Page 116 of Rescued Dreams

Amelia got up and came over, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Are you actually okay, or are you just pretending?”

“Whatever they gave me that’s making me feel like I could leap a tall building right now makes me think I’m okay.”

Amelia chuckled. “Okay, Superman.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

“Pretty sure I already knew.” She held on to his hand. “You came to find me. And the twins.”

“I’d have been there if it was only you. I was looking for you when the call came into the police department. Going crazy not knowing where you were or what was happening to you.” It was enough to make his breath catch in his throat. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Because you came to save me.” She leaned in and touched her lips to his.

Ridge wanted her to linger for more time, but she pulled back and said, “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” He shook his head.

“I want to. I get to say thank you if I want.”

He pressed his lips together, then lifted their hands and kissed the back of hers. “You’re welcome.”

“I prayed.” She ducked her head for a second. “In the heat of the moment, thinking Cherry and I were going to die. Thinking the twins were going to be hurt or…” Her breath caught. “I prayed for help. And you came.”

“With Kane and Maria.”

She nodded. “You’re the one I saw. In the house, looking for me. You were the one who tried to save me.”

“Sorry I didn’t manage to get you out of that noose.” Ridge couldn’t get the image out of his head. He had a new set of nightmares to contend with now, waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. The twins would as well, while they worked through what had happened and healed.

“Nicholas is the one to blame. You did what you could.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe that Cherry woman was in on it.”

“There’s a lot for the police to unpack. Like how Nicholas knew to contact Elam.”

Amelia said, “He did a deep dive into my background and found more than he bargained for.” She gave him a slight smile. “Jess came over and filled me in. She said Nicholas is talking, and they can’t get him to shut up now.”

Ridge shook his head. Evidently he thought telling them everything was in his best interest—or he was gloating.

“He realized he could get revenge and a payout, so he staged it all. Set Elam up with the robbery so that while everyone was focused on that, he’d be able to wire the explosive to the fire truck.”

“Only a firefighter knows our rigs and our procedure well enough to pull that off and kidnap you in the aftermath.”

She nodded. “Cherry was just someone who looked enough like me that he thought I’d be sympathetic toward her. It was just more mind games.”

“It’s over now.”

“I think I’m starting to realize that. It feels like it hasn’t fully settled in yet. Like I still need to keep one eye on my back, watching for him. Just in case.”

Ridge sat up a little, or tried to. The ache in his chest exploded. Even with the meds, he could feel it. He groaned.

“Easy.”

“You’re safe.”

“I know. I just need to convince my nervous system.”

“I know what might relax you.” He lifted his chin. “Come here.”

Amelia burst out laughing. “I feel like maybe you have a one-track mind and there will be alotof kissing.”