Eyes to Remember

Chapter 47

"A Rescue Mission: Rub A Dub Dub, Three Rangmen in a Canoe"

Stephanie was giggling since coming back to the cabin with groceries; Ranger was starting up the grill. That big Cheshire cat grin was still on his handsome face. He kept checking the photographs on his cell phone of the antique cars.

"I don't want to burst your bubble, but horses need fed and watered everyday. We're in Trenton and can't be coming up here everyday to take care of them. Another thing, I don't have that kind of money sitting in my bank account to pay for half."

He gave her an astonished expression, "Babe, you're my Cavewoman. I take care of you. We still need to perfect that Caveman sex thing, but we got lot of time for that." He was chuckling at that.

"As for the money, buying the whole farm enchilada isn't going to make a dent in my bank account not even so much as a zero." He flicked his wrist for emphasis opening his cell phone and dialed. "Is this Tom? Carlos Manoso. I have a job offer for you. You run the farm now. How much did Hampton pay you? Benefits? You're married and a baby on the way. If I upped your salary by 5,000 with medical, dental, vision benefits, and you continued to live in the cottage, would you stay on if I bought the farm? You would be employed by Rangeman, my company. I'll know tomorrow. See you then," he tossed his phone in the air and caught it in his right hand snapping it shut. "Monday through Friday is taken care of, that leaves the weekends."

"Sure of yourself, aren't you? Getting a little cocky there, Boy Toy?" Stephanie let herself be pulled up from the rocker on the porch.

"A lot cocky. Let me show you," whispering in her ear, lips trailing down
from that point and lower.

"I take care of myself, you know. I don't need horses, a log house, or things. Only someone who wants to be with me."

Warm lips were on Stephanie's long neck, "You, only you." Ranger's right
arm was wrapped tightly around her as their lips met her arms around his
neck.

"Maria, I think we're at the right place," laughing at his youngest son in
a lip lock with Stephanie. They never heard a car or Ranger's parents get out of it.

"Grandma, Grandpa!" Julie called laying down the badminton racket pausing the game she and Katie were playing.

Maria hugged her, Katie, and Allie, "We can come back if Ricardo is occupied."

Ranger smirked at that, "Momma!"

"Dave's always kissing my Mommy," Allie let her know waving an arm at them.

Stephanie picked up her daughter, "How about we show our guests the cabin?"

"How are you, Stephanie Dear?" Maria and Emilio hugged her before Ranger
held opened the screen door. Sparky and Hobo led the parade inside.

"Come in. Make yourself at home." Stephanie told them.

"This is so cozy," Maria said as she took in around the cabin from the entry way.

"You and Emilio will have this bedroom," directing them into the smaller bedroom. "Carlos and I will sleep on the sofa bed, the girls will get their apartment upstairs, and my parents can have my bedroom. The guys will sleep in the motor home."

"We don't want to put you out. My husband never moved so fast to get me out of the house. Stephanie, you are a good luck charm. I haven't seen this much of Ricardo since he lived at home."

Ranger gave her a raised eyebrow, "Momma."

"It's true, Ricardo!"

"Here's the bathroom and there's one in the loft. Extra towels in here and the linen closet," she waved to it in the small hallway. "Also, I have a washer and dryer if you need anything washed."

"Look at that tub," Maria squealed at the claw foot tub.

Allie ran in the cabin, "My Gampy's here!"

"Move the cars. We can line them up in front of the motor home," Stephanie
tossed Ranger her keys.

Frank parked the monster motor home in the driveway. Julie and Katie were running with the garden hose to connect to the outside faucet.

"What a way to travel," Ellen announced coming down the steps.

"Everything OK, Daddy?"

Frank nodded and kissed his daughter, swung his precious granddaughter
around, "How's my Princess?"

"Gampy, we saw a 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' car."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

Once the cars were moved, Stephanie got in the driver's seat and backed the
motor home between the cabin and the electric pole.

"She parallel parked a tractor trailer when she learned to handle one for a
magazine article," Frank told the Manoso's as they watched. They saw the
motor home shift as the stabilizers leveled it automatically. Katie and
Julie connected the hose as Stephanie pulled the electrical cable to the
box. Sparky was looking out a motor home window and the cat was sprawled across the dash.

"Oh my," Maria came out of the motor home, "it's better than a hotel."

"We're taking a trip in it, Grandma, in a few a couple of weeks." Julie explained

"I can see why Stephanie lived in that."

Frank told Emilio, "We were never crowded driving across the country and she towed her car."

Ranger's father was watching the activity around the motor home, "Frank, I can say I've never met a young woman who is so gutsy," watching the automatic awning unfold from the RV.

"She's always been like that. Jumped off the garage roof when she was little because she wanted to fly. I'm proud of everything she has accomplished. Most particularly, this little firecracker," rubbing his cheek in Allie's hair.

"Gampy."

"Guess what I brought? You fishing rod."

Her blue eyes wide with excitement, "Mommy, me and Gampy's going fishin'!"

"Well, I better start dinner then, Princess."

Julie ran over to Maria Manoso, "Grandma, you don't know, Dad and I are going to live with Stephanie, Katie, and Allie."

"Really?" Ranger's mother couldn't hide her excitement as she looked in her son's face. He was finally settling down.

He saw that glee in his mother's expression, "Babe, let me help you," following his woman towards the cabin.

"Daddy, can you and Emilio bring the picnic tables over from the shed and sit them on the level?" pointing to the area in front of the porch. "No, heavy lifting for you," kissing Ranger's cheek.

"Babe, I can use my right arm," heading to the shed with both fathers.

"What can we do to help?" Ellen asked with Maria.

"For dinner, I was grilling ribs and potatoes. Do you want to make coleslaw, Mom? Maria, I'll get out the picnic tablecloths and dishes, if you could set the tables?"

Coming around the corner of the motor home was Edna Mazur.

"Grandma!"

"Oh, I forgot we dropped her off at the store with Wally," Frank was watching his mother-in-law swinging her purse, a cat that ate the canary smile on her face.

"Hey, Baby Granddaughter, after dinner, Wally's taking me for a canoe ride. I'm glad I brought my bikini."

Looking to the sky, Stephanie's father hands shaking upward, "Why me?"

"Grandma, you can take one of the bunks in the loft with the girls."

"Who's sleeping in there?" tapping the bumper of the RV.

"Tommy, Bobby, and Lester.'

"I can bunk with them," wiggling her grey eyebrows.

Ellen was looking at her mother, "You will behave yourself. The last few nights the police have been involved in your shenanigans."

"Lighten up, Daughter," Edna turned to Frank, "you need to take her for a long ride in that hot sports car to settle her down. Put a tingle in that doodad."

Blushing, "Mother!"

"We'll, I'd like some in mine," walking up on the porch. She nodded to Ranger, "Was I right? He's knows stuff that you and I can't even imagine. His package big?"

Maria was giggling at the horrid face her baby child was making. Stephanie whispered something in her Grandma's ear that no one could hear.

Edna glanced over and down, "Really?"

Stephanie giggled at her.

"I got to get me some. Think Wally would put out? If not, I'll try Lester."

Ranger doubled over at that.

The racks of ribs had dwindled. Three men was sitting in chairs around the fire smoking cigars, drinking beer, and drooling over the antique cars after dinner. Frank, Emilio, and the girls were going fishing. Allie had on her pink fishing vest with cowboy hat ready to go. Stephanie, her mother, and Maria were sipping Sea Breeze Punch from pretty floral goblets.

"This is good, Stephanie," her mother was sipping her pink drink.

They could hear a vehicle getting closer and a black Explorer pulled in next to the motor home. Doors opened and Tank, Bobby, and Lester jumped out.

"Hey, any left for us?" Tank asked hugging Stephanie. She walked over and lifted the top of the grill showing the warming racks of barbecue ribs and potatoes.

Lester picked up Stephanie, twirling her around, "You're the best. I'm still better than him," pointing to his relaxed boss.

Ranger's hair was loose, faded cotton tank hanging out of his jean shorts, bare feet, smoking a cigar, and a bottle of beer on the ground beside his Adirondack chair. "She's mine, Santos."

Stephanie brought out plates, silverware, the coleslaw, and lots of napkins as the guys sat down at the picnic tables. Before Tank started, Ranger handed him his cell phone.

Seeing the picture of the roadster, "What's this?" his best friend asked.

"My new car. It's included in the sale of Hampton's farm."

"Whoa, can I have a ride?" Bobby was looking at it, a rib already in his mouth.

Lester saw the turquoise and white Bel Air, "That's a girl magnet. Bobby and I could pick-up a few girls in that. When can we take it out?"

"We're meeting with the estate agent tomorrow at 2," Ranger said to three messy faces.

Grins tainted with barbecue sauce, "We're in."

"Tomorrow, Mom and Maria, if you're interested, Murdock is having their summer sidewalk and big garage sales. The girls and I are going."

Maria and Ellen looked at each other then nodded at Stephanie.

"We're in, too," the Merry Men said collectively.

Looking over her shoulder at Frank, "Maybe I'll be able to find some things for the new kitchen."

"Of course, Dear." His eyes got suddenly wide and his cigar fell out of his mouth, "What is that?"

Tank started choking on the coleslaw, a mouthful flying out onto the table.

"My bikini," Grandma said from the porch. She had on a bright orange bikini. The top had under wire cups but didn't help much with the sagging. Her stomach was hanging over short orange boy shorts with skinny chicken legs. The lace cover-up was unbuttoned, but hid the skin hanging under her arms. Over her pink curls was a wide brimmed yellow beach hat with a big orange daisy flopping on hit. White slip on sandals. "What do you think?" twirling around.

Sweet, innocent Allie ran over to her, "Gammy, you look nice. I like that."

"Me, too," Stephanie said stifling a laugh.

Everyone else was in shock.

"Edna, you look hot!" Wally came across the yard from his house.

Grandma held up a beach bag, "Baby Granddaughter, I took the rest of the punch you made for me and Wally and glasses so we can have some refreshments. You might want to make more."

"Ok, Grandma. You two have a good time," watching them walk down the path to the lake.

Coming out of his trance, Frank yelled, "She's insane, if Edna thought she looked good in that. Lord help the dead. Did Wally suddenly go dumb and blind? I need a lot of fishing and beer to forget that."

Frank and Emilio were gathering the fishing equipment together with the girls.

"Listen to Grandpa, Allie," Stephanie kissed her before she bounced down the path holding her grandfather's hand. Sparky in the lead and Hobo following the minnow bucket.

"We can take care of these three, why don't you and Ricardo go enjoy yourselves," Maria said as the stack of cleaned rib bones kept growing.

Ranger got up and put his sneakers on his feet. "Go for a walk, Babe?" taking her hand.

"Ok, I'll show you the cabins for the Rangeman picnic."

Walking hand in hand, Stephanie and Ranger headed in the opposite direction along the lake.

Coming back a little later, no one was at the cabin but they could hear rather loud excited voices coming from down by the lake, so they headed in that direction.

Frank and Emilio were holding their sides laughing. Julie and Katie were pointing at something with the grandmothers. Sparky was barking. Hobo was watching fish in a bucket.

"Frank, we have to do something?" an animated Ellen said.

Allie came running over, "Dave, you got to save Lester! He's my friend!"

"What's going on?" Stephanie asked.

"Your Grandma and Wally," Frank had tears in his eyes from laughing, "are stranded on that island. The canoe got loose and floated away."

There was a small island out in the middle of the lake. They could see two people standing waving hands.

"Wally called for help with his cell phone," Emilio tried to continue. "Those three," pointing to Tank, Lester and Bobby sitting in a slowly sinking canoe bailing water out with their boots, "decide to have a rescue mission. 'We're professionals' they yelled."

"They didn't listen to Wally. He said the not to use the blue canoe as it had a leak," Frank said as Emilio was laughing too hard to talk. "They come running down the path with the canoe over their heads, jump in the water yelling 'We're professionals. We can rescue you'. They paddle out and it starts taking on water. Bobby stood up in it to bail water, Lester pushed him out. So there they are. The water is cooling off since the sun is going down."

"Dave, you got to save Lester," tears threatening to fall from the little girl's eyes.

They were watching the Merry Men dumping water out.

Ranger was laughing as hard as Frank and Emilio, "So the rescuers have to be rescued. They were going to rescue Grandma and Wally with a three person canoe with a leak. Five people in a three person canoe. Babe, I told you they work off a collective brain. Right, professionals! Maybe with the Village Idiot's Guild. So, how do I rescue them?"

Stephanie was trying to calm Allie and not laugh at the three in the sinking canoe and the two on the island. "Wally has an inflatable raft with a motor. Let's go get that," handing Allie to her mother. "We'll be right back."

Stephanie, Emilio, Julie, Katie, and Ranger ran up the path to Wally's house. She got the motor out of his shed, checking it had gasoline, and a life jacket. Julie, Katie, Ranger, and Emilio were carrying a yellow and black inflatable boat. They put it in the water next to the boat dock and Stephanie attached the motor. People were standing watching along the edge.

Ranger was shaking his head. Stephanie put the life vest over his head. "Your shoulder is healing."

Kissing Stephanie, "I can't believe I'm saving those three," pulling the cord to start the motor. He heard a noise behind him. Sparky and Hobo jumped in the raft.

"They want to help," Stephanie kissed him back, and then pushed the raft out in the water.

The raft made its way to the canoe. Tank, Bobby, and Lester jumped in the water and climbed over the side of the raft. Tank had the rope to pull the canoe as Ranger turned the raft back into the shore. He maneuvered to the side of the dock so the three shivering idiots could get out.

"First load," Ranger said as he headed to the island with Sparky barking and Hobo watching the water.

"Lester, you're OK," Allie was jumping up and down on the dock,

Three very big chested young women were coming over to the group. All with

over-abundant implants. The tall blond looked familiar. A small Oriental girl and tall Latin American with beaded braids. As soon as the blonde opened her mouth, Stephanie knew who she was. Charity, Governor Paloma's date.

"We think you three are so brave," she said in her squeaky voice.

Big smiles came over the faces of the three Rangemen.

"Thank you, Beautiful," Lester's wet lips touched the hand she held out.

"I know you," she pointed to Stephanie, "you don't have any walls. Stephanie, right. These are my friends, Tiffany and Amber."

"Hello, Charity. Is Governor Paloma with you? This is Tommy, Bobby, and Lester."

"Hecks no. Me and Tony are warming friends. If his sausage needs warmed, he calls me. We're dancers at 'Paddles n Poles', the bondage and exotic dancer club outside of Trenton. Tiffany's parents have a cabin down the lake,' waving down in the direction of the General Store.

Tank, Bobby, and Lester were all still shivering, but Stephanie didn't think it was because they were cold.

Amber, the Oriental girl, was eying Bobby, "We have a hot tub at the cabin if you'd like to join us and warm up."

They just nodded.

Tank puffed out his chest, "We'd love to join you, but should get out of these wet clothes. You could wait while we change?"

'You're all big hunks," Tiffany took Tank's arm and headed up the path as he indicated with the others following.

Ranger was pulling up to the dock with Grandma and Wally as the six singles disappeared along the wooded path.

Frank helped them out. Emilio took Hobo from Ranger. Sparky jumped out in the shallow water and shook off on the sand.

"Who were they?" Ranger asked.

Stephanie was giggling, "Charity, Governor Paloma's date, with her friends, Tiffany and Amber. All are dancers at 'Paddles n Poles'. The brave heroes are going to hang out in their hot tub down the lake."

Laughing again, "The professionals," shaking his head.

"Thanks, young fella," Wally shook Ranger's hand.

Grandma was hanging out at the dock with Stephanie's neighbor, while everyone else headed to the cabin. The three dancers were sitting around the fire waiting for Tommy, Bobby, and Lester.

Sticking his head out the door, Lester motioned to Stephanie. She nodded and ran into the cabin.

"Dad, want to play Frisbee with us?"

'I remember you," Charity bustled over to Ranger. "You're a looker."

"He's taken," Lester yelled out a motor home window.

Emilio and Frank were laughing as the three friends came hustling down the steps of the RV in dry clothes.

"Are you into that family thing?" the blonde bimbo asked as Ranger tossed the Frisbee to Julie.

In his best Spanish bimbo voice, Ranger told her, "Yeah, that family thing," watching past her as Stephanie had each one of their friends a handful of condoms to stuff in their pockets.

"Don't wait up for us,' Lester called as they headed down the road to the girls' cabin.

"Oh my," Maria was snickering, "bondage dancers. I wonder if the Governor is into that."

"Don't need to know, Momma." Ranger said still throwing the Frisbee with the girls.

Stephanie was snuggled next to her Boy Toy on the sleeper sofa. Grandma was upstairs safe and didn't need to be rescued anymore. A little tipsy from drinking with Wally. Tommy, Bobby, and Lester all came backing one piece wearing smiles shortly after 11 and a plan for a repeat adventure on Saturday night. Allie, with her scruffy puppy and a dreaming Sparky were asleep on the futon in the loft while Julie and Katie in the bunk beds. The parents were all in the bedrooms.

"I love you," Ranger whispered against Stephanie's warm lips.

"I love you," giving it right back to his lips. "Did I hear right tonight, you're doing 'the family thing?" making quotes in the dark.

"Yes, I am and enjoying it."