Page 18 of Born a Hero

Being that they were half frozen, and all were exhausted, they were at the mercy of the two men. Bryce actually jumped into the boat so he could lift the older woman and hand her to Liam. Then he shouted to the fellow who owned the canoe. “Now it’s your turn, my friend. I can help you.”

“No can do. I saw a number of folks still clinging to their roofs. I swore I’d go back for ‘em.”

“Look, you’re done in, man. Tell me where you saw them. I’ll go and bring them back.”

Grateful, the fellow gave Bryce the directions and let Liam haul him inside. Then Liam leaned out so he could get Bryce’s attention. “I should go, man. You stay in case you’re needed for medical services. Plus, I live around here and know the area. I can go directly to where the old guy said he saw the others.”

Bryce saw Sonja behind Liam and knew she’d blabbed about his physical condition and how he was still on leave to heal. Not that he’d paid any attention to his body over the last twenty-four hours. What had to be done couldn’t wait and though he knew he’d pay for his lack of care, it hadn’t mattered. But trying to row a canoe against the wind in these conditions would be foolish. Especially if it meant putting the lives of others in danger.

Nodding in agreement, he grabbed for Liam’s hand and let him boost him inside. Then between him and Sonja, they set Liam up with one of the flashlights, the warmest hoodie, and a jacket to block the wind. Then they helped lower him down to the bobbing canoe.

As Liam disappeared into the darkening day, Bryce experienced a small relief that this time he hadn’t been the one out there in the elements.

Sonja stepped closer, her voice gentle. “Come young man. Let’s get these poor souls as comfortable as possible.”

Bryce put his arm around her shoulder and held her back. “Sonja, you know those boxes you had in your closet on the top shelves, what’s in them?”

“Oh, Lordy, I never thought of those. They’re things I promised my son I’d keep for him and his wife after they moved. They were supposed to come and get them, but never did. I have no idea what’s inside but it’s worth it to fetch them. Do you figure they’d still be dry?”

“Could be. Maybe the water never reached that high. I’m going to check it out. In the meantime, will you help Dena and Rose see to our newest arrivals?”

“On it, boss.” Sonja grinned jokingly and kissed his cheek. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a catch. If I was forty years younger, you’d be in my sights.”

“Right. Me and the man who caught you.” He laughed, happy to see that she wasn’t upset with having yet more folks invade her home.

He went over to the far corner of the attic where they’d originally come up and lay on his stomach, flashlight pushed in front to see how things were below. Sure enough, he’d been right. The water hadn’t reached the top shelves in the closet.

Stretching out, he reached and snagged the closest box, huffing from the weight of the thing. Knowing his ribs were going to give him hell after this exercise, he looked back to see if anyone paid attention to him and saw them all in a huddle welcoming the newcomers.

Taking off his warm sweatpants, he quickly wrapped himself in the towel he’d grabbed from where it hung over a rafter and gingerly felt for the steps he’d purposely left down below. Yep… there they were. Using them to take his weight, he grabbed the other two boxes and slid them over to the opening and then using the rest of his strength, he pushed, grunting cuss words and prayers as he got the others close enough.

Suddenly, Dena’s face appeared in the opening, and she seemed to understand his predicament instantly. “Here, let me help you.” With her assistance, they were able to get all three of the containers through the doorway. Just as he went to pull himself up and out of the water, the towel let go and there he was in his birthday suit, crouching now to hide.

Dena’s face broke into a huge grin. “Seriously, you’re going to be shy with me? I’ve seen you before, remember?”

“Yes, ma’am. I do. And to stop you from ravishing my body once again, I must insist that you turn your back so I can enter with some dignity.”

Laughing hard now, Dena complied. “As you wish, sire. I’ll take one of the boxes over to the others and leave you with your… ahh, dignity intact.”

Chapter Nineteen

Dena carried the boxes and containers over to where Rose and Sonja started rifling through their contents. Laughing, they put aside the silly things that people tend to save and pulled out large plastic tablecloths, even a blanket or two they thought would come in handy.

One of the bins held camping gear and they were delighted to find a box of matches and all kinds of incense cones.

Thrilled with these treasures, Sonja and Dena went to the far corner where they’d arranged privacy for those needing it and draped the plastic around, hoping to make a shield. Then they organized a table from an upside-down bin where they left a coal oil lamp, along with the incense and matches. Lighting one, they were pleased that it helped clear the air.

Once they were satisfied that they’d done the best they could, they returned to help the others continue ransacking the containers. After they searched each one, Dena carried it to the far wall, her head in the clouds the whole time.

Chuckling, she remembered the recent interaction with Bryce, her heart filled with tenderness at his lighthearted way of dealing with what could have been an embarrassing situation. She’d never known a man with so little care for himself when it came to looking after others.

He gave and gave and didn’t seem to want a lot in return. Such selflessness was rare nowadays and to be treasured. Remembering those moments when she saw his naked chest, his muscled arms and the slight patch of dark hair covering his pecs, she shivered. Her body had reacted instantly, remembering the satisfaction she’d achieved in his embrace. God, he’d been thorough, and she’d benefited from every lick, kiss, and caress he’d shared.

Remembering her reckless behavior in her younger days when she’d invite someone home, planning on a night of sex, she’d always tried to hurry things along so the fellow would leave. Usually, there’d be no buildup of real emotions other than relief from the sexual release she sought but seldom discovered. Those were the times she’d feel used and have to shake off her regret.

But with her prince, everything had been different. The moment they’d shut themselves into her friend’s apartment, he’d slowed things down. His mouth had been hot and sensitized her body. She’d been forced to behave differently. Let him have his way… with her lips, her neck, caressing her all the while… her breasts, back, and thighs.

He'd made a kind of game of peeling off her clothes, kissing each uncovered spot, consuming her with the desire to repay this playfulness. As she’d uncovered his body, he’d been busy finding the spots on hers that lit a frenzy of passion.

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