Page 180 of Ransom

"I kept thinking about Max. About having to tell him someday that we didn't do everything we could." I don't know how I'd look him in the eye and tell him that I just let his Mom give up.

Now I won't have to, thanks to Ransom and his willingness to break the law if it means helping the people he loves.

We reach the town square, settling onto our bench. I tip my head back, letting the sunshine warm my skin. Everything feels different. Everything feels possible.

"Want to head to the garage?" Ransom asks, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.

"No." I rest my head against his shoulder. "There's nothing urgent today. I'd rather sit right here."

The square fills with morning sounds of birds, distant traffic, the creak of shop doors opening, neighbors chatting and laughing. Ransom holds my hand against his thigh, steady and warm. We sit in comfortable silence, watching our town come alivearound us.

It feels right, being here with him. Like the past twenty-five years were just a long detour bringing us back where we belong.

"We've got a problem!" someone yells from behind us. I crane my neck to look, but Ransom puts his fingers on my chin and turns it back to face him.

"If you don't look, maybe he'll go away," he whispers.

"Did you hear me?" Another shout. Then a very large body, still in glittery pink overalls, stops in front of us. "It's fucking serious, Ransom."

Ransom stares at Colton, his lips twitching. "What the fuck are you wearing?"

I bite my lip to keep from laughing as Colton smooths his hands down the sparkling pink fabric.

"Remember that stripper guy? He told me where to get these. Overnight delivery." Colton beams, spinning in a circle that sends glitter cascading everywhere. "They match Mia's bedroom walls perfectly."

Ransom tugs me closer against him, chuckling. "Why are you here, Colt? What's the problem?"

"Jonas won't let me have the house by the pond!" Colton throws his hands up, glitter flying. "You have to talk to him. He's being completely unreasonable."

Ransom's brow arches. "What house? What pond?"

Colton sighs like Ransom is so annoying. "Keep up! I want one of the ones that backs onto the pond, but Mr. Spreadsheet over there says no."

Jonas appears around the bench, glaring at Colton. "It's not safe for Mia to live that close to water."

How are these guys still here? Where did they stay? We would have heard them at the B&B, wouldn't we? Did they sleep in their cars? Borrow another bus? What?

I have so many questions!

"She can swim!"

"She's four!"

"Almost five," I correct automatically. They both ignore me.

"Look," Colton jabs a finger at Jonas. "You're having a baby too. By your logic, you shouldn't live near the pond either."

"My child will be properly supervised at all times.”

Colton gasps. "Are you saying I don't watch Mia?"

"I'm saying you let her get away with everything."

"Only on special occasions!"

"My point exactly!" Jonas turns to us, sighing. "I stand by my decision, but I am aware that we will have to allocate the homes based on other’s opinions as well. So what do you think?" Jonas's eyebrows are raised expectantly.

Ransom and I trade glances. "Do you have any idea what's going on?" I ask under my breath.

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