, clinging to him. He slipped and fell, instinctively holding her above him as he let himself relax and float to the surface. She seemed completely unconcerned, trusting him with the complete faith that only a small child can have. He bobbed up, leaning backward and cradling her in his arms. Then he kicked back, pushing himself upright and finding his footing on the slippery rocks.
    Sarai was still standing in the shallows, her face white. She clutched Able to her, although he squirmed against her hold.
    "Mom, let go!" he said sharply, and she shook her head, as if coming out of a dream.
    "Jax, thank you so much," she said as he started wading slowly toward her. Mali had grown quiet, laying her head against his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his neck.
    "Mali, you can never do that again! Don't you realize that if Jax hadn't caught you, you could have been drowned?"
    Mali turned her head and looked at Sarai in confusion.
    "Mommy, if Jax hadn't been here, I wouldn't have had the guts to do that," she said slowly and clearly, as if Sarai were the child and she was the adult.
    "I see," Sarai said. She abruptly turned and waded out of the water. "I think it's time for us to go home."
    "Mom!" Mali and Able wailed simultaneously. "That's not fair," Able added.
    "We haven't even had lunch yet, mommy," Mali said. "Do we really have to go home?"
    Jax could see the tension in Sarai's face. Watching Mali fling herself into the water without warning had terrified her, although she was trying not to show her fear. He waded over to the beach, and walked up to her, still carrying the little girl.
    "Sarai, perhaps we could eat before we go home," he said in a gentle voice, trying to sooth her fear. "I'm sure both the children will promise not to go near the water again without your permission."
    "I promise," Mali said quickly, and Able nodded in agreement. Sarai sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. It trembled slightly, and Jax averted his eyes.
    "You know, you might find the water less frightening if you knew how to swim," he said. "I could teach you, too."
    "I don't think so," she said with a sigh. She looked up at him, her face full of strain; seeing her like that made him ache. He had to do something to relieve her pain. Without pausing to think, he stuck his tongue out at her. Able and Mali burst into laughter. Her mouth twitched for a minute, then she turned away and walked over to the basket she'd packed their lunches in. He set Mali down, and the three of them exchanged a wicked look.
    When she turned back, Jax and the children were all sticking their tongues out at her.
    Her mouth twitched again, and on impulse Jax raised his hands, spread out his fingers and waggled them along the sides of his head. She burst out laughing, and then they were all cackling.
    They laughed until tears ran down their cheeks, and by the time