A Wife For Ben

“I called your office to ask about dinner Sunday, and John said you’d nearly been killed in a fire. Why didn’t you call me? I nearly fainted dead away over what John said!”

His sister tended to exaggerate a bit. The utter shock and excitement in her voice told him she was hyped up over this. He hadn’t meant to upset her so. Working to calm her down, he reassured her. “It’s okay, Sunni. My neighbor’s house caught fire. She, her daughter and I are fine.”

He didn’t want to say he’d gone inside if she didn’t know.

“You went in after them.”

Oh, well. So much for her not knowing that. He was really in for it now. She took a breath, not waiting for him to answer, and continued with her tirade.

“Are you crazy? Ben, that’s what firemen are trained to do, not citizens. I mean…” She paused.

He heard her take a deep breath. “You’re my only brother. I could have lost you.”

At the waver in her voice, he realized she was going to cry. Worried at that sound, the one sound that could cripple him, that sound that would bring any man to his knees, he knew he had to divert her, and quick. “Annie and her daughter are staying here. Katie is five, about Ronnie’s size,” he said.

“Veronica is six.”

“I know, but when I saw Katie I thought of Ronnie.”

“You and that infernal nickname,” Sunni muttered, no longer sounding in tears but put out with him. Relieved, he relaxed a bit.

“I wondered if you—”

“Wait a minute.”

He paused. “What?”

“You have a woman and child staying with you?”

She’d gone from crying to incredulous in under thirty seconds. That was his Sunni. “Yeah. They couldn’t very well stay in their house until they knew how bad the damage was. The doctor wanted to give them some medicine to help them rest and they would have had to stay in the hospital otherwise.”

“Doesn’t she have friends?”

Ben paused, stumped. “To be honest, I don’t know. She was in shock over her house. I was there. I offered.”

“She cried, didn’t she?”

Ben scowled at the phone. “I’m her neighbor,” he informed his nosy sister. “It was the right thing to do.”

“Well, that’s nice, Ben. I’m sure it is. But if they’re staying there… I mean, what are they doing about toiletries and clothes and—”

“Do you have any old clothes that Katie could borrow until tomorrow when we can go over to her house? I know it’s asking a lot, but—”

“No, it’s not. I’ll go through Veronica’s stuff and come right—”

“Over this evening.” He cut in, trying to slow his sister down. He’d diverted her into her helping mode. He usually shunned that mode of Sunni’s, but considering the alternative, he felt this was a great distraction.

“I’ll bring supper. David is offshore, working, and won’t be back for a few more days so I’d love to bring food over to eat. I hope you don’t mind. I mean, I know you’re not used to cooking for more than yourself.”

Ben realized his sister was right. A yawn caught him off guard. “Yeah. That sounds good, sis. Listen, I took some medication the doctor gave me and it’s kicking in. Can we discuss this around six o’clock tonight?”

“I’ll be there. And Ben?”

“Yeah?” he asked, shoving the covers back and reseating himself.

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Me, too, sis.”

“I love you.”

“You too.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

He cradled the phone in its place and slipped under the covers. Talking with his sister was like a roller coaster ride of emotions. She was a very energetic person who cared deeply about him.

Raised by their elderly grandmother, he and Sunni shared a special relationship.

Being dropped off that day together, all alone, with just a suitcase of clothes had forced them to share a tighter bond than most siblings.

He should have called her first thing after he got home.

He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten to do so.

Shaking his head, he allowed himself to relax, promising he’d make it up to her later tonight—when she came over for supper.

Chapter Five

One female in a bachelor’s household is disconcerting, two or more you just might as well give up and accept the inevitability of disaster.

—Ben’s Laws of Life

A giggle woke her.

Thinking it was her daughter, Stephanie rolled over and opened her eyes.

A boy, perhaps four or five, stood beside her bed, a big grin on his face, two crooked teeth sticking out as he smiled.

Dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Well, hello,” she said, shifting to sit up.

“That’s Justin. I’m Veronica.”

Stephanie glanced at the door where an older version of the child in front of her stood. The older child had perfectly straight teeth and long brown curly hair. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Stephanie.”