Free In Your Embrace by Amy Miles

managing.
    “I hope I’m not being too forward, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you before,” Hannah says.
    Timothy turns to look at her over the older woman’s shoulder.  His face is reddened and glistening with sweat.  The rising winds toss his dark hair about his forehead.  “Is that a bad thing?”
    “Oh!  No.” She smiles, shaking her head.  “Not at all.  It’s just that not many men would do what you’re doing for Iris.”
    He seems to ponder this for a moment.  A queer look crosses his face before he looks away.  “It was the right thing to do.”
    “Of course it is.  Doesn’t mean other people would be too eager to do it though.”
    Timothy glances over at her again.  This time his gaze looks far off.  “I’m not a hero.”
    “I beg to differ,” she asserts. “I’m sure you would have done the same for me.”
    His eyebrow hikes.  “How do you know?”
    Hannah shifts her gaze toward the woman cradled gently in his arms.  “Because of her.  We’ve been at this for what…three miles now and you haven’t complained once.  I know you must be hurting.  I sure am.”
    His gait slows to a halt as he turns to look at her.  “We can rest for a moment if you need.”
    Hannah smiles.  “See?  You immediately put the needs of others before yourself.”
    Storms clouds build, darkening his expression as he turns away and resumes walking.  “Not always.”
    He says nothing more as he walks and Hannah lets the silence stand.  He obviously has something sensitive in his past and she isn’t one to pry, especially with a complete stranger.  Though she finds herself wondering what sort of pain could cause a man to look so easily broken.
    She likes Timothy.  Hannah has always had a good sense about people.  Though her father has always scolded her for being naïve, she prefers to think of herself as optimistic about people’s personalities.  Everyone has a streak of evil in them.  It’s just human nature, but there is almost always a silver lining.  With some people you just have to work a bit harder to see it.
    Timothy is kind of like her.  Not devastatingly handsome or flashy in any sense of the word.  In fact, some people might consider him to be more on the plain side, though that is a trait she finds rather attractive in a man.  Someone whose heart is able to show through their exterior.
    His angular face is tanned and his smile, though rare at the moment, appears to be genuine.  He has a strong jaw and wide, expressive brown eyes, warm like melted milk chocolate.  Small laugh lines circle his eyes, evidence of a time when he had fewer burdens on his shoulders.  His jaw is lined with stubble, a couple of days’ growth that enhances his slightly rugged appearance.
    He wears nothing more interesting than an old black t-shirt and jeans, and seems perfectly comfortable in them.  There is an air of confidence rather than cockiness about him.  His stride is long, and yet he seems to be holding back a bit to allow her to keep up with him.  Although Timothy towers over her, she doesn’t feel intimidated by him as she has in the past with other men.
    Hannah’s reverie is broken by the approach of a siren from behind them.  She glances back over her shoulder as an ambulance rounds the corner.
    “Is that the same ambulance?” she questions as Timothy smiles and raises an arm to flag the vehicle down.
    “Charley always keeps his word.” He rushes around to the back door.  It swings open and two paramedics jump out and take Mrs. Stevens from his arms.
    Timothy’s shoulders curl inward as he stretches his arms out before him.  Hannah can see a slight tremor in his hands before he shoves them into his pockets.   He must be exhausted.
    “Care for a ride?” Charley calls back through a small opening in the cab.
    “Sure is great to see you.” Timothy grins and offers Hannah his hand to help her into the ambulance.  The doors slam shut, and a short time