Eyes to Remember
Chap 20
"We're Stuck Here and Can't Go Home"
Stephanie was slowly waking up. She felt warm and comfortable snuggled under the blankets. Suddenly realizing she wasn't in her bed! Allie was sleeping on the left side of her bed, so she should be facing her, but she saw the closet. There was a strong arm wrapped around here stomach. There was a very muscled body behind hers.
She thought about last night. She and Ranger were laying in front of the pot belly stove watching the fire. The feel of his lips on hers. They were soft and gentle slowly becoming consuming. Ranger had covered her with the quilt. She was contented being there with him. She had closed her eyes savoring the warmth of his sculpted body, listening to his heartbeat, she must have fallen asleep. "Real swift, Steph, you fell asleep," she told her herself.
She heard him chuckle behind her. She said it out loud.
Stephanie moved, turning and looking into the handsome face that was connected to the body that had such a strong arm. Ranger's dark eyes were watching her trying to determine if she was angry or uncomfortable waking up with him. He had laid there in front of the fire holding her in his arms just enjoying it after he knew Stephanie had fallen asleep. He even had drifted off for a while. Carrying her into her bedroom, Allie was sprawled out in the middle of the bed with Sparky lying next to her sleeping on a pillow. How could such a little thing take up so much room and a small beagle. It was a queen size bed! He couldn't disturb them both, so he carried Stephanie into the other bedroom and tucked her into bed with him.
"Hi," telling him.
Back at Stephanie, "Hi, yourself."
"I feel asleep on you, literally. I'm sorry."
"Why? I'm not. I enjoyed it."
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "You're a man, so isn't it good as long as she's breathing," giggling at the raised Cuban eyebrow.
"I was that last time I checked," lifting the blankets, "Yep, still male. Hopefully, the woman enjoyed it too!"
Ranger slid down so he was eye to eye with Stephanie kissing her lips.
"Is this taking it slow? Sleeping together the first night you rescued us?" back giggling because Ranger had an expression that maybe he did something wrong.
He smirked when he realized she was teasing, "I would have waited for at least the second night but we're leaving today, and Allie and your beagle were taking up the bed when I carried you in, so you ended up here. I didn't even peek."
"You wouldn't have seen too much."
Stephanie's curves were perfect to him.
The bedroom door pushed open and Sparky jumped on the bed, wagging his tail.
"Ok, let's go out. Want some coffee?"
Ranger nodded, disappointed at the loss of the feel of Stephanie next to him.
"I'll be back. It's too early to get up," indicating the bedside clock read 6:10.
"The brood is still sleeping, so I enjoy it," smiling going out the door behind Sparky.
Ranger was out of bed most mornings by 5:00, so it was rare for him to sleep in, but he did this morning. It actually felt good. He got up to go into the bathroom. Coming out, he looked in the kitchen. Stephanie had a tray with coffee mugs, some fruit on a plate, and Pop Tarts. He shook his head and went back to bed.
"I love fresh pineapple," Stephanie said. Her eyes were closed as she chewed it, her soft lips curved into a smile. "Mmmm."
How could eating be such an erotic experience watching and listening to Stephanie? Good thing his sweats were somewhat baggy, Ranger was getting a mental image of Stephanie laying in front of the fire, dripping pineapple juice over her and licking……. He forced himself to stop. Stephanie brought him back to reality, holding up a piece of pineapple to his lips.
"I have a question," Stephanie asked. "What was the training exercise you put Tommy, Bobby, and Lester through when they came back to the office dripping wet and smelling like pond?"
"Oh shit," Ranger thought, "he wouldn't lie to Stephanie."
Stephanie saw he was uncomfortable, shifting on the bed.
"Well, those three decided to try and pull something over on me," rubbing his hands over his face, "so it was paybacks."
"What did they do?"
"Dammit, she wanted details," he thought, secretly hoping that was the end of it. He looked at Stephanie, her blue eyes twinkling, "Well, they let me believe," letting out a cleansing breath, "you're friend Matt was straight. I didn't know he was gay and what was going on between you."
Stephanie was stunned, "You were jealous?"
He nodded not saying anything at first. "There you were the woman with those beautiful blue eyes from eight years ago. Dropped into my life, Ok, business life. I found out your name from that article. My sister, Marissa, was reading it and showed it to me, then there your were in Trenton. I came back, you were working for Rangeman. So when your father told me Matt was gay and those three stooges knew it and let me believe otherwise, I handcuffed them together and put them on the platform in the middle of Trenton pond." Ranger wouldn't meet Stephanie's eyes keeping his eyes focused in the blankets.
Stephanie was trying not to giggle, in a weird sort of way it was sweet, "Why didn't you just ask me about Matt?"
"I don't know. I'm not that good where relationships are concerned and I've never really been jealous like this before. We've always had this thing where those three try and get the best of me," finally looking at Stephanie.
"It's sort of sweet in a high school kind of way, but you should have asked." Stephanie giggled again taking in this handsome man's sheepish expression, leaning over and touching his cheek with soft butterfly kisses.
"Mommy, you're in bed with a boy!"
"So I am," holding out her arms for her little girl. She knew it was strange to Allie since she had never seen her on a more intimate level with a man, but trying not to make a big issue of it.
Allie hopped up on the bed followed by Sparky. She took a piece of Pop Tart off the plate.
"Did you sleep good, My Little Princess?" Stephanie kissed her wild curls.
"Yeah, but Sparking was snoring. We need to get him those things on TV."
Ranger gave both of them a curious expression not sure what Allie was talking about since he didn't watch that much TV.
"Those breathing strips to put on his nose?" she laughed.
Allie nodded innocently.
He shook his head realizing what Allie was talking about, I guess to a little girl those would seem to work for a dog, too!
Getting down from her mother's arms, "I got to go potty."
Ranger had laid in bed for over two hours with Stephanie so he guessed it was time to get up.
"Quiet time is over," Stephanie announced. " Once I was able to bring Allie home from the hospital, it was crazy. There were nurses checking on her constantly, Grandma. Mom, and my Dad were there helping along with Katie, I appreciated the little quiet time in the mornings to drink my coffee by myself. It's why I still get up earlier than I need to and sometimes, morning coffee with my boss."
Ranger picked up the tray off the bed, he reached out when he walked around the bed, grabbing Stephanie's pajama top, "This man enjoys them, too," placing a quick kiss on her lips.
Allie made Katie and Julie begrudgingly get up for breakfast.
"Steph, that bed is so comfy, I don't want to get up," Julie whined eating scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast both Stephanie and Ranger made for breakfast.
"I had featherbeds on these beds and at home, so you sink into them. The guys liked them, too."
Wally stepped up on the porch they saw through the window, Sparky barked when Stephanie opened the door.
"Morning, Wally," Stephanie told him. ""Would you like some coffee or breakfast?"
"No. I wanted to let you know you won't be going home today. The road washed out by the store, so you can't get anywhere but here."
"But, I have to go to work! The boss has a company to run," indicating Ranger seated at the table.
"The road department is waiting for a new culvert to come this afternoon from some state emergency outfit. Once it's here, then they'll work until it's fixed, but more than likely not until tomorrow."
"Ok, I guess there's nothing we came do but wait. Thanks, Wally," walking him to the door.
"Do you have extra food, Stephanie? Because there will be a run at the store when I open up."
"I got a few things in Murdock late night. So we're good."
Stephanie came back to the table upset, "I'm so sorry! We're stuck here. You have a company to run, Carlos."
Ranger, Julie, Katie, and Allie were all grinning at her.
"Babe," he met her by the kitchen cupping her face in his hands. Stephanie had nothing to be upset about. "I've been stuck in some really unpleasant places all over the world working for the Government. I'll take being stuck here any day. Any meetings Tank can't handle, he can reschedule. You have everything so well organized in Trenton, the office will survive without us for a day, week, months, or what ever. Please, don't worry. I'm not and I don't think the girls were ready to go home either."
"No way, Steph," Julie and Katie chimed.
"We like it here, Mommy," Allie said as she continued to eat her scrambled eggs, jelly smeared on her face.
Ranger asked, "Do you have enough food for another day?" He was going to thank Mother Nature for her thunderstorm and collapsing the road.
"Yes, we have left over Chinese and I had planned on Spaghetti for dinner last night so we still have that. I have bagels, cereal, and some eggs for breakfast tomorrow, so I think we're good."
"I'll call Tank and let him know," Ranger picked up his cell phone hoping to get a signal since Julie had trouble the day before.
"Yo," came Tank's booming voice over the cell phone.
"Yo. There's been a problem. We won't be home today so cancel any meetings for tomorrow you can't handle and reschedule."
"What's wrong? Is everyone OK?"
"Nothing like that. The road washed out so we can't leave the lake."
"Heck, I can put together a rescue mission and have you extracted in no time. I'll get a helicopter and you'll be back at Rangeman before noon," Tank was smiling to himself.
"Would you like to be unemployed? We'll survive until tomorrow."
"Or, I'll get a boat and sail over from the other side of the lake. Rescue on the water."
"No. See you tomorrow."
"How about…."
And Ranger clicked the phone off.
"Ok, Daddy. Just check on Hobo and I'll call you when we get home. Bye."
"Bye, Gampy."
"So, what shall we do today since we can't go anywhere?" Stephanie asked her happy bunch.
Julie came up with an idea, "Can we take Dad to see the waterfall?" Her shouldered slumped, "We can't get out of here."
''Actually, Julie, we can. It would be a longer hike. I took us in the shorter way."
"We go the upper road," Katie explained. "and we can lay out on the flat rock or play in the pools."
"The water may be cooler after the rain. I'll pack some fruit, crackers, and drinks. Get your swimsuits on and water shoes. It that all right, Carlos?"
"Sounds good, Babe." Watching Stephanie in a bath suit for an afternoon what more could he ask for.
"Do you have trunks with you? Extra shoes?"
"Trunks, no shoes. I'll go barefoot."
"Carlos, you'll be down before you know it. The rocks are slippy from the eons of water rushing over them. Let me check," Stephanie said disappearing into the smaller bedroom.
She came back with a pair of black and blue water shoes, "These are Daddy's. Try these."
Ranger parked Stephanie's Volvo in a small parking area in the small Murdock State Forest off the upper lake road. Allie was picking buttercups while they got the cooler and beach bag with towels and water shoes. Sparky had his nose to the ground.
"It's the Falls Trail,' pointing to a sign which indicated ½ mile to the waterfall.
"Not too far ahead Allie. Sparky stay close," Stephanie called watching Allie's ponytails bounce.
"Mommy, is it far? My feet are tired."
"Almost, Allie. I can hear the water, but I'll carry you," scooping up her little daughter.
"This is better," kissing her mother's nose.
The path came to a 'T'. Stephanie indicated to the right so they could follow a smaller path to the bottom of the falls.
"This is so beautiful," Julie stood looking at the waterfall with water rushing over and spilling over the worn large rocks below.
They hadn't seen any other people as they walked. Stephanie noticed Sparky was sniffing in the air and pulled his leash out of the duffel bag. Stephanie put her finger to her lips. All five stood quietly. Seconds later a female deer came out on the other side with two small fawns beside her to get a drink in a shallow pool. She watched across the stream as they watched her.
"Stay still, Allie, so you don't scare them," Stephanie whispered.
They drank a little more and walked quietly back the way the mother deer and her babies came.
"Did you see them? They were baby deers."
"I know, Princess."
Stephanie directed them further down the stream where there were huge rocks. The stream split around a group of large flat boulders in the middle.
"We're going out there," Katie was putting on her water shoes. Julie put hers on with her friend.
"Agh! This is cold," both laughed as they started across the pool coming below their knees in the middle.
Stephanie carried her daughter across, Sparky was carefully doggie paddling beside them. She turned around to see Ranger stepping into the cold mountain water.
"Whoa, this is cold."
Stephanie laughed because it looked like his eyes were going to bug out," You can stay over there."
"I'm coming."
Allie shrieked, Stephanie dipped her little toes in the cold water before she set her on the flat rock and helped Sparky up. Ranger climbed up. Julie, Katie, and Allie already had their shorts and tops off heading for the shallow pool on the other side of the rock only a few inches deep and much warmer water. Ranger slipped off his tank. Stephanie caught her breath as the sight of his sculpted stomach.
"Like what you see, Babe?"
He saw she was blushing.
She untied the grey sweat shorts and pulled off her t-shirt. Stephanie was wearing a blue and white striped halter bikini top with blue low rise boy short bottoms with a blue and white striped band around the top. God, she was gorgeous. Her wild curls framing her face.
"Come here, Allie. Let me put more sunscreen on you."
The girls were splashing in the water. Stephanie had to chase Allie to get the sunscreen on her. Coming out of the water and back on the flat rock, Stephanie sat down next to Ranger on a beach towel enjoying the warmth of the rock.
"This is nice, Babe," kissing her warm lips from the sun.
Allie came and sat beside Stephanie. Sparky was laying enjoying the sun. Ranger noticed part of a scar showing above the top of her bikini bottoms, touching it gently with a finger.
"That's where I was," Allie told him.
Stephanie picked her daughter up and held her above her so she looked like she was flying, "Yes, you were."
The girls came out of the water and sat down on the warm rock eating the fruit, dip, and crackers Stephanie set out for them to snack on with ice tea to drink. The girls played in the water some more, but Stephanie saw Allie rubbing her eyes after playing in the water for a few hours.
"Allie's getting tired so we should be going," Stephanie told Ranger as she slipped her shorts on and tied them leaving her bikini top uncovered.
"I'll carry her if you, Julie, and Katie get the other things, Babe."
They packed the towels and food so they could cross back over.
Ranger had stooped down to be eye level with Allie, "Will you let me carry you so Mommy 's arms don't get tired?"
She nodded sleepy eyes at him.
Stephanie smiled as they walked out to the car, Allie laid her head on Ranger's shoulder.
After lunch while Allie napped, Julie and Katie were going to walk down by the lake, then go to the game room leaving Stephanie and Ranger alone. They were pleased everything worked better than expected, even Mother Nature helped.
Stephanie handed them money before leaving for the video games and marshmallows, "If there are any marshmallows at the Wally's, bring a bag back so we can roast them. We'll have a campfire outside tonight. Oh, and check on the progress of the road, too."
Ranger helped Stephanie load the washed beach towels and clothes into the dryer, then put her over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Relaxing," Ranger said simply plopping down on the sofa with Stephanie, "with you."