Mr. Fix-It
Chapter 10
"Come on. I'll show you the spare room," Stephanie motioned for Tank to follow her.
They came in through the dining room. Ranger noticed a new blue area rug under the table. The table had a long white table cloth and a blue hurricane lamp on it. She placed the some of the floral china plates in the hutch. They came through the living room and Ranger looked around the living room at the new color on the walls, the furniture, and the new carpet.
"Babe, you did a fabulous job."
"Do you really like it? We need some paintings for on the wall."
"We'll find something."
"Tank, there's a bathroom over there."
"Ok, Bombshell. This place is great. I can't believe you and Ranger did all this work. Well knowing he's not that handy, you did most."
"I worked on the deck and we painted the kitchen and dining room. And I cut grass, too."
They went up the stairs and Stephanie showed Tank the spare room with the bunk beds. Each bed had a dark blue bedspread.
"Take your pick."
"These are more comfortable than the army," Tank laid down on a bottom bunk. "We'll put Bobby up there."
"The bathroom is over here."
"Babe, what do you want to do in here?"
"Whoa, look at that bed," Tank whistled at the massive black iron bed.
"Ranger, can we put wainscoting halfway up the walls and paint the top pale blue."
"Sure. What's wainscoting?"
"It's a like a paneling you can paint. It's used a lot in beach houses."
"If that's what you want. It's Ok with me. We'll figure it out."
Stephanie's cell phone rang, "Hello. Hi Mark."
Ranger's eyebrow shot up.
"Oh, Ok. How soon can you see us? I'm on my way. Thank you," clicking her phone closed.
"Who's Mark?"
"Little jealous, Ranger," Tank was chuckling.
"He's the vet who took cake of Barney."
"Was he in my truck?"
"Yes. How else was I going to get him there? I covered the backseat with an old blanket. And, vacuumed it out. Barney's blood work came back and he needs a shot, so I'm taking him."
"I'm coming with you."
"What do you want me to do, Bombshell?" Tank asked her.
"There's food in the refrigerator, Tank. I was going to cut grass later. I wanted Daddy to take the day off. He's been working hard since we got here. Would you make sure he doesn't get into anything until I get back?"
"Sure, Steph."
"My woman doesn't cut grass. I'll do it."
"The boss cutting grass. I'll pull up a chair and watch."
Stephanie grabbed Barney's leash before going out the door.
"Come on, Barney. Mommy's taking you to the doctor's."
Barney came running over to the truck and Stephanie clipped his leash to his collar. He hopped in the backseat when Ranger opened the door.
Driving to Dr. Treat's office Ranger yelled in the truck, "Stop that."
Stephanie was laughing because Barney was licking Ranger's ear while he was driving. She pointed to the street and the office.
The bell on the door rang as Ranger, Stephanie, and Barney walked into Dr. Treat's office.
"Hi, Mark."
"Hi, Stephanie. Hi, Barney. No one claimed you."
"Mark, this is Carlos."
"Hi. Nice to meet you," shaking Ranger's hand.
"What can you tell us about this dog?"
"I don't think he was abused. It's hard to believe anyone would just drop him off as Bernese Swiss Mountain puppies can go as high as $1,000. He looks to be full blooded, but maybe he's not. It's a very gentle breed. By looking at him, he's on the small size, so if someone was going to show him, he wouldn't be up to the standards."
"Why abandon him. Couldn't someone find him a home?"
"I don't know what to tell you, Carlos. I've seen some really sad neglect and abuse cases. He's lucky, he found Stephanie."
When the vet put it that way, it hit home. Ranger was lucky too, Stephanie found him and was embedded in his life.
"Mark, could you implant one of those identification chips, also?" Stephanie asked.
Ranger did not protest, just gave her an eyebrow, before kissing her. They definitely had a dog.
Frank was grilling hamburgers when Stephanie, Ranger, and Barney arrived back at the beach house.
'There's my boy,' Frank was scratching his ears as he ran into the porch.
"Those smell good, Frank."
"Ranger, I thought red meat was not in your diet," Tank said.
"The temple isn't at the beach. Things taste better here."
Stephanie giggled, "Tank, he's addicted to Cliff's Steak salad with fries and cheese.."
"Not this man. That explains the extra time in the gym and the longer runs in the morning. He's discovered real food, again."
Stephanie brought out plates, buns, and condiments for the hamburgers, 'Daddy, I want a cheeseburger."
"Ok, Pumpkin. Any others."
"Sure, Frank," Tank told him.
Ranger nodded at Frank when he glanced at him. Tank was chuckling, "He's the old Carlos here," he thought.
Stephanie grabbed Ranger's hand, "I forgot to show you something?"
They walked through the living room and into the small entry. Sitting there was an antique roll top desk with a worn leather chair.
"Babe."
"I thought if you ever had any work you needed to bring with you, there was someplace to do it. We don't really use the front door."
Ranger sat down in the chair and pulled Stephanie down with him. "It's perfect. I would like to avoid working when I'm here but I always have paperwork. Where did you find this?"
"In an antique store in town. I found the chair in the attic."
"Anything else good up there?"
Stephanie didn't directly look at Ranger. He lifted her chin, so she was eye level, "So, what did you find, Babe? Dead body?"
"No," Stephanie had a sheepish look on her face. "A few pieces of furniture like ababycradle," she said fast.
"A what?"
"Baby cradle with delicately carved spindles. I think we can leave that up there."
"That's a someday decision."
"Yeah," kissing Ranger.
"I missed you, Babe," kissing her back.
"Lunch," Frank bellowed.
"This is great, Frank.," Ranger was munching his cheeseburger.
"Can I borrow your truck, Ranger? The hardware store called earlier and the handles for the kitchen cabinets Stephanie picked came in."
"Sure."
"I may not be have time to put them on so all you'll need to do, Ranger, is attach and screw."
Ranger looked up from his burger at Stephanie, then at Frank, "Attach and screw. I've been gone most of the week. That remark is sending my mind to the gutter."
Stephanie was giggling because she could swear Ranger was blushing.
"My Boy, you are the only man I know who can take the handyman terms and make them sexual. And my Baby Daughter is sitting right here with me!"
"Sorry, Frank. I'm Cuban."
"That's an excuse, Ranger. You're just a sick puppy," Tank was laughing at his friend.
"Come on, Barney. Grandpa will take you to the doggie store and buy you a new squeaky toy." Tank was going with Frank into Point Pleasant. They no sooner pulled out of the carport when Ranger threw Stephanie over his shoulder and headed up the steps.
"What are you doing, Ranger?"
"We got a new bed, Babe, and I want to try this attach and screw thing."