Frank's POV

I took a break from my regular cab routes today to meet my Pumpkin for lunch. Steph is my youngest daughter, and she's always been the apple of my eye. Don't get me wrong – I love her older sister Valerie – but Steph and I always had a special relationship. Helen and Valerie are two peas in a pod; my Pumpkin is her own person. That's why she and I have always gotten along so well.

Steph told me that she was bringing a young man with her to lunch today, and the father in me wasn't sure what to think about that. My wife has a habit of trying to force men on Steph, and they're never her type. She doesn't need a typical Burg man; she needs someone who will challenge her and help her to fly. I never did like her first husband, but I didn't say anything because I thought she was happy. I won't make that mistake again. Any man who wants to date my Pumpkin needs to meet my standards, and they're damn high.

I pulled into the parking lot at the diner on Main and saw Steph's car was already sitting there. I parked the cab and walked in to find her sitting in the back booth next to a large man with blonde hair and a tattoo on his forehead. Definitely not Burg. Steph stood up when I approached the booth and I wrapped her in my arms, holding on a little longer than usual. I hadn't gotten to spend much time with her lately.

I took advantage of the opportunity to assess the young man with her while I was hugging her. He was tall at probably 6'6" and in good shape. I knew without asking that he was likely military, probably even Special Forces. That might just work. He stood up as I released Steph and dropped my arm around her.

"Daddy, I would like you to meet Cal Holmes. He and I met a few weeks ago and are seeing each other. Cal, this is my dad, Frank Plum."

Cal made eye contact and gave me a firm handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Plum. Steph has told me so much about you," he said as he shook my hand.

"Please, call me Frank. It's nice to meet you as well. Shall we sit?" I asked.

Cal slid back into the booth with his back to the wall and Steph slid in next to him. It wasn't my preference, but I took my seat across from them. I would just have to trust that Cal was watching my back as well as his own. We placed our orders and then I turned my attention to Steph.

"It's good to see you, Pumpkin. How have you been?" I asked.

"I've been mostly good. Happy, really," she said as she blushed and looked up at Cal. Interesting. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close to his side. It would appear that they were fairly serious based on their interactions.

"I'm glad, Pumpkin. How's work?" I inquired. At this her face fell and she frowned.

"I lost my job yesterday. The company was shut down for money laundering and being in bed with the mob. The bust happened while I was at work. Now I need to find something else," she explained.

"I'm so sorry, Steph. Do you know what you want to do?" I know that she has a great number of marketable skills.

"I'm not really sure. I would like something a bit more exciting than sales or being in an office forty hours a week," she answered.

"Are you interested in using your training?" Cal raised an eyebrow in question and I held in my chuckle. She always hated that I could do that and she couldn't.

"Do you think I could?" she asked uncertainly. I hate that she doesn't have more confidence.

"Absolutely. Your cousin is looking for a bond enforcement agent."

Cal's whole face showed surprise at that. "Who's your cousin, Angel?" he asked.

She wrinkled up her nose and frowned. "Vinnie Plum, but I try not to claim him."

"It's a small world. We do his high-risk and violent bonds," Cal answered.

"That must mean you work for Rangeman," I observed aloud. The men who work there are good, honorable men.

"Yes, sir. I hired on there when I retired from the SEALs."

"I was a Ranger myself," I let him know.

"Thank you for paving the way for men like myself, sir."

I nodded to Cal and then turned my attention back to Steph; I never was very comfortable with being recognized for my service. "Would you like me to talk to Vinnie?" I asked her. He's a weasel, but I would do it for my baby girl.

"You know, I think I might like that," she answered brightly.

"Take your time and think about it. You don't have to rush yourself," I assured her just as our food was delivered. We dug into our burgers and then I had a thought. "Will you stay in Newark or try to move back to Trenton?"

Cal stopped eating and looked at her intently. He was obviously very interested in her answer. I know Rangeman is headquartered here in Trenton and doesn't have a branch in Newark, so I could only assume he lived near Trenton.

Steph looked up at Cal and leaned into him. "I think Trenton might be a good thing, depending on where I find work," she said while looking at him carefully. The look on his face told me a lot about his feelings for my Pumpkin. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her.

"Really?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I want to be closer to my dad and grandma, and also to you," she replied with a blush. I need to find out just how serious they are, but from the way it looks I would say they're very good for each other.

He whispered something in her ear and then kissed her again before we all turned our attention back to our food.

"So tell me about yourself, Cal," I said between bites. I needed to know more.

"I'm a Security Specialist at Rangeman here in Trenton. My entire family is near Trenton and I'm very close to them. I have one sister and a niece and nephew who I see as often as possible," he shared.

"You still involved with the military?" I asked him. I suspected as much by his mannerisms and demeanor that he was, but I wanted to hear it from him.

"Yes, sir. I run missions from time-to-time. I am under contract to run one more mission and then it's up for renewal. I don't intend to sign again."

"Why's that?" I pressed.

"I would like a chance to settle down and build a life with someone special," he said quietly.

"It's very commendable that you aren't renewing your contract then. I still ran some missions when my oldest daughter was born. Thankfully, I was fully retired before we had Steph," I told Cal.

We finished our lunches with easy conversation and Cal insisted on treating us by picking up the check. Steph walked toward the restroom and I turned toward Cal.

"You will be good to my Pumpkin, won't you?" I asked him seriously.

"Absolutely, sir. Your daughter is an amazing woman, and I will do everything in my power to encourage her to follow her dreams and see to it that she's happy."

"She needs someone to help her fly and love her for who she is. I'm very good at reading people, and I know you care deeply about her. I believe that you can be that man, son." I reached out my hand and he shook it again.

"Thank you, Frank. I intend to be hers for as long as she'll have me, and I hope that will be a very long time," Cal answered.

"I have a feeling that it will be," I replied just as Steph walked back out. I hugged her and kissed her cheek and then threaded her arm through mine.

"Why don't you walk your old man out to the cab?" I asked her, letting her and Cal know that I wanted a moment alone with her.

"Of course, Daddy," she responded.

"It was nice meeting you, Cal. I hope to see you again soon," I told him.

"It was nice meeting you as well, sir."

Cal walked toward his vehicle and I steered Steph toward mine. "Are you happy, Pumpkin?" I asked her when we were alone.

"Very much so," she answered quickly.

"I like him. I look forward to getting to know him better, but I think he's an excellent partner for you. Make sure you bring him with you the next time you come for dinner; it will be good to have some more testosterone in the house. It will also be fun to see how Helen responds to his tattoo and the fact that he's definitely not from the Burg," I chuckled.

"Absolutely. Thank you, Daddy."

"Of course. Let me know if you want me to talk to Vinnie. Love you, Pumpkin."