Unbreakable Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

and falling that comes with life. Nate felt physically ill, but he had to hold it together. He was here to do a job. He could only hope that Celeste would forgive him for touching her.
    He checked her airway. When he knew that it was clear, he began CPR. His capable hands pressed down rhythmically on the soft skin of her chest, forcing her heart to perform. When that was done, he would use his own air, pushing it straight into her lungs, willing her to breathe. Once the partygoers took notice of Nate and Jennie on the deck, they began to calm down. Soon all that could be heard was the sloshing of water as people climbed from the pool and hushed whispers while an anxious crowd gathered around Nate and Jennie.
    After the first round of CPR, Nate began to hear faint breathing. Instinctively, he took her hand and held it tight.
    “Come back to me, Jennie,” he pled, raw anguish seeping from his words.
    Jennie could feel that sensation again. It felt far away but stronger this time. Waves of light and contentment rolled through her like a healing balm. Suddenly she became conscious of air moving through her lungs where they had been empty before. It hurt; every breath stung. Then all at once, her senses began to focus in on his hand connecting to hers, sending those incredible sensations. Her eyes felt heavy and she had to force them open by sheer will. Every message coming from her brain screamed open your eyes. They fluttered and then she was trying to focus, trying to handle the overwhelming light coming from the pool and overhead deck…at least until he bent over her fragile body and then she saw his face hovering, terrified. As soon as her eyes opened, he let go of her hand. He had to. If she had been stronger, she would’ve yelled NO! but her vocal chords wouldn’t work yet. It was still all she could do to breathe and move her eyes to look around the room.
    “She’s gonna be okay,” she heard someone say in the distance.
    After considerable effort Jennie got control of her voice and she cried out ,“My hand, take my hand.”
    Nate smiled. She would be all right. He brought his face close to hers and whispered, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
    Jennie shook her head weakly but clearly, tears forming in her eyes as she spoke her next words.
    “Take me home.”
    Nate grabbed an oversized towel from a lawn chair and wrapped Jennie in it, taking care not to touch her again. He was already afraid he would be taken off her case because of his carelessness, yet he didn’t regret his choice. He would never regret it. Effortlessly, he scooped her up and carried her out to the car. Neither spoke on the drive home. Jennie’s strength was beginning to return. She could still feel a residue of that healing sensation flowing through her. Whatever it was seemed to make her feel better with every passing minute, not just emotionally but physically as well.
    When they pulled up to her house, Jennie turned to him even before he could put the car in park. She reached out her hand to place it on his but Nate pulled back. Instantly, she looked hurt.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, “I just don’t want to do anything to hurt you.”
    Jennie’s expression melted into confusion. “You just saved my life. How could you ever hurt me?”
    Nate smiled in the dark. “That’s what friends do—save your life, that is.” Then he paused, hating the truth that he was about to speak, “but if I’m not careful I could hurt you and that wouldn’t make me a very good friend.”
    Jennie sighed. It all felt so confusing at the moment, but she tried not to overthink it. “Thank you,” she whispered, “for saving my life, that is.”
    “You’re welcome,” he responded. “Now go inside and get some dry clothes on.” Nate didn’t want to upset her any more but he found himself needing to understand her.
    “Before you go, who was the guy who made you so angry tonight?” he asked.
    “He is the reason I need a friend above all