I know this has been a long time coming. Please, forgive me. FTLOB and the summer outdoors thing has been impeding in my FanFic writing. I hope to be done with the publishing process of FTLOB book 2 in a few weeks, and then I will set my sights on Stephanie and her crazy life. I hope you like the chapter.

THE RANGER THING

The first two weeks after we returned from our honeymoon were bearable. Bob was happy to be back with us, even though Anthony tried everything to keep Bob. He didn't even mind that he chewed things up because it was mostly the kids' things that he destroyed. After we got home, Bob chewed up the beautiful hand-crocheted purse that Joe had bought for me in Jamaica. I was so mad; I actually considered giving Bob to Anthony. I was sitting on the couch crying over the loss of my purse when Bob trotted over to me and licked my face. I looked up. My eyes met his big, happy, brown eyes and I hugged him.

I visited with my parents and Grandma Mazur. I showed them all of my pictures and Grandma managed to get a synopsis of our sex life during the honeymoon. She seemed pleased to know that my pregnancy didn't inhibit my sexual appetite. Now that she was in a relationship, sex had become a priority to her, so much so, that she had talked her partner into investing in Viagra.

"If that husband of yours decides he's not in the mood, give him one of these." She rooted around in her purse until she found the prescription container with the Viagra. She opened the container and dropped a pill into her hand. "Here, take it!" she insisted.

"Grandma, why are you carrying your boyfriend's Viagra in your purse?"

"You don't think I want him using it on someone else, do you? Last night, I was at the Webster viewing—you know old man Webster, he used to keep any ball that landed on his lawn."

"Right, he lived down the street from Joseph."

"Yep, that's the one. He was ninety-four years old; still had his own teeth. He was a fine horse. They say he was hung like one, too."

"Please tell me you didn't peek in his pants."

"Never got the chance. I walked up to the casket, and Barbara Harrison tried to steal my man with a brownie! Imagine that! I dragged him out of that funeral home as fast as I could."

"If you can't trust him, then why stay with him?"

She shook the prescription container. "You have any idea how hard it is to find a man over seventy who can still perform?"

"Mother!" my mother scolded as she entered the kitchen. "Put that bottle away!"

"Oh, you're just jealous because that cranky husband of yours won't take the magic pill."

"He doesn't need a magic pill. He's got plenty of magic in him."

I clapped my hands over my ears. "La la la la la la la! I don't want to hear this!" Thankfully, I heard the Ducati pull up. "Excuse me." I rushed out the front door and met Joe as he was coming up the walkway. "Save me!" I cried as I threw my arms around him.

"What's wrong?" He sounded concerned.

"I've been with my mother and my grandmother for three hours. What do you think is wrong?"

Joe laughed. The rest of the evening went as expected. Grandma grilled Joe about using the magic pill. Joe reminded grandma that his stuff was working just fine, and that once he got his already pregnant wife home, he intended to practice for the next kid. I blushed, as did my mother. My father shoved another forkful of pot roast into his mouth.

That night, Joe kept his word. We practiced—a lot!

I had to admit the sex was great, but after the first week of visiting everyone and showing them the pictures from the honeymoon, and telling the same story over and over again, it got old. I bought a cook book, and I made some simple dishes using the crock pot that we had been given as a wedding gift.

It seemed that cooking really wasn't so hard if you put your mind to it. The reality was cooking and housekeeping didn't really excite me. I was bored. When I got an unexpected call from Ranger, my heart skipped a beat.

"So, you've been married for two weeks and you've forgotten all about me?"

"Ranger! No! Of course not! I just figured you'd be too busy down there fighting off all those beautiful Latino girls to have time to think about me."

Ranger chuckled. "Need I remind you that Miami is a job, not a vacation? Did you think I'd be spending my days sitting on a beach?"

The truth was I did picture him sitting on a beach in his black board shorts and mirrored Ray-Bans surrounded by hot women in bikinis vying for his attention.

"Um, no." The insecurity was evident in my voice.

"Babe, I haven't even left yet. I had some business in New York that I had to deal with. I don't leave until the day after tomorrow."

"Can I come see you?" I asked a little too eagerly.

"Sure, maybe you'd like to hang out on the beach with me."

"It's December."

"And?"

"And it's forty degrees out there."

"Not in Florida."

"Right, you're going to fly me to Florida and what?—steal me away from my husband?"

He chuckled. "While that doesn't sound like a bad plan, I was thinking more realistically. I thought I'd fly you down for the day."

"Right. By the time we get there, it will be time to come back."

"Not if we took a private plane."

I figured he had to be joking, so I played along. "Really? That would be awesome!" I gushed.

"Babe."

I wasn't sure what he was alluding to with his "babe" remark. "What?"

"I wasn't kidding."

"When was the last time you took a day off?"

"When I went to Atlantic City, remember?"

"Right, so you could sleep with that waitress. Why spend time on the beach with me? After all, I'm married and pregnant, not exactly fit to sunbath with the likes of you." It was a sad attempt at a guilt trip on a man who held no guilt.

There was dead silence on the other end.

"Carlos?"

"Let me see if I can clear my schedule for tomorrow."

"Really? You would do that for me?"

"If you only knew the things I've done for you. I'll call you back."

"When?"

"Later."

As I hung up the phone, my adrenalin shot through the roof. I didn't know what to do with myself. I plopped on the couch and turned on the TV, but I was too pumped up to pay attention. I needed to get out. I took Bob for a walk. That was only a temporary fix. I called Joe. He was too busy to talk and said that he'd be home late. Married two weeks and my cop husband was already putting in the long hours. I decided I needed a road trip. I had been using Big Blue as my ride this last week and a half since Joe and I returned from our honeymoon. I jumped in the car and drove on auto-pilot to the Rangeman building. I pulled up to the parking garage and was granted entrance. After parking next to the SUV, I made my way to the elevator. I still had the fob for the seventh floor. I hesitated and then pushed number five. As the door opened, I was greeted by Tank.

"What brings you here, Mrs. Morelli?"

"I missed you," I said cheerfully.

"You missed me?"

"Sure, I haven't seen you since the wedding."

"You know, Ranger's not here."

"Oh—well—I didn't come just to see him," I said coyly.

Tank smiled. "Right. Well, it's been really busy. I don't know that I'll have much time to chat with you. I have to man the computer since Ranger let Esposito take a week off before shipping him to Miami. I need to hire someone, but I just haven't had the time."

"I could work for you!" I blurted out.

Tank's eyes met mine. "Really? You'd work for me? You know that Ranger will be in Florida."

"I know."

"What about Morelli?"

Shit. Joe would be pissed. My face conveyed my disappointment. "He doesn't have to know."

"So what are you going to tell him you are doing for eight hours a day?"

"Um—I don't know. Maybe, I could tell him that I'm going back to school."

"School? For what? Don't you have a degree in something?"

"Oh, Tank! I'm so bored! I have to do something! Maybe I could work part time for like, I don't know, five hours a day—from nine till two—at least until you can hire someone."

"That might work."

I flung my arms around Tanks neck. "Oh, thank you!"

"I have to clear it with Ranger first."

"No problem," I said, assuming Ranger wouldn't object.

"When would you be able to start?"

"Right now!"

"As much as I admire your enthusiasm, I can't start you now, but you can watch me if you want—to see if it's something you'd want to do."

"I've done this job before, remember?"

"Oh, right…"

I followed Tank back to the cubby where Esposito worked. I saw Vince across the room. I smiled and waved to him. He gave me a nod, acknowledging my presence. Tank pulled a chair from another desk and placed it next to the chair he had been sitting in.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down.

He returned to his seat and unlocked his screen. "I'm doing security checks on employees at an office we are investigating. The office manager thinks one of the employees is pilfering petty cash and assorted items from the kitchen."

"What kind of items?"

"Well, they have an employee who orders the kitchen supplies, like plates, paper towels, coffee, sugar—stuff like that. This employee says they are going through the supplies at an alarming rate. Another employee claims she had fifty dollars stolen out of her wallet. Oh yeah, and there's a jar that is used as a party fund. All the employees contribute when they can. I'm told that most of them throw a dollar or two in on payday. The bills seem to be disappearing from the jar."

"So don't leave the jar out," I replied. "That's easy enough."

"True. It's not a huge amount of money. The point is someone's a thief, and the partners don't want a thief on their payroll. It's the principal of the thing. The actions of one can spread, and before you know it, others think they can get away with it, too."

"Okay, so throw a camera in the kitchen." It seemed like a simple solution to me.

"Can't. The partners don't want the employees to feel like they're being watched."

"Jesus! So, put a mole in there."

Tank looked at me with a deadpan expression. "You see any women working here?"

"You mean the office is all women?"

"With the exception of the doctors, yes."

"Doctors?"

"It's a doctor's office—a large practice with twelve physicians—surgeons."

"Oh hell, I could do that."

"I thought you weren't supposed to be chasing down miscreants."

"What miscreants? This is a petty thief. All I'd have to do is get in there and mingle with the help."

"Well, first you have to make sure Ranger is willing to take a chance with you being pregnant and all. You look cute with your little belly, by the way." He shot me a shy smile.

"I look fat," I said bluntly.

"You look pregnant."

I suddenly remembered that I had agreed to let Ranger take me to the beach—and here I was looking like a fat cow. I pulled out my cell phone and began searching my contacts.

"Who are you calling?" Tank asked.

"Shhh!"

No sooner had I placed the phone to my ear, he answered. "Yo."

"Never mind. I don't want to go to the beach."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Babe."

I spilled my guts. "That's just it. I'm not a babe anymore. I'm fat," I lamented.

"And?"

And? Did he just say 'And?' He thinks I'm fat, too. I hung up.

"What's wrong?" Tank asked.

"I told him I was fat and he said, 'And?'"

"Oh."

Tank's phone began to ring.

"I should answer that," he said cautiously.

"Right."

Tank put the phone to his ear and was silent for a few seconds. "She's here…I think she wants a job…uh, huh…sure, boss."

Tank disconnected and turned his attention to me. "He wanted to know where you were."

"Why would he ask you? Are you still tracking me?"

"For your safety only."

"What did he say?"

"He said to keep you here. He's on his way in."

"Did he sound mad?"

"Ranger never sounds mad."

"Crap. He's mad. I just know it."

Tank chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"You married Morelli, and you don't seem to be worried about him being mad if you take this job, and yet you're upset that Ranger might be angry that you hung up on him."

"Well, I'm not upset about Joe because I'm not going to tell him I'm working."

"You think that's a good idea?"

"I think that's a great idea. After all, I'm only going to be working for a few weeks, maybe a month at best before you find a replacement, right?"

"I guess."

"I also think that I should get out of here before Ranger shows up."

"Why?"

"I'd like to buy a little time to give him the chance to cool down."

"Why, exactly, did you hang up on him again?"

"Because I was going to go to the beach with him, and then I canceled because I'm fat, and I don't want him to see me in a bathing suit."

"Um….it's December. I don't think you'd be wearing a bathing suit, more like a parka."

"He was going to fly me to Florida for the day."

"So, you hung up on him?" He was clearly not getting the picture.

"When I said I was fat, he agreed."

"I'm confused."

"He wasn't supposed to agree."

Tank shook his head. "I'm glad I'm single."

"I thought you were going out with that Indian girl. What was her name?"

"Sachi. Yeah, we broke up. She didn't like my cats. She said I spoil them. I told her they spoil me."

"One day you'll find a lady who will love your cats as much as you do."

"I'm okay if I don't."

"Don't you want to get married and have a family?"

"Sure, I guess."

"You don't sound very sure about it."

"Well, my mother is in Florida. She would be upset if she couldn't see her grandchildren."

"You could move her up here."

"She'd never move to New Jersey. Besides, I miss Florida."

"Then why don't you run things in Florida, and then Ranger could stay here?"

He leaned close. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course."

"That's kinda the plan. Ranger is going to get everything running smoothly in Miami, and then he is going to send me there to run the operation, but only if I can prove myself here, first."

"So he's coming back?"

"There's a good possibility."

"Okay, I really have to go."

"Stay."

"No. I hate when he's mad at me." I got up and headed for the elevator. I turned to Tank. "Talk to him about the job. Tell him I'll call him tomorrow."

"Will do."

I hugged him and stepped into the elevator. I pushed the button for "ground floor" and settled back against the railing. I stared at the numbers on the display and blindly watched the numbers descend. My mind was on Ranger. What the hell was I thinking? Going to Florida with Ranger? For a day? Who does that?

As the number hit one, I pushed away from the railing. I stared at the number on the display and watched it change as the elevator descended to the parking garage. I was eager to get out before Ranger returned. The doors slid open, and I was face to face with the most gorgeous and impeccably dressed god—only this god wasn't smiling.

As soon as he saw me, he grabbed my arms and forced me backward into the elevator. "Mrs. Morelli, where are you going in such a hurry?"

The scent of Bulgari wafted over me.

"Um, I have to cook dinner?" I said meekly.

"A domesticated Stephanie. Now that's a thought that will keep me up at night." He paused, waiting for my reply. When I had none to offer, he continued. "Why are you looking for a job?"

"Um…I wasn't, really."

The doors to the elevator slid closed, and he released me. "So—this is good-bye then."

I felt pain at his statement, and my face didn't hide it.

"We can still do something tomorrow," I said in an effort to salvage the situation.

"I was actually looking forward to the beach."

"I—I can't."

"Because you're fat."

I could feel the blush on my face.

"Stephanie, you are not the first pregnant woman I've ever seen. I have a daughter, remember? My wife and I did not split until after Julie was born."

"Yeah, but…"

He caressed my face with the back side of his fingers. "You're beautiful."

"I'll feel self-conscious," I said in my defense.

"I won't let you."

I felt my nipples go erect. Ranger smiled. "Babe."

"Okay! I'll wear a cover-up."

He brushed my hair behind my ear. "Wear your bikini."

"Um…"

"Please."

"I won't embarrass you?"

He leaned in close. His lips were only inches away from mine.

"Okay, I'll wear a tankini."

"No tankini. I want to see a strip of cloth here…" He ran his fingers across my breasts and managed to graze my nipples. "And another strip here…" I backed away before he could touch me again. He lips curled into a smile, and he quickly suppressed it. He was definitely enjoying watching me squirm. "So, how's married life?" he asked casually.

"Good," I squeaked.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure." I was completely tongue tied. I loved Joe, and I was happy in my marriage, but Ranger knew just how to push my buttons. I stepped out of the elevator, and the doors started to close. I stared at Ranger as he stood with his arms folded across his chest. The doors closed, and he was gone. I breathed in a deep sigh and trudged back to Big Blue.

I opened the door, and there was a single pink rose on the seat with a card. It read, "I missed you."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. While I was on my honeymoon, I didn't miss anyone. I was as happy as a lark with my Italian stallion. I didn't miss Ranger until Joe went back to work, and I was left alone. I felt good that I loved Joe enough to forget Ranger, but I felt like shit because now I wanted Ranger to fill the emptiness I'd felt over the last week.

I was driving to the supermarket debating on whether or not I was just using Ranger to fill my own needs. As parked my car, my phone rang. I had a text message from Ranger. It read, "Don't let me down. After tomorrow, I'm gone."

A lump rose in my throat. I couldn't stand him up. I bought what I needed for dinner and rushed back home. I went into the bedroom and began pulling my swimsuits out of the dresser drawer. Too skimpy—tankini; he said no. I pulled out another. Polka dots? I'd look like the polka dot elephant toy on Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! I pulled out another bikini. It was a thong. What was I thinking when I bought this? I finally grabbed my purse and headed back out the door. I dialed my phone.

"Hello?"

"Connie! I need your help!"

"What do you need?"

"I need to buy a swimsuit—a bikini."

"A bikini? You're five months pregnant."

"I know. That's why I need your help."

"Didn't you just get back from Jamaica?"

"Yes, but I wore tankinis."

"Why on earth do you need a bathing suit?"

"Ranger wants to fly me to Florida tomorrow for a day at the beach, and he requested that I wear a bikini."

The phone went silent.

"Connie?"

More silence.

"Connie?"

"You're fucking with me, right?"

"No, I'm not."

"You are a married woman."

"I'm not going to sleep with him. I'm going to spend the day on the beach."

"And where exactly are you going to sleep after this day on the beach?"

"He's flying me back. I'll be sleeping with my husband."

"You're out of your mind. Do you know that?"

"He's leaving after tomorrow, maybe for good." I knew better, but I hoped I could convince her to see it my way.

"What about Morelli?"

"What about him?"

"He's your husband. Were you planning on telling him?"

"I already have." I waited for her to call my bluff.

"He agreed to that?"

"Sure, why wouldn't he?"

"His arch nemesis wants to put you on a plane and fly away with you, and he's all right with that?"

"Connie, he trusts me."

"Honestly, I don't know who's more crazy, you or your husband."

"Are you gonna come with me or not?"

"Sure—in about an hour? Vinnie's out of the office."

"I'm coming for you now."

"Jesus. What if I had said no?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't."

I arrived at the bond office, and as soon as I walked in the door, Lula was on me.

"Hey, girl! Where the hell have you been? I missed the shiznet out of you!"

"I've been playing the domestic goddess. I visited with my family and with Joe's. I wrote my thank you cards and I cleaned my house. I've cooked dinner everyday for a week. I'm bored out of my skull."

"Well, girlfriend, let's go out to eat."

"No, I can't. I'm on a mission."

"Ooo! A mission! I'm down with that!"

I shot Connie a look.

"Lula, Stephanie already called me to go with her. I need you to hold down the fort while I'm gone."

"That's cray. I'm not the office manager. I shouldn't have to stay."

"No, I'm the office manager, so that means I get to give the orders. You're staying." Connie got up from her desk and grabbed her purse. "And the only thing "cray" around here is you." I followed her to the door before Lula could protest further. Connie pulled open the door and walked into Mattie.

"Stephanie!" He rushed past Connie and hugged me. "Look at you! You finally look like you're pregnant."

I should have been flattered, but I wasn't. I was—depressed. Before I could answer him, Lula once again vaulted her way into the conversation.

"Good. Mateo, you can watch the office. I'm going with them."

"That's not in my job description," Mattie shot back.

"It is today!" Lula growled.

"When do I get to see Stephanie?" he asked.

"In a couple of days, we'll do lunch, okay?" I answered sincerely. It's not like I wanted Lula to come with us. I just didn't feel like hearing the repercussions if she was left behind.

We went to the mall and all the major department stores had no swimsuits. After all, it was December. Who buys swimsuits in December? Finally, I asked a young clerk in Macy's where she would go if she needed a swimsuit. She suggested PacSun. Thank god! They had suits. Lula pulled practically every suit they had—for herself. Why she was trying on bathing suits, I couldn't tell you. At least, she didn't wear my size, so the ones I needed were still on the rack. Lula and I were in adjacent fitting rooms. Connie sat outside and waited for the parade to begin. I tried on the first suit. It was white. It had metal rings on the hips and the top was a halter. My arms and legs were tan, but my torso was creamy white.

I stepped out of the fitting room and stood in front of Connie. Her eyes practically bugged out of her head. "No," she said flatly.

Lula stepped out of her room wearing a bright pink number that hugged her body and her fat rolls jiggled. She took one look at me and burst out laughing.

"You're belly looks like a spotlight!"

"Yeah, well you don't look so hot yourself!" I shot back.

"What are you talking about? I think this looks great on me! Look at my ass, it's the bomb!"

More like a bomb shelter, I thought to myself. I turned to Connie. "What am I going to do?"

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'd either wear a tankini or a one piece. Just tell him that Morelli didn't want you traipsing around in a bikini."

I sighed deeply.

"Go try on the others, and I'll go look on the rack for a nice one piece."

I tried on the others, but I wasn't happy about any of them. Connie returned with three suits. I tried on the first. It was a simple white suit. It was low cut in the front and high cut on the legs. It was actually pretty elegant. It sorta reminded me of my wedding dress. The second suit was black. It was strapless and had a gold V-shaped metal clip at the bust line which kept the breasts from sagging. The last one I didn't particularly care for—probably because it was pink. Of, course, Lula loved it.

I decided on the white bathing suit, and Lula decided she would wait till spring before buying a suit. "No use buying a suit I won't be able to fit into when I lose fifteen pounds after the holidays," she declared.

We went to Cluck-in-a bucket and ate. The problem was it was close to dinner, and I was supposed to cook. I didn't want to eat another meal, and it seemed pointless to cook for Joe if I wasn't going to eat. I decided to buy a meal "to go" for him.

By the time I dropped the girls off and headed for home, it was already five thirty. My phone rang as I pulled away from the office. It was Joe. He sent me a text. "I'm home. Where are you?" It said.

I went straight home. Joe was lounging on the couch with a beer watching the sports channel football update.

"Hey, gorgeous. Where you been?"

I sat in his lap and placed my arms around his neck. "I was out with Connie and Lula at the mall."

He draped his arms around me. "I smell chicken."

"We ate at Cluck-in-A-Bucket. I brought you some."

"Good because I'm starving."

"Well, you can't have any until I get a kiss."

Joe leaned to my lips and gave me a sweet peck.

"No, a real kiss."

"Cupcake, you know if I kiss you like that, I'll want to eat you instead of the chicken."

"I don't know why you'd want me at all. I tried on bathing suits today and I was mortified."

He creased his eyebrows. "Why were you trying on bathing suits?"

"Well, I saw Ranger today. You know he's leaving for Miami the day after tomorrow."

"I heard he was expanding the business."

"Uh huh. He said he wanted to take me to the beach as a last hurrah."

Creases appeared in his forehead. "What the hell are you talking about?"

I smiled weakly. "Ranger's going to fly me in a private plane to Florida for the day. We're going to hang out on the beach."

"Whoa!" He pushed me off of his lap. "Are you out of your friggin' mind? No!"

I tried to get back in his lap, but he stood up and loomed over me.

"It's just for the day!" I said in my defense.

"NO!"

"Joe, come on. You're not being fair!"

"Stephanie, this is not open for discussion. There is no fucking way in hell I am going to let my wife get on a plane bound for Miami with Carlos Manoso!"

"You can't tell me what to do!" I barked back at him.

"The hell I can't. You are not leaving this house tomorrow."

"What are you gonna do, lock me in?"

He threw his hands in the air. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because he's my friend…"

"Lover!" Joe screamed.

"Past tense!" I screamed back. "Honestly, I didn't think you would react like this. I thought you trusted me!"

"Are you going to stand there and tell me that you have no physical urges when you are around him?—because I sure as shit know he has them when he's around you!"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Uh huh! See? I was right. You are not going."

"Whatever. I'm going to bed."

"You know if I said I was flying off with Joyce Barnhardt, you'd flip out, too."

"Joyce Barnhardt is nothing but a whore!" I snapped. "Are you calling me a whore?"

"If the shoe fits, baby."

"Fuck you," I growled. I grabbed my purse, my keys, and my new swimsuit.

"Where do you think you're going?" Joe asked.

"To get laid." I stormed out of the house.