These belong to Janet Evanovch. I borrowing for Margaret's Picture challenge on 'Babe and Plum Family Challenges. Lee Anne
Stephanie's POV:
"Hey, Babe," Ranger looked up from the paperwork on his desk. He was attempting to catch-up on contracts in Trenton after doing mid-year reviews in Boston and Miami. He had been gone over a week and had invited me to accompany him, but I stayed behind in 'his' now 'our' apartment. I did not want to be a distraction for him so I kept Rex company.
My mother still doesn't accept reality that I chose the Cuban Bad Ass over the cop and known playboy-about-town, Joe Morelli. While having dinner with my parents and Grandma while Ranger was away, the cop just 'casually' showed up right as the food was placed on the dining room table. Mom welcomed him through the front door with all her 'Burg' grace while Daddy dragged him out the back after Grandma stunned him right in his cop ass as he uttered 'Cupcake'. It was the fastest that I ever saw Morelli exit a building. Tank and Lester came after a quick call distributing Joe and his truck at 'The Blue Moon' motel. From what I'm hearing thru the 'Cut' n Curl' rumor mill, Morelli is on a strong antibiotic regime at the moment.
Ranger had a good laugh after he got to the 7th floor when I brought him up-to-date on the happenings around Trenton and the 'Burg' while he was attending to Rangeman business.
He has been working non-stop. Tank is taking a few days off at the end-of-the-week to visit his mother for her birthday so Ranger is on his own. He wants caught up if there are any problems or emergencies that arise and his attention is on the Rangeman accounts.
Well, he needs a break and I intend that he takes one. I found my helper in the breakroom, Ella.
"Ella."
"Yes, Dear."
"Would it be too much trouble for dinner tonight if Ranger and I had a picnic to go?"
"No trouble at all. How about cold shrimp, crusty rolls, strawberries, cheese, crackers, and a maybe a flavorful sangria."
"Dessert?"
"Of course, fudge brownies. Every romantic picnic needs chocolate."
"Ella, I love you!" I couldn't resist giving her a hug.
Coming up early from running searches, I had time to shower, shave, and change into a long hot pink tank dress and gold sandals when I heard Ranger's keys drop into the bowl on the entry table. He had an afternoon client meeting in-between catching up.
"Babe, looking sexy," he whispered kissing that special spot under my ear. "Are we going out?"
"Yes, you need a break and it's casual tonight." My fingers were undoing his tie as I was kissing Ranger's delectable lips. I wasn't saying another word so he was going to have to go with the flow as I left him to change.
Seconds later out comes my sexy Cuban Bad Ass in faded jeans, sneakers, and pale mustard T-shirt. Yummy.
Seeing the wicker basket in my hand and plaid blanket on top of a cooler on the floor which he picked up with his Porsche keys. "Picnic?"
"Yes and I have a perfect spot."
"Lead the way, Babe," he said kissing me going out the open apartment door.
Directing him to just over the edge of Trenton and past several older homes, the Porsche turned onto a narrow road over grown on the sides and across a wooden bridge. He thought they were entering a forgotten park. The road was actually a driveway to a house with boarded windows and peeling paint. I pointed to a tall, old oak tree with remnants of a rope swing dangling from a branch which Ranger parked under.
"Babe, what is this?"
Looking at the old house I couldn't help but smile. "This is my Grandma and Grandpa Plum's house. Daddy inherited this when Grandpa died and could never sell it. My mother wouldn't live here because it's not the 'Burg'. Daddy always brought me here when I got under my mother's skin which was quite often. We ate many ice cream cones on the bridge or on the steps when I broke my leg after I jumped off the garage."
"It is quiet."
My stomach let us know it was present.
"It was quiet," Ranger chuckled, "let's feed the beast, Babe."
For that remark, I stuck out my tongue.
Ella always knows and our cold dinner was perfect. She outdid herself with cold shrimp and cocktail sauce, a bowtie pasta salad, fresh rolls, strawberries, crackers and cheese, and heavenly delightful chocolate brownies.
Sipping his Sangria, Ranger agreed it was a perfect picnic. "This was a perfect idea, Babe. Thank you."
"You needed a break."
"Who takes care of the grass?"
The grass had been cut you could see. It wasn't newly mowed, but recently. "Daddy. He keeps an old riding mower in the shed behind the house and will come out here to spend some time. This is where he grew up and we would come out to eat ice cream. My Grandma Plum had a rose garden so we always trimmed and cleared out the beds. I love standing on the bridge watching the the little stream. It's a special spot because Grandpa Plum proposed to Grandma there. All of their money went into building the house, they said their vows in the same spot and their wedding dinner with their families was in the spot where the oak tree is growing. I know Daddy has thought maybe he should sell this. The house has been boarded up for so many years, so it is run down and probably not habitable, but this is his boyhood home. He loves it here and so do I."
Ranger POV:
My Babe knows me too well. This break I needed and it was the most perfect few hours away from Rangeman. Laying here listening to the stories and history of her grandparents, my eyes kept focusing on the wooden bridge with vines entwined in the railings and branches over it. It was a perfect spot for her grandparents many years ago. It was time for me to man up. I loved Stephanie and I want her to be my wife. The Bridge to Someday I hope will be be our perfect spot to begin.