Stephanie, Binkie and Edna stayed in LA for another week. Without the heaviness of grief on his shoulders, Binkie relaxed and enjoyed himself. Binkie didn't know how he would tell Stephanie and Edna how much he appreciated their kindness and love. He didn't have to say a word because the women already knew.
"I like this Binkie," Stephanie said. She rested her head on his shoulder as they watched a movie. "You are more relaxed than when we began this journey together."
"Thanks to you and grandma Edna. I didn't realize how much my grief consumed me," Binkie confessed. "I should have continued the therapy sessions when running missions stopped working."
"Ah. I guess I'm not the only person to rent space in Denial Land?" Stephanie asked. She looked up at her friend. They had grown closer during their time sewing the quilt.
"Nope. But I have to cancel my standing reservation," he replied. Stephanie laughed.
"Me too, Binkie. I can't run away from my past forever. Joe needs to know he has a sixteen-year-old daughter." Stephanie chewed on her bottom lip. She was afraid of Joe's reaction to the news. Stephanie knew her mother would demand to see her granddaughter, then force her to marry Joe. She didn't want to deal with her mother's judgement and criticism.
"Steph, you are not obligated to have relationships with family members who are not good for your mental health," Binkie said. "Wait until after your journey with grandma Edna to inform Joe. Telling him now would create a tsunami of problems. Complete your mission. You only crossed two items off the bucket list. Where are you travelling next?"
"Grandma wants to visit soldier's island in Devon, UK. We'll go there before they get the dry season. I want to visit Scotland and explore the UK, too," Stephanie replied. "I think Slick is joining us overseas."
"Do you want to know about Slick first?" Binkie asked.
"Does any of the guys know about your wife and son?" she countered.
"Yes," he replied. "Bobby, Tank, Ranger and Lester." Edna returned from her nap and sat on Binkie's other side. She leaned her head on his shoulder. Binkie wrapped his arm around the woman who had become his honorary grandma over the past few months.
Stephanie was silent for a few minutes. She raised her finger, indicating she wanted another few minutes to gather her thoughts. How should she word it? Stephanie finally decided. "When you joined grandma and me in March, I noticed you were more withdrawn than when the other men were around. It's as though you had something hanging over your head, causing you to avoid us. I love to talk and tease the guys. It didn't take long to realize Ranger assigned the men according to what would heal them the most. He had my itinerary from the beginning. I bet Slick will find his healing balm in Devon, UK," Stephanie explained.
"But knowing about him ahead of time would help," Binkie argued.
"I don't believe so," Edna replied, adding her opinion. "To truly help Slick heal, we must embark on our travels without prior knowledge of the events. Half the journey is admitting you have a problem. Stephanie and I need to learn about Slick to help him. We helped you by converting an item which caused you much pain into something to incite joy."
"True," he said. "I can't wait to hang it in my apartment."
"Does that mean we should start calling you Scott?" Stephanie asked.
"Nah. I got used to answering to Binkie." Everyone laughed. Stephanie yawned and said they should get to bed. Their flight to New York was early the following morning.
Slick paced inside his Rangeman apartment. He couldn't get her out of his mind. The desire to quit his job and leave everything behind was stronger than ever. His name was Leland Evans. He was thirty-four years old. Leland earned his nickname through his ability to hot-wire any vehicle and pick any lock.
Someone knocked on his apartment door. He ran his fingers through his strawberry blond hair before seeing which man had interrupted his rants.
Lester rolled on the balls of his feet, waiting for his friend, Slick, to open the door. "What do you want, Santos?" Slick asked when he opened the door.
"Hey, man. I'm doing a wellness check," he replied.
"Isn't that Brown's job?" Slick asked.
"Hey. I'm here too," Bobby announced. "Seriously, man. How are you?"
Slick ran his fingers through his hair again. "I'm feeling on edge. It's as though my life is about to change."
"Is that a bad thing?" Lester asked. Lester had taken it upon himself to ensure the men watching over Stephanie were in the frame of mind to accept help from his best friend.
"I don't know. I've wanted to ask Stephanie for help, but getting her to search for someone using a first name and occupation is like searching for a needle in the haystack," Slick confessed.
"Stephanie has skills unmatched by anyone, including Ranger. She could locate anyone you asked her to find. Trust in her abilities. You won't be sorry," Lester said.
"Slick, Stephanie helped me with my nightmares. She got me to see what I had done from Sid's perspective. Give Stephanie a chance to help," Bobby said. "As Lester said, you won't be sorry."
"I'll keep that in mind. It's getting late. My ride leaves at 0500. Stephanie, Binkie and Edna should arrive by 0730." Slick arranged for Junior to drive him to the airport and retrieve Binkie. He would have a few hours to get through security before they fly to Heathrow Airport in the UK.
"Safe travels, buddy," Lester said before leaving Slick's apartment. He followed Bobby to his room to have a drink before retiring for the night.
Ranger laughed as he flicked through the pictures on his phone. "What's funny?" Ella asked as she placed a plate of food in front of him. He passed Ella the phone to see the photos. As promised, Stephanie, Binkie and Edna sent every photograph they took to Ranger. Despite her numbered days, Edna was having the time of her life. Ranger was proud of Stephanie.
"Binkie looks happy," she said after looking at each image twice. "Stephanie's good for your men." Ella wondered when Ranger would confess his undying love for the curly brunette. Stephanie brought light, hope and happiness to every man she befriended. She noticed a difference in Lester, though she knew he still had demons to exorcise.
"I'm impressed Stephanie and Binkie sewed the quilt by hand," Ranger said.
"Edna looks proud. Did you notice how she smiled at Stephanie?" Ranger flipped to the photo Ella mentioned.
"Edna never hid her feelings regarding Stephanie. She loves her granddaughter," Ranger replied. Stephanie was more loved than she knew. Ella patted Ranger's cheek.
"I hope you tell Stephanie how much you love her when you spend your time with Stephanie and Edna. She's worth the risk, mi sobrino," Ella said. (my nephew). She kissed the top of his head before leaving the apartment. Ella couldn't wait until Stephanie became a part of their family.
"Gracias, Tia Ella. I'll keep that in mind," Ranger replied. He watched his aunt leave his apartment. Ranger patiently waited for Stephanie to call. He didn't have to wait long.
"Hey, Batman," Stephanie said when Ranger answered the phone.
"No video call tonight?" he teased.
"Sorry. We have to leave in a few hours to catch our flight. If I video chat with you, I will make us late. To be honest, I'd rather see you in person. Is there a way I could see you before my transfer?" Stephanie asked, hoping Ranger could arrange it.
"I'll see what I can do," Ranger replied, not making any promises. He didn't want to give her false hope that she'd see him.
"Try hard, okay? Did you like Binkie's quilt?"
"Babe. I didn't know you could sew," Ranger replied. He grinned when Stephanie laughed.
"Grandma made Binkie and me stitch a few scraps before letting us work on the quilt. She was pleased when we caught on quickly," Stephanie confessed. "I feel that I finally accomplished something in life."
"Proud of you, Babe." Stephanie grinned. She was proud of herself. Stephanie decided to do something she had never done before. She pulled Ranger's shirt off her body, then turned on her camera. Before she could chicken out, Stephanie took a photo in her sexy bra and panties, then sent the picture to Ranger.
"I have to go pack," Stephanie said before hanging up.
Ranger groaned when he saw the text attachment. Stephanie was gorgeous. Her abs were more defined than the last time he'd seen her. "Playing with fire, Babe," Ranger texted Stephanie. His men were training Stephanie while she was on her adventure. Ranger loved that Stephanie was working to improve herself.
"I recall you saying that before. I'm still waiting to get burned. LOL," she replied. Ranger laughed. She never disappoints. Come hell or high water, Ranger would meet Stephanie at the airport.
Junior's alarm sounded, waking him from a sensual dream. "Never fails," he grumbled as he crawled from beneath his warm blankets. He took a cool shower to serve a dual purpose; to wake him up and reduce his arousal. Junior didn't have time to rub one off.
After dressing in his Rangeman uniform, Junior realized he forgot to notify Albert that he wasn't available to drop the girls off at school. He quickly fired off a text to Albert.
"No problem," Albert replied. "Cal told me you got recruited to take Slick to the airport. He asked Bones to be his second. Thanks for telling me." Junior decided to call Albert since he was already awake.
"Hey, Al. Any news from the ice queen?" Junior asked, referring to Helen Plum.
"She noticed I lost weight and commented. You should have seen Valerie, man. I got so hard when she told Helen to stuff her attitude up her ass. It took everything in me not to take her over the kitchen table," Albert replied.
Junior laughed at the mental image. "Man, I wish I could have seen that. Valerie standing up to Helen, not you fucking your wife on the table. It's a shame Edna's on her bucket list trip. She would have got a video of it to share," Junior said.
"I kind of miss the crazy woman," Al confessed. "I've been keeping my ear to the ground. Valerie heard Helen talking to Joyce on the phone the other day. It sounded as though Helen and Joyce are working together to uncover Stephanie's whereabouts."
"Like that would work," Junior laughed. "I'll let the boss know. That skank keeps cornering him in the bonds office. Has Helen learned you work for Rangeman?" Junior took the stairs to the garage.
"Yes. Lisa accidentally told Helen at dinner last night. She's only two. I can't expect her to keep secrets. Helen demanded I quit my job to work for a more reputable company. Her attempts to control her children are pathetic." Albert looked at his watch to check the time. "You should hit the road. We'll chat when you get back."
Junior stepped out of the stairwell when the elevator dinged its arrival. "I should have known you'd accompany me," Junior told Ranger.
Slick leaned against the SUV, waiting for Junior to arrive. Once Junior unlocked the doors, Slick shoved his duffle into the back cargo area. He climbed into the backseat, knowing Ranger would only ride up front unless Stephanie was in the back with him.
Two hours later, Junior stopped the SUV in the loading zone at the airport. "I'll circle the airport until you and Binkie arrive," Junior said. Ranger nodded. He was anxious to see his Babe. It's been too long since he held her in his arms. Technically, it was only seven weeks, but it was a long seven weeks.
Stephanie felt him before she saw him. She flew into his arms the second her eyes locked on his face. "I missed you," Stephanie whispered.
"I missed you too," Ranger replied. Ranger kissed her until her knees got weak. He rested his forehead against hers, soaking in her scent and the calm that only she could provide. Ranger accompanied Stephanie and Edna to the security gate for international flights. With a kiss and a tap to her ass, Ranger watched as the love of his life, his soulmate, disappeared from sight.
"You should tell her before it's too late," Binkie said before walking away.
Slick sat beside Edna on the flight to the UK. He noticed Edna looked skinnier and older than the last time he'd seen her. Edna felt Slick assessing her. She looked across the aisle where Stephanie sat beside a teenage girl. Stephanie's eyes were closed. Edna called her name a few times. The young girl asked if she should wake Stephanie up. Edna shook her head. Edna wanted to know if Stephanie was sleeping.
"What's your story?" Edna asked. She raptly listened as Slick told her about his last tour for the Army. "You should ask her for help." Edna pointed to Stephanie. "She's capable of finding someone with a first name and job description."
"I don't want to waste her time or Rangeman resources," Slick said.
"Waste whose time?" Stephanie sleepily asked.
"Yours," he replied.
Stephanie shook her head and stretched her tired muscles. "Not a waste," she said while yawning. "I can run multiple searches at a time."
"What do you guys do for a living?" the teenage girl sitting beside Stephanie asked. Stephanie wondered how she got a first-class seat on the plane.
"Slick and I are security experts." Stephanie didn't feel it necessary to explain the whole BEA portion of their jobs. "My specialty is finding people."
"Do you think you can help me?" she timidly asked.
"I can't make any promises, but I can try," Stephanie replied. The girl reached into her back, then removed a photograph. Her hand shook as she passed it to Stephanie. "Is he your father?"
"Yes. I've only met him a few times when he visited mom and me," she confessed. She wiped a tear off her face. "My mom passed away. Grandma and I couldn't find him."
"What's his name?"
"William Lockwood. He's a doctor," she replied. "My name is Charlotte Lockwood, but everyone calls me Charlie."
"Hi, Charlie. My name is Stephanie Plum. Slick's name is Leland, and my grandmother is Edna." Charlie nodded as Stephanie introduced everyone. "Do you know where he lives?"
"No. Dad works with Doctors Without Borders," she replied, piquing Slick's interest. "My aunt Maddie works with him. Maddie's a nurse practitioner. She used to work for the Army."
Slick's heart beat fast in his chest. Could it be her? Was Maddie short for Madeline?
Edna watched Slick. She reached for his hand as Slick got lost in his thoughts. He didn't hear Stephanie and Edna calling his name.