Got exposed to COVID and despite testing negative two days ago, yesterday I had a pretty nasty bodyache (nothing new there) but today I woke up feeling worse. So, I'm home for the time being.
Since my brain is mush today, I decided to see if I had anything that was ready to publish. The only thing is this short that for some reason I never released. So here you go. It's a two parter. If there's more typos than usual, oops!
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.
Stephanie's POV
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed when I saw what came in with our new shipment.
"What?" Maria asked as she peered over my shoulder to see what I was looking at. She's got about an hour left in her shift, so I'm sure she's glad she'll be out before the heat really hits today.
"It's a Tastykake!" I pointed out with an exaggerated flourish.
"Yeah, so?" Maria asked as if she didn't get why I was so excited.
"I haven't had one of these in a long time." I reminisced, memories of my old life flashing through my mind in rapid succession.
"Why are you excited?" Rhonda asked as she came in with another box for me to stock. "They're gross."
"They are not!" I defended as I filled the shelves near the cash register with delicious Tastykake after Tastykake. We only got a variety of mini donuts, Butterscotch Krimpets and Koffee Kakes. Yum!
"Yeah, they are." Maria pipped in. "They're dry." She added with a disgusted grunt.
"And they're super sweet." Rhonda felt the need to throw in after bringing me yet another box of junk food.
Ignoring their playful banter was difficult, especially because it made time fly. "It's an East Coast thing." I thought it was my best comeback seeing as I had no support. I've got no back-up out here.
"And you're in the West, Babe." My head jerked up at the sound of that familiar masculine voice.
Even as I whirled around to look at the person I could sense standing behind me, my heart was beating wildly in my chest. It couldn't be him.
"How can I help you?" I finally stammered out as I rounded the counter, working real hard not to hyperventilate as I neared the register.
Without a word, Ranger stared at me for several long moments. I was forced to do the same, getting a load of him in street clothes. He looked real good in painted on jeans and white T-shirt.
I'm sure he was cataloging me intently too. Not that I've changed much physically these last several months. Okay, so I lost some weight and my hair's a bit frizzier than usual today. This damn heat doesn't help my poor rebellious hair despite straightening it often.
"Fifty on number one." Ranger said, his dark eyes still tracking my every one.
"Alright. Anything else?" Of course he'd luck out on the pump closest to the entrance. I'm sure he finds this extremely hilarious. I noted the irony when I started working here. In Jersey, I didn't have to pump my gas and here I work at a gas station. Yeah, the irony.
But that's why this was the perfect place for me. I've been able to hide out for over three months here. I guess it seems fitting that just when I've fallen into a routine of sorts, my old life comes knocking.
"And this." The tip of Ranger's mouth lifted with his patented half grin as he placed a TastyKake on the counter. As I scanned the Butterscotch Krimpet I noted that he chose my favorite out of the newly stocked options. The tension between seemed to ratchet up several notches as he paid. "Thanks." He flashed me his full megawatt smile before he moved towards the exit.
"Wait!" I found myself shouting after him despite my best efforts.
"Yeah, Babe?" Ranger's strong hand was already on the door handle, yet he still turned to look at me.
"Uhm, you forgot your TastyKake." I muttered dumbly, waving the pastry to give my trembling hands something to do.
"No." Ranger shook his head minutely as he flashed me another smile. "That's for you. Enjoy, Babe." With a wink, he walked out and ambled over to a shiny black Jeep. How he managed to keep it spotless despite all the dust in the middle of the desert, I'll never know.
"Damn, that man is fine." Maria pointed out, practically shoving me out of the way so that she could get a better look of Ranger pumping gas.
Ignoring Maria's infatuation, I went back to my tasks.
The day progressed as it normally did. We're basically right off the highway, in the middle of nowhere, so we tend to get quite busy in the day time.
My meal break was almost over and I'd yet to eat my Tastykake. With a resigned sigh, I tore into the plastic packaging and pulled out one of the Butterscotch Krimpets. The first bite was heavenly. It tasted just like home.
The second bite, however, wasn't as easy to swallow as the first. The gals were right, these aren't as tasty on this side of the country. The dryness made the pastry almost inedible.
"Maybe it's the shipping." I said to myself, discarding the remainder of my dessert. The transport times have to be the reason why these don't taste like they did back in Trenton.
Rhonda was waiting for me to take over so that she could go home for the day.
"I left your envelope in the back office." She said to me as she gathered her things after I punched back in. "If Mikey is late, let me know so that I can adjust your pay." Rhonda reminded me, knowing all too well that Mikey can be late on occasion when he's scheduled on the overnight shift.
"Will do." I nodded as I watched her exit.
The main reason I have for working here is getting paid in cash. I've made sure to leave as little paper trail as possible since I left Trenton six months ago. Plus, no one's shot at me here. The anonymity is great.
"Hey, April." Mikey greeted me after only being half an hour late.
When I started driving, I had no real direction or plan. I just knew that my life was never going to change if I stayed in Trenton. My life was stagnant and after my last disaster, I reached the end of my rope. So, I packed up a few things and just drove. When I finally found where I wanted to settle it was April, so that's the name I go by now. The old Stephanie stayed in Jersey. I had to leave her behind, along with everything and everyone else.
"Hey, Mikey." I filled him in on what he needed to take over as I selected my punch card and punched out. Yes, Rhonda isn't on a techier system, which was great for me.
"Got it, Dudette." I found myself smiling at Mikey. He reminds me so much of Mooner.
"Bye, Mikey." I gave him a finger wave as I grabbed my purse and envelope from the back office.
As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but note the shiny new Jeep parked beside it. The muscular man leaning against my driver's side door wasn't such a surprise. With a sigh, I continued walking. The crunch of the gravel was a nice distraction from the pounding in my heart. Of course, the distance has done nothing to change how I feel about Ranger. What a shame.
"You should go home, Ranger." I said as I opened the trunk to reach for my go bag. See, I learned a few things from the Rangemen. My time here is done. He's found me.
"Babe." Ranger didn't budge. I knew he wouldn't, so I kept walking. I've been preparing for this.
"Stephanie." Ranger's tone brooked no argument.
With a grunt, I turned around to face him. Might as well let him say what he came to say.