Eyes to Remember Chapter 32 "Bad Guys and Pillow Talk"
Leaving the fair to get ready for the evening dance and fireworks, Stephanie's troupe picked up a few pizza's to take back to the cabin. Allie fell asleep the minute Stephanie buckled her in her booster seat. Julie and Katie were all ga-ga over 'Midnight'. Katie missed riding regularly like she and Stephanie did in Denver. That's why Stephanie was so excited about the 'Y's horseback camp for her.
Everybody pitched in setting out the paper plates, pouring drinks to help because of Stephanie's injured hand. Ranger carried Allie into the cabin and laid her on the bed. Sparky tapped a paw at the storm door to come back in the cabin after his pee call and crawled up next to Allie. Hobo was stretched out on the back of the sofa.
"Did you three have enough towels, pillows, and blankets last night?" Stephanie asked them.
Tank told her, "Oh, yeah, Bomber. Now if we could do something about Lester's snoring."
"He kept me awake in the bed," Bobby confirmed, "and stole the covers."
"I do not. I slept like a baby. That bed is the best. Boss, I need a new bed in my apartment."
Ranger just raised an eyebrow continuing to eat his pizza.
Bobby smacked Lester, "That's because you had all the covers! You get the sofa tonight. It's me and Tank in bed."
"I'm straight. That didn't sound too good," Tank huffed.
"Steph," Julie spoke up, "will we be coming to the cabin more so you can ride Midnight?"
"I'd like to. I need to spend time with her," Stephanie looked at Ranger. "Who knows, we may need more horses if Julie and Carlos enjoy it once they learn."
Julie was surprised, "Dad, you'll learn too?"
"It's that or I'm sitting around the cabin waiting missing out on the fun."
Bobby, Tank, and Lester were laughing, "Cowboy Ranger."
Tank continued chuckling, "Are you going to get spurs that jingle jangle jingle? And chaps?"
Stephanie got a rush, Ranger in chaps and nothing underneath except hard, solid Cuban man. "Oh," she moaned and got a shiver.
"Too much for you, Babe?"
"I'm going for a shower," Stephanie giggled before anyone questioned her about her mental images.
Bobby instructed, "Put a plastic bag over your hand, Steph, so the bandage doesn't get wet."
"Well, isn't this great!" Stephanie grabbed a plastic bag waving it around walking to the bathroom. "How am I going to get mascara on since I'm right handed. Screw Ben Hampton up the flag pole and back down. You don't mess with a girl's mascara hand!"
"Think Stephanie a little upset now?" Tank asked them.
Ranger, The Merry Men and the girls cleaned up the kitchen. He opened the bathroom door, Stephanie was still muttering about "mascara and taking a whip to Hampton." He pulled back the shower curtain and stepped in with Stephanie.
"Babe," chuckling.
"I can't go out with smudged mascara."
"You're too much," rinsing the shampoo out of her hair. Then applying the conditioner. She calmed down almost becoming mush as Ranger's large hands began to soap her up and down.
Stephanie was lost in the shower leaning her back against Ranger, the soft water gently spraying down on them, his hands caressing all over her body. She never heard the bathroom door open. Stunned didn't even describe the moment when the shower curtain moved. Allie was standing there eating a piece of pizza.
"I get a baff," putting down her pizza on the small stand Stephanie had near the tub to hold bath gels and candles, then pulling off her clothes.
Ranger stiffened behind her, "Babe?"
"I'm thinking," Stephanie was trying not to laugh. "Stay behind me. When Allie gets in, jump out as I cover her eyes."
The shower curtain moved as Allie crawled over the side of the claw foot bathtub, noticing Ranger behind her mother.
"Mommy, there's a boy in her," peaking a little around Stephanie, "and he's naked!"
"I needed help because of my hand, Princess. Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Because," Stephanie cupped a hand over her daughter's eyes.
Rushing to get out of the tub, Ranger slipped on some soap bubbles. "Ouch!"
"Are you OK?" Stephanie asked through the shower curtain.
She could hear a thumping around, "Yeah, I stubbed my toe."
Ranger wrapped a towel around himself stepping out of the bathroom. Standing there rolling with laughter were Tank, Bobby, and Lester. He got the feeling they were set up.
Stephanie got the mascara on finally holding her right hand in a rigid position and moving her eyelashes to the wand. Slipping on her dress, she knew she would need an expert male hand.
"Mommy, I like that," Allie said referring to the blue and white striped strapless summer dress with a full skirt. The bottom border had blue circles. To make it easy tonight, Stephanie pulled her hair back in a ponytail.
"Boy Toy! I need some help!" she called.
Ranger was instantly at the bedroom door smirking and giving Stephanie a mock bow, "Boy Toy, at your service."
"Can you zip me?"
His eyes went instantly dark as Stephanie turned to him holding up her strapless dress.
"Babe," kissing her neck letting his hands roam over her form then he saw Allie sitting on the bed. "Let me zip you."
Stephanie giggled at the change in his tone, lustful to hand caught in the cookie jar.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Before the candy toss along Main Street, which Katie, Julie, Allie, Tank, Bobby, and Lester all had in hand their bags, they walked through the game booths. Lester stopped at a banking machine to contribute more money and test the lips of new co-eds at the kissing booth.
"It's a good cause," Lester said after kissing both girls in the booth, "raising money so there's a booth next year."
Ranger started to laugh with an evil tone to it, "Didn't you get the e-mail, Santos, your scheduled to work since you were off this year."
"Don't tease me like that," Lester had a look of anguish on his face. "you'll destroy their fantasies about me."
"In that case, Lester, maybe Stephanie's Grandma will work it next year," Bobby called to him.
Tank added insult to the injury saying, "She'd pay by the grope," on his way to play BINGO. He won another apple pie for having four corners.
Passing more games, Allie let out a high pitched shriek, "It's my bunny monster," referring to a blue long haired bunny with floppy ears and crossed-eyes.
Ranger handed the man running the 'High Striker' strength game a dollar. He picked up the sledge hammer, he swung it effortlessly, the dinger flew up the scale ringing the bell.
Jumping up and down in circles, Allie was cheering, "The bunny monster!"
"Is this really what you want?" Ranger said with a raised eyebrow holding the odd looking and ugly blue bunny slightly smaller than Stephanie's daughter.
"He's cute. Thanks," kissing Ranger on the cheek before hopping off with the crazed bunny.
"She's happy," Ranger chuckled looking at Stephanie.
Next, Bobby tried and rang the bell. Julie picked a white unicorn with long tail and mane. Lester won Katie a black horse just like Midnight. Ranger looked at his woman with a sly glance, grabbing her roughly to him so she let out a squeal.
"What do you want, Babe?"
Stephanie giggled, "The beagle puppy with the sad eyes."
A crowd had gathered watching the muscled men test their strength. Ranger squeezed Stephanie tighter to him giving her a toe tingling kiss. There were "Oohs" and "Aahs" heard about them.
"I need extra strength."
He swung the hammer contacting it on the spring block sending the dinger up the scale a second time to ring the bell. "Ring!"
The man handed Stephanie her puppy.
"My hero!" kissing Ranger seductively on his cheek.
Out of the crowd, they heard, "I know them! Eat me out of restaurant!"
Stephanie waved to Mr. Kim peaking through the people,
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Kim."
"I prepared."
Next was finding primo spots on Main Street for the candy toss. After Allie went to the bathroom at Gracie's, she lined up next to Lester in front of the store on the sidewalk.
Getting out of her spot, she ran to Ranger shoving the bunny monster in his stomach, "Here hold him," giving two dimples, "Please."
"She's pushy but polite,' Ranger snickered shaking his head at Stephanie holding up the crazed stuffed animal.
So there Stephanie and Ranger stood watching as all six children collected candy. Lester kept checking the toddler's bag so she didn't get more than him. The merchants and political leaders tossed Tootsie Rolls, lollypops, Peanut Butter Cups, peppermints, and colored taffy. It was Halloween in July.
"Babe, they're grown men," Ranger said watching his three friends scooped up cand stuffing it in their goodie bags.
"They're having fun."
A large horse drawn hay wagon was coming down the street with Bud and Beth driving the team with members of the Farmer's Association handing out popcorn balls.
"I love these!" Lester remarked as he shoved his in his bag.
Bud called, "Allie, want a ride?"
She nodded after getting Stephanie's approval. Tank lifted her in the front sitting between their friends.
"Hop up, Girls."
Julie and Katie climbed in the back sitting on the hay bales with Bud's grandsons and some other farmers. Allie waved to her mother and friends as they pulled out.
"I'll meet you at the end," Stephanie told her little girl.
Just as Stephanie and Ranger started down the sidewalk with the Merry Men and bags of candy, a young man in blue jeans and t-shirt approached asking, "Are you Mr. Manoso?"
"Yes."
He handed Ranger an envelope and walked away. Opening it were the purchase receipt and registration papers for "Murdock Mountain's Lady of the Lake."
Stephanie read the papers a couple of times then looked at Ranger, "She's a four year old registered Arabian."
"Enjoy her, Babe."
Kissing him, "Thank you."
Meeting the girls at the park entrance, Stephanie handed Bud Midnight's papers, "Bud, look."
He let out a whistle, "The blood line she comes from is one of the best in New Jersey. A brother of hers is a big money winner racing in New York. Another horse in the bloodline is a top show horse in the three state area. Honey, if you ever breed her, those offspring will be worth money."
"I just want to ride her."
"Come on, Babe, let's make some baby horses," Ranger whispered in Stephanie's ear.
She turned to look at him but images of Cuban babies in Cowboy hats and diapers riding ponies entered her head. Instantly sucking in her breath as it turned to a neo-natal nursery. He felt her stiffen momentarily then relaxed after she exhaled. Ranger made a mental note to ask Stephanie about it later.
The street was cleared so the wooden dance floor was brought out and latched together. A Country Western band was warming up on the sidewalk to start off the Main Street dance.
Allie snatched her bunny monster from Ranger, "Thanks,' flashing him a smile. She grabbed Stephanie's hand, "Mommy, we got to dance."
Stephanie , Katie, and Allie dragging Julie with them showed her the steps for the Western line dance that was going on. Ranger chuckled watching Allie shake her little but when they turned. He danced all the slow songs with Stephanie.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile:
Watching in the shadows of a building was a seething Ben Hampton. He couldn't believe it. Ranger Manoso was in love. As long as he knew him in the Army, he never attached himself to any one woman. Manoso bedded his share, but that was it. Back at his farm, he did a quick search on Stephanie Plum discovering some old lingerie modeling photographs from shows and the reference to the magazine for which she was the creative editor.
He took another swig of his umpteenth beer of the day since the race. Before the night was over, how was The Great Manoso going to feel about her after he got through with Stephanie Plum.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Between a break in the Main Street dance, people made their way to the park for the fireworks. Earlier, Stephanie and Katie had put a couple of blankets down on the bleachers to mark the group's spot. With his arm around Stephanie and her head on his shoulder, Allie was snuggled on her lap, they watched the fireworks. By the Grand Finale, Allie was asleep.
Before heading to the Hummer, Katie wanted to go to the bathroom. Stephanie told Ranger to stay with Julie and the guys. Tank was holding a sleeping Allie against his massive shoulder.
"We'll be right back. You can see the bathroom."
Against his better judgment, Ranger stayed put on the bleachers like Stephanie said. He saw the building by the ball field and the two on them enter. He watched for them to come out and waited a few more minutes thinking it must be crowded. Then he heard shouting as he started walking towards the bathroom, "Fire! Fire! Carlos!"
Stephanie and Katie were coming out of the side door of the bathroom chattering about the day. Never seeing the man standing in the shadows until hands were dragging them around the building. She recognized a slurring Ben Hampton's voice and smelled the alcohol on his breath. In what little light there was, Stephanie saw his angry face as she tried to determine if he had any weapons on him before unleashing her fury. Giving a frightened Katie a quick glance trying to reassure her they would be OK.
"Well, it's a shame you aren't alone, Pretty Stephanie," Ben Hampton said. "I wouldn't want your daughter watching as I collect something for my horse."
"You're hurting me!" Katie yelled as he jerked the hand that was holding Katie's arm.
"I'll hurt you more after I'm done with her," pulling Stephanie to him with his other arm. Just as his lips were making contact with Stephanie's, she raked the nails on her free hand down his face.
"You, Bitch!" Ben screamed at Stephanie. He let go Katie to protect his face then swung it to strike the beautiful woman but she blocked it.
When he let go of Katie to protect his face, Katie was able to land a kick with all the force she could muster on his knee despite her shaking. He sunk down on one knee.
"Go!" Stephanie yelled at her.
The young girl backed way and yelled at loud as she could, "Fire! Fire! Carlos!"
His grip on Stephanie had broken. Taking a step back, Stephanie's low sweeping kick made contact with the side of his face.
"You made a very big mistake, Mr. Hampton.," Stephanie hissed. "You messed with my children!"
Her wedge sandal made contact whipping his neck and set him flying, landing at Ranger's feet as he came running around the back of the building gun drawn.
Katie was sobbing, tears flowing, "He wanted to hurt you."
Stephanie's arms were around the crying, shaking girl, "We're OK. I'm so proud of you. You didn't panic. Remembering what you were taught."
Lester and Bobby, for the second time of the day, were cuffing a now unconscious Ben Hampton. Tank with a sleeping Allie and Chief Baylor were coming around the bathroom.
"He grabbed us coming out of the bathroom," Stephanie explained looking at the handcuffed form letting out a slight moan on the ground as he was coming to.
Chief Baylor was kneeling beside Ben Hampton calling for the paramedics on his radio. "From the looks of it, I'd say you broke his jaw," grinning at Stephanie. Ben's face was slightly misshapen on the side Stephanie kicked. The gashes on the other side were bleeding.
"His knee may be dislocated. Katie landed a pretty good kick," still hugging the girl, her crying almost stopped.
"I'll need both of you to make statements tomorrow. Go home now and try to get some sleep. I'll take care of him."
Ranger putting his arm around Stephanie kissing her hair, "Babe, are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine."
A sleepy Allie stirred on Tank's shoulder. Trying to focus, she saw the man on the ground. Letting out a yawn, "You kicked butt, Mommy."
Once back at the cabin, Stephanie settled Allie in bed after putting on her nightshirt. Tucking her scruffy puppy in beside her and setting the bunny monster at the bottom of the bed on the trunk. She shut off the light and went up the stairs to check on Katie.
"I can't believe you knew what to do?" Julie told Katie as they were laying on the bunk beds.
"Stephanie showed me and Allie some defensive moves since we traveled a lot with her to different places."
"I'm proud of you, Katie," Stephanie sat down on her bunk.
Ranger agreed, "You did good."
Katie looked at Stephanie trying to form a question.
Stephanie thought she knew what she was questioning, "I didn't start to fight back right away because I was trying to determine if he had any weapons. I didn't want to do something that caused Ben Hampton to hurt you. My objective was to get you out of there unharmed," Stephanie was wiping tears from her cheeks.
"Why did Katie yell 'Fire'?" It was Julie's turn to ask questions.
"A self defense expert said people will react more at the word 'Fire'. So, that's what Katie and Allie were taught to yell if someone was trying to hurt them to get attention. Try and get some sleep, Sweetie. It's all over. We're safe. If you need me, I'm downstairs."
Stephanie kissed both girls tucking them in. She turned out the lights, but left the nightlight on in the bathroom just in case Katie woke up scared.
Once at the bottom of the stairs, Ranger took Stephanie in his arms kissing her like he would never let her go. His hands started at her face and slowly worked their way down her body checking for himself there were no new injuries, that she was in one piece.
"I thought you were gone too long. When I got to the bathroom and it was empty, then I heard Katie's scream, my heart stopped."
"This wasn't how I expected our evening to end," Stephanie started crying letting out her fear. "I didn't want him to hurt Katie. Even drunk as he was, I didn't know what Ben Hampton was capable of doing."
Ranger let out a low chuckle trying to lighten the mood even though he was wound tight, "Ben hasn't had too good of a day either around you Plum females. Kicked in the nuts by a little girl, knee dislocated by a pre-teen, and a broken cheek by the shoe of their gorgeous mother. To top it off, he's going to jail!"
Stephanie 's lips curved in a small smile, but letting out an exhausted sigh, "Let's go to bed."
Laying quietly in Stephanie's queen size bed, not saying a word just watching each other for long minutes taking in the details of each other's features. Ranger broke the silence, "How's your hand?"
"Tender, but I'll live."
She saw the tension around his dark eyes as they were back watching her. His muscles were taunt, not relaxed. Before Ranger could say another word, Stephanie put a finger to his lips, then kissed them gently.
"Don't blame yourself."
"I should have gone with you. I would have finished him off completely," dryness in his tone, the anger just under the surface was subsiding.
The crystal blueness of Stephanie's eyes was like watching the ocean for the calming effect they were beginning to have on him.
Stephanie didn't want to dwell on the bad points of the day. Right now she chose to ignore them because a day without denial is a day you have to face. Tomorrow would be soon enough, she and Katie would give their statements, but tonight she wanted to lose herself in the man laying with her. To go to sleep happy, contented with an after sex glow.
Ranger could see the merriment entering her eyes.
She looked at her hand, "I think Mr. Hampton owes me a manicure." Then poking Ranger in the chest and giving him her best Spanish accent, "What's this 'MINE' Stuff I keep hearing from you?"
A strong hand cupped her ass cheeks bringing her closer to him, "You're mine! All mine!"
"Pretty sure of yourself. Well, aren't you cocky!"
Ranger looked down his body, "Yeah, Babe, I am. And, I bet I can get you to scream my name a few times."
Giggling at the now lusty expression in his eyes, the very confident grin, "Really?"
He grabbed Stephanie and flipped her under him in a blink of an eye.
"Carlos!"
"That's one."