ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Shana released a deep breath. "I guess there's nothing more to do here."

Taking Shana's hand in his, Anderson asked, "Ready to tackle your dad?"

"Are you sure you're up to it?"

"Just a minute." Anderson answered his ringing cell. "Philip, is that the best he can do? What does it mean?" He listened before he said, "Good bye." He tried to contain his anger as he relayed the conversation to Shana. "Gaines told Kuznetsov that you weren't interested in having the painting returned." Shana smiled, but he held up his hand. "Don't celebrate, yet. Remember Jeremy, Jane's second cousin who's a detective for the NYPD?" After she nodded, he continued, "He contacted Jeff. There's chatter that Kuznetsov put a hit out on you and me. It seems we've gotten too close to his business."

"I know nothing about his business." Tears welled in Shana's eyes.


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 21 part 3

As the limousine parked in front of Benjamin's house, Anderson covered Shana's hand with his. "I've made some changes to our living arrangements. I think they'll help our present situation. I've planned to present them to your dad today."

"I'm keeping so much from my parents," interrupted Shana.

"I know, and that's not who you are. I understand. Hopefully, soon it'll all come out."

"Sir, here come her parents," announced the driver.

When Anderson nodded, the driver got out, opened Shana's door, and then went around, opening Anderson's.

As Shana stepped from the car, a male voice called, "Shana, Shana! I thought that was you." A man threw his arms around her.

"Liam, what are you doing here?" Shana stepped back. "Last I heard, you had a practice in Champaign."

"I do. I took time off to help Mom move. I've rented her a small apartment closer to where I live." Liam pointed to the large white house across the street. "This place is too much for her to keep up with."

Benjamin shook Anderson's hand. "Welcome. Let's go inside and let Shana and Liam catch up. He's her old boyfriend."

"Who just happened to visit his mom at this very moment? How convenient?" Anderson smiled. "Benjamin, you're a foxy old goat."

"I have eyes. I can see what's going on between you and my daughter. I'm a concerned father."

"Nothing is going on between Shana and me."

"Nothing, yet. But can you deny that you have feelings for her?"

"You got me. Yes, I have feelings for Shana, but I have not and will not act on them. That I can promise you." Anderson's eyes met Benjamin's.

"Then you have nothing to worry about letting Shana see if she can rekindle feelings for a nice Jewish boy like Liam. He's a doctor and has his own practice."

*****
Shana entered the house, and her eyes met Anderson's, but she said, "Papa, did you have anything to do with Liam showing up? He'll return, by the way, his mother needed his help with something."

"I might have said something to his mother. I don't remember for sure."

"Papa, I guess I need to share with you why Liam and I broke up. There are two reasons. Number one: we had a running argument about me attending college. He wanted to get married immediately after high school." Shana paused. "Or another way to say it, I was to get a job and help pay his way through medical school." She looked her dad in the eyes. "He felt my only goal should be to get married and have babies."

"But, sweetheart, every Jewish girl knows their true value is to be the heart of a strong Jewish home."

"I know that Papa, and that's what I want. But I also want a husband who will value me for being me. I'm an intelligent woman. I want to be respected, not a just a baby machine."

"Shana, watch your mouth."

"Papa, that brings me to the second reason. Liam had sexual intercourse with any woman he could bed."

"Shana?" Her mother's eyes widened.

"No, Papa needs to hear this. Aren't those both good reasons for us to break up?"

Anderson covered his eyes with his hand and massaged his temples. Shana has spunk when it's needed. Paul did say she's stubborn. I'm pretty sure Benjamin wasn't expecting this reaction. His phone rang. He held it up, so everyone could see why he went outside.

*****
Moments later, Shana joined him and overheard Anderson, "Randal, I know you expected me to be there, but Philip's there. He knows exactly how to handle the situation." He listened. "I can't be there. I have a family emergency and it needs my full attention." Again he listened. "I don't need to account for my time. I'm the boss. I told you I have a family emergency and that should be enough information. Philip can take care of everything. If he has any questions, he knows how to reach me. Obviously, so do you. I'm busy, good bye."

After Anderson put away his phone, Shana touched his arm. When he turned around, she said, "I'm sorry I'm keeping you from your responsibilities."

"You're not keeping me from anything." Anderson laughed. "Hell, who am I fooling? Since I met you, you've completely turned my world upside down."

Shana swallowed hard and started to talk.

"I'm not complaining," interrupted Anderson. "I'd give you a hug, but I'm sure Benjamin's watching."

"Probably, not just him, but my entire family."

"Shana, Anderson, dinner's ready." Eliana stood at the door. "Liam will be joining us."

"Of course, he will." Shana reached for the door.

"Shana, sarcasm didn't work as a child and certainly isn't becoming for a lady."

"Yes, Momma."

After they recited the blessing and passed the food, Liam touched Shana's left hand. "I thought maybe we should go for a drive after dinner and discuss old times."

Shana hid her hand under the table. "I'm sorry, but I have plans."

"How about tomorrow night?"

Shana set down her fork. "Liam, I told Papa why we broke up."

"I don't remember why. Why did we break up?"

"Because, I refused to go to bed with you, and you bedded every woman you could."

"Shana!"

"Sorry, Grandma."

"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 stared at his daughter. "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.



In early Jewish tradition marriages were prearranged. I think Benjamin is wishing there was a matchmaker handy. LOL








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