Maggie Black - Protective Measures

He’d never once imagined wanting to break it. Until now.

“But, Zoe—” Eve’s lower lip pouted.

“No arguments.” Zoe reached her hands up toward the girl. “Come on. We’ll find something fun to do down on the ground. Now just turn around on your stomach, slide your legs down to the branch below you and I’ll help you down from there.”

“It’s okay. I’m a lot taller than you are. I’ll get her down.” He was at least a foot taller than Zoe. He could pluck her out of the tree like a kitten. “Eve! Just stay there and wait for me.”

Eve glanced from one adult to the other. Her forehead wrinkled in worry and frustration. “But, I’m almost there.”

“Just wait.” His voice rose.

Her little voice rose, too. “I want to do it myself!”

Then in one sickening moment everything happened at once. Eve’s foothold snapped. Her wail of complaint rose to a scream as she fell. Leo’s heart pounded. His little girl tumbled through the air. Lord, save my baby girl!

In one fluid moment, Zoe bent her knees, stretched out her arms, and caught the falling child in her arms. Eve hit Zoe in the chest like a tiny, blond cannonball. Zoe absorbed the blow, letting it knock her over as they fell backward into the grass. Zoe lay there in the grass for a moment, her head bent low over Eve’s, as she cradled the small girl to her chest.

“You okay, honey?” Zoe asked. Her cheek leaned against Eve’s head. Emotion choked in her throat. “That was a very impressive fall.”

“The tree broke!” Eve said. His little girl sounded more amazed, even thrilled, than scared or hurt.

The sound that slipped through Zoe’s lips was a laugh and a cry in one. Yes, as a parent, he knew that feeling well.

“Yeah, it did,” Zoe said softly. “And you were very, very brave. I’ve fallen lots and lots of times. You didn’t even land on your head like I have!”

The little girl started giggling. Zoe started laughing, too. Then Eve sat up and reached for Leo.

“Daddy, I broke the tree! Zoe caught me.” Eve was still giggling.

“I saw that.” He knelt down and reached for her.

Zoe half pushed and half lifted Eve up toward her father’s waiting arms. “I think your daddy needs a hug right now, too.” Zoe’s dark eyes searched his face. “My daddy always said it can be a bit scary for a daddy to see their children fall.”

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