Chapter 8
Stephanie's POV
Three hours of shopping, and I was exhausted. Once we got started, we had a lot of fun, and Tina was now the proud owner of enough merchandise to decorate the nursery she and Lester were building and then some. Rather than buying individual cribs, we'd found a specialty shop that geared their baby furniture for those parents having multiples.
Tina fell in love with a large white square crib that all three babies would be able to sleep comfortably in until they were ready for toddler beds. As a matter of fact, all of the furniture that Tina had liked was white.
I had to practically hold my hand over the lower half of my face the entire time we were shopping so that the guys wouldn't notice the smile that was firmly entrenched on my face. The minute Tina started gushing over an item, Lester would look wistfully at the exact replica in black before sighing and following along silently until they reached the next item.
Ranger had his blank face on, and to the untrained eye, no one would notice that he was as pained by Tina's choices as Lester was, only he seemed better adept in not letting anyone in on what he was thinking.
Ranger arranged to have all of the furniture delivered. Hector and Manny would go over it with a fine-tooth comb, so to speak, and then the items would be assembled and placed in the nursery just the way Tina wanted them.
As we were leaving the mall, it was impossible not to notice the hangdog expression on Lester's face. Tina and I looked at each other, and I could tell she was biting her cheek to keep from laughing. I was looking forward to seeing Lester's face when he saw the finished nursery.
When we reached the SUV and everyone was in their seat, Tina turned to Lester and asked, "Since the shopping trip went so well, do you think we could go to Atlantic City and check out the boardwalk for just a little bit?"
I glanced over at Ranger and noticed that he was looking at Lester through the mirror in the middle.
Lester squirmed, so I had a feeling Ranger was trying to veto the idea, but instead of listening, he let out a sigh and said, "I guess we could do a quick trip. Maybe we could ask Shep, Hector, and Kye to join us?"
I had to cover my mouth with my hand when Ranger rolled his eyes at his cousin. He didn't say anything as he started the vehicle and pulled out into traffic. The ride to Atlantic City was a lot longer than it needed to be. Ranger was driving us in circles in case anyone was following us. By the time we actually got to our destination, it was well past dinnertime and my stomach was making itself known.
Tina giggled as she turned to me. "I'm hungry too. How far is it to the concession stands?"
Lester motioned to a spot just down the boardwalk as we were joined by Shep, Hector, and Kye.
I winced as I got a look at Shep's face. It was like a black thundercloud, and I had a suspicion that the fact that we were here instead of back at RangeMan was key to his negative mood.
Shep scowled as he moved up beside Tina. "Who's lame-brained idea was it to let you come here? Damn it, Tina, it's not safe out here in the open! You need to come with me right now back to RangeMan."
Tina looked crestfallen at Shep's criticism, but before anyone could say anything more, Lester was in Shep's face. His own look promised serious hurt if the other man didn't back off. "We were careful on the way here, Shepherd. Ranger and I aren't raw recruits on our first mission. I'm just as concerned for Tina's safety as you are, but we can't keep her under lock and key. That would only alienate her from listening when the danger level gets higher. She needs some freedom, man, so just back off."
Shep obviously wanted to say more, but he took one look at Tina's face, and the tears streaking down her cheeks seemed to be his undoing. He lowered his head and muttered, "I'm sorry, sis. I'm just worried something might happen to you. I just got you back, and I don't want to lose you again."
Tina walked forward into Shep's arms. "You won't lose me. I know what's going on, and I'll take my safety seriously. But I need stuff like this once in a while so I don't go nuts."
He nodded and reluctantly released her.
She moved closer to Lester, who wrapped his arm around her waist, and we headed off in search of food.
The boardwalk was busier tonight than the last time I'd been here. Knowing what was out there, I was a bit anxious, but everything seemed to be going all right so far. We stopped and got our drinks. I opted for a Coke, and Tina wanted a fruit smoothie. From there we walked a short distance to a truck selling corn dogs. With all of the selections they had to choose from, this was what had been making my mouth water since we'd gotten out of the SUV. I was surprised when Tina asked for one as well because normally she wouldn't have anything to do with hot dogs in any form.
Lester took a healthy bite of his corn dog. When he swallowed his bite, he said, "I love these things. I have ever since I was a little kid."
Tina swallowed the bite that she'd taken of hers and said, "I hate anything to do with hot dogs."
Lester looked crestfallen. "I'm sorry, gorgeous! I can get you something else. Here, let me finish that, and then I can get you whatever you want."
Tina glared at him. "Touch my corn dog, and I'll paste you one. This is mine!"
Lester looked confused.
The corner of Shep's mouth turned up in a smile that grew until his whole face was smiling, and then he threw his head back and started laughing.
Lester frowned at him. "What's with you?"
Shep shook his head. "Nothing. I just remember what Mom was like when she was expecting Tina. Normally she was the sweetest-natured person you would ever meet. But her hormones went into hyperdrive, and you never knew if you were going to get Mama Jekyll or Mama Hyde."
Tina's glare moved to Shep. "Are you insinuating something?"
Shep put his hands up in the air. "Not me. Nope. No way!" And then he was laughing once again.
Tina looked down at the stick she was holding and frowned. "What happened to my corn dog?"
Lester swallowed hard before asking her, "Would you like another one?"
She pulled the corner of her mouth in and then gave a brisk nod. "Get me three. Those suckers are tiny."
While Les went to do her bidding, the rest of us moved so that we were more off to the side of a building instead of in the middle of the boardwalk.
My eyes widened when he came back with a dozen corn dogs. I thought he might offer the rest of us another, but that wasn't the case. For every corn dog that Tina ate, he ate three, and from the pace they scarfed them down, you would have thought they hadn't eaten in months.
I turned to Ranger. "Do you think there are any of those left?"
He leaned down and kissed me. "I'll be right back, Babe."
In less than two minutes he was back with another corn dog for each of us. I grinned as I teased him, "I thought the body was a temple?"
He swallowed the bite he was chewing and gave a slight smile. "This is one of my weaknesses."
My eyes widened. "I didn't think you had any weaknesses. What are the others?"
"Only one other…" His gaze met mine, and the desire in his eyes had me fanning myself as he added, "You, Babe."
His mouth covered mine.
A throat clearing had us breaking apart for air, and I looked around at the knowing faces on the others.
Tina put a hand to her stomach and then hurriedly put a hand over her mouth as her eyes widened and she looked around frantically.
I'd never been pregnant, but from the stories that Val and Robyn had told, I could make a good guess as to what was wrong. I turned to scan the area and saw what we needed just six feet away. I moved in that direction, but Kye put a hand on my arm and said, "You stay here. I'll get it."
He hurried over to the trash can and returned just in time to set it in front of Tina before she tossed her cookies.
Lester wrapped an arm around her, holding her the whole time.
As sometimes happens when one person gets sick, there is a reaction from those around them that makes things so much worse. Sure enough, Shep started retching and made it to the trash can at the same moment that Lester got there, and the two of them projectile vomited into the cylinder can.
I had to swallow several times to keep my dinner down, and seeing my struggles, Ranger urged me to lower my head like I would if I felt faint. It worked, as I was able to get control of my stomach and dinner stayed where it belonged.
Tina's voice was hoarse as she said, "I suggest we head back to RangeMan." She turned to Les. "But could you get me another smoothie? My throat feels like it's on fire, and that would hit the spot."
Les looked at the garbage can and then back at Tina. "Uhm…are you sure you should do that, gorgeous? I mean, we're going to be traveling, and I'd hate for your stomach to get upset if the smoothie didn't agree with you."
She glared at him. "It wasn't the smoothie that did it. I hate hot dogs! What's more, I can't eat them. My body refuses to digest them. Every time we had them when I was little, I'd get sick."
The look on Lester's face was priceless. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have found something else you could have eaten. I even offered to eat your corn dog."
Tina's eyes widened. "Oh! That sounds good. Can you get me one of those for the trip?"
A collective "No!" resounded, which startled Tina so much that she jumped.
Lester took her in his arms and said, "I'm sorry we scared you, baby. I know how much you want another one, but my stomach is really rumbling, and I'm afraid the smell would do me in. Would you mind if I got you something else instead?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to handle me, Santos?"
He grinned. "I don't know. Is it working?"
She grinned. "Yeah, I guess it is. All right. Get me something that won't upset your stomach, seeing as how you are so delicate." With that, she giggled.
It didn't take Les long to return with a smoothie and an elephant ear.
Tina's eyes widened with delight as she grabbed the treat from him and dug in with gusto.
We headed for the parking lot, and in no time we were ensconced in the SUV and on our way back to Trenton.
Unknown POV
I narrowed my eyes as I watched the house. The lights were going off, and I knew they would all be asleep soon. I was glad that J had given us the slip, but I would have liked for Harper to get hold of the other one. At least that way they would stop hounding me to grab J.
After tonight, though, Father wouldn't be ranting about my incompetence anymore. After tonight, he'd have the little one he wanted so badly.
