Page 17 of Everybody Needs a Hero

“Honk or something,” she asked. Drew complied while Tess rolled down her window and called Ashley’s name.

First,a car horn honked, and out of reflex, Ashley started to look. She wanted to hear her mom’s voice so badly that at first, she thought she imagined someone calling her name. “Ashley,” Bryce said, pointing down the street. “Is that your mom’s car?”

Looking harder, the car was utterly unfamiliar, but the woman with the long, blonde hair leaning out the window was definitely the face she loved the most. “Mom!” Ashley yelled, running in the direction of the white Pathfinder. Before the vehicle even stopped moving, the passenger door flew open, and Tess Landish jumped out. She raced toward Ashley, and in another moment, they were hugging each other, crying and laughing. Nothing had ever felt as good as having her mom’s arms around her. All the fear and worry and panic seemed to wash away as they stood there on the sidewalk holding each other. Amazingly, they were both safe and back together.

Finally, Tess pulled back and took Ashley’s face in her hands. “Let me look at you,” she said, her eyes roaming over Ashley. “You’re sure you are okay?”

Ashley covered her mom’s hands with her own. “Yes,” she said, nodding. “It almost seems impossible, but yes, I’m okay.” Feeling a rush of emotion in the wake of all that had happened, more tears ran down her cheeks. “But I never would have made it if not for Bryce.” Looking over her shoulder, she saw the woman who was nothing short of her hero standing back to give Ashley and her mom space. A huge smile was on her face, and it warmed Ashley’s heart to know Bryce was moved by their reunion. Putting an arm around her mom’s shoulders, Ashley started to lead her toward Bryce. “Come meet her, Mom.”

“Yes, I want to meet her,” Tess said as she broke away from Ashley and marched straight up to Bryce. Without warning, Ashley watched her mom wrap the woman in a giant hug. The look of surprise on Bryce’s face was priceless. The big, strong, and courageous Marine was at a loss of what to do in the grasp of her mother’s love. Enjoying the sight, Ashley basked in the feeling of relief that continued to wash over her. Things would never be the same, that she knew. There were things she saw that she would never be able to forget, but she was choosing to live in the moment.

Feeling someone come up beside her, Ashley looked to see a shorter, brown-haired woman standing with her. “Clearly, you are Ashley,” the woman said, holding out her hand. “I’m Drew. And it’s very good to finally meet you.”

Ashley processed what the stranger said as she shook her hand. “Drew?” she asked. “As in Drew Andersen, the author of the book mom’s movie is based on?”

The woman nodded. “Yes,” she replied. “One and the same. I was on the set with your mom when the earthquake rattled things.”

Ashley shook her head, not quite sure she understood how the famous author ended up with her mom. “Where were you guys shooting today?”

Rubbing her jaw, Drew sighed. “South Los Angeles.”

Her eyes going wide, Ashley could hardly believe it. “And you drove her all the way?”

Drew shrugged. “She didn’t have a car. When she couldn’t reach you, I agreed to drive her to find you,” she said.

Ashley was about to point out how incredibly generous it was giving her mom a ride across Los Angeles, especially in the middle of all the chaos, when Bev and Floyd came up to them.

“Does this mean we aren’t going to go on the studio lot?” Bev asked, clearly disappointed.

Sorry to let her down, but no longer wanting to stay, Ashley put her hand on Bev’s arm. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But I want to go home.”

Bev nodded, fingering the temporary guest pass around her neck. “Can I keep this as a souvenir at least? Something to remember our crazy day.”

Ashley smiled and leaned closer. “Keep it. I won’t tell if you don’t tell,” she said happy to see a twinkle come into Bev’s eyes.

The woman grinned. “Good. Lost everything in the flood, you know. I need to start rebuilding my stash.”

14

With Bev and Floyd on their way to find other street friends, and while Ashley with her mom continued to reassure each other they were okay, Bryce scanned her phone’s mapping app. She needed to figure out how far she was from her motel. Not familiar with the Culver City sections of Los Angeles, she was a little turned around. Fatigue didn’t help. With everyone safe and back together, the stress and physical exertion of the day were catching up to her. Although Bev wasn’t much heavier than running with a full backpack in Marine Corps boot camp training, Bryce still burned significant energy reserves. Not to mention how thirsty she was. Getting back to her motel room, drinking a gallon of water with her head under the tap, and then crashing on the bed sounded like heaven to her. When the phone’s results came back with the best land route, which was only two miles southwest, she was set. Leaving Ashley behind would be hard, but the woman didn’t need her anymore with her mom there.

“What has you so engrossed in your phone?” Ashley asked, coming up beside Bryce. Almost casually, she ran a hand up her arm, and Bryce wasn’t even sure Ashley realized she had done it. The gesture had a familiar, almost intimate quality to it. The craziness and shock of the day had brought them closer. Rapidly. Bryce read somewhere extreme circumstances could do that.

The sudden closeness made it harder for Bryce to leave, but she hoped she would see Ashley again soon.Maybe even a normal date?she thought.One without a natural disaster.“If you think you’re okay now,” she said. “I’m going to start walking to my motel.”

A look of surprise, with a hint of fear, appeared on Ashley’s face. “What?” she asked, starting to frown. “You can’t go.”

“What did I overhear?” Tess asked from where she stood near the woman who drove her across Los Angeles to get to Ashley. A quick introduction and Bryce had learned she was Drew Andersen, the famous author. Tess shook a finger at her in a way that made Bryce feel like a kid again, yet the action was obviously meant with affection. “You are not walking anywhere, Bryce, that’s for sure.”

Just then, a woman came out of the Sony Studio’s gate. She carried a clipboard, walkie-talkie, and an air of efficiency. “Ms. Landish?” she said, approaching Tess. “I’m Rachel, the production assistant Sony has assigned to you. Would you like to come with me? There is a lounge open, and I can get you whatever you might need.”

“Wait one second,” Tess said before looking to Drew. Bryce saw a warmth come into Tess’s eyes. “Drew, as much as I will eternally appreciate you for driving me all over Los Angeles, I’m going to ask transportation to assign me a limousine from the carpool. Everyone is ready to go home.” She softened her voice. “Including you.”

Bryce noticed Drew’s eyebrows lifting. Clearly Tess’s request for a different ride surprised her.I suppose after being the one to help Tess all day, she didn’t expect it to end so abruptly, she thought, wondering what the relationship between the two women was precisely. On the run in the canyon earlier that day, but what felt like a lifetime ago, Ashley mentioned her mom working on a new film about a famous book. She had been worried about how it might go when the author found out Tess hadn’t read the book.Apparently, things went okay.Still, she watched the author square her shoulders. “Well, on that note, I think I’ll head home and see what kind of damage I have to deal with at my house,” Drew said, and Tess covered her mouth with her hand.

“Oh, Drew, I’m so sorry. I never thought to ask you where you lived,” she gasped. “Or if there was anyone you were worried about.” Tess grabbed Drew’s arm. “I have been so selfish. And you have been so wonderful.”

Drew responded with a smile, her eyes holding Tess’s. “It doesn’t matter. My family is all in Texas, and my place is a new house in the hills above Malibu. I’ve hardly had time to move in, let alone call it home.” Bryce watched as the look between the two women went on for a beat. If she didn’t know better, there was a spark there too. Maybe not as strong as she felt for Ashley, but something. Finally, with a blush, Drew broke away. “Well, take care. I’ll see you on the set.”

---