Chapter 38—Lunch with Julie

Ranger and I walked hand in hand on our tour of the house. The lower level contained a huge media room with a gigantic plasma TV and a beautiful wet bar covered with the same black granite as the kitchen counters. Right outside the sliding glass doors was an amazing, naturally landscaped swimming pool with rock ledges on the sides and a waterfall at the end. "Omigod, what a beautiful pool," I exclaimed.

"We'll take a swim later, Babe. Swimming is good exercise." Yeah, right. My idea of swimming is to sit in one of those floating chairs sipping a tall drink with a little umbrella and lots of fruit.

The rest of the house was gorgeous, three more bedrooms on the main level, each with its own bathroom, and a large, fully equipped office on the other side of that third door up in the master bedroom.

Ranger looked at the bed and then at me, and then at his watch. "It's going to take almost an hour to get to Julie's, Babe, and it's nine o'clock now. Do you want to go for a swim before you have to start getting ready?"

"No, Soldier, you go ahead and do whatever you want. I'm going to take a shower and wrangle with this mop for a while. The humidity is hell on my hair."

A little while later I emerged from the bathroom in my robe with a towel around my hair and wandered out onto the high balcony. The sea air was invigorating and there were sailboats skimming along on the bay. Walking out to the railing I looked down and saw Ranger in a tight black Speedo, swimming laps, every muscle in his body clearly defined and rippling as he cut through the clear blue water.

Oh my, I thought, watching his ass flexing under the stretchy black suit, licking my lips, my nipples hardening, feeling that little buzz between my legs. Maybe I should have taken a swim after all.

I closed my eyes for a second to try to clear my head, then, with one last longing look at my Soldier, the love of my life, I went back into the bedroom to get dressed.

oOo

At promptly twelve noon we pulled up in front of a nicely maintained medium-sized tract house in a middle-class suburb of Miami. We were driving the Jaguar again. It was in the garage when we exited the front door, moved there by magic, apparently, after we arrived last night. Standing in the bays next to it were a black Mercedes and a black Porsche Cayenne, plus a silver Toyota Camry that Ranger said belonged to Lena and Jorje.

I was starting to see a pattern in Ranger's car ownership. I wondered if the garages in Boston and Atlanta also housed a Mercedes, a Cayenne, and a fancy sports car.

Ranger wanted to bring the Mercedes to give Julie more room in the back, but I convinced him that she'd much rather be squished in the tiny backseat of the Jag with the top down. He didn't really understand the workings of the mind of an eleven-year-old girl.

I'd fought with my hair and the Florida humidity for a half hour before finally giving in and French braiding. For the windy ride I rammed on a white Florida Gators cap that I found on Ranger's side of the closet. It coordinated nicely with the natural colored three-inch sandals, orange tank top, short tan skirt and matching tan lightweight hooded sweater I was wearing.

Ranger was corporate casual in black Dockers, a cream silk t-shirt and a gorgeous black lightweight silk jacket to cover his shoulder holster. He looked amazing, but then he looked amazing in everything, or especially in nothing at all.

I left the cap on my seat as we exited the car. Ranger grabbed my hand on the way to the front door. If I didn't know that nothing fazed Batman, I'd think he was a little nervous.

Just as we walked up onto the front stoop the door opened and Julie was there. "Hi, Ranger. Steph, it's really great to see you. When did you get here? How long are you going to stay? Where are we going for lunch?"

"Whoa, hold on a second, young lady." Rachel appeared in the doorway behind Julie. "I need to talk with Carlos and Stephanie before you leave." She smiled at us. "Please come in for a minute."

Ron met us in the hallway and we went into a very neat living room furnished with comfortable fittings. Ron nodded at Ranger and then turned to me. "It's very good to see you again, Stephanie."

"Yes," Rachel added, "and we'd like to thank you again for all you did for Julie last year. We realize that if not for you…" Her voice trailed off.

Ranger and I were sitting on the couch with Julie sitting next to me. "I just did what I could," I said to Rachel, "but you're welcome." I put an arm around Julie and gave her a squeeze, saying, "It's so great to see you again, sweetie. I think you've grown at least three inches since last year."

Julie looked exactly like a feminine version of Ranger, except for skin that was two shades lighter. She was beautiful, even at that awkward pre-teen age when so many girls are going through extreme gawkiness. It was easy to see she'd be fighting off the boys with a club in another couple of years.

She'd bounced back remarkably well after the kidnapping last year. I knew from Ranger that she saw a psychologist several times, but she hadn't suffered from nightmares, flashbacks, or any of the other symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. She'd inherited more than her looks from Ranger, apparently, exhibiting an unusual toughness for such a tender age.

Julie was bouncing up and down. "Where are we going to lunch?"

Ranger answered her with a question. "Have you ever been to Calle Ocho, chica? Little Havana?"

"No, but I've heard of it. Is that where we're going?"

"If it's okay with your mom and dad."

"Of course," Rachel answered.

"Can we go now?" Julie asked.

We all looked at Rachel. With a smile and a small sigh she nodded.

As we arose Ranger asked, "What time do you want her home? We'll probably do some sightseeing after lunch."

"Whenever you get tired of her is fine," Rachel answered. "Anytime this afternoon. We'll be here."

We hopped in the car and I gave Julie an elastic ponytail holder to keep her long, straight hair from flying around too much. Waving at Rachel and Ron in the doorway, we took off into another world.

oOo

We started with a traditional Cuban meal at Versailles, which sounds French but is one of the most famous Cuban restaurants in Little Havana, attracting locals and tourists alike. Ranger's fluent Spanish came in handy, and he ordered a huge selection of delicious spicy foods. We ate and ate, and I was glad to see that one thing Julie hadn't inherited from Ranger was the healthy food fanaticism.

I went to the ladies room after lunch, and when I came out Ranger and Julie were huddled together. I hesitated, studying the matching profiles, the two dark heads almost touching, the silky straight hair. My heart ached with sadness for them both, having to wait until a tragedy brought them together to begin to develop a real relationship. And I felt a vague longing deep in my womb for a son or daughter that looked so much like the man that held my heart.

Then the two identical faces saw me and two identical smiles appeared. I smiled back, hoping they both could feel my affection, my love for them.

After lunch we walked down Calle Ocho, Eighth Street. It was an interesting place, and Ranger showed me a side of himself that I'd never suspected. The man of few words was apparently a teacher at heart, and he told us a fascinating series of stories, interspersing Cuban history with the personal reminiscences of his parents and grandparents. I think he said more words that afternoon than in all the time I'd known him.

I was charmed, and it was easy to see that Julie was, too. She walked between us, holding both of our hands and asking innumerable questions. She was particularly interested in hearing about Ranger's family, her aunts and uncles and cousins that she'd never met.

She'd met Ranger's parents just once when they visited Miami and accompanied Ranger to one of the stiff annual visits several years before. She told him she'd really like to see them again, and he promised to fly them down sometime during the winter to visit.

The afternoon was wearing on, and Julie and I were both getting tired.

"One more stop," Ranger said, "but it's on the way to the car."

He paused in front of a small sidewalk café and chose a table. "Babe, Julie, sit down. I'll be right back." He disappeared inside and came out with a bottle of water for himself and two tall, citrus-y drinks for us. We sipped. Mmm. Like a mojito without the alcohol.

"Babe, would you mind waiting here for a few minutes? Julie and I have some business to attend to."

Ranger capped his water bottle, Julie abandoned her half-full glass and they disappeared hand-in-hand down the street. I wondered for a moment what they were up to, but soon relaxed and sipped my drink, thinking about what a lovely afternoon it had been. I must have drifted off for a minute, because the next thing I knew they were sitting down again.

"Happy birthday, Steph," Julie said, handing me a small white box with a bright red ribbon around it.

"How'd you know it was my birthday, sweetie?" I asked. "Is someone telling tales behind my back?" I gave Ranger's hand a squeeze.

"Never mind, just open your present." Julie was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

I opened it to find a necklace on a leather thong. The necklace had several pink quartz beads and silver discs on each side of an old coin in an enameled setting. It was unique and beautiful.

"Oh, Julie, how gorgeous! I love it! Thank you so much!" I gave her a hug and as I released her she grinned and pulled an identical necklace out from the neck of her Hannah Montana T-shirt.

"Ranger bought one for me, too. These are genuine old Cuban coins, twenty centavos. They were designed by Jimmy Quiroga, a famous Cuban jewelry designer. Ranger knows him."

"Help me put it on, sweetie." Julie fastened the necklace around my neck.

"Ranger said it's to remind me of my Cuban ancestors, and to remind you of the Cubans who love you." She leaned close to my ear to whisper, "That's Ranger and me."

I hugged her again. "And I love you both, too. What a perfect present and a perfect day."

"And now it's time for the perfect ride home," Ranger said, holding his hands out to help us up.

Both Julie and I fell asleep in the car on the way back, waking to Ranger's soft voice telling us we were there. We all got out of the car and I hugged Julie tight, thanking her again for the beautiful necklace and telling her I hoped I'd see her again soon.

She turned to Ranger to thank him for the nice day and the necklace, spontaneously reaching up to give him a hug. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her to his chest and holding her tightly.

"We'll see you again soon, querida. I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too, Ranger," she responded, her arms tight around his neck, and he kissed her on the cheek before setting her down.

Apparently possessing that mother-daughter radar, Rachel was standing in the doorway waiting as Julie raced up the walk. "Guess what, Mom, we saw a bunch of old guys playing dominos, and we ate Cuban food, and Ranger bought me this necklace with a real old Cuban coin, and…" Her voice trailed off as she disappeared into the house, and with a wave to us and a smile Rachel followed her inside.

We climbed back into the Jag and headed for home. As Ranger shifted through the gears I said, "Thank you for a wonderful day, and for your part in getting me this beautiful necklace."

He took my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the palm and then holding it on his thigh. "No, Babe, I need to thank you. Today I felt like a real father. For the first time, Julie and I found a connection, and that's completely thanks to you."

"Carlos," I began, but he interrupted.

"Don't be modest, Babe. You really care about people, and it brings out the best in them. Your love brings out the best in me, and I'm forever grateful."

Tears were pooling in my eyes and I blinked to keep them in. My voice was thick with them as I answered him. "You're welcome, Soldier."

TBC