ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"On that note, I have an announcement." Anderson's eyes met Benjamin's. "I'm closing my penthouse in New York City and moving back to Texas. I've done a risk-matrix and feel it'll be easier to ensure Shana's protection."

Benjamin set his jaw. "Shana?"

"It's the first time I'm hearing it. Drew?"

"My family owns three properties in the Austin area. I'm not sure which one would be the safest. My father and I will discuss it when we arrive."

"What about Emily?" asked Shana.

"With the latest threat, I think she'll be safer in Texas. In the city, the only place for her to play outside is one of the parks. All of our properties have secure yards."

"And you expect our Shana to move to Texas with you?" After Anderson nodded, Benjamin stood. "Shana, we need to talk." He walked from the table. "Shana!"

Shana got up and followed.

Grandma got up and trailed behind. "Liam, go home. This is none of your business. Young man, help Eliana with the dishes."

"Yes, Ma'am," replied Anderson. He stood and gathered dishes. His eyes met Eliana's. "Go, talk with your daughter. I've got this."

"Anderson, all knights eventually fall off their white stallions. What's Shana going to do then?" Eliana left the room.


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 21 part 4

Late Monday evening, Anderson glanced at his watch. "Flight time is a little over two hours from here to Austin. It's getting late. Shana?"

"I guess with last night's attack and the news of the hit ordered on my daughter, she doesn't have a choice, does she?" Benjamin paused. "It seems ever since you kidnapped her, you've made sure it's not safe for her to leave."

"Papa, Drew didn't kidnap me. I've already explained. Three men followed me when I left the New York City Art Museum. I got scared. He was innocently sitting at a red light, and I jumped into his car."

"You jumped into a total stranger's car?" Eliana's eyes widened.

Shana nodded. "I did. After we drove around, he took me to my hotel, but the men were there, waiting for me. Not knowing what else to do, he brought me to his penthouse. He was an innocent bystander in all of this." She studied her hands. "All of this, because I wanted to get our painting back. I wish I'd never started this mess."

Benjamin went to his daughter. Shana went into her father's open arms. "You'll always be my little girl. My blessings go with you."

"Papa, I love you."

"Shana, if you have any doubts, now would be a good time to discuss them." Anderson paused, before he continued, "Your family loves you and wants the best for you." His cell phone rang. He checked it and declined the call.

"Do you need to take that?" Shana's eyes met his.

"Business can wait. Your well-being is more important."

Shana took time to study her father's face, next her mother's, and finally, she went into her grandma's arms, as tears welled in her eyes. "Grandma, I've done my best to get your painting back."

With a kiss to her granddaughter's cheek, she said, "My dear, your well-being is more valuable than any painting. Now go. God will guide you."

Tears rolled down her cheeks, as she turned to face Anderson. "I'm ready."

"Are you sure? You don't look ready." She nodded and walked toward the door. Anderson placed his hand under her chin and moved her head so their eyes met. "Shana?"

"I'm ready. I'm sure."

"Okay." Anderson put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the waiting limousine.

The driver opened her door.

After she sat, Anderson leaned to her. "Before we leave, I need to say something." He swallowed and then continued, "Earlier your mom made an important statement. She said, 'All knights eventually fall off their white stallion.' Then she asked, 'What's Shana going to do then?' Shana, I'm hardly a knight. I will fall off the stallion you have me on."

Anderson knelt to her level. "The last thing I want is to hurt you. I want you to understand that at any time you want or need to return to Illinois, I won't hesitate to fly you back. I'll assign security guards to you. You have your freedom. I never want you to be afraid to talk or tell me anything. The other night when you indicated you were afraid or maybe embarrassed to tell me about your nightmares, it hurt. I want you to feel you can come to me at any time with anything."

Shana opened her mouth to speak. Anderson put his finger over her lips. "I need to finish. You know I have feelings for you. I can't and won't deny them. That being said, I understand the Jewish/Gentile issue. Until you can come to terms with that, my feelings are unimportant."

"What are you saying?"

"If you change your mind and want to explore our relationship, you're going to have to come to me. I'll never pressure you. Understand?"

"Thank you."

"Ready?" After she nodded, Anderson turned, waved at her parents, and said, "Remember, anytime you want to visit, let me know. I'll fly you down." He got in his side of the car.




THANK YOU, JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY! I think of this song when I think of Anderson's feelings for Shana, but can he convince her?





Characters so far:

Shana Kohlberg -- a 25 year old high school English literature teacher -- she's trying to get her family's painting back

Anderson Sharp -- often called Drew -- 31 years old -- works part-time on Wall Street -- a billionaire from Texas oil wells

Dmitry Bezrukov -- one of three Russian men in black suits

Jeff Burk -- takes care of Anderson's cars and important security details.

Helen -- Anderson's cook

Jane -- Anderson's housekeeper

Philip -- Anderson's butler -- close friend and confident

Kyle -- Anderson's dog walker

Axel -- Anderson's lead German shepherd

Thor -- Anderson's second German shepherd

Romeo -- Anderson's third German shepherd

Aaron Kohlberg -- Shana's older brother

Ivan Kuznetsov -- formally Ivan Morozov, I accidently chose a real person, so I have changed it present day owner of the painting.

Patricia -- Anderson's ex-wife

Emily -- Anderson's five year old daughter

Isaiah Glassberg -- Anderson divorce/custody attorney.

Jeremy -- Jane's second-cousin twice removed, NYC undercover cop.

Hannah Jacobs -- Shana's cousin, the same age and best friend. Married within the past year and just had a baby, Sarah. Her husband, Paul. Sarah was just diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease.

Joshua Colton -- Art Museum's curator

Benjamin Kohlberg -- Shana's father

Eliana Kohlberg - - Shana's mother

Maxwell Gaines -- Lawyer hired to retrieve the painting

Erich Berger -- Manager of the Dorotheum art auction house in Austria

Mary Pritchard -- The lady Anderson hired to help Hannah while she's in Boston with Sarah.

Liam -- Shana's high school boyfriend