Chapter 10

Kristen noticed the change in Lester and Charlie when they came back into the family house from the paddocks. They were arm in arm, stopping to kiss, more than just sweetly. "You both have a spring in your step. I take it things are better between you."

Lester was the first to answer with a big smile, "They sure are."

"Are congratulations in order?"

Charlotte and Lester agreed to wait a day or so before announcing the good news.

"Getting mighty close," Charlotte said coyly.

Kristen chuckled, "If you two were any closer you'd be in the same skin."

"Mama!"

"You can't fool your mother, dear. You two were made for each other. That day in the hospital, it was evident something was going to bloom."

Charlotte shook her head, "I don't remember everything, but I do remember he was always at my side."

"Always, Charlie," Lester said as he hugged her and kissed her temple.

"I think his concern and love are what pulled you through."

"I thought it was the antibiotics."

Kristen gave her daughter a Gibbs slap on the back of her head. Lester laughed out loud, "That makes me feel right at home except I'm usually the one on the receiving end."

Simultaneously Kristen and Charlotte gave him a Gibbs slap. He laughed again, "I love this family."

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Lester knocked on the big cherry wood door. A massive door for a massive man, he thought.

The unmistakable voice came booming through, "Come in."

Lester entered to find Rolf Sorenson behind his desk. Trained to quickly scan and process what he saw, Lester was impressed but not surprised. The room was large, to fit the man. The massive cherry wood desk sat in front near the window overlooking the pastures and horse barns in the distance. One wall had a matching entertainment center with a 50-inch TV. The opposite wall had a three-section display case filled with trophies. Behind the trophies, were pictures of awards and horses. The second half of the room had two sofas and four chairs, all leather and sized for larger people. The coffee table in the middle was large and held children's books and puzzles. The furthest wall held a console and small bar sink. More pictures were on the walls, this time of family. The room's colors were moss green on the walls, cream ceiling, a light mushroom colored wall-to-wall carpet and the leather furniture was a darker mushroom color. It was masculine and earthy but a place where grandchildren could come and read with Grandpa.

"Come in, Lester," Rolf said softly as he appeared to log off his computer. Standing, Rolf was dressed casually in slacks and a long sleeve sweater.

"Mr. Sorenson, Rolf, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Of course not, Lester."

"May we talk?"

"Come, let's get comfortable." Leading the way to the sitting area, Rolf indicated for Les to sit. "May I pour you a nightcap?"

Les smiled, "Neat please and not generous. I'm still getting used to bourbon."

"It's an acquired taste, Les, take it slow."

The bourbon was not served in some fancy cut French or Irish crystal, but a clear, heavy, Scandinavian glass allowing the liquid's color to be completely admired. Rolf took his drink neat and both men sat in chairs. "Les, what brings you to my home lair?"

"I'm not one to beat around the bush, sir. I'm sure I don't have to tell you Charlotte and I are in love. I jumped the gun and asked her to marry me before I sought your permission. I apologize."

"And…"

"She said yes. I hope you, your wife and the rest of the family approve."

"Son, you've been here five days. Normally, I'd say that is too short a time for us to know you and for you to know us. But you have shown your commitment and love for Charlotte since the incident in Trenton. Kristen called me after she first met you and said my daughter had found a wonderful man. Like a protective father I immediately had Lester Ricardo Santos investigated. I'm not apologizing. We constantly have to be on guard for people who want to destroy our businesses, damage our name and steal our money or kidnap children."

"I understand sir. One of Rangeman's services is background checks for clients."

"Have you ever run a profile on yourself?"

Les laughed, "I'm afraid to, sir."

"You shouldn't be. Some very important people think a lot of you, Les."

"Sir?"

"Les, I am a graduate of West Point. One of my good friends is George Anders, General Anders. He could only confirm he personally and professionally knows you, Carlos Manoso and others in Rangeman. He said your work in the Army and after could not be discussed but you were an exemplary soldier, a gentleman, and unconventional. I was rather pleased to hear the third assessment as Charlotte is also unconventional. While I only served six years in the service, I know how to read between the lines. Your repeated large sum payments, I assume, were for government services. Son, whatever you say here remains confidential. Are you still under contract?"

"No, sir. I would not enter into a marriage if I was."

Rolf nodded. He liked Lester's honesty. "After investigating you, listening to my very astute wife, and then meeting you, I feel you would make an excellent addition to the crazy Sorenson clan. As you've noticed, we are not stuffed shirts trying to impress the hell out of people. We work very hard to achieve excellence but it doesn't mean we have to be sonsofbitches. We have been blessed and as a result it is our responsibility to care for one another. Not just in the family, but also our business family and our community. Rangeman nationwide has a reputation among the military for compassion for those in need. You fit our family."

Les remembered Rolf saying his son-in-law, Ray, was the physician for Hunter's Bow but also the family. Les wondered what else Rolf provided for his employees.

"I need to ask, are you looking to work for our family?"

"No, sir. My training is security and apparently I have some skill. I know nothing about the liquor industry or horse breeding."

Rolf was quiet for a while trying to decide where to take the conversation. "Will you remain in New Jersey?"

"I understand Charlotte is not tied down to a city, but works a region and is flexible about where she lives. She is adamant she does not want to live in Trenton. Immediately, we'd live outside of town, there are nice areas around Princeton or Windsor. There is talk Rangeman may move their Mid-Atlantic headquarters from Trenton to a larger city. Trenton was a good starter community but we've outgrown it. We are looking at Maryland, Virginia, or maybe Pennsylvania. The other option is to subdivide, stay in New Jersey, perhaps Newark and set up another facility in one of the three mentioned states. In the not too distant future, we see moving into a new region as yet to be determined."

"In my investigation, I looked into Rangeman Security. It is on firm footing, well run. You have the opportunity to expand in several directions, not just regional expansion but also products and services, if you desire."

Les chuckled, "We've kicked that ball around, too."

Rolf swirled the amber liquid, took a sniff and then a sip, letting the liquor tickle his taste buds before moving down the throat. "Lester Santos, I believe it was God's providence that brought you and Charlotte together. I am not going to go against His wisdom. I give you my permission and blessing to marry Charlotte."

"Thank you, sir. I promise to take very good care of her. She has become my life."

"She has been our little mischief maker all her life. She's been silent for far too long. You have brought the sparkle back into her eyes. It is a joy to hear her laugh again, thank you."

"From my observations, sir, laughing seems to be a Sorenson trait from parents to grandchildren."

"I've seen your smile and laugh, mister."

Lester broke into a 200-watt smile, "Yeah, I admit I've been to hell in my life and I much prefer the sunlight and laughter."

Rolf completely changed the subject, "I understand you ride."

"I haven't fallen off a horse since I was a child. I had to quit riding when I was about 13. At first I missed it, but soon found other interests.

"Girls?"

Les laughed, "Of course, but also cars. Charlie says you enjoy restoring vintage sports cars."

"I do. What do you drive Les?"

"A personally restored a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 V-8, 428 Cobra Jet."

Rolf whistled. "Nice. I have a '65 Shelby Mustang 350 broken down in the garage. All it takes is time."

"You do the work yourself, sir?"

"Most of it. I don't do the upholstery or extensive bodywork. I'd like to show you my collection sometime."

"Collection? I'd love to see the collection, especially if you still have the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 462 V8 Hemi Charlotte mentioned."

"I do, one of my favorites and Charlotte's, too." Looking at the grandfather clock, Rolf said, "Well, son, we could sit here and talk cars but perhaps we'd best join the ladies for the rest of the evening."

"Thank you, sir, for the bourbon and your blessing."

"Take care of Charlotte; she's had some rough going, as have you. You will be good for each other. Just remember to laugh."

"Yes, sir. We'd like to announce our engagement at Sunday dinner."

"Sounds like a plan."

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On Saturday, the family had a surprise for Les. "When was the last time you played polo?" Kristen asked.

"Ah, it's been twenty plus years ago. If I played now, I'd be dangerous out there to others and the horses."

"One way we teach the children to ride well is to play beach ball polo. Want to start there?"

"I've heard of beach polo, but not beach ball polo."

"It's mainly training for the kids."

Remembering his own polo lessons as a child, he was excited to have another chance to play. Initially, Les was teamed with the younger children and played the back position guarding the goal. Fortunately, his friendly chestnut mare, Peanut, was a pro at the game and pretty much put Les into the proper positions until he remembered how to play. The ball was actually a beach ball and the sticks, or mallets were sized for the rider and horse. There were no ponies; even the youngest Sorenson rode horses over five feet tall. The children concentrated on protecting the horses and staying in the saddle more than actually scoring. As the game stopped for a moment, one mare in frustration booted the beach ball across the end of the field through the posts to score.

Observers broke into a loud cheer and laughter. "Most of the kids learned to play riding Molly," Charlotte explained as she laughed. "She knows the game. If the kids aren't going to score, she will."

For the second game with the older children, Les was put in the #3 position playing both defense, but mainly offense. His mare, Peanut, was warmed up and once again led him into plays. This time the ball and sticks were regulation size and Les' keen hand-eye coordination allowed him to strike the ball well, most of the time. After each chukka, horses were exchanged. Les took Peanut to the sideline. He wanted to hug her like Charlie had hugged Black Jack. Instead, he ran his hand up and down her red neck and said, "Thank you, for not letting me get killed out there."

"You ready to ride the second, Lester?" Bjorn, the oldest son of Ben asked.

"I'll ride every other one today. I'm still a beginner." He wasn't going to say he was also a little saddle sore. He and Peanut walked back to the assembly area and he unsaddled her and began wiping her down. He didn't realize he hadn't stopped smiling.

Kristen came up with a water bottle and handed it to him. "Having fun, Les?"

"I haven't had so much fun in ages. I've smiled so much this week, my face hurts. Thank you."

"Just take care of my daughter, Lester Santos."

"You know?"

"Rolf told me. She is a very strong-willed woman, but also very playful or should I say spirited?"

"If you asked my cousin and associates about me, they'd use the same terms, but perhaps more crudely."

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Sunday was church, no excuses except for communicable diseases or the inability to walk. Parishioners were curious about Lester and not being shy, he introduced himself, "I'm Lester Santos from New Jersey."

Once the social ice was broken, people wanted to talk to him. "Are you here to buy horses, Mr. Santos?"

"No, I haven't been among horse people since I was 13. I'm here to visit the Sorensons. My company did some work for Mrs. Williams and I was invited down. It's been a wonderful week of hunting and horses."

When he mentioned he'd been hunting, the men gravitated to him and the conversations turned to shotguns, loads and huntin'." Lester was being accepted by the Laurie residents.

"Whaddaya do, Les?"

"I'm a security specialist."

"What's that, like a police officer?"

"I'm part owner of a private security company with offices in four cities. We provide home and business security, bodyguards and security searches among other services."

"Is this your first time in Kentucky?"

Les smiled, "This is my first time as a tourist. The previous visit I was at Ft. Campbell running around the woods."

"101st Airborne?"

"No, Special Forces Ranger. They brought us up here and pushed us out of C130s and let us play with their bigger weapons." From then on, Lester Santos could do no wrong.

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Les had been in Laurie for nearly a week. It was time again for the family Sunday dinner. During the week, each family ate at their own home unless there was some special family event. Since Lester was still in residence, the siblings were beginning to feel something special was about to happen.

At the dinner table, Lester sat on Rolf's right, Charlie on his left. Kristen was at the far end. Les and Charlie made googly eyes at each other all through the meal telling themselves nobody noticed. Everybody was watching. Rolf was having a very hard time not breaking into thunderous laughter. As the dinner neared its end, Lester cleared his throat and stood up.

"Mrs. Sorenson, Mr. Sorenson, and the entire family here present, I know you just met me, but…well, I humbly ask your permission to marry your daughter and sister Charlotte."

Rolf finally released his roar, "Of course, Lester. The way you two have been watching each other, I've been worried the two of you would self-combust. I assume you have asked Charlotte."

"Yes, sir, and she said yes."

"That's all that matters."

After hearty rounds of congratulations and hugs, the celebration noise brought the children in from their dining room. One nephew spoke up, "So when are you going to get married?"

"We haven't set a date," Charlotte shot back as she picked up Sonja, daughter of Tristen. The little one still had spaghetti sauce on her face and needed tending. The action was so natural, Charlotte probably didn't realize she was doing it, but Lester watched.

"I want to be a bridesmaid. I'm always a flower girl," a mixed-race girl about twelve stated forcefully, probably another of Ben's daughters.

"They could get married tonight," said a nephew about eight years old.

"No, it's too late. The priest won't open the church this late."

"Then tomorrow," a different nephew said. "Call the priest. We need to get flowers, lots of flowers."

"No, people don't get married on Mondays. They'll have to wait until Saturday."

"They could get married at the courthouse tomorrow."

"The priest isn't at the courthouse. They need to be married in the church otherwise the priest will never give them communion."

"I don't want to be a ring bearer, that's a stupid job," one of the younger medium skin boys said. "Me neither," said his look alike, obviously one of Ray's sets of twins."

"I want to be the maid of honor."

"You are too young."

"They haven't had their shower yet," Amelia added.

"They shower every day, I bet."

"But not together with all the family and friends."

The adults were heard to chuckle.

"Are they going to build a house on our soccer field?"

"They have to get married first."

"Aunt Charlotte better not be pregnant. It is against God's and Grandpa's rules.

"They could get married in Las Vegas tomorrow. We could all go out, take the day off from school and ride SlotZilla."

"Yeah!" was the answering chorus of young people.

That broke the discussion. "Children, quiet," Rolf spoke to regain control. Instantly, the children got quiet for Grandpa.

Charlie gave Lester the one eyebrow lift attempting to ask if he might reconsider children. Lester tipped his head and smiled, "How about it?"

"How about what, Les? I was rethinking having children."

"No, you weren't. You were enjoying the mayhem with everyone else. I was thinking Las Vegas sounds good."

Lester and Charlie stared at each other, the family held their breath. They knew Charlie has always been the most impetuous of the Sorenson children but surely she wouldn't get married in Las Vegas. Finally Charlie spoke, "Only if I get to ride SlotZilla on Fremont Street at night and the Stratosphere Sky Jump right after."

"What are they?" Lester asked.

One of the older children jumped in, "SlotZilla is a zip line down Fremont Street. The Sky Jump is a giant bungee jump off the Stratosphere tower, over one thousand feet high."

"Zip line and bungee jump?" Lester tipped his head and smiled. Another aspect about Charlie he found endearing was her impulsiveness.

Rolf gasped, "You want to get married on a zip line? No daughter of mine is going to mock holy matrimony by marrying while on a zip line."

Kristen stood up, "Nor will you get married jumping off a building."

Charlie had a twinkle in her eye as she ignored her parents, concentrating on Lester, "We'll get married in a chapel. Las Vegas has more than a few. Then we will party! Later, we can get married in front of the altar either here or in New Jersey with our families in attendance."

Charlie turned her head towards her mother, "I'm not doing the full wedding again. There will be no gown, flowers, no ballroom and orchestra, no hideous bridesmaid dresses. I want to keep it simple; jeans and t-shirt."

"Charlotte, you are not getting married in jeans and t-shirt. Lester deserves more respect." Rolf interjected.

"No, Papa, I'll wear a dress for the ceremony but not for SlotZilla, they won't allow it. You have to wear close-fitting clothes to get in the harness unless they let me go naked."

"No!" Lester jumped up only slightly ahead of Rolf. Her siblings and in-laws knew she was kidding and sat back and laughed.

Charlotte felt playful, "No? You don't want to marry me, Les? But I thought…" She looked crestfallen.

Rolf looked at Charlie and then at Les. For all his married life and three daughters, women still confounded him. Neither man sat down nor spoke. The grandfather clock in the entry marked the time, tick tock.

"Yes," Lester said quietly. "Yes, I want to marry you and yes, I want to ride the slots."

"SlotZilla!" several children shot back."

While Kristen was still trying to understand what was happening, the other Sorenson women were silently congratulating Charlotte on a well-played game, how women can manipulate a man. Maybe the nieces learned something tonight.

Les smiled, "Yes, a Las Vegas wedding will be fine. Then we will come back and have a church wedding where you want, but no way will you be naked except in my arms, in private."

Rolf nodded, "Sounds like a plan. Glad you are keeping your clothes on. You had problems with that as a child."

Les looked up and smiled. He'd have to learn more about his fiancée's baring it all.

Charlotte still wasn't finished playing. She sweetly smiled, "Does this mean we won't honeymoon at Haulover Beach in Miami?" It is a well-known nudist beach in the Miami area.

Les gasped, "You know about that?"

Kristen laughed and clapped her hands, "Rolf dear, we haven't been there in a while. We must go back soon."

Rolf coughed and turned red.

Les smiled and thought to himself, Yes, I really love this family.

The rest of the family cheered. Instantly the family went into motion: "I'll reserve a chapel time." "I'll get the room reservations," said another. "We'll need cars." "I'll get the reservations for the two rides."

"Who will be your witnesses?" Magnus asked.

Les blinked, "I always thought Bobby would be my best man."

"The doctor?" Kristen asked.

"And I want Jackie to be my witness. She wasn't available last time," Charlie added. Janelle, Ben's wife let out a squeal.

Rolf ordered, "Call them. We can pick them up tomorrow morning and all fly out together." The chaos continued around them, Les and Charlie sat and stared at one another. They didn't remember inviting the family.

"Oh, wait," Les said jumping up, "I forgot." Walking behind Rolf he got down on one knee. "Charlotte, will you marry me? I promise to always love you, honor you, respect you, and laugh with you as your husband for the rest of our lives." He pulled the 3 1/2 carat, emerald-cut diamond ring with two nearly equally large emerald-cut emeralds on either side. Charlotte stared in disbelief. She always loved emeralds and knew with their size, clarity and color, their cost far exceeded the price of the diamond.

"Aaaagh," was all she could utter. "Ugggh."

Nobody breathed. Everything was quiet except for the ticking of the grandfather clock in the entry hall, tick tock.

"Is that a yes or a no? Or maybe you don't like the ring?" Lester was worried.

"It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen."

"The emeralds represent your lovely green eyes."

"Our eyes, Lester."

"So, back to the question, Charlotte Sorenson Williams will you marry me so we can share the rest of our lives together?"

She threw herself into Lester's arms while he was still down on one knee. Together they rolled onto the floor. "Yes, yes, yes, Lester!" Their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

"Alright you two, save the rest for your wedding, off the floor," Rolf commanded, trying to be stern in front of the grandchildren, but actually laughing inside.

The two struggled to their feet, "Yes, Papa."

"Yes, Mr. Sorenson."

Rolf commanded, "Now, let everyone see the ring, starting with me."

Everyone was impressed, including Rolf. He had already looked into Lester Santos' financial situation. Les was no pauper. Large six figure and seven figure deposits one at a time were made after he left the Army until a year ago. It was the reason Rolf called General Anders.

Additionally, Lester's income as a partner in Rangeman was impressive but also the man invested well and lived frugally. Like Scott, her first husband, the men were wealthy, Scott far more than Lester, but did not flaunt it. Rolf approved.