Thanks for reading and each and every review you have taken the time to leave me. Lee Anne

Shades of Gray

Chapter 56

Stephanie was watching Mr. Alexander tame her curls in the mirror to sweep up for tonight when lips were pressed against her bare neck.

"Mmmmm, Mr. Alexander, that feels very nice by my very Cuban boyfriend might get a little jealous with the liberties you are taking."

"Babe," Ranger smiled against her neck. He couldn't help the chuckle; Tiana was at a nail station off from her mother having her fingernails polished. Paulo was sitting in the chair next to her with pink sponges separating his toes. Each toe nail was painted dark blue.

"No one will see with my socks on," he looked down at his drying toes, then at the shocked Cuban man.

"Paulo wanted to be pampered, too," Stephanie told him. "What are you doing here, Cuban Man?"

"I had to get out of Rangeman or I was going to strangle one or both of 'The 'Limo Kings'. The new retro 'Skip Mobile' won't start again in the garage. Santos tried to turn the ignition this morning, the cloud of smoke set off the sprinklers and smoke detectors. The fire department came and I think a couple firemen wet themselves laughing at that piece of crap! My mechanic is surfing EBAY for some low bucket seats to swivel and recline for the back and they decided on a mini-bar to bring in the skip just a little happy. Those idiots asked Ella to make some hors d'oeuvres to serve. When is this full moon aura going to be done? I checked, the full moon was last week but it was cloudy!"

"Carlos, it's Trenton. Some things take time."

"Babe, the craziness won't go away!"

"I'm finished with your children, Stephanie. I have time; does your boyfriend want his toes painted?" Gilbert, the nail tech, asked batting his blue mascara tinted lashes at Ranger.

"No!"

"Go with the flow, Carlos," Stephanie said making kissing sounds.

Ranger snapped. "See, the craziness is here, too!" He didn't know what to expect tonight. Bad guys he could predict, but craziness he had little experience with that. Was everybody lemon yellow looney?

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Stephanie tied a very pretty bow with Tiana's red sash and Ranger just finished cinching her son's polka dotted tie. Paulo was wiggling his dark blue toenails he was so proud of in the soft carpeting waiting to put on his shoes and socks.

"Babe, they look perfect," Ranger was taking in Tiana's navy dotted dress; her straight thick hair was wavy for tonight. Even with Paulo and his blue toe nails peeking out from his navy dress pants with red suspenders, they were adorable. And somewhere along the way, they became his.

"Now, I need a little privacy so I can finish so we can leave. I don't want to miss my award," Stephanie was doing little pushing waves with her hands.

"Hey, Cuban Man, you clean up very well," Stephanie licked her lips. Ranger was in a black Armani suit with white shirt and smooth black silk tie. His dark hair was straight just curling at the top of his broad shoulders.

"I'll let you undress me later," Ranger winked as he and the children reluctantly closed the bedroom door.

She took the garment bag out of her closet and new strappy satin black sandals. Her hands were shaking a little as the zipper on the bag came down.

Frank was waiting on the sofa in his suit along with her Grandma in a deep coral sheath, pearls, and a long coral coat with lighter piping all along the front and cuffs. She looked like a normal Grandma until Ranger saw those big white sunglasses in her hand. He guessed her 'unusualness' had to emerge somewhere.

Ranger turned to the staircase hearing the puppy come down the steps and seeing long sheer legs behind Sam.

"Babe."

Stephanie chose a black cocktail dress with short cap sleeves and a deep V-neckline on the lacy bodice. The bottom was plain and tight all the way down to above her knees.

"Baby Granddaughter, I should have gone with sexy black, too."

"You need a little bling," Ranger kissed her bare neck hooking a white gold and diamond lariat necklace with black pearls at the ends around it and held up matching earrings.

"Carlos, it's too much."

His head gave a slight shake, "It's your night to shine. Come on, Cinderella."

Waiting at the curb was the shining black Rangeman limousine and sometimes 'Skip Mobile'. One of his employees was in a black suit holding the door open.

"Woo hoo, I like this!" Grandma yelled sliding in before Frank.

"We could have left her at home and taken the puppy. Less trouble," Stephanie's father mumbled.

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There was a seafood buffet before the ceremony and Cristal champagne going around their table. Mary Lou and Lenny were the remaining two seats at the Children's Author of the Year's reserved table. At the table beside them was the ownership of Green Dog Book Works, Stephanie's pregnant editor, and their spouses with the president of the American Library Association.

Stephanie's award was the last of the evening before the dancing and more socializing began.

"Good Evening. I'm Sidney Green, CEO of 'Green Dog Book Works'. My father founded our small publishing company many years ago in Chicago. A few years ago, a young editor brought a spiral book into my office. The illustrations were colorful and detailed to capture a child's attention. The story of a shy little girl who was given a gift of a white patchwork puppy coming to life captured something in us and a young audience. And, every storybook since has been a labor of love. This little guy," he produced a white dog to sit on the podium, "makes children everywhere happy. I want to read two letters 'Green Dog' received which sum up exactly who Stephanie is and will always be. 'Dear Green Dog Book Works, I want to tell you about an experience I had in Newark, New Jersey. I lost my job and my daughter, Jenny's 'Sam the Patchwork Dog' book is battered and taped. It didn't matter because Stephanie signed it for her just like a brand new one. She helped me get a part-time job at the bookstore which has become full-time and I'm an assistant manager in training now, but Stephanie made sure Jenny had four 'Sam' books and the puppy she sleeps with every night before she left the store to go to another book signing. Her boyfriend paid for them. Not many people would have taken the time to do something so nice, but Stephanie did. Thank you for giving her and her stories to us. Signed Claudia and Jenny.' This letter is from Sister Rita of the 'Santa Lucia Children's Home' by the way of UNICEF. 'Dear Ken, Thank you for your recent visit and bringing me the miracle I prayed for our children, Paulo and Tiana. They had experienced more tragedy in their short lives because of a hurricane. I didn't know how to reach them in their sadness and hoped in the six plus months in my care, I would hear their tiny voices. I was granted that wish the day you brought Stephanie to us. Her simple story of the adventures of that wonderful little white puppy and those stuffed dogs gave Paulo and Tiana their voices. I know through her love and care they will have the home they deserve, grow to do amazing things like their new mother, and I was blessed to be part of that miracle. Thank you for Stephanie and all the happiness your group brought to the children. Signed Sister Rita Hanlon.' On behalf of my family and myself it is with the greatest honor and appreciation for that day your manuscript arrived in Green Dog's office, I present you, Stephanie, this year's 2009 Children's Author of the Year award."

Ranger stood up waiting for a teary Stephanie walking her to the steps of the stage. He kissed her shaking hand before she ascended the four steps amongst the applause and cheers from fellow members of the literary community, Trenton officials, family, and friends.

She hugged her publisher and accepted the golden book statue along with the two letters he read. Standing there, Stephanie's eyes roamed the room as she collected her thoughts and came to rest on the people of her life in the front, and finally on the two letters she held in her shaking hands.

"I don't mean to cry, but Sid you started this," waving the letters in her hand.

The audience laughed at that remark.

"Thank you, American Library Association for recognizing my work. I love writing and illustrating my stories so much. To Sid and Melissa, my heartfelt thanks for taking a chance on an unknown girl from the 'Burg' with a patchwork puppy who had a tale to tell. To all the parents, grandparents, librarians, and caregivers without you bringing my stories to the children in your lives I wouldn't be doing what I love. My niche as my Father calls it. Thank you to every child who has made 'Sam the Patchwork Puppy' a part of their growing years." Stephanie's eyes rested on her best friend sitting at the table. "Mary Lou, thank you for being my best friend since the day we were born. You and your sons were my first audience and my first critics to get that first Sam and Emily storybook just right. Daddy, I'm so lucky I have you. You have always encouraged me and thank you for being my business manager. I know you've had an education in finance along the way."

Frank nodded smiling at his daughter.

"My mother, sister, and I are estranged at this moment, but I need to recognize them as part of my life, too."

Edna Mazur let out, "Phooey on them!" That made Stephanie giggle forgetting her nervousness.

"Grandma, you showed me the way to blaze my own path as you have always done with Grandpa Harry."

She tipped her champagne flute, "Here's to you, Baby Granddaughter, and to my Harry," emptying her glass in one drink.

The audience was laughing.

"Paulo and Tiana," Stephanie voice was breaking, "you are the lights of my life. I am so lucky to have found you. I love my little boy and girl."

They cheered out loud, "We love you, Mommy!"

Her tears falling freely as she came to the man in her life, "Carlos, you were the missing piece of my life that I didn't know I was missing until I met you. You're my one man security force and you have come so willingly on this sometimes crazy, adventurous ride."

"Always, Babe," Ranger mouthed the words to her.

"I love you, Cuban Man. Thank you, everyone, for sharing this with me," Stephanie held up the golden book as the audience was standing to applaud her. She took a step off the stage and into the strong arms swinging her around.

"You're amazing. I love you, Babe," Ranger said quietly before their lips met.

The dance floor belonged to Stephanie and Ranger. They did an elegant waltz and set it on fire with a very seductive rumba. Frank danced a slow dance with his daughter while Ranger did a few turns with her Grandmother fighting to keep her hands up and air between them. Stephanie did dance with both Paulo and Tiana just enjoying their evening together.

His grandson was asleep on his shoulder when Frank got in the limousine and Ranger cradled the polka dotted little girl in his arms as he walked, but for some reason stepping into the parking garage he was on alert. It didn't feel right.

Tiana was on Edna's lap safely in the car. Ranger turned to Stephanie but she was across the driving middle talking with Mary Lou and Lenny.

It was an urgency rushing through him to get her in the limousine. People were walking and starting the vehicles around them so there was a lot of activity. She was about five cars down hugging her best friend by the back fender of the maroon mini-van. Ranger was weaving through a handful of people to get across to the same side; his eyes never leaving her when he picked up an engine louder than it should be.

Stephanie wasn't watching for Ranger when she started across the middle. A couple yelled 'Slow down!" at a car but it was coming down towards their area. She stopped when she heard someone yell.

Running in his expensive dress shoes to get to Stephanie just two cars away from him. "Babe!" He lunged grabbing at her and pulled Stephanie back off balance by her arm with all his strength as the white car whizzed past right where she had stood. It swerved to miss a car backing out and smashed into a blue Jeep it couldn't avoid.

Mary Lou was screaming! "Stephanie!"

Tank, Bobby, and Lester were running from the convention center. Police sirens were blaring. Chaos overtook the garage. Her children were awake and in Frank's arms crying "Mommy!"

"Babe, lay still."

Stephanie was laying on the garage floor, "My head, Carlos! It hurts."

"Get the ambulance!" Ranger yelled as he was wrapping her bleeding hand with his tie and covered her with his jacket. Only one high heel was on her foot. Edna picked up off the garage floor the other crushed by car which almost killed her Baby Granddaughter.