Whispers in the Wind
chapter 25
Nervous. Stephanie came down with a case of the nerves as she was dressing. She was going on 'a date'. The dress she purchased was not her usual simple, classic style. She was questioning her choice, but the saleswoman in the small boutique said "Go for it!" Her fingers traced the dahlia outline of the jewelry box she brought from New York on her dresser. Opening it, she slipped out a piece of paper. It was crinkled, folded, and tear stained. It was the letter Regis wrote to her with his will. She unfolded the deeply creased parchment colored stationary reading the words she read so many times before.
My Darling Stephanie,
If you are reading this letter, then our time together was cut short. Thank you for these last years, I wish it could have been more. I've never known true happiness until I met you. This bachelor expected to always be a bachelor because I never dreamed I would find a woman as special as you to share a life.
Accept the money I have bequeathed to you. I've known since the day I met you that you are able to support yourself; I need to know you will enjoy yourself, My Darling. Keep the New York penthouse if you want, go have a whirlwind time in the city, you so enjoyed Christmas shopping, Rockefeller Center, and dinner there amongst the holiday colors. I also know you will retreat to Maine now where we were happiest. We accomplished so much there, and every restored inch was done with love beside each other. You are in shock right know, but listen to your heart when it tells you it's time to come back to real life. You are so vibrant, filled with a shining light, My Sweet Darling; do not let life pass you by, but live it. I want your beautiful blue eyes to shimmer in the morning light and to close peacefully at night. I want you to find happiness. With everything I am, I believe there is someone who will make your heart complete again. He will find you. Get married, do not be afraid of it, and I hope one day you will have a child to give him or her love you gave me so freely. I know you will grieve, Stephanie, but, please, not long. Get behind the camera again when you are ready and give the world the beauty you see through your lens. Take my money and open a studio, show children what is around them as you showed me at my old age. Be happy, Stephanie. I know Tink and Mingo will be beside you when I can't, but I'll never be far away.
All my love now and for always,
Regis
"Has he found me?" Stephanie whispered. Her eyes went to the window seeing out and into the yard next door knowing Ranger was readying to take her out. The empty heart lasted for a second or two, it quickened thinking about the handsome, intense man in the Colonial house on the other side of the fence. It had been a long time since the broken pieces were there. There were still cracks, but the beats were coming into unison to beat as an almost whole heart again.
The late afternoon wind breezed by, "He found you."
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Frank Plum was only too glad to watch the baseball game from his daughter's sofa; there was a Belgian Tervuren stretched out on each side of him. His wife and granddaughters where mixing oatmeal cookies up now. He hoped Ellen didn't wear-out the oven.
"I'll get it," he called to the kitchen workers getting up to answer the doorbell. The four-legged inhabitants were right beside Mr. Plum. "Look who's here?" Frank said opening the door.
"Good evening," Ranger greeted but his eyes went immediately up the staircase were Stephanie was walking down. He went past the outstretched hand to the bottom of the staircase. "You look beautiful," he told Stephanie. When she reached the step before the bottom so they were eye to eye he held up a bouquet of blue flowers.
"Very handsome yourself," she smiled.
As Frank stood watching, neither his talented daughter or the tall Cuban man were aware of him. He saw the connection and it had grown stronger; he noticed it the first time he met the man.
The two turned in her father's direction realizing he was there. "You do look beautiful, Pumpkin."
"Thank you," she said meant for her father and her date. "I need to put these in water."
Her mother and nieces stopped dropping the cookie dough when Stephanie, Frank, Ranger, and her dogs following walked into the great room.
"Stephanie!" her mother was shocked a little.
"I love your dress," her nieces said together.
She chose a slate blue dress with sleeves that fitted above the elbows and from the waist to low thigh. The top was slightly oversized with an off-the-shoulder neckline so a shoulder was bare. There was a gold belt of circles to match the dangling earrings showing from her upswept hair. Her painted toes were peeking out of the tip of the high-heeled sandals.
Frank brought the crystal dog vase from the mantle for the flowers over to the counter for Ellen to fill.
"Aunt Stephanie," her older niece asked, "do you think I could wear a dress like that?"
She giggled at the surprised expression on her father's face from the question. "I think you could, but for your age we could buy you a flesh tone camisole for under it. We could look for one in New York in a couple of weeks."
That suggestion satisfied Angie. "OK," she agreed.
"I won't be too late." Stephanie kissed each girl.
The patio doors slid open, Grandma Mazur came strutting in wearing her bathing suit. "Look who's here? The Hottie."
"Hello, Edna," Ranger greeted warily.
She whistled through her dentures. "Baby Granddaughter, you look hot."
"Thanks, Grandma. What's on your agenda tonight?" Stephanie asked kissing her warm cheek.
"It's a pip of a night!" Grandma rattled off. "After the viewing which I need to get ready for, Hetty Whipplestein is picking me up in that station wagon of hers. You can fit a lot of guys in it! It's discount night at Zed's Tattoo Parlor for seniors. He lets us watch and we offer moral support in case the old farts start to chicken out. You got any tattoos? That would add to your hotness," she asked Ranger.
"No," he replied quickly.
"Too bad. I'll go with you sometime if you want. Maybe a cobra or a panther on that muscled arm of yours."
His eyebrow raised hoping Stephanie would intervene here.
"Grandma, we better get going. I'll see what I can do about the tattoo," the photographer teased her date.
"Maybe we'll see you out on the town. Those old guys like to show off their new body art in the bars chugging down a few brewskies and at the all-you-can-eat buffets."
"Go get ready, You Loon," Frank yelled. "I want an enjoyable evening, but I bet the cops will be bringing your sloshed butt home! I'm not coming down to the station to get you! There's a baseball double header tonight."
A bony finger went up. "Up yours. You're just jealous because I have all the fun!" Grandma yelled at her son-in-law heading up the steps to change.
Frank shouted back, "Right!"
"Bye, Mom. Bye, Daddy," Stephanie giggled. "You two be good," she told her dogs petting them. Tink was sniffing the manly man before they walked out her front door.
Ranger stopped on the steps to laugh out loud. "Your grandma is something."
"She likes to live life to the fullest in some strange Trenton ways."
"Babe." Ranger was still chuckling holding the black Porsche door for Stephanie and as he slipped behind his steering wheel. He turned the key in the ignition heading for their dinner before the ballet.
"I called and the restaurant is still there," Stephanie told Ranger. His eyes were on the road, but he couldn't help glancing at the beautiful woman beside him.
"Tell me where to go, Babe." He raised an eyebrow questioning, "So what are we dining on tonight?"
"Tibetan. Is that OK?"
"There's a Tibetan restaurant in Trenton?"
Stephanie's blue eyes twinkled, "I'm from the 'Burg'. You just need to know where to look."
Not far from the theater, she pointed to a side street for Ranger to turn down. He wasn't very familiar with this area on the edge of the city. 'The Dance Company' was Rangeman's first client in this part of town.
With a quick blink, the Cuban Bad Ass was opening the passenger door for Stephanie. His muscled body moved in perfect precision she noticed. The white shirt against his caramel hued skin and dark hair in a ponytail contrasted and complimented at the same time. Through the gray pants he was wearing, the muscle definition continued down she noticed.
The building was white washed and very plain except for the inlayed tiles around the windows and hanging on the glass door of endless knots and the name hanging above. 'CHANTS'.
"Welcome," a man greeted inside the entrance dressed in a gray monk's robe.
"Good evening," Stephanie told him. "I called earlier. A table for two for Plum."
"Yes, Miss." He picked up menus leading them to a table.
The decor was muted and calm like you would expect a Tibetan temple to be. The walls were painted a warm cinnamon with tiles of Buddhist symbols trimming the walls. There were lanterns and candles glowing all around the small restaurant which was fairly full of customers. Softly playing were lyrical chants Ranger heard walking to the corner table near a stone fountain . There were authentic tapestries and handmade animal masks to ward off evil spirits hanging on the walls.
"I never would have expected this," Ranger said quietly taking in the serene atmosphere. The patrons were eating and speaking in hushed voices.
A waitress in a short gray monk's robe brought a plate and a pot of tea to the table. "I'm Sue and I'll give you a few minutes to look over the menu."
"Try one," Stephanie said handing her Cuban companion a chickpea flour wafer dipped in a sauce. She poured each one of them a cup of dark tea.
Taking a bite, the cracker was crisp and his mouth was tantalized by the tangy sauce. Ranger liked the it.
As they waited for their order of chicken in a spicy tomato sauce for Ranger and a Momo platter of Tibetan dumplings for Stephanie, she asked him about growing up in a big Cuban family.
"I'm the youngest," Ranger related. "I have a brother and four sisters. At a young age I discovered I had to move fast if I wanted to stay out of the grips of my sisters or I was their favorite dress-up object."
"Oh, that's funny. I have a sister, Valerie, who was a saint until she met her boyfriend and ran off to make his clown costumes. My parents got rid of their children, but I would say my Grandma makes it seem like they are raising another child."
He had to agree. "Your Grandma Mazur experiences life off the beaten path."
"She does and Daddy loses his hair because of it," Stephanie giggled.
A Cuban finger touched the diamond tennis bracelet circling her wrist. The setting made it appear old. "This is beautiful."
The smile became sad. "Regis gave me this for our first Christmas. It's my favorite piece. I like the vintage appearance the setting gives it."
He hoped the mood of their evening wasn't lost.
"It's OK," Stephanie reassured the man across the table. "Regis will always be a part of me. He helped me be who I am today." The smile was back, it was timid, but her blue eyes were alive. "I think our food is here."
Ranger tried her dumplings and she tried his piquant chicken. Her eyes widened and the gulp of tea help to wash down the zesty flavor. "Spicy," she said.
"Cubans like spice."
The blue eyes looked up from her dumplings full of merriment. "Is that only in food?"
His eyebrow arched in a sexy curve to match the lecherous grin he gave Stephanie. "I'll have to show you."
Her cheeks were becoming a subtle pink and she was waving a manicured hand in the air. "That's not all that's spicy," the photographer teased. This man could probably melt a good portion of the Artic with only a pinkie of his sex appeal.
"I liked that," Ranger commented leaving 'Chants'. The food was excellent and his dinner companion was even better.
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They only had to drive a few blocks to the renovated theater which was the home of 'The Dance Company', a new ballet troupe in Trenton.
"Romeo and Juliet!" Stephanie let out a delightful squeal reading the marquee. "I love this ballet!"
"Good," Ranger told her walking into the lobby.
A man in a dark suit came rushing at the couple. "Carlos! Thank you for coming. I can't rave enough about the efficient installation of the security system your company performed in this old building." The tall man was shaking a Cuban hand vigorously.
"Thank you. Kent Charles, this is Stephanie Plum. Stephanie, Kent is the director of the ballet company."
"Hello," the photographer said shaking a hand. "You're building is gorgeous." The walls of the lobby were bright white with gold, gilded, ornate Rococo molding overhead and polished marble floors.
He was studying the face of the security expert's date. "I've see you before. Now where," Mr. Charles said picking his brain.
"Stephanie is a wildlife photographer," Ranger proudly informed him.
"That's it! In Pino's there is a cover of a magazine framed with your picture. It was a snow leopard."
She said humbly, "That's mine."
His hands waved in the air. "Gorgeous creature!" He whispered, "Do you ever capture anything besides animals?"
"Why?" she asked with a furrowed brow.
"This old Smith Theater has been renovated from top to bottom and we are a new, struggling dance troupe. Maybe Trenton needs to see it what we're all about."
The blue eyes were squinting thinking about it. It was making the man nervous. "Sure. My nieces are my assistants so they will be with me."
"Fine! I don't care if they're dancing elves."
"I'll call you so we can work out a time."
He kissed Stephanie's cheek in his excitement. "You're precious! Enjoy your evening."
The old man taking the tickets had a little difficulty tearing the taped tickets so Ranger did it for him. Stephanie didn't question the reason they were taped, she just accepted the program offered to her.
Their seats were in the third row on the left of the theater; Stephanie let her date have the aisle seat so he had extra leg room. Ranger would glance at the beautiful woman seated next to him during the performance, her blue eyes were wide focused on the dancers. Towards the end, he saw her eyes tear up and she wiped away her tears. Her other hand somehow found its way in his and remained there through the evening.
There was an invitation for coffee after the ballet, but Stephanie offered homemade oatmeal cookies and coffee. It was an offer Ranger couldn't refuse. His Porsche swung into the cul-de-sac and right behind it was a police car with flashing lights. Stephanie was surprised knowing her date was within the speed limit and no police officer came to the sports car asking for Ranger's license and registration.
Coming out of the police car was her friend Eddie Gaza and he helped Edna Mazur out of the back. She was swaying slightly Stephanie and Ranger could see.
"Eddie, what's wrong?" Stephanie questioned concerned for her beloved grandmother meeting them between the cars.
"We pulled over a station wagon full of seniors. They were driving around singing through speakers 'Born To Be Wild' and woke up some people. A few of them were a little tipsy," Eddie explained. "Ranger, do you know Stephanie? Nice neighborhood, Steph."
"He's my neighbor," Stephanie replied. "Grandma, did you have a good time tonight?"
Grandma's blue eyes were a little glazed. "I'm pretty sure I did. There was a waiting line for senior tattoos tonight. Look." Her hand pulled her blouse open showing a henna painted rose on the top of a droopy breast. "Looks good. What do you think, Hunkie Poo?"
"Edna," Ranger chuckled, "it's totally you."
"Damn right."
Frank and Ellen Plum were coming down the sidewalk. "What did I tell you, Ellen? The cops brought her back again. There goes Stephanie's property value," her father was muttering loudly.
"Mother!"
"Can't they ever keep you?" Frank asked helping his mother-in-law to his Buick.
Grandma was smacking his arm away walking under her own staggering power. "You just wish you had my life!"
"Right! It wouldn't be a normal night if the cops didn't bring you home. Thanks, Eddie"
Ellen Plum appeared as if she needed a big drink. "Mother, what will Stephanie's neighbors think?"
"Where did I get this beauty?" Edna Mazur said loudly flashing her temporary tattoo. "Go to Zed's and say Edna sent you! BORN TO BE WILD!" She began singing shouted off key. "BORN TO BE WILD!"
"Bye, Stephanie. We had fun and there are cookies in the kitchen," her mother told her daughter getting into the waiting car.
"Night, Pumpkin. Night, Guys."
"Night, Mom. Night, Daddy. Be good, Grandma," Stephanie laughed at her crazy grandma.
The Buick pulled out and they watched the back window going up and down, Grandma Mazur was singing and her father was yelling, "It's my window!"
"I can always count on Edna to break up a slow night," Eddie called getting in his patrol car.
Meeting her laughing nieces and tail wagging dogs on the front porch, Stephanie kissed Mary Alice and Angie. "I think it's time for bed."
The girls hugged their aunt telling both 'Good Night' walking up the steps to their bedrooms.
Tink and Mingo went towards the patio doors for an evening call. Ranger slid the sliding glass doors open, the female dog gave him an extra sniff before following her brother into the backyard. Stephanie was filling the coffee pot and placing oatmeal cookies on a plate.
"Are you ready to place your house up 'for sale'?" She was giggling at her crazy Grandma Mazur.
Ranger strode around the breakfast bar. "No, I like the neighborhood and I like my next-door-neighbor more," he said quietly cradling her face in his hands. The kiss was gentle and he felt Stephanie returning it. It deepened and when they finally broke apart, each was gazing in the others eyes.
The plate of cookies only had crumbs on it and the coffee mugs were empty. Stephanie and Ranger sat on her sofa in the great room talking. In between there were kisses. Ranger glanced at Tink's nose resting on his shoulder and the dog sighed. "I'll give you a bottle of the bath gel Ella buys for me."
Her grandfather clock chimed causing the Bad Ass Cuban to look at his watch. It was 2 O'clock. "I better go so you can get some sleep."
Neither Stephanie or Ranger were paying attention to the time as they sat together enjoying each other's company.
"Thank you, Ranger, for my evening. I enjoyed it so much."
"I did, too, Babe," he whispered before his lips met hers. "Lock your door," he said kissing Stephanie one more time before he went down her few steps and sidewalk. He beeped his Porsche open and drove it through the open garage door going up in the Colonial house next-door.
She turned the locks on her front door and the glass chandelier went off. Walking up the stairs, Stephanie's fingers were touching her tingling lips. They were warm and so was her heart. The cracks were healing, the ache in it was fading, and the beats of her heart were for another.
The night air echoed as Stephanie closed her eyes, "You found each other."