Page 22 of Born a Hero

Soon, Bryce had waved over a boat and helped the others to get inside. He looked back at their living quarters and saw how sad it all appeared now. Yet at the beginning, both he and Sonja had been thrilled with their good fortune.

With everyone pitching in, they’d cleaned the place as much as possible, piling most of the blankets and other material things into the empty bins and boxes. They’d done the best they could and would do much more when it was safe to return.

Taking the clothes they knew they would be needing and their personal belongings, Justin clinging to his pup, they were finally transported to a dock where there were volunteers waiting to give them whatever they required.

After scarfing down a wholesome meal and hot drinks, they were able to find a willing driver to take them to Bryce’s condo. Assured they’d be safe there, the fact it had been one of the higher areas and sustained no damage turned out to be a bonus.

Within a short time, they were inside the condo, and Bryce saw his place through the eyes of the others. He’d been right when he said it was small. An all-white kitchen with the dining room and living room surrounding it seemed to be the focal point of the place, a modern yet comfy atmosphere with plush chairs and a wrap-around sofa that faced the large screen TV mounted on the wall over a fancy fireplace.

The home had two bedrooms, two baths, and an office. When he’d bought the joint, he’d imagined the modern place would be the perfect living quarters for a busy doctor who liked his privacy, could make use of the shared pool and spa facilities, yet didn’t have the time or energy to keep up with a yard.

Sparsely decorated due to the lack of time, interest, and female input, nevertheless, he’d come to like living here and having this solitude to come home to after a busy and ofttimes harrowing, disheartening day at work.

His small patio was the only outside space that gave one privacy, as the manicured lawns were common area and part of the over-all luxury complex. Perfect for a busy man who wanted a home of his own with no upkeep, he admitted the distant views of gorgeous green lawns from a golf course with palm trees and small water features that looked like little lakes soothed the exhaustion he carried from working long hours, especially during the pandemic. He hated to even remember those days; they were so bad. Thank goodness, he’d had this little paradise to hide away in.

Attacked by weird nerves Bryce knew materialized because of his need for Dena to like his choices, he popped around like a mother hen, trying hard to make everyone feel at home.

***

At least, Dena and Sonja teased him for behaving that way and they were also soothed that their comfort really did seem to matter.

“Everything is beautiful, Bryce. Quit worrying.” Dena’s happy expression proved her words were sincere.

Sonja pointed out with a grin. “We have proper facilities, two of them, and with showers. Son, trust me, we’ll be very comfy here for now.” Finally after he’d showed them where he kept most things and urged them to help themselves to whatever they felt they needed, he calmed.

Suddenly, he seemed to notice the flashing lights on his message machine and began listening to the comments. Wanting to give him privacy, they moved out on the patio. The fact that they could hear most of what was being said didn’t seem to faze him and so they stayed, looking at the garden.

Dena made out that most were emergency calls from the hospital, all wanting him to come in as soon as possible. But the last two were from a sexy female voice commenting about how excited she was for their forthcoming wedding and begging him to return her calls as soon as possible so she could stop worrying.

Dena felt Sonja take her hand, sympathy welling in her eyes.Oh, my God. Bryce had a fiancée?Heartsore, she accepted the consolation, gulped back the threatening tears, and shook her head. She couldn’t talk about it yet.

When Bryce didn’t place a return call but began shuffling around, changing clothes, gathering belongings to head into work, they just stayed out of his way. Unable to blame him, Dena figured he’d decided to return his fiancée’s calls in private.

Pulling out a wad of bills from his wallet, he assured them that though he had little food in the fridge, they could call any of the restaurants in the vicinity for delivery. Rattled, he beseeched them to understand why he had to leave them. “I’m sorry to run off on your first night, but I really need to get to the hospital. Look, there’s a good selection of menus in the drawer by the fridge. Grab whatever you feel in the mood for. I’ll try and get back later tonight.”

Sonja stepped up and warned him in a motherly voice, “Don’t overdo things, Bryce. You’re still healing and even more so after these last few days. Please be careful.”

Smiling at her fussing, he nodded. “I promise to be good, Mommy.”

Before she could admonish the teasing retort, his Uber arrived, and he rushed out. But not before hugging Sonja and Justin, patting the dog, and when he approached Dena, his look of confusion stayed with her. She’d wrapped her arms around herself, effectively stopping him from getting too close.

When his shocked expression betrayed his hurt feelings, momentary guilt attacked. But how could she allow him any privileges when he’d be marrying that sexy-voiced woman next month?

Chapter Twenty-two

Dena knew Sonja tried to keep her mind off the messages by bringing out all the menus to the patio where they were enjoying a glass of iced tea and watching Justin play in the grass with an ecstatic puppy.

Chattering a blue streak, she made a game about what they should order for dinner that night.

When the phone rang, and she heard the caller ID announcing it was her son on the line, she disappeared inside to answer.

Still in a funk about Bryce’s coming marriage, shock battling with hurt, Dena tried to concentrate on how she could gracefully get her and Justin away. She knew from the rescue team that there was a number they could call to get an update on their homes, and she was determined to do it as soon as possible now.

Not willing to stay here any longer than she needed to, making this decision helped. If it weren’t for Justin and Sonja, she’d have left already. Hells bells, she’d rather sleep on the sidewalk than under the same roof as the man who’d let her down so wickedly and broke her heart twice.

Sonja came back outside, her face appearing shocked. Dena snapped out of her own funk to prod, reaching for Sonja to sit next to her on the swing. “What’s wrong, Sonja? Aren’t they coming after all?”

“Actually, they’re almost here, just asked for the address. I guess they flew from Los Angeles and left Charlene’s mother in charge of the kids. Jamie was so upset, he kept asking me how I felt and said that he and Charlene were frantic, apologizing for not being here sooner.”

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