Chapter Thirty-Nine

Ranger and Les sandwiched Steph into Ranger's truck just as they had on her first visit to Tia's. The now-familiar house seemed to loom in front of them, the panic in Steph's chest beating a strange rhythm and taking her breath away. The first time, Steph wasn't sure what to expect; now she did, and she was terrified.

The ride over was used to discuss how this plan had been hatched. It turned out that it had been Tia's idea- Steph got an immediate bad feeling about that- during a phone call to Ranger two days ago. This got a raised eyebrow look from Lester, but Ranger refused to meet her eyes. "Ranger," Steph asked, the tone of her voice approaching disbelief, "you don't wonder why Tia wants me, with psycho, in her house?"

Ranger simply ignored her, so Lester tried to talk some sense into him. "Ranger, it's not like Tia to be interested in business matters. Why would she offer?"

Ranger ignored the tone and Lester's question. "Just don't mention who your stalker is, Babe. It would crush Tia."

Les and Steph shared a long look in the review mirror, terminated when Ranger glanced at them. Steph decided to concentrate on what she could talk to Tia about. She was sure that Tia would bring up Ranger and her non-existent relationship, which she was not feeling like discussing. She and Ranger had an agreement of sorts- to work it out later- and Steph didn't want to have to think about it until then. She tended to screw things up with too much thought.

Lester picked up on her escalating unease and placed a hand on her neck, carefully massaging it. "Bomber, it won't be that bad. If this goes on too long, maybe you'll actually learn to cook," he joked. He immediately regretted it- the panicked look intensified, rather than dissipating. Leaning in he whispered, "Or you can find out all about Ranger. Tia loves to tell embarrassing stories,

Steph smiled tightly. Normally, yes, she'd enjoy that, but right now, avoiding the topic of Ranger altogether would be best. She was afraid that Tia would push the subject too much for her comfort, and she'd say something she would regret. Ranger apparently agreed, because he shot Les a look. Les settled down, but a crooked smile kept threatening to overtake his mouth from the corners.

Steph internally sighed. Tia was waiting on the porch for them as they pulled up, watching as Lester helped Steph out and held her arm on the walk up. Ranger walked a step behind, hitting the electronic door locks once Steph was out.

Tia smiled warmly and folded Steph into a hug immediately. "Stephanie, dear! You look like you could use a nice snack and a nap. I have chocolate cake ready for you, which a little bird told me you love, and ice cream." Tia whispered in Stephanie's ear. "I heard that you attempted some cake on your own this week, and it didn't go so well. We'll work on that." Then, louder so that the boys could hear, "I put extra chocolate in for you, dear."

Stephanie was almost willing to forgive Lester (she was sure it was Lester who told about her disastrous baking attempt) for the extra chocolate, but she didn't want him to think that he was getting off that easy. She allowed Tia to lead her inside, Tia's two large nephews following closely. Steph managed to smack Lester upside the head when Tia was distracted by the door for a minute. Les seemed tempted to comment, but Tia was more observant that she looked, because TIA shot Les a look that silenced him immediately.

The three of them silently sat down at the kitchen table as Tia cut large slices of chocolate cake and placed them with huge scoops of chocolate ice cream on plates in front of every one but Ranger. For Ranger, Tia extracted a fruit salad from the fridge. One eyebrow raised, Steph dove in enthusiastically. She almost moaned over the heavenly baked goods, but caught herself when she realized that Ranger and Lester were studying her reactions, their eyes dark. Tia simply smiled at Steph's food-muffled compliments. Tia was a better cook than her own mother, and that was saying something.

When Stephanie had finished (of course Lester had practically swallowed his whole, and Tia had taken a much smaller slice for herself than she had cut for either Steph or Lester), Tia cleared her throat. "Okay, boys, you can go now. Stephanie and I have things under control."

Ranger tried to voice an objection, but Tia cut him off with a raised hand. "We've already talked, Ranger. There is a guard if I need to go out, and you have men watching the security system you made me install last year. We don't need you here any longer. Spend your time looking for Stephanie's stalker."

Lester got up, hugged Tia and then Steph, and waited for Ranger by the doorway. Ranger looked like he was trying to get up the courage to contradict Tia, but he failed. She had pulled out the authority voice of his childhood, and there was no defense against it. He hugged Tia and brushed a light kiss across Steph's forehead. Then he, too, headed for the door.

Steph watched the men leave with a heavy heart. Tia had fooled her with the chocolate cake distraction. Something was up, and Steph was unsure what it was. She was certain, however, that it would not be comfortable for her. When Tia looked in her direction again, the set of her mouth confirmed Stephanie's suspicions. "My sister in law tells me that you have been seeing Lester?"

Steph wasn't sure how to respond, and opened and closed her mouth without a sound. Tia's next sentence almost gave her a heart attack.

"And Tank as well?" Tia stated.