Ranger was at the office finishing up some work and confirming plans for Steph and his anniversary plans for horseback riding and then dinner and then a night in the hotel that he had picked out. He was hoping that everything was going okay at home. He had called and Steph had said that her Mom was coming over around Five PM. She was coming to visit with the kids. It was four thirty now, if he left now he could be there before five.
So he finished his work and then left for home.
He got home about five fifteen and heard Helen talking to Stephanie.
"So what are you doing now?" Helen said.
"Right now I am going to school. I went through a couple of scary situations but after I am done with school I am planning to go back to work at Rangemen eventually," Stephanie told her.
Ranger walked in and kissed Stephanie in the kitchen. "Well the plans are all made tomorrow morning we are off to the Whole Men Ranch for a fun weekend of horseback riding and dinner and then a night of just you and me Babe," Ranger said to her.
"Can't wait. Finally we will be able to celebrate our Anniversary together. The first year you were gone on a mission with the Rangers, then the second year I was pregnant and sick so we could not go out then, but this year is going to be different I feel it darling," Steph told her husband.
"I know it will be," Ranger said.
Then he went to the kids and kissed them and then he helped himself to some wine.
"Well, dinner will be ready soon, so if you want to stay and eat with us you can Mom," Stephanie said.
"Thanks, but your father is waiting for me. So I better get going. Thank you for letting me see the kids," Helen said.
"You're welcome and it was good talking to you Mom," Then Stephanie saw her mom out the front door.
"Well, that went well," Stephanie said to Ranger.
"Sorry I missed it," Ranger said to her and then kissed her on the lips.
The next day
Ranger was putting bags in the SUV and then both he and Steph took off for the weekend.
They arrived at the Whole Men Ranch at 11:30am and went to check in.
"Mr. and Mrs. Manoso here to check in," Ranger said.
"Yes, sir right this way," the clerk said.
Then they followed the clerk to their room.
The clerk used the key and let them into a log cabin style room. Stephanie came in and saw a king sized bed with two end tables on either side, a full size bathroom to the left, a flat screen TV and a fireplace in front of the bed.
"Here are your keys, sir. Enjoy your stay." Then Ranger tipped the clerk then the clerk left.
"Carlos, I love it," she said.
Stephanie went onto the deck and saw the fields with all the horses eating grass.
Carlos walked up behind her and took her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and joined her. He started to kiss her neck and made his way down to her jeans. When he took those off his hands found her thighs and then she found his pants and took those off and then they made love without any interruptions.
"Carlos, that was heaven, thank you," Steph said as she kissed his cheek.
"Any time Babe," Ranger told her.
"Now how about we get dressed and go horseback riding?" Ranger said.
"Sounds fun, let's go." Then Steph was up and getting dressed to go horseback riding.
After they were dressed, they went to the barn to visit with the horses and see the riding instructor.
"You must be the Manosos. We have your horses all tacked up for you. So let's get you on them," the instructor said.
"Stephanie, this is Diego. He is your horse," the instructor said. "Now put your foot in the stirrup and push up and throw your other leg over." The next thing she knew she was on Diego.
"Carlos, this is Adam. He is your horse. Now you do the same thing that your wife did." The instructor looked on satisfied.
Then the instructor mounted his own horse and then they were off riding for the afternoon.
Ranger followed Stephanie on her horse. He saw how well she was seated on Diego. Stephanie said, "Carlos, look at the mountains aren't they pretty"?
"Yes, Babe they are," Carlos said.
Then they continued down the trail, to a rest stop. Ranger got off his horse first and then helped Stephanie down from hers. They sat in the grass for a while and let the horses eat some grass and drink some water.
"Babe what do you say we go take a walk on that path over there?" Ranger said and he pointed to the path.
"I love that idea. Let's go," Stephanie said and then they started to walk down the path.
They were about half way down the path when Steph spotted something just off the path.
"Carlos what is that?" she asked as she pointed to a pile of something over to the right under a tree.
"Stay put," Ranger said and then he walked over to the pile and saw a human skull in the pile of leaves.
"We just can't catch a break." Then he got on his cell phone and called 911.
Ten minutes later the police were there, sealing off the area and Ranger and Steph were telling them what they were doing at the time.
"We were just walking on the path and my wife spotted the pile and then I went over to see and saw the bones there. That is when I phoned you guys," Ranger said.
"All right. If we need anything else we will let you know. Thanks for the call," the officer said.
"No problem. Come on babe let's get back to the horses," Ranger said. Steph and Ranger turned around and went back to the horses.
When they got back to the horses, Ranger walked up to Steph and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I don't know we just found a pile of bones Ranger," Stephanie said.
"I know babe, but there is nothing we can do. This is out of our hands. We just have to continue with our Anniversary."
Then Carlos helped her back on her horse. He got on his, and the instructor got on his and then they went back to the ranch.
When they got to the ranch they noticed some reporters there. "Perfect, just what we need," Carlos said.
"What is the press doing here?" Stephanie asked.
"My guess is that they are here because they found out that we found the body," Ranger said to his wife.
"We might as well get this done with, let's go inside." Ranger said and he led Stephanie inside the ranch.
On the way in one of the reporters asked, "Were you two the ones that found the body?"
"No comment," Ranger said and then he went inside the ranch.
"Babe, what do you want to do now?" Ranger asked.
Stephanie all of a sudden yawned. "A nap would be nice. I am a little tired," Stephanie said.
"Okay babe, you rest. I am going to put a call in to Tank and see if there is any chance they can get the press of our backs," Ranger said.
Carlos looked over at Stephanie and saw her sound asleep.
He picked up his cellphone and dialed 1.
"Hey you two should not be calling me," Tank said.
"I know but we have a small problem. Steph found a pile of human remains on the Trail and now there are press and the cops everywhere," Ranger said to him.
"Can you come here and work with the cops to assist with the situation?" Ranger asked.
"Sure thing I am on my way." Then Tank hung up.
Tank showed up two and a half hours later and knocked on Steph and Ranger's door.
Ranger answered the door in a tux shirt with tux pants and dress shoes on.
"Hey, come on in," Ranger said.
"Do you like your room?" Ranger asked.
"Yeah, a little small but it will do," Tank said.
"Going out," Tank said.
"Yup, dinner plans with my wife. So you are just going to walk us to the car and then the rest of the night is yours," Ranger said.
"Thanks. I think I will check in with the cops to see if they found out anything about those bones," Tank said.
All of a sudden the bathroom door opened and Steph came out in a sleeveless navy blue dress with black heels.
"I love my wife. Even pregnant she is gorgeous," Ranger said and then walked up to Steph. "If Tank was not here the dress would come off," Ranger said. And then he kissed Steph's neck.
"Yeah, okay grab your tux jacket and let's go," Steph said.
"All right." Then he grabbed his jacket and they stepped out.
"Mr. Manoso, care to make a statement on the bones that you found?"
"No I don't and please leave," Ranger said and then opened his wife's car door and she got in. Then he got in the driver's side and they left for dinner.
They got to the restaurant and pulled in. A matre de took the car and they went in the restaurant.
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Manoso for a seven thirty reveration," Carlos said.
"Right this way," the waiter said.
Then he walked them to a private table in the back of the restaurant. Ranger as always took the seat by the wall after he helped Stephanie in hers.
The waiter put some menus on the table and then left.
"Carlos, this is a wonderful restaurant. Very classy, I love it. I love the woodwork here and the handcrafted tables. I'm glad you made reservations here," Stephanie said as she took his hand.
He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. And then said, "I love you Stephanie."
"I love you too Carlos," Steph said. Then she looked at the menu.
"Now how about we order? I am starving," Steph said.
"Sure, Babe. You are pregnant. You need to eat so let's eat," Ranger said.
The waiter came back and asked, "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, I will have the lamb and mashed potatoes with the green beans," Stephanie said.
"And I will have the same," Ranger said.
"Very well and what to drink?"
"I will have a water," Stephanie said
"I will have some red wine," Ranger said.
"Very well and thank you." Then the waiter left.
"Well, we go home tomorrow morning Carlos," Stephanie said.
"But it has been fun. I hope the police catch whoever did that to the boy or girl that was there," Stephanie said.
"Yeah, I hope so too babe. But now how are you feeling?" Ranger asked her as he took her hand.
"I feel good. This was just what I needed. A break from the kids, my mom and to just be with you is all perfect," Stephanie said.
He leaned forward and kissed her.
About twenty minutes later the food came and they enjoyed their meal together.
After their meal they went back to the Ranch. They noticed that the press was gone.
"Hey where did the press go?" Stephanie asked.
"Don't know don't care," Ranger said and then he parked the SUV and helped Stephanie out.
"Let's go inside, darling," Ranger said and then kissed her shoulder.
"Hum that feels good Carlos." Then she led him into his hotel room.
He then unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. He just looked at his wife for a minute and then helped her into bed. He removed his tux and joined her and then they made love.
Then next morning was time for the Manosos to leave. They were all packed up and paid the bill. Stephanie was already in the SUV when the sheriff came by.
"Mr. and Mrs. Manoso I want to thank you for reporting the bones. We solved a long ago case because of you. It seems that the young man disappeared in the woods a few years ago, and nobody found him. But because of you his family can now have peace. So thank you."
"You're welcome sheriff," Ranger said, and then he got in the SUV and Stephanie and Ranger went home.
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