Page 7 of Heart of a Hero

“Wow, it’s so big!” she exclaimed, spinning around to face us. “But where’s the Christmas tree?”

I chuckled at her innocent question, kneeling down to meet her at eye level. “Well, I haven’t had a chance to get one yet, sweetheart. But how about this? I’ll let you pick one out for me on one of my days off. What do you say?”

Taylor’s face lit up with pure joy, and she threw her arms around my neck in a tight hug. “Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Mr. Dawson!”

I couldn’t help but smile as I returned her embrace, my heart swelling with affection for this sweet little girl. Over her shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Nora watching us, a soft expression on her face I couldn’t quite decipher.

Rising to my feet, I cleared my throat and gestured toward the guestroom. “So, this is where you two will be staying. It’s not much, but the bed is comfortable, and there’s plenty of room in the dresser for your things.”

I winced, remembering they didn’t have anything. Yet, anyway. I’d make sure they at least had the basics by morning.

Nora stepped into the room, her fingers trailing along the soft comforter. “It’s perfect, Dawson. More than perfect. I don’t know how to thank you for all of this.”

I shook my head, holding up a hand. “You don’t need to thank me, Nora. I’m just glad I can help.”

As they settled in, I couldn’t shake the feeling that having them here was going to change everything. But looking at Nora and Taylor, seeing the hope and gratitude in their eyes, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, I would face them head-on. For their sake, and for the chance to make a difference in their lives.

I led them farther down the hallway to the bathroom, flicking on the light switch as we entered. I tried to see it through their eyes. To me it was just a bathroom, but Taylor seemed in awe of my apartment.

“Here’s the bathroom. You’ll find clean towels in the cabinet, and I’ve stocked up on some toiletries for guests.” I opened the drawers, revealing an array of shampoos, soaps, and lotions. “Oh, and there are new toothbrushes in here too.”

Nora’s eyes widened as she took in the spacious, well-appointed room. “This is incredible, Dawson. You’ve thought of everything.”

I shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious under her praise. “I just want people to feel at home here if they visit. One of my best friends moved away, and in the event she and her husband don’t want to stay with her family, this gives them a place to crash when they’re in town.”

Taylor tugged on my hand, her eyes shining with excitement. “Can I take a bubble bath, Mr. Dawson? Pretty please?”

I chuckled, ruffling her blonde curls. “Of course you can, sweetheart. I think there’s some bubble bath in the cabinet too.”

As Taylor squealed with delight, I caught Nora’s gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. We both knew this small moment of normalcy was a precious gift for her daughter.

Stepping back into the hallway, I pulled out my phone. “Hey, I need to make a quick call. Why don’t you two get settled in, and I’ll be right back.”

Nora nodded, her expression grateful. “Take your time, Dawson. We’ll be fine.”

I slipped into the living room, scrolling through my contacts until I found Akira’s number. As the phone rang, I paced the floor, my mind racing with all the things I needed to do to ensure Nora and Taylor’s safety and comfort.

“Hey, Akira,” I said when she picked up. “I need a favor.”

“Anything for you, Dawson. What’s up?” Her voice was warm and reassuring, instantly putting me at ease. She was one of the few people who knew what I’d been up to since I’d left the compound.

I took a deep breath, lowering my voice. “I have some guests staying with me, a woman and her little girl. They’ve been through a lot, and I want to make sure they have everything they need. Did you hear about the apartment fire tonight? They lived there, and now they’ve lost everything.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. “Say no more. I’ll pick up some clothes, toys, and anything else I can think of. They’ll be taken care of, I promise.”

Relief washed over me, and I closed my eyes, silently thanking the universe for Akira’s unwavering support. “You’re the best, you know that?”

She laughed, the sound warm and comforting. “I know.”

“I don’t know their sizes, but the little girl looks to be about four or five. The woman is on the slender side. Maybe a small or medium for clothes?” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll offer to wash their stuff tonight, and I’ll text you in a bit with a more accurate size.”

“No worries. Now go take care of your guests. I’ll be over in the morning with supplies,” she said.

As I ended the call, I leaned against the wall, my heart full of gratitude and determination. Nora and Taylor needed me, and I would do whatever it took to keep them safe and happy. The simple fact they hadn’t had anyone to rely on or a place to go told me they could use some kindness and support right about now. If she didn’t have friends, then I’d be one for her.

I stepped into the living room, my eyes instantly drawn to Nora. I hadn’t expected her to finish cleaning up so fast. She stood by the window, her slender frame silhouetted against the night sky. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, and I could see the tension in her shoulders as she wrapped her arms around herself.

As I approached, she turned to face me, her brown eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. “Thank you, Dawson. For everything. First you saved our lives, and now you’re giving us a place to stay.”

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