Free Saving Katya by Sandra Edwards

account.” Alexei said.
    When Kate turned to him, her face had morphed into a scowl. “I don’t want you to put yourself out or anything.”
    Alexei laughed. “Come on, Katya...I’m not that bad.”
    Kate’s top lip twitched as if a snarl was trying to escape. “You know what, Alexei?” She threw her hands into the air. “I’m sure you’ve got more pressing matters to attend to than bestowing charity on me and my daughter!” She spun around and skated away.
    Wow. Where’d that come from? Just when he thought he was making progress. He’d acted with nothing but professionalism since he’d found out about her husband and kid. But still, she wanted to crucify him. Why?
    If she’d found a way to give her heart to another, he would find a way to live with it. But the thought of them parting on bad terms was like a knife gouging into his heart.
    The last bit of hope Alexei had been holding onto vanished. He glided to the sidelines and helped himself to the bench holding his belongings. Idle thoughts filled his head. Kate’s life was picture-perfect. Too perfect. Something was off. He laid his arms along the back railing and studied Kate and Katya, who’d returned with Angeline and a cup of hot cocoa. Katya sipped it, handed it off to Angeline and sailed out toward Kate. Alexei watched intently as mother and daughter played together on the ice.
    Why wasn’t Kate’s husband here? The man’s absence made no sense. Alexei folded his arms over his chest. As his American friends had often told him— there’s something fishy going on around here .
    Alexei wouldn’t rest until he found out what.
    “Mommy!” Katya’s scream ripped through Alexei’s wallowing thoughts. His scanned the rink; Kate was lying on the ice with Katya, Debra and Angeline looming over her.
    Alexei charged across the ice and dropped at her side, his knees slamming hard against the ice. He felt the pain of bitter cold even through his slacks.
    “Call an ambulance!” Debra shrieked. “Someone call an ambulance.” She ripped her glove off and reached for Kate’s wrist.
    “Katya?” Alexei called Kate by his pet name for her, pushing Debra aside. He laid his fingers against the pulse point of her neck. Feeling a strong beat, he blew out a sigh. “What happened?” He kept his tone calm, controlled.
    “I don’t know.” Debra’s voice, on the other hand was shaky and frantic. “She just stumbled and fell.”
    Stumbled? Kate Peterson stumble? Olympic Gold Medalists don’t stumble, even retired ones .
    Alexei pried open an eyelid and examined Kate’s pupil. Not that he’d know what to look for, or what it meant when he found it. He had no idea if her contracting pupil was a good sign or a bad one.
    Kate began coming around with a low, lingering moan. Alexei blew out a mouthful of air, half-surprised at the tension leaving with his sigh. “Hey.” He greeted her, touching her cheek with the back of his hand. She raised her shoulders to sit up. “Just lie back.” With a soft shushing, he nudged her back down.
    “Alexei...” She forced her way up. “The ice is cold.” Seconds later, she grabbed at her forehead with one hand, muttering, “Whoa...” She fumbled, probably for something to hold onto, with her free hand and came up with his sweater.
    Alexei swept Kate her into his arms and carried her to an empty bench on the edge of the rink. Easing her down, he planted himself at her side. “Are you all right? What happened, Katya?” Inexplicable fear washed over him as he examined her paled face.
    “I’m okay.” She glanced in his direction but failed to make eye contact.
    “We’ll let the doctors be the judge of that.” Debra’s insistent voice pulled Alexei’s attention to her. She was sitting on the other side of Kate, looking just as worried as he felt.
    “I’m fine,” Kate said, her tone short.
    The siren’s blare grew louder the closer the ambulance got. The driver hauled the vehicle as close to the ice as he