Carlos sat down at his desk in his Miami home. He had been home for three days and slept almost through two of them. It had been a long three months that he was gone working for the government. He got called right after the job in Trenton and left Tank to deal with putting the office together. He would call him later in the day to see where things stood and then fly to Trenton to pick up where they left the office, a mess. Opening the top drawer, blue eyes were staring at him. It was the magazine his sister was reading about Stephanie. Ranger could still feel her in his arms as they danced, hearing her voice, and looking in those beautiful, beautiful eyes. Even if he would not have made it back from this mission, he would have died knowing Stephanie danced in his arms.

"Get a grip!" he told himself. He would probably never see her again. It took over eight years just to find out her name. Stephanie Plum. Stephanie. He opened up a file in his computer, clicking on downloaded images. The first one was his favorite. It was from a number of years ago, Stephanie was modeling a blue teddy in blue suede high heels at a lingerie show. The caption read, 'Tootie Maxwell's darling does it again. Creating a stir for the Spring line with 'Blue Suede Shoes'. Whisper Lingerie struts their stuff for Elvis.' He found a few others of her modeling in other lingerie shows. Also, a copy of the obituary for her fiancée. He felt a stab of jealousy knowing she had loved someone and was going to marry him. Would she love someone like him? LOVE! That was something he steered clear of in his life. He was a bounty hunter, sometimes. Left of minutes notice when the government needed him, and had a successful, growing business to run. The complication of a woman demanding his time, to be pampered, expecting him home at night didn't work for him. Nor did children. He had a daughter who was ten, no eleven. Maybe Julie was ten, he wasn't sure. He didn't see her very often even though his ex-wife lived on the other side of Miami.

Before putting the magazine back in his top drawer, Carlos took a long look at those ocean blue pools. So hypnotizing. They could mess up his thinking.

Opening up his e-mail, he started reviewing the month end reports from Miami, Boston, and Trenton. Tank had sent him month end reports. He scrolled through his e-mail, finding March's report. It was about what he expected. He chuckled, almost all the employees who chased skips were injured at some point during the month. Then April's. Opening it up, the financial figures were arranged in a different format, much simpler to read. There was an increase of new accounts by 6 percent from the previous month and the number of injuries went down. The office made a small profit even with the start up expenses. He opened May's, it was in the same new format, the new accounts were up another 8 percent, and the injuries to team members was down again, and the office was running at a larger profit. Tank must be doing the reports wrong. He reviewed the financials from his other offices. The reports were in the usual format. The offices were doing well but the Trenton office was out performing the other two. In had only been open a little over five months. It didn't make sense. He booked himself on a flight to Trenton for early the next morning. What the Hell was going on in that office! He also noticed Lester and Bobby's name on the duty roster in Trenton. They never came back to the Miami office. What a headache! He was going to sort through what the Hell was going on up there and get them back on track. Tank knew how he ran the other offices. Has he taken leave of his senses?

Carlos got out of the cab the next morning. He didn't call to let Tank know he was coming. He wanted to find out what was going on in the office. Tank was his second command and his best friend. He trusted him with his life, so he was having difficulty figuring out what he was doing with this office. Looking at his watch, the morning meeting should just be starting. He came in through the glass door and looked at the lobby. There were two black leather loveseats, pale sea foam green carpeting, and glass topped coffee table. He even noticed aqua, black, and white checked throw pillows on the loveseats. The walls were painted a cool grey. Even Picasso like paintings on the walls. Wow, someone did an excellent decorating job. Must have been his sister Marissa while he was away. He showed his ID to the man at the lobby desk before getting on the elevator.

Getting off on 5, the hallway was empty, Tank's office was empty. He dropped his overnight bag inside his office never turning on the light, and walked down to the conference room. A light beige carpeting was in the hallway and from what he could tell in the rooms on the floor. He stood outside the door, he heard Tank's voice, then he heard another voice. A tingle ran down his spine. It was female.

"Does everyone understand the calendar in the e-mails. I have your daily schedules loaded in there so it's easy and at your finger tips. Your own daily planner. Also, here and in the kitchen is a calendar for vacations, so if we need to cover for someone it's posted. And know it in advance. Since, we've been doing it for about two months, how is the yoga going? Our injuries went down again last month. Do you want to continue it?"

"Stephanie, I haven't had the sprains and strains like I did," listening he recognized Lester's voice.

Bobby spoke up, "I'm the company medic, Steph, all we've had are some scraps and cuts from the skip tracing. The ankle and knee sprains are way down. Not like it was a few months ago. The regular stretching and breathing exercises have helped. I'd like to keep going."

"Tommy, what about you?"

"I'm not sore. My back hasn't spasmed lately. You know that, Steph."

"I think I'm more relaxed," came another voice.

Ranger was listening intently. The female voice, it couldn't be Stephanie Plum could it? Yoga was the reason for the decline in injuries. She had them stretching regularly besides their regular weight training. He stepped in the doorway making his presence known. There she was in front of the conference room in a black Rangeman shirt. He smiled to himself, she was wearing his name and he knew where she was, spending her days in his company.

"Ranger, when did you get back?" Tank walked over and patted him on the back.

"A couple of days ago. After catching up on some sleep, I headed here to help with the office, but it appears everything is under control."

"If there's nothing else," Tank looked at Stephanie and around the room, "then the meeting is over."

The men filed out except Tank, Bobby, and Lester. Tank indicated for Stephanie to stay.

"Glad your back, Boss," Lester shook his hand.

Bobby patted his shoulder as he walked out, "See you later," with Lester.

"Ranger, you remember Stephanie Plum. I hired her for the office manager."

Tank didn't know what Ranger's reaction would be when he got back from his government job to find out Stephanie was handling the day to day office operation. Very few women worked for his security company.

"Welcome, Stephanie, to Rangeman," shaking her hand. His finger tips tingled the moment they came in contact with her hand. "I guess I should thank you then for the decorated lobby when I walked in downstairs."

Her blue eyes searching his face as she spoke, "If you don't like it, I can change it or anything else in the office. I know the owner of the local furniture store, so I went to town in the scratch and dent department once Tommy and I figured out a budget for office furniture."

"No, it's fine as it is. Very comfortable. I liked the colors."

"I'll be in my office if you need anything, Mr. Manoso," leaving Tank and he alone.

Ranger watched her walk out the door, then turned to Tank.

"She ran a Fucking magazine, Man! So, I figured it wouldn't take long for her to get this place going. And, between her contacts here and New York, we've been really busy."

"I saw that when I went over the monthly figures. I'm surprised. Pleasantly surprised. I take it Stephanie is the one who changed the report format."

"Yeah, it's way easier to read. Sit down and talk with her. You may not agree with some of her ideas, like sensitivity training for the men, but Trenton is very different from Miami and Boston. We had to get a foot in the door some how, and that was Stephanie. I saved all the appreciation and thank you notes for you to read from clients regarding our work. And, follow-up surveys so we know where to improve. I guess you heard about yoga, too!"

"I'm not changing anything, Tank, right now. This office is out performing the other two. I'll sit down and talk with her."

"I have a follow-up visit with a client to check on the security installation this afternoon if you want to come?"

"Sure. Is she still living in her motor home?"

"No. She's living in the old fire station down the street. We usually barbecue down there during the week. The place is something. Lester, Bobby, and I went with her and her girls to her cabin. We drove up in the motor home. What a ride and weekend!"

Ranger gave him a raised eyebrow. He had a pang of jealousy, his friends and employees were spending time with her. Where any dating her?

"No," Tank saw a look flash across his face. One he hasn't seen too often, jealousy. He remembered how Ranger watched and danced with Stephanie at the Citizen of the Year ceremony. "None of the guys are dating her. Any one of them would jump at the chance, but I think she is guarding her heart after losing Robert."

Stephanie was in her office, her fingers were tingling. She let out a deep breath attempting to calm her rapidly beating heart.

Ranger left the conference room with Tank and walked to his office, turning on the light. The beat-up metal desk he used before was gone, in it's place was a large dark mahogany desk, matching bookcase, and file cabinet. A black leather sofa matching those in the lobby. Two black and ivory pin-striped wing chairs sat on the opposite side of the desk. A slate top coffee table was by the sofa with a large coffee table book about New Jersey. There were splashes of deep rust in the pillows on the sofa and abstract prints on the walls that reminded Ranger of thunderstorms. The walls were a creamy ivory. He sunk down in the softest black leather chair he ever sat in behind the desk.

"Did Stephanie also do this?"

Tank sat down in a wing chair, "Yes," holding his breath slightly knowing the questions were coming. "I let her get everything set up. We needed to get furniture in here and employee cubicles. It's amazing what Stephanie found in a furniture warehouse and came in under budget. The office has been running at a profit."

"I saw that in the reports, also. The format is much more readable I agree with you. I wonder why no one ever came up with it before?"

"I could only imagine the reports she had to review as the creative editor. Sit down and talk with her. She knows what she is doing. I've been able to strictly concentrate on getting accounts in the door. "

"I will."

"Are you going to let Stephanie stay working here? The guys really like her."

"Tank, the way things are going, I'd be crazy not to. I may be implementing some things in the other offices because of the way Trenton is performing ."

Ranger got up and grabbed a water before going into Stephanie's office. He stood in her doorway watching Stephanie, her blue eyes focused on the computer. She looked up as he entered.

"Can I help you, Mr. Manoso?"

He sat down in a rattan chair in front of her light oak desk.

"First, call me Carlos or Ranger, my street name."

"Ok," her blue eyes meeting his.

"Tell me why you changed the monthly report."

"I can change it back. I thought the way it was set-up made it difficult to read. You spent too much time getting to the bottom line. Did you make or lose money during the month? If you click on each main entry, you'll get the itemization. You see the main numbers instead of long columns numbers. Do you want me to show you?"

He moved the chair beside her as she pulled up the month end reports. He picked up a hint of strawberry from her wild curls. Ranger looked around her office. The walls were pale blue. On her desk, he saw a photo frame with a picture of her two daughters. She had photographs on a cork bulletin board of her Ferrari, a dog, and a grey cat. He also noticed one of a lake early in the morning with a pink and blue sunrise and mist coming off the water.

"That is an amazing photograph," pointing to the lake.

"I took that one morning as I watched the sunrise over the lake at my cabin," she explained, then turning her attention back on the computer. "See, by clicking on the utilities, the program will give you the actual breakdown for each utility."

He was trying to focus on the computer screen but could only watch her. Her polished nails clicking on the keyboard, her voice, and of course, those eyes.

"I like the format. Please, keep it the way it is. Also, thank you decorating the building. I'm pleased with my office."

"It was beyond depressing when Tommy showed it to me a few months ago."

Ranger chuckled at her comment. Stephanie was honest. It was 'beyond depressing' as she called it.

"Have you settled into someplace to live?"

"It's a very easy commute. One block. I purchased the old fire station in the next block and still have a few renovations to finish."

They heard a voice in the hall. Stephanie's pink haired Grandmother strolled into her office.

"Hey, Baby Granddaughter. I see the hottie owner is back."

Stephanie heard her boss chuckle beside her.

"Hello, Mrs. Mazur,' shaking her hand.

"Hi, Grandma."

"Are you coming to dinner tonight?"

"Yes, Allie and Daddy are hanging out today."

"Your father loves that. That little one keeps him moving. He's more pleasant, too, since you've been back. Will you pick me up at the 'Cut n' Curl' on your way?"

"Sure."

Edna leaned over the desk, "I wanted to find out something. I didn't want your mother to hear. You know me and the girls are going to watch that NASCAR stuff in Florida. I got me a real hot looking bikini. Should I get one of those waxed jobs down in my promised land like you have?"

Stephanie started choking, her face growing red, "Grandma! My boss is sitting her!"

"He's probably seen and done it all. Probably things we don't even know about and couldn't imagine."

"Thank you," laughing at her idea of his sexual prowess.

Stephanie was covering her face with her hands, "Grandma, it hurts like a bitch. Use the bottle stuff if you want."

"Really. That much pain."

"Yeah. Worse than labor pains."

"OK, I'll take your advice and I'll see you later. Do you think you could also drop me off at a viewing tonight."

"Yes, I will."

"Bye, Mr. Hottie. Bye, Steph," going out her door. Popping her head back in, "Oh. If I was you, I'd get back in the saddle and do him," disappearing again.

"Grandma!" Stephanie laid her head on her desk, "Do you want to fire me now?"

Thinking to himself, "I could only wish that it is me." "How about after lunch, since I have more questions?" Ranger laughing, said to Stephanie giving her a 200 watt smile.

Bobby and Lester popped in her office.

'Your Grandma is a live wire. She pinched our butts," Bobby said as he rubbed the seat of his cargos. "Hi, Ranger."

Lester had an evil look on his jokester face, "Is it true she's getting a wax job like you, Steph? Is it a Brazilian or just like a baby?"

She banged her fist on the desk, "I'll put a notice on the bulletin board!" She was blushing again having never fully recovered from her grandmother.

"Can I feel?"

Ranger barked, "Santos, this is a place of business!"

"Gee, you've been here a short time and managed to upset our happy home. Go back to Miami."

"Out!" pointing to Stephanie's office door.

"Bye, Beautiful. Tyrant Boss," Lester chuckled walking out with Bobby.

"Most days it's rather calm around here," Stephanie mumbled with her head bent down not wanting to look at her boss.

Stephanie was trying to concentrate on the reports she used on the lap top in front of her and explaining them to Ranger, but she was acutely aware of the handsome man sitting next to her. The very manly woodsy smell from what ever he used, sculptured muscles, his intense eyes, silky black hair to run fingers through. No man had ever effected her like this. Not her fiancée who she loved or Joe Morelli, whom she had dated through out high school and after college when she worked in New York.

Movement caught her eye by her doorway. She saw a daisy moving and so did her boss.

"Why, Mr. Manoso, you have daisies growing in your company?" she giggled.

A little cherub face appeared with a daisy. "Silly Mommy, it's me," Aliyah was running to her open arms.

"I missed you."

"Gampy and me fed the ducks. Sparky chased the ducks in the water. He smells like yucky pond, so me and Gampy are going to baff him."

"Really! Say hello to Mr. Manoso."

Allie hid her face on Stephanie's shoulder, "Hi." She whispered loud enough for Ranger to hear, "Mommy, Lester told me about him. He eats little kids for breakfast. He grinds them up in his milkshake."

"I do not! I eat food not cute little girls like you," shaking a wild curl. "I'll have to teach him a lesson."

"Allie, do you think that's true?" Stephanie was looking at her young daughter. "People don't eat little girls, specially my little girl. Lester was teasing you."

She looked at her mother nodding, a furrow in her brow, "I gonna get Lester."

Stephanie opened a desk drawer and took something out, a water pistol. "Let's test this." She pressed the trigger squirting her boss.

He just raised an eyebrow.

Giggling, "You're firing me after lunch, so I better go for it."

Allie shot water up towards the ceiling coming down on Stephanie's hair, "Silly Mommy," getting down and running down the hall, calling "Lester!"

"Should I be concerned that you have a water pistol in your desk?"

"Sometimes, I have to keep these ex-Army guys in line."

There was a panting in the hallway.

"It's hardly ever like this."

"Hey Pumpkin, your mother is making roast beef sandwiches for lunch. Coming for lunch?" Her father was in the doorway with a beagle on a leash.

"Yes, I'll be there. Sparky, you stink. I can smell you over here," Stephanie had her hand over her nose.

"Allie and I are going to bath him. Hello, Mr. Manoso."

Ranger was laughing at all the commotion centering on Stephanie's office. "Hello, call me Carlos or my street name, Ranger. How are you, Sir?"

Allie ran past her Grandfather and dog, "Sparky, you stink worse. I got Lester. I told him when he lies, his nose will fall off," laying the water gun on her desk. "Mommy, you coming for lunch at Gammie's?"

"Yes, Sweetheart," kissing her. "I'll be in a little while."

She took her grandfather's hand, "Come on, Gampy. He stinks. Bye," waving to Ranger, "I'm glad you don't eat little girls. Cause if you did, that would leave Mommy. I don't want you to eat her."

Stephanie looked at her father. He was chuckling at the innocent remark from his granddaughter. Stephanie's face was red again.

"Bye," Ranger called out, trying not to laugh.

"How about you go out, come back in so we can pretend none of this happened, Ranger."

"Why? I think pink is an attractive color on you."