Page 188 of Ransom

"Thanks, Pete." I grab my briefcase, ducking under the slowing rotors. Blair's waiting at the edge of the pad, and my heart does that familiar skip. Twenty-five years apart, and now I can't stand two days away from her.

I drop my briefcase, sweeping her into my arms. She lets out that little squeak I love as I dip her back, claiming her mouth. Her fingers curl into my shirt, holding on as I kiss her deeply,thoroughly. When I finally let her up, her cheeks are flushed pink, those gray eyes sparkling.

"Miss me?" Her voice is breathy.

"Always." I tuck her against my side as we head toward our house. "How was your day, beautiful?"

She gives me a rundown: the tricky transmission repair at the shop, Micah's new custom job that came in, and the committee meeting that Zach and John took over.

Through all of it, I soak in every expression that crosses her face. I don't take the privilege of looking at her for granted. When Robert was alive and we were living under the same roof, I couldn't look at her like this. I couldn't be obvious about it. Our relationship was something to hide. Something forbidden.

But now, I can show the world how in love with her I am.

"Vroom! Screeeech!" Noah comes tearing up on his little push bike, rear wheel sliding dramatically on the gravel. His blonde curls bounce under his helmet as he skids to a stop.

"Uncle Ransom! Come see! Come see!" He bounces on his seat, practically vibrating with excitement. "We doing tricks!"

I rap my knuckles on the top of his helmet. "Lead the way, buddy."

Noah takes off, legs pumping furiously as he heads for the BMX track. Blair's hand finds mine as we follow at a more sedate pace.

"I still can't believe you guys built a professional-grade BMX track," Blair shakes her head, watching the kids zoom around the berms and over jumps.

"The kids love it."

"You bought a bulldozer and a grader and learned to drive them."

"The boys needed a project. Besides, that equipment's been useful. We helped grade the Hendersons' driveway last month."

We bought them for fun. I can be honest about it. Living on this much property gives us so many spots to dig holes, then fill them in. We had a rotation worked out, so everyone gets a turn.

"Look! Look!" Max launches himself over a jump, getting impressive air. He takes his role as the oldest seriously. He's a great role model and so fucking kind. He's the best kid. And the rest of our brood idolizes him.

"Careful!" Blair calls automatically.

"He's fine. Kid's bones are like rubber. He'll just pop right up again. Besides, the surface on those turns is padded." We don't care about speed, just that the kids are safe and having fun, so we used that playground padding on the sketchier bits of the track. That part we didn't do ourselves. But we supervised. And by supervised, I mean we stood around watching, drinking beer, and making helpful suggestions. The guys doing the actual work were pretty good sports about it.

Blair groans. "I know. I can't help worrying, just a bit. I'm not even going to ask how much all this cost. I'm sure you spent way too much money and had the best of everything."

"It's our money, you know. You're technically a billionaire now too."

She punches my arm. "Shut up. I'm trying very hard to pretend that's not true."

I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Too late. You married into this circus."

"The circus I can handle. It's the stupid amounts of money I'm still adjusting to."

"Look at me!" Noah yells, pedaling furiously before executing a wobbly turn.

"Great job, buddy!" I call back.

"Watch this!" Mia shrieks, following Max's lead over the jump. Her landing's wobbly, but she stays upright, beaming with pride.

"I taught her that," Max announces, circling back around. "She's getting really good."

"You're an excellent teacher," Blair tells him, and his chest puffs up with pride.

Noah tries to copy them, but his little push bike doesn't quite make it. He doesn't seem bothered, just giggles as he rolls backward, and tries again.

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