Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Ryan turns to me then, his handsome face calm yet still tense. “The playroom is almost soundproof. Bring the kids there. I’ll be up shortly.” His voice is direct and powerful. My heartbeat accelerates but I stay calm too.
“Of course. Let’s take the children to the playroom, Rico.”
The oldest boy nods, and we gather the four younger ones. The two youngest are stunned, while Rebecca insists on clinging to my hand.
“What’s happening?” she asks, her small face pale and scared.
I bend down so that we’re eye-level, and look at her.
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but let’s go upstairs, okay? I promise, it’s going to be alright. Your dad is going to take care of everything.”
I take the little princess’s hand in mine and lead the children forwards. They bobble and shoot terrified looks my way as the siren continues overhead.
“I’ll be right behind you,” I assure them. Finally, we arrive at the third floor where the playroom is situated. Once we’re inside, Ronnie shuts the door behind us and the siren becomes a tiny buzzing in the background.
“That’s better, isn’t it?” I ask with a big smile on my face. Rachel and Rufus look like they’re going to cry, and I gather their small bodies close for a hug. “It’s going to be fine,” I soothe. “Your dad’s going to figure it all out.”
They sob a bit, before wiping their eyes.
“I’m scared,” says Rachel.
“Me too,” adds Rufus, swiping at his nose.
“You’re a princess, and you’re a prince,” I say gently. “Princesses and princes are brave people. You two are wonderful and brave. Can you do that for me?”
They nod, their chubby faces somber. It breaks my heart to see small children this scared.
“Can I be a princess too?” Rebecca asks in a trembling voice. “I have my wand.”
I turn to the girl.
“Of course you can, honey,” I say in as calm of a voice that I can muster. “You’re the big princess, and Rachel is the small one. Can you show me how you guys make magic?”
The two girls begin to confer on the best way to summon magic into our lives. Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door, and Ryan appears. The breath whooshes from my body because I’ve never been so happy to see his huge frame.
“There’s a fire next door,” he says. “It’s serious.”
Immediately, the kids run to the window and sure enough, there’s billowing grey smoke coming from the mansion next door. We’re not too close because the houses are situated on large parcels of land, and yet the smoke seems to cloud the air entirely and make it difficult to breathe.
Ryan turns and penetrates me with his brilliant blue gaze.
“I have to go now, but I’ll be back.”
I nod silently, my heart thumping, and he disappears again.
Meanwhile, Rachel’s small arms creep around my neck.
She whispers in my ear, “I like you.”
“I like you, too, sweetie,” I say. “I like you very much.” I hug her and I’m satisfied my tone of voice doesn’t betray my fear. Music fills the room and I look at the television and see that Rico’s put a children’s movie on the TV. There are animated birds flying over a farm, and Rachel runs to the couch and climbs on.
The situation seems so normal and yet it’s not. I’m in a locked playroom with the CEO’s five children. There’s a fire raging outside, and we have no idea what we’re supposed to do. Right now, we just have to hang tight.
As the movie progresses, I steal another look to the window. Oh shit. There’s black smoke everywhere now. The neighbor’s house, directly in my line of sight from the window is in flames. Orange licks of fire shoot out the windows and there are sparks flying wildly in the air. A great many trees are burning as well, and some of the brush is now nothing but ash. In many ways, our house and yard appear doomed. Shouldn’t we leave?
Quickly, I get up and pull the shade on the window before any of the children notice. Fortunately, they sit enraptured, watching the movie, but Rico’s seen, and he’s clearly afraid. His blue eyes look teary and his bottom lip trembles.
I try for levity. I smile and say, “See how the fire hasn’t reached us yet? It’s part of your dad’s brilliant landscaping moves. We’re going to be fine, honey.”
He stands a little straighter, proud of his dad, and nods before turning his attention to the TV again. For the next few hours, I can hear fire alarms, the hum of helicopters and even the growl of an airplane. I don’t open the window because it will only alarm the children. We stay in the playroom for what feels like the entire day. Fortunately, there’s a box of Cheerios that we share, and the kids aren’t too hungry anyways.