Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I profit from Janet's characters.
A/N: I know it took a lot longer to post this than I had originally intended, but I finally did. I spent today at a St. Paddy's Day festival with my family. My daughter had her first public performance with her Irish Dancing class. She did great and I am so proud of her. On the long drive home, she told me, "Okay Momma! Now you can spend all day tomorrow writing." I really love my daughter! She knows me so well. So I should have another chapter by tomorrow night. Thanks for the reviews so far, they make my day.
Chapter 13:
Evan looked at Lester before he continued, "Angel, I think you better sit down." Lester took my arms and guided me to the couch, sitting next to me, he leaned back to listen. I scooted forward onto the very edge of the cushion, as Evan kneeled on the floor in front of me.
"What is so damn important?" I asked, peaved. Evan closed his green eyes, rubbing them with his fingers, before opening them once more to look directly into my eyes.
"Angel. Ranger recieved a package yesterday, the postmark came from Billings." My eyes searched his, watching them closely for any change to indicate something afoul. When they changed to a dark green, I knew something was wrong, seriously wrong.
"What was in it?" My voice now just a whisper.
"It was a photograph of you at Rita's the night Gerdy had her calf. The box was full of spent shell casings. Ranger had Manny go over it with a fine tooth comb, but he found nothing." I felt a little green around the gills, slapped a hand over my mouth and made a mad dash for the bathroom. Evan held my hair as I emptied my stomach of it's contents into the toilet. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, rested my head against the cool wood of the bathroom cabinet and sighed.
"Why me? Why does this stuff always happen to me?" I lamented as Evan placed a cool washcloth over the back of my neck. He handed me my toothbrush. I brushed my teeth as he watched me silently. Unable to stand it, I asked him, "Do you think we can keep Peanut safe with all this chaos?"
"If the Lord is willing." Handing him the toothbrush, I hung my head. "Momma should have supper ready soon. Would you like me to bring you a tray up here?" He asked gently rubbing my back.
"I don't know. I should be with the rest of the family." I argued, not wanting to be apart from the family.
"Angel. Ranger and I think you need to rest. The excitment from today has taken it's toll on you. You need to rest. If not for you, then do it for Peanut, please?" I sighed, knowing anytime he asked me, using the word 'please', I would cave instantly.
"Fine." I flopped down onto the couch and grabbed the TV remote. "But I need to have someone keep me company. I'll get lonely up here by myself." I pouted, my bottom lip stuck out slightly.
"Angel. Your wish is my command." He kissed the top of my head, as he rested his hand over my belly. "I love you, Angel."
"I love you too, Baby." I relaxed into the couch and tried to find something interesting to watch.
An hour later Lester, Evan and I finished our supper and I was stacking the dishes to take them downstairs when Lester stopped me. "What are you doing?"
"Uh, I'm taking these downstairs." I lifted the heavy tray and began to walk to the door, only to be stopped by Evan.
"Angel. I'll take these down. You relax." He kissed the tip of my nose and relieved me of the tray. I watched his backside as he slid throught the door carrying the remainder of our dinners.
"Les?"
"Hmm?"
"You alright. I mean you damn near flipped out after what happened today." I snuggled up next to him on the couch, laying my head on his well muscled shoulder.
His arm found it's way over me and held my tightly. "Yeah. I'm okay. All I could think about was you and Peanut." He grew quiet, tracing his fingers along the hem of my shirt sleeve. "I would have never forgiven myself if anything had happened to either of you." I looked up almost sure I could see him tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "You mean so much to me. I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to you." He gave a half hearted smile. "I guess they'd have to put me in a rubber room. I'd go completely nuts." He leaned his head down and kissed the top of my head. I sighed and hugged him tighter.
"I know, Les. I know. I feel the same way about you." I closed my eyes and relaxed, shutting out all the external noise.
I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, it was well after 2200 and the house was dark. Evan was laying next to me, his breathing steady and even, Les's light snoring came from the couch. I figured he must have either fallen asleep there or felt as if he needed to be close to me. Honestly, I felt that the latter was most probably the truth. Smiling, I snuggled into Evan's side, soaking up the warmth he radiated and fell fast asleep.
Morning came with a bang, literally. The sound of a truck backfiring made me jump out of bed, grab my sidearm and crouch next to the bed. I realized that I wasn't in any danger when I heard Evan's laugh ring out over the yard. "Damn Les, you'll wake Angel up. She needs to sleep. Let her." Les shook his head and pointed to the window in which I was standing.
"Too late. She's up." Les grinned and they both waved at me. Les shouted, "Morning Beautiful!" I gave them a finger wave and prepped myself for the day. After stepping out of the shower, I wrapped myself in an oversized bath towel and headed into the bedroom to dress. I stopped short when I found Ranger sitting on the couch.
"Babe." His eyes raked over my body, none to subtle.
"RANGER!" I hissed through clenched teeth. "Evan will get mad if he ever finds out you were in here when I walked out." He raised his eyebrow and looked at me like I was crazy.
"Babe. I just came in to check in on you. You slept in late." He checked his watch. "It's almost 0800." I groaned and threw a pillow that I could reach from my position near the bed. He caught it and tossed it gently back into position on the bed. "You better get dressed. You've got an appointment later this morning. Dr. Horton is making a special exception for you." I stopped and smiled at the mention of .
"Oh, really?" I grinned. "He's the one that fixed me up when I hurt my ankle here last time."
"You missed your appointment with on Monday."
"Shit!" I frowned and groaned, "I forgot. I'm going to have to make it up to him somehow."
"No worries Babe. I called and cancelled it right after you agreed to leave early." He tossed me a pair of barely there panties and a matching bra. "Try these." I giggled and shoo'd him out the door. After closing the door I leaned against it catching me breath. Glancing down at the unmentionables in my hand I rolled my eyes and grabbed a different set from the dresser drawer.
I walked down the stairs to find a note stuck to the fridge for me. 'Darlin, Left you a plate in the fridge. Just heat it up for a minute in the microwave. Love, Momma.' I grinned and retrieved my plate. Pouring myself a glass of orange juice, Junior walked in the kitchen and grinned at me. "You seen Evan lately?"
"Not since last night? Why?" I asked, looking up from stirring my still lukewarm eggs.
"Oh, I was trying to find him. He promised Pop he'd help finish fixing the roof with Lester. Now they both took off." I smiled and handed him the old Army radio.
"Call him up on this. I'm pretty sure he's got the other one." He grinned and kissed my cheek.
"Thanks."
Twenty minutes later Junior walked back into the kitchen just as I finished my breakfast. "Hey. I'm headed out to help Evan and Lester."
"M'kay." I said, my mouth full of scrambled eggs.
"Uh, Ranger's taking you to your appointment?" He asked, a little uncomfortable.
Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I glanced at him through slanted eyes. "Yeah. Is something wrong with that?" I asked, sensing something was off.
"No. Not really. I just, I never could see what you had for the guy." He shrugged. I smiled and shook my head.
"Junior. A relationship other than friendship between Ranger and I, is totally out of the question." I rose to my feet and hugged him. "I promise. What we had is over. We are nothing but friends, honest."
He hugged me back. "As long as you say so." He paused before he added, "I trust you, Shorty." I smiled at his nick name for me.
"Shorty?" I replied, with mock indignation.
"It fits. You're a hell of a lot shorter than me." He grinned and gave me a nuggie on the top of my head gently. I playfully punched him in the gut and before I could stop him he had me up in his arms cradled against his chest. "You, my dear, are going to be late if you don't get a move on." He carried me up the stairs and into the bedroom.
"Junior! Put me down!" I shouted as he set me on the couch gently.
"Ranger's orders." He grinned. "Told me to get your ass in gear." With that he turned to walk out of the door. He called over his shoulder as he slipped out the door, "You have 5." And with that he was gone. I huffed out and rolled my eyes. What a dork!
I brushed my hair, brushed my teeth, gave my lashes an extra coat of mascara and applied a clear lip gloss. By the time I had finished, I looked up to see Ranger leaning against the door frame of the bathroom door watching me. "I'm all ready. You ready?"
"Babe." I swear I thought I saw him roll his eyes. "Let's head out. Dr. Horton is waiting for us." I walked past him, out of the bedroom and down the stairs. He matched me, step for step as we walked out to Evan's truck. Ranger had to help me into the driver's seat before he climbed into the passenger side. He seemed to appreciate how Evan had customized his truck, even running his hand over the polished wood dashboard.
"Jealous?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light, as I backed out of the barn and onto the road.
"Babe." His eyes sparkled, betraying his blank face.
"Relax. I'm only joking." I poked at his thigh with my finger. "You think you can handle a prenatal appointment?"
"I wasn't able to attend Rachel's appointments, the least I can do is make yours." He seemed a little sad at that revelation.
"Thank you. I never thought in my life I would ever have a baby." I focused on the winding asphalt ahead of me. "It was such an weird feeling when I suspected I was pregnant." He nodded in agreement. "I almost passed out, to tell you the truth."
"No regrets?" He asked his eyes still focused on the road ahead.
After I thought really hard about his question, "Not really. I thank God I never got pregnant with Morelli." Both Ranger and I cringed at the mention of his name.
"So do I, Babe." I gave him a forced smiled. "Did you ever dream about having my children?" I almost ran off the road after he asked. I wasn't sure if I should tell him the truth or if I should just skirt the question. He saved me from deciding after he answered his own question. "You know, I always imagined your belly swollen with my babies." My eyes filled with tears, making it difficult to see the road. "Babe. Pull over." I pulled the truck over to the side of the road, and put it into park.
Ranger pulled me across the bench seat and held me as I cried. "I never knew." He wiped my tears away with his soft and supple fingers.
"Quierda. You would have hated me for it." I nuzzled into his chest, my tears finished. "I would have hated myself for putting you in that position."
"I know, Carlos." I sighed and looked at him for a moment, watching as a moment of turmoil flashed across his eyes. "I'm sorry. I think you better drive the rest of the way." He nodded and slipped out of the truck, ran around the front and then climbed into the drivers seat. I slid over to the passenger seat and buckled myself in. We were soon pulling into the driveway of a simple single story white clapboard farmhouse on the outskirts of Powderville. A familiar face smiled as I walked up the stairs to the front porch.
"Well, if it isn't Mack's bride-to-be!" exclaimed, a wide grin plastered across his wrinkled face. I leaned forward and hugged him in greeting.
"Dr. Horton, it's so good to see you again." I smiled and took his offered hand. He led me into the house and to an exam room off of his living room.
"Please, call me Doc. Everyone around here does. Now tells me you've been having problems with your blood pressure." I turned to give Ranger a dirty look, but the look of concern was plain as day.
"Uh, yeah. I lead a very stressful life. Between the wedding and a stalker, I've been on the edge lately." I frowned, realizing that I had been under an incredible amount of stress lately. Ranger handed Doc a file, which I assumed held the record of my blood pressure for the last month. Doc whistled and gave me a stunned look.
"Your OB hasn't placed you on bedrest?" I shook my head. "I see here that your caregiver, a , has noted the particularly difficult days." I rolled my eyes and sighed. Picking up his stethoscope, he turned to me and stated, "Alright, while you are here, I will be checking in on you often. But in the mean time, I need to give you a quick exam." Doc turned to Ranger, then back to me. "Would you rather leave during the exam, or remain here?"
Doc's eyebrows shot up when I grabbed Ranger's hand and answered matter-of-factly, "No. He stays. I'm supposed to keep a bodyguard with me 24/7. No exceptions." Ranger grinned and squeezed my hand in reassurance. Doc shrugged his shoulders and proceeded to give me a full exam.
"Well, Stephanie, for a woman who's blood pressure is through the roof, you are an incredibly fit and healthy woman. As long as you try to remain calm and take time to relax periodically through the day, I don't see why you shouldn't maintain your current activity levels." He held up a hand as I began to smile. "Now, if anything, and I do mean anything happens to raise your stress levels beyond what I would consider safe, I will immediately hospitalize you." I nodded, no trace of my smile remained on my face.
"She will be monitored throughout the day by our company medic." Doc nodded at Ranger.
"Stephanie. Is there anything you can think of that calms you?" I tilted my head to the side thinking and grinned.
"Boston Creme donuts." I'm pretty sure I moaned just thinking about eating one.
The look of surprise and amusement showed on both Ranger's and Doc's faces. "Well, I wouldn't recommend one daily, but something once and a while is fine." I grinned and patted Ranger's arm.
"See. I can have one." I said to him like a child saying I-told-you-so. He raised his eyebrow and I giggled. "Well, maybe only when I REALLY need one." The corners of his mouth twitched and I knew he was grinning inside like a fool.
We finished the appointment with Doc giving me a hug and telling me he'd be by on Monday to check in on me when he did his rounds early in the morning. We said our goodbyes and left the Doc waving at us from the porch. Ranger drove a little ways down the road until he parked in front of Rita's. "Babe. You hungry?"
"Famished." It had only been two hours since I had eaten breakfast, but even I couldn't deny that the sound of my stomach grumbling at Doc's house had been distracting. "You going to eat a salad again?" I wrinkled my nose at the thought.
"Babe." I rolled my eyes and allowed him to lead me into the building. We sat along the rear wall, Ranger faced the door, I faced Ranger. Rita waltzed out and gave me a quick hug, eying Ranger.
"Hey, Steph. What can I get 'cha?"
"I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and a vanilla shake." I looked up to see Ranger roll his eyes.
"Babe. That stuff will kill you."
I grinned and shot back, "But what a way to go!" Rita chuckled and turned to Ranger.
"I just finished grilling you some chicken, eggplant and mushrooms. I'll bring them out with Steph's order." She turned on her heels, walked back through the swinging double doors and into the kitchen.
"Now you have Rita grilling chicken for you? What did you do to get her to do that for you?" I asked, stunned that she had grilled anything except ground beef for him.
"She needed a new exhaust fan and flat top grill. It was an easy trade." He grinned and watched as my jaw fell to the table. Ready to change the subject, "You ready for the men to arrive tomorrow?" He asked, toying with the salt shaker on the table covered in a red and white checked vinyl tablecloth.
"I think so. I sure miss my boys." He laughed silently. "I think the guys who haven't been to the ranch will like it, even if they do have to work."
"I'm sure."
"Do you think things will wind down anytime soon?" I asked, hoping things would.
"Babe. Never can tell." He stiffened as the door opened and watched two people walk in. I turned to see who he was watching and saw two of my favorite people waltz in.
"Deeter! Sissy!" They turned their heads to find us sitting along the wall. Sissy and Deeter broke into huge smiles as they made their way over.
"Steph! And Ranger." Sissy blushed, as Deeter shook Ranger's hand. "Gettin' some lunch?" Deeter asked as he slid two chairs over to join us.
"Yeah. I just had a quick check up with Doc." I said before I could stop myself.
Sissy picked up on the fact something was amiss. "Why'd you go and see him? Are you okay?" She placed her hand on my arm, concern covered her face.
I quickly covered my tracks, "Yeah, just the stress. It's driving me insane."
"And everybody else." Ranger added, a slight smile graced his face. I glared at him and rolled my eyes.
"Please! I'm not that bad." Ranger gave a small chuckle and shook his head.
"Babe." Deeter looked at Ranger with a sly smile.
"She's driving everyone crazy, isn't she?" Ranger nodded and I huffed out in frustration.
"I'm just trying to make sure things go well with the wedding. And now I have that stupid hit out on me. It's driving me insane!"
"Babe. You already said that." I stuck my tongue out at him and sighed.
"Well, I can't help it. Having a crazy guy shooting at you will make you nuts."
Deeter frowned, "We heard. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I shot the shit out of his car." Deeter grinned and punched me in the arm lightly.
"You get him?"
"Naw. I only hit the car. But it's pretty messed up." I grinned wide.
"Good. Hope he's hurt. nobody should be shooting at you, Steph. Surprised Mack doesn't have you under lock and key right now."
"Nope. He trusts Ranger to protect me. So do I." I patted Ranger hand and gave him a warm smile. "Besides, the nut job won't want to mess with Ranger when he's pissed." Ranger gave a slight growl deep in his throat.
Sissy paled and glanced at me, "I can see why." I giggled and soon found myself pounding the table with my fist, dying from laughter. Ranger maintained his blank face, while both Deeter and Sissy chuckled. Rita walked out carrying our drink orders, as well as two beers for our companions. We ate lunch chatting about the wedding.
"So when do the guys get here?" Deeter asked, trying to seem as unconcerned as possible.
I knew he was feeling a little left out. "Deeter. You're not going to be replaced." Reassured, he grinned sheepishly.
"ETA is 0700." Ranger stated, "Expect more than 15." He looked straight into my eyes. "I called a situation Beta." I paled and dropped my eyes to my hands. "Miami, Atlanta, and Boston are sending men as well. We're looking at 43 men to arrive." My head snapped up and I felt guilty.
My lip trembled and tears stung my eyes, "Ranger, I can't ask you to supply that many men!" I ground out through gritted teeth. "That's way too many. We can't house and feed that many men at one time. The caterer can't cover that many men!" I rubbed my face with my hands.
"Babe. I already called Carol and informed her of the increase. We have enough tents. We also have a mobile kitchen with the supplies that Tank is bringing." I breathed a little sigh of relief. "We also have a supply run planned."
"You have that handled already?" I asked, a little overwhelmed.
"Babe." He raised his eyebrow, and gave me a slight smirk.
I rolled my eyes and held my hands up in mock surrender. "Oh, I forgot! You're Batman! You anticipate everything." He gave me his best Burg eye roll, and I chuckled.
"Twenty men will arrive later in the morning after they pick up the supplies in Billings." He finished his bottle of water, and spun the empty plastic bottle on the table as he talked. "Justin will be with Tank, Bobby, Cal and Hal." I grinned and squirmed in my seat.
"Good. I miss him." I had learned to depend on Justin since he moved to Trenton. He had spent his time off taking me up in the helo, helping me to almost overcome my fear of flying. I had learned to like flying, although there are still times where I get nervous during exceptionally bad turbulence.
"Babe. You about ready?" I nodded and we said our goodbyes with Deeter and Sissy. Ranger led me out the door after leaving a $50 bill on the table for Rita. I climbed into the passenger seat and waited for his to climb in. He hauled himself into the driver's seat and cranked the engine over. We drove all the way back to the ranch intotal silence. After we pulled through the front gate, we made the three mile journey to the house down the gravel road. Halfway to the house, Ranger began to scan around us in a not so subtle manner.
"Something wrong?" I asked, as I nervously looked around.
"Babe." I could tell, he was on edge, nervous almost, and it worried me. "Something feels wrong." I nodded as I felt the familiar tingle on the back of my neck and the sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"I feel it too. What do you think it is?" I queried.
"Not sure. But I don't like it." He stated in a unhappy tone. "I don't like it."
A/N: Sorry it has taken so long to post a new chapter. Should have another chapter tomorrow. Please R&R!