Free Secrets Unveiled by Mary Manners Page B

anything Maggie didn’t do well?
    Forgive…that was what.
    He couldn’t blame Maggie for her wrath—not really. His words must have come as a complete shock. But she’d reacted just the way he’d expected…the way he’d feared. It was exactly the reason he’d put things off for so long…until it was too late. So much for unveiling the truth and allowing God to take care of the rest. The Man Upstairs must have been on vacation this afternoon.
    Gemma’s sudden string of raspy coughs brought Grant back. Her face had gone red to match her hair and the way she bowed forward while her fingers clung to her neck told Grant she was in on the verge of distress.
    “Hang on.” He sprang up from the bed and bolted to the hall, taking the stairs two at a time until he reached the kitchen. He snatched the inhaler from the countertop and turned back to re-climb the stairs in record time.
    “Here,” he said as he bounded through the doorway to the bed where Gemma was doubled over in a fit of raspy coughs. “Take two puffs.” He hoisted Gemma onto his lap and held the tube to her mouth, urging her to purse her purple-tinged lips around the opening. Then he counted aloud as he quickly pressed the dispenser, “There you go…One…two…”
    A tense moment passed as he waited to see if the medicine would take effect. Only once before had they required a trip to the emergency room to bring Gemma’s breathing under control. Grant prayed silently, fervently…
    Gemma let out a trio of sharp, bark-like coughs before her breathing suddenly eased, going from short and raspy to deep and clear. Just as quickly as it had come on, the episode faded. That was the benefit of quick action. Thank God Cara had reminded him to get the inhaler refilled.
    Grant thought of the second dispenser still packaged in its pharmacy bag in the console of his car. He was supposed to give it to Maggie when he picked Gemma up from school that afternoon, but with the way things had transpired, he’d completely forgotten to leave the medication with her.
    Until now.
    Like it or not, he’d have to rectify that in the morning. Allergy season was just beginning for Gemma. She’d need to keep the inhaler close by at all times.
    “You OK now?” Grant settled back on the bed, studying Gemma carefully. She seemed much less affected by the episode, but that didn’t surprise him. Gemma had no idea asthma ran in their family—or that his mother—her grandmother—had died as a result of a severe asthmatic attack.
    If it was up to him, she’d never know. He didn’t want the knowledge to frighten her or hold her back from doing the things she loved.
    Like jumping on the bed.
    “Yeah, I’m OK.” Gemma reached for the doll on the nightstand and cuddled it to her chest as the last of the wheezing faded. She peered up at him as she settled back against the pillows. “Are you OK?”
    “Uh huh.” Grant managed to chuckle. The kid had the wisdom and insight of an old woman. Sometimes he found it unsettling. But tonight he was just happy the medicine had worked so quickly. “No worse for wear. Now…about that story….”
    “Why is Miss Andrews mad at you?”
    The question surprised him, and he struggled to find an answer that might satisfy. “She’s not mad…just disappointed in me.”
    “Why? Does it have something to do with the locket?”
    “Yes, that…and more.”
    “Does this mean you’re not friends anymore?”
    Grant sighed and scooted back along the bedside to rest his spine against the headboard. He gathered Gemma in close as he wondered how he might explain. “Miss Andrews and I have been friends almost forever.”
    “Since before I was born, right? Miss Andrews told me that while we were waiting for you today.”
    “She did? Well, that’s right. We went to high school together…even sat through some classes together. And sometimes even friends who care deeply for each other manage to get their feelings hurt. It happens.”
    “Then