Ransom

“I didn't think I should… that was dumb of me,” he said, and kissed her again. He couldn't get enough of her now, and wished he hadn't waited so long. He had spent months not calling her, thinking he wasn't good enough, or rich enough for her. He realized now that he should have known better. She was more than that. She was real. And he had known ever since the kidnapping that he loved her. And she loved him. This was the magic she had been telling Jack about, that he had never understood. It was the right kind of compliment from God, not like the other one … the easy kind that soothed all the old wounds of loss, and terror, and tragedy. This was the happiness they had both dreamed of, and hadn't had in a long time.

They sat kissing at the dining table, and then he helped her clear the table, followed her into the kitchen, and kissed her again. He was standing with his arms around her, when they both jumped about a foot, as Sam leaped into the room and shouted at them.

“You're under arrest!” he said convincingly, pointing an imaginary gun at them.

“For what?” Ted turned with a grin. Sam had nearly given him a heart attack, and Fernanda was giggling like a kid, looking embarrassed.

“For kissing my mom!” Sam pronounced with an enormous grin and put the “gun” down, as Ted smiled at him.

“Is there a law against that?” Ted asked, as he pulled Sam toward them, and hugged him, including him in the circle with them.

“No, you can have her,” Sam said matter-of-factly, wriggling free of their embrace, which he found embarrassing. “I think she likes you. She said she missed you. I did too,” he said, and disappeared to announce to his sister that he'd seen Ted kissing Mom.

“It's official then.” Ted put an arm around her and looked pleased. “He said I can have you. Do I take you with me now, or pick you up later?”

“You could stick around,” she said cautiously. He liked that idea too.

“You may get tired of me.” Shirley had, and it had taken the edge off his confidence a bit. It was so hurtful to have someone you cared about no longer love you. But Fernanda was a totally different woman, and Rick was right, he and Fernanda were much better suited to each other than he'd ever been with Shirley.

“I'm not going to get tired of you,” she said quietly. She had never felt as comfortable with anyone as she had with him during those weeks, despite the traumatic circumstances. It was an extraordinary way to get to know someone. They just had to wait for their time to come, and it had.

He was standing in the hallway, saying good night to her, and promising to call her the next day. Things were different now. He had a normal life finally. If he wanted to, he could leave his office and go home at night, if he had reason to. No more crazy hours or swing shifts. He was just about to kiss her good night, when Ashley sauntered by, and gave them a knowing look. But she didn't seem to disapprove. She seemed entirely relaxed about seeing them with their arms around each other, and Ted was pleased. This was the woman he had been waiting for, the family he had been missing since his kids grew up, the boy he had saved and come to love, the woman he needed. And he was the magic she had dreamed of, and thought she wouldn't find again.

He kissed her one last time, and hurried down the stairs to his car with a last wave to her. She was still standing in the doorway smiling when he drove away.

He was halfway across the bridge, grinning to himself, when his cell phone rang. He hoped it was Fernanda, but it was Rick.

“So? What happened? I can't stand the suspense.”

“It's none of your business,” Ted said, still grinning. He felt like a kid, especially talking to Rick. With her, he felt like a man again.

“Yes, it is,” Rick insisted. “I want you to be happy.”

“I am.”

“For real?” Rick sounded stunned.

“Yeah. For real. You were right. About everything.”

“Holy shit! Well, I'll be damned. Good for you, my friend. It's about goddamn time,” Rick said, sounding relieved, and happy for him.

“Yes,” Ted said simply, “it is.” And with that, he disconnected his cell phone, and smiled the rest of the way across the bridge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DANIELLE STEEL has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 530 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include Echoes, Second Chance, Ransom, Safe Harbour, Johnny Angel, Dating Game, Answered Prayers, Sunset in St. Tropez, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the nonfiction story of her son Nick Traina's life and death.

Visit the Danielle Steel Web Site at

www.daniellesteel.com.

a cognizant original v5 release october 15 2010

RANSOM

A Dell Book

Published by Bantam Dell

A Division of Random House, Inc.

New York, New York

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and