ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Shana studied her hands. "I did mention I was held captive."

Anderson chuckled. "You're not a prisoner. Where would you like to go? I'll make that happen." As he grinned, he continued, "Paris, Rome, or the French Rivera?" After she yawned, he said, "Or maybe back to sleep."

"That would be nice."

Anderson moved the twin bed closer to hers. "I'll be right here." He watched Shana lay down in bed, and then Romeo crawled in beside her. "Please don't tell me that you allow him to sleep beside you."

"Is it wrong?"

"Years of obedience training just went down the tubes." Anderson turned his head at a knock on the door. "Yes."

Jeff opened the door. "It's Zack. You need to take this."


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 30 part 1

Anderson held the phone to his ear. "What's happened?" He listened. "So twenty-two men jumped into the Gulf. Five are unaccounted for. Has the ambulance arrived?" Again he listened. "Good. I'm glad search helicopters are already on the scene. Has the fire been contained? I'm sure it's too early to know how it started. Any pollution issues?" After a few moments, he hung up.

"You need to keep your phone with you." Jeff handed Anderson his phone and accepted the phone back. "When Zack couldn't reach you, he called me. Is everybody safe?"

"We've lost at least one man, Robert. I'll notify Philip in the morning, make sure his family's taken care of, and a college fund is set up for the kids."

"Am I responsible for this?" Tears welled in Shana's eyes.

Anderson drew her into a hug. "You wouldn't be responsible, even if Kuznetsov is. It's too early to tell." He nodded toward Jeff, who left the room. He held Shana until she fell asleep, and then went to the twin bed.

*****
As the early morning sun lit up the room, Anderson stood and re-covered Shana. He shook his head as Romeo raised his head. "You're rotten."

Thor stood, and Anderson patted his head. "At least she hasn't gotten to you." Thor laid his head on the side of the bed. "I guess she has. None of us are safe from her charm. I'd better get going. I have a busy day."

Anderson entered the hall at the same time Jeff shut his door. "Drew, will you have time to go to Wild Road with me later this morning? We need to discuss a few things."

"I think so, but can't promise. My first priority is to make sure Robert's family's taken care of, and I don't know exactly what support Zack will need. I'm hoping Mom and Dad will visit the widow, and I'm praying the missing five men have been rescued." Anderson ran his hand through his short hair. "I'll meet you in the dining room after I get dressed. I'm sure Mom has coffee."

About a half-an-hour later, Anderson walked up to the table and sat beside Jeff. Susan handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks, Mom. I need this." He took a long drink.

"Jeff said Shana had a hard night. Should we wait eating breakfast or go ahead? I can put a plate back for her."

"I doubt she'll be here anytime soon."

"Okay, we'll go ahead. Am I still helping her with shopping?" Susan took a sip of coffee.

"I think so." Anderson paused. "She's over being angry, but we didn't discuss the shopping. I'd say it's a go." He answered his ringing phone. "Philip, we need to talk." He left the table.

*****
Almost an hour later, Shana stood in the den's doorway. When Anderson looked up, she said, "Jeff said you were in here. Is it all right if I come in?"

"Of course. I've told you work can always wait." Anderson stood and offered his hand. "Is everything all right? Have you had breakfast?"

Shana avoided eye contact.

"Sweetheart, you need to look me in the eye." Anderson placed his hand under her chin and lifted it up. "Now, what's the problem?"

"Last night, I overreacted. I'm really sorry. Are we all right?"

Grinning, Anderson put his arms around her. "I told you last night I'd already forgotten about it. Quit apologizing. It's my fault for not thinking how my gesture could be taken. I only meant to help, not to insult. I'm the one who's sorry." As their eyes met, he sighed. "Let's get you something to eat. I know Mom put a plate back." He took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

As they entered, Susan opened the refrigerator. "Good morning." Once Shana's breakfast was in the microwave, Susan brought over her laptop. "Drew, go find something to do. We have shopping to do." She grinned.

"Okay, I know when I'm not wanted. Besides I have work waiting." Anderson touched Shana's shoulder. "If you need anything, holler."

As Shana ate, Susan turned on the TV. "Do you watch any soap operas?"

"My family doesn't own a TV."

Susan's eyebrows rose. "There are entertainers who are Jewish?"

"There's nothing in the Torah about TV. It's a 'my dad' thing. He felt we should read and have family time. Not sit around and watch TV."

"Not a bad idea." Susan sipped her coffee. "I started in junior high and have watched this story ever since. I can watch while we shop. The best of both worlds." She grinned.

Shana watched the TV as she finished eating. Before long she stood. "Excuse me a minute. I need to talk with Drew."







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
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.
Zachery Sharp -- Anderson's younger brother
Michael Sharp -- Anderson's father
Susan Sharp --Anderson's mother
Leon Sharp - - Anderson's grandfather
Grandma Sharp - - Anderson's grandmother
Oscar - - Team Leader of the security detail
Detective Rollins - - Austin police detective