Chapter 36
Live
Stephanie looks around her temporary home. This one-bedroom apartment is smaller than Ranger's but larger than hers. It doesn't have much decoration. Everything inside is simple and sleek. She knows she'll be comfortable here. She wants to walk down the hall and knock on Ranger's door. She wants to explore the whole building. She has tons of questions. But Ranger is downstairs in the office taking care of something, and everyone else, too, is busy. She hates it when she has too much time on her hands but doesn't exactly know what to do. She wants to make herself useful. She wants to help. But she also wants to take a long nap and forget about the faint hint of the non-existing blood inside her apartment. She can't help wondering if it's a mistake to become a bounty hunter. Does she really have it in her to deal with the danger? Is she brave enough? And the thought of Joe Morelli makes her sick.
Ranger has told her about what they've got on Morelli. Every time Stephanie thinks about what almost happened, she feels tainted and slightly ashamed. It's not her fault, that much she knows. Her parents and sister have done their best to make sure her understands she did nothing wrong. It had nothing to do with her smile. It had nothing to with her dress. It was because Joe Morelli was a nasty boy. He's the only one to blame. But whenever she runs into Mrs. Morelli in the deli or the grocery store, Stephanie is always the one to look away first. Mrs. Morelli's eyes makes her sad.
Stephanie sits down on the bed and grabs her phone. Words spread like wildfire in this city. She has to call her parents and tell them not to worry. But now, all of a sudden, she's feeling nervous. What will her mother say when she tells them she's staying with Ranger? She still remembers the day when her mother talked to her about birds and bees. It was beyond awkward. Stephanie was curious, frightened, and confused, but she dared not ask any questions. The look on her mother's face made her want to cover her ears and run away screaming. It was Val who rolled her eyes and explained everything all over again in a calm and almost indifferent manner while their mother sat there looking stunned. Val is always the cleverer and fearless one. Val always knows and gets what she wants. Val is now a full time mother and a loving wife living far far away on the sunny West Coast. Val has her tall black smart handsome husband wrapped around her pinky. A part of Stephanie will always envy her ever so perfect elder sister.
And now Ranger knows about the little history between she and Morelli. She has looked him in the eyes and told him everything. She told him about her pink summer dress. She told him about the smothering summer heat. She told him about her cute apron and the broom. She told him about the sweet scent lingering in the bakery. She told him about the guilt she felt when she saw Mrs. Morelli. And her heart skipped a beat with secret delight when Ranger placed a hand on her face and told her it wasn't her fault. She didn't even know she had tears in her eyes. She just leaned into his arms and let his warmth engulf her. She knows he will keep her safe. She wishes she can tell him she has been in love with him for many many years. She wishes she can tell him she's been waiting for him for all her life.
And she will do anything to keep him safe, too.