The smile on Alex's face as he pulled her to her feet told her he knew what had happened, too.

He turned to Mike. "Don't pay any attention to her. She just had the shock of her life. She's disoriented." He gathered Cynthia into his arms and gazed into her eyes. "Besides, I'm a little shocked, too."

Carpenter moaned and opened his eyes. Mike yanked him to his feet and hustled him toward the door. "C'mon, buddy, you're headed for a cell not much bigger than this closet."

Mike paused at the doorway and looked over his shoulder. "Alex, are you sure you two are okay?"

Alex smiled at Cynthia then at his partner. "Actually, up until this very moment, I haven*t felt much like myself, but now everything is fine, just fine. I have a little unfinished business to tend to and I'll be right with you."

He bent his head and claimed Cynthia's lips to finish the kiss they started back in her apartment on that oh so dreadful day. This time, the sparks were legitimate.

Epilogue.

Three Weeks Later Alex sat with Cynthia on the same threadbare sofa in her apartment they had shared on their first date. He turned and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "It's sure nice to be looking at you like this."

"I know what you mean," she agreed. "I can't believe the horror is finally over. I think after what we survived, we can get through anything."

"I agree, but I can't stop thinking about Thomas Carpenter. Isn't it strange how a person's mind can work when something drives them over the edge?"

"Would we have ever solved this case if you hadn't been kidnapped?"

"I'd like to think so, but I was sure wrong about the perp. I can't believe Carpenter thought he could rid the world of all the women who looked like the one who aborted his child. That doll and blanket bit represented the son he'd never have. The whole thing is kinda sad. I know he hated her, but...."

Cynthia pressed her hand over his mouth. "Hush, let's not talk about it anymore. The nightmare is over."

He took her hand from his mouth and held it. "I do feel like I'm still dreaming," he said, as he placed her hand back to his lips and kissed her palm.

She reclaimed her hand and caressed his cheek. "I hope it's a good dream, this time."

"I'd say it's pretty good." He swiveled and faced her. "Do you remember what I said to your brother?"

She thought for a moment. "You said lots of things to Kevin."

"Something about marriage..." Alex hinted.

"Oh that something," she chuckled. "I believe you announced that we were engaged."

"Well, then..." Alex slid off the couch and dropped to one knee. "I have a very important question for you."

He reached into his pant's pocket, retrieved a small, black velvet box, then grasped her left hand. He raised his gaze. "Cynthia Freitas, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand. "You...you aren't kidding me?"

"I'm very serious," he a.s.sured her. "If you can stick with me through what we've just been through, then married life should be a snap." He opened the box and revealed a sparkling, solitaire diamond.

Cynthia blinked back tears as he removed the ring from the box. "Oh, Alex...yes, of course I'll marry you."

He slid the ring onto her left hand, then stood and pulled her into his arms. His mouth sought her lips and parted them with his eager tongue. Nipping and probing, he wanted this kiss to be the one to seal them together, but in a much different way.

She leaned away from the kiss. "Wow, you made my knees weak."

Her eyes sparkled when she was happy, and he loved being the one to put a smile on her face. She was the perfect choice. After all, he knew her as well as he knew himself.

She collapsed to the sofa, held her hand in front of her face and admired her new jewel. "It's so beautiful, Alex, but how did you know my size?"

He laughed. "You've got to be kidding. I wore your jewelry for two weeks. Why wouldn't I know?"

"How could I forget?" she asked. "I guess it's the shock of the moment."

"Whoa," he cautioned. "Be careful how you use the word 'shock'. It conjures up some bad memories."

"They weren't all bad were they?"

"No, not all of them," he admitted as he sat next to her. He cupped her chin and turned her face toward him. "But I have to say, I'm much happier looking at a beautiful woman than I was being one."

The End.

About The Author.

Ginger lives in Tennessee with her husband, Kelly and both are retired...sort of. Ginger views writing as her second career and loves the voices in her head. As transplants from California, both have accepted that in the south, you get a side of gravy with everything you order in a restaurant, and humidity is far worse than dry heat. Preferring the slow Tennessee pace to the hustle and bustle of California, they've decided being close to their only grandson is a good enough reason to stay. When asked how long she plans to keep writing, Ginger will always say, "as long as the Good Lord allows me."

Ginger Simpson books also published by Books We Love.

Sarah's Heart.

Sarah's Pa.s.sion.

Ellie's Legacy Embezzled Love.

First Degree Innocence.

Time Invested.

Time Tantrums.

A Novel Murder.

end.