A Haven on the Bay - Nicole Ellis Page 0,65

level seemed to have risen at least a few inches in the last five minutes. It was way more than a bit of a problem. “My apartment is flooded. I think it’s coming from upstairs.”

“Flooded?” He asked in alarm. “How much water is there?”

“It’s everywhere,” she said flatly. “I think the ceiling in the bathroom is going to come down soon.”

He sighed audibly. “Are you in the apartment now?”

“Yes.”

“Get out of there and wait for me. I’ll be to the building in less than ten minutes.” The phone clicked off.

Tia climbed down from the table and accidentally knocked her purse onto the floor. She snatched it up before the water could seep through the faux leather to the contents inside and hurried toward the front hallway. Before she got there, she stopped in front of her bedroom door.

She almost didn’t want to go in, afraid of what she’d might find. Slowly, she pushed on the half-closed door, displacing water in undulating currents as it swung open. It was about what she’d expected. When she’d leased the apartment, she hadn’t been able to afford a bed frame, so she’d left the mattress on the floor. Now it was an island, her flowered comforter poking out from the center of a lake.

Flinging the wet purse strap over her head so it lay securely across her torso, she opened her plastic nightstand and removed a few personal items, then retrieved a photo album and some framed pictures from atop the dresser. When she’d moved to Willa Bay, she’d only brought with her what she could fit in her car. She may not have owned much of monetary value, but she would be heartbroken to lose a lifetime of memories. She loaded her arms with as much as she could carry and hurriedly brought it out to the car, repeating the process a few more times to remove her clothes, laptop and other important items. On her last trip, she paused at the front door to take one last look at her apartment.

Whatever was causing the flood hadn’t stopped yet, judging by the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. The apartment was almost a total loss at this stage. There was no way she was going to be able to save any of the furniture, and she didn’t have renter’s insurance. With so few belongings, it hadn’t made sense to spend her already tight funds on insurance. But even used furniture had a price tag. It may have been from Goodwill and not in the best of shape, but it had been her furniture—her home. How was she going to replace everything?

She put the items she’d removed from her apartment into her car and set the groceries in the front passenger seat. As promised, her landlord arrived within ten minutes of her call. She greeted him and he entered her apartment. He emerged a minute later and ran around to the side of the building.

When he returned to where she was standing, his face was grim. “A pipe must have burst in the apartment upstairs. I’ve shut off the building’s water.”

He pulled out his phone and called his office, barking orders to his staff to notify the other tenants in the building and to call an emergency plumber. When he’d finished, he walked about ten feet away from her and dialed another number. From what he was saying, Tia figured it was the insurance company, and judging by his expression, the news wasn’t good.

He shoved the phone into his pants pocket and turned back to her. “They’re not going to be able to get anyone out here to assess the damage until tomorrow.” He balled up his fists and closed his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry Ms. Ortiz.” I’ve had things like this happen before and it’s usually at least a month or two until the apartment is ready to inhabit again. He eyed her closed apartment door. “Is there anything you need to get out of there?”

She shook her head and gestured to the car. “No. I only had a few things and I’ve got them in the car already.” She looked toward her apartment. He’d confirmed her worst fears about the flood. Where was she going to live?

“Do you have family you can stay with for a few months?” he asked kindly.

“No.” She bit her lip. “My family all lives in Texas.”

He lightly snapped his fingers by his sides and his face contorted in deep thought. He sighed. “I wish I