Chapter 26
Rachel spent a few days a month for the past two years speaking to a therapist. She felt better than she had in years. Unfortunately for Rachel, her children were still too hurt to visit with her. "Give them time to adapt," Trevor said.
"I gave them two years. How much time do they need?" Rachel asked.
Trevor wrapped his arms around Rachel. He kissed her tenderly on the lips. "Sweetheart, have you asked them to forgive you?" Trevor asked.
"Why would I do that? I didn't do anything to them," Rachel stated.
"I beg to differ," he responded. "In their eyes, you hurt them. Ask them to forgive you. Trust me."
She grabbed her cellphone to call her ex-husband. "Hello, Rachel," Ron answered. "How are you?"
"Could be better, to be honest. May I speak to the children? You can put the call on speaker," Rachel replied.
"One minute," Ron said before he called the kids.
"Hey, mom," they greeted.
"Hi, Silvie, Ronnie. I'm calling to apologize for everything I did. I wasn't nice to Julie, and I didn't consider your feelings. Would it be possible for you to forgive me? You don't need to make a decision right now. I love you guys, and I miss you," Rachel stammered.
"We'll think about it, mom," Silvie stated.
Ron accepted his phone from the kids. "Did you mean it?" Ron asked. "The apology," he added when Rachel didn't answer.
"Yes, Ron. I meant the apology. I'll understand if they can't forgive me. Julie sent me a letter. She forgave me even though I don't deserve her forgiveness," Rachel confessed.
"Obviously through Stephanie's encouragement," Ron stated.
"I had always been jealous of Stephanie. She genuinely loves Julie. If only I had seen it sooner," Rachel confessed. "I've made too many mistakes regarding Julie."
"Write Julie a letter. Tell her what you're thinking. Most importantly, apologize," Ron suggested.
"Thanks. I'll text in a few weeks. Bye, Ron."
Ron stared at the phone, wondering why Rachel decided to apologize now. She should have reached out to the children long ago. He heard through the rumour mill that she was dating a business owner in Kissimmee. Ron dated a few women, but there wasn't any he wanted to marry.
Back in Trenton, Mateo and Kerri were getting ready for their wedding. Brock and Julie were in the wedding party. They became fast friends when they met. People thought they should date, but Brock was interested in Peter Pollard at school.
Lester started dating a woman named Peyton Cassidy and Bobby dated her cousin Sasha. They met the women at the New Year's Eve party hosted by Ranger and Stephanie.
Julie and Stephanie were excited that the men were finding love. "Did you invite him?" Stephanie asked.
"I did. Do you think I'm too young to date?" Julie asked.
"Not at all. However, your uncles may feel differently," Stephanie replied.
"Ya. I'm not looking forward to the guys finding out," Julie confessed. Stephanie couldn't stop laughing. It was about to become public knowledge.
Celia entered the room. Philippe was sitting on her left hip. "Hi, handsome," Stephanie said as she reached for her godson. "Are you a good boy?"
"Yup. See?" Philippe asked, pointing to his shirt.
"Really? You're expecting again?" Stephanie asked.
"We are. Our peanut is due in six months. I'm hoping for a little girl this time," Celia replied.
"You get what you get, Aunt Celia," Julie chimed.
Stephanie placed the tiara in Kerri's hair. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks, Steph. I appreciate you doing this for us," Kerri stated.
"You're family, Kerri. Carlos and I take care of our family," Stephanie said.
"They really do," Julie added.
Celia took pictures of Kerri, Stephanie, and Julie. Kerri kept the wedding party and guest list under one hundred. She didn't want to take advantage of Stephanie's generosity. Her new family was more than she ever hoped to have.
"Hurry, children," mama Manoso called into the room. Stephanie smiled. She called them all children.
"How's Michaela?" Stephanie asked.
"Getting anxious to walk down the aisle. Michaela keeps dragging Mattie around," Marie replied.
"Sorry, mama. I'm afraid she takes after me," Stephanie confessed. The boys look like their father as much as Michaela resembles Stephanie. Of their three children, only Michaela has Ranger's brown eyes and straight hair. Her skin tone was relatively pale compared to her brothers.
"You were stubborn too?" Maria asked.
Helen laughed as she entered the room, "Definitely. But I wouldn't want it any other way. You look beautiful, Kerri. Stephanie said that you didn't have anything old. This lace handkerchief belonged to my grandmother. You can tuck it into your dress or wrap it around the bouquet."
"I'm not sure I should borrow something that old and delicate," Kerri said. "I don't want to lose it."
"Nonsense," Helen said as she wrapped it around the bouquet. "After the ceremony, I'll collect it from you."
"Thank you, Helen. It's very thoughtful," Kerri said. She hugged Helen and accepted the bouquet.
Stephanie was surprised her mother didn't revert to the judgemental woman she'd been in the past. Helen had stopped listening to the women in the Burg after her divorce. The shock of her marriage ending got her to acknowledge what Frank tried to get through her thick skull.
"Come on, Julie. It's time to get into your position," Helen said, guiding Julie from the room.
Celia gave Kerri the necklace before returning to her seat. She tucked Philippe between her and Pierre.
The music started to play. Carlos stood at the front of the church, waiting for his children and wife to walk down the aisle. Rickie and Mattie walked on either side of Michaela, keeping her on task. She dropped fist-fulls of red and white rose petals every few feet.
When Michaela got close to her dad, she shouted, "Papa." She ran the last few steps and jumped into his arms. Helen raised her fist to her mouth, pressing against her lips to stop the smile. Carlos noticed and raised an eyebrow.
Rickie and Mattie sat with Helen and Maria on the bride's side of the church. The women decided to split the guests evenly in the church. Kerri didn't have family beside her brother. Her parents were only children, and her grandparents passed away before she was born.
Michaela refused to leave the comfort of her father's arms. Helen smiled, amused at her stubborn granddaughter.
Mateo felt Michaela tugging at the back of his hair. Carlos tried to get Michaela to release Mateo's hair, but she didn't cooperate.
Stephanie walked down the aisle a few feet behind Julie. She noticed Michaela leaning into Mateo. A snort escaped her lips as she walked towards the front of the church.
Julie was nervous when she had walked past her wedding date. She was sixteen and started dating a boy from school. Some of the students said they were related and shouldn't date, but Julie didn't care what they had to say.
Technically, she was related, but genetically, she was not. Shawn Gazarra had blond hair and blue eyes like his father, but he had a small nose like his mother. Julie thought Shawn was the most handsome boy at school. He wanted to join the army when he turned eighteen. Julie thought it was an excellent idea. She planned to join too.
Mateo watched his bride walk down the aisle towards him. He thought she looked gorgeous. She wore a white dress with a blue ribbon tied around her waist. Her strawberry blond hair was in tight curls, loose on her shoulders. The tiara got placed in her hair, making her look like a princess.
Brock walked his sister down the aisle, taking the traditional role granted to the father. After he placed Kerri's hand into Mateo's hand, he took his place beside Carlos.
Lester and Bobby made a pact. They would not get married in a church. A trip to Vegas was more their style. They were happy for their friend.
"Do not make me wear a white dress," Peyton whispered to Lester.
"Not planning to, gorgeous. Vegas all the way, baby," Lester whispered.
Bobby leaned over Sasha to fist-bump Lester. "Double wedding," Bobby whispered. Sasha giggled.
"How soon?" Peyton asked.
"Name the day, baby," Lester replied. He could tell the women started plotting from the second the words crossed his lips.
They listened to Mateo and Kerri exchange vows. When Mateo kissed Kerri, Mattie yelled, "Eww. They're kissing."
Stephanie and Carlos gave the newlyweds their honeymoon as a wedding present. They already knew about the gift and made plans to go to Hawaii. Julie had assured Kerri that Brock was staying at the Manoso residence until they returned.
One week after the wedding, Lester and Bobby took their girlfriends to Vegas for the weekend. They sent messages to Stephanie with photos. "Ah. Bummer. The dynamic duo eloped," Stephanie complained.
Ranger looked at the pictures and laughed. "Those two are always doing things together," he added. Stephanie felt offended until he pointed out that she knew before anyone else. "They didn't send me a text."
"All of our friends are getting married," Stephanie said with a sigh. "Rangeman is going to bustle from all of the children."
"I doubt Lester and Bobby will have offspring. Neither men want children," Ranger stated. Stephanie shrugged. It didn't matter to her.
"Have you decided who to hire?" Stephanie asked. "There are a few promising younger men."
"I've arranged interviews for a few men. Hal's brother, Dexter, will arrive Monday morning," Ranger replied.
Stephanie grabbed her laptop to familiarize herself with the interviewees. Dexter Emerson, Cami Stevens, Tonya Evans, Bill Tanner and Walter Hastings. "Are we going to use Cami and Tonya for distractions?" Stephanie asked.
"I'm hoping that Cami could work with you in client relations," Ranger replied.
"You know her?"
"Cami is Garth's younger sister." Stephanie took a few minutes to review Garth's employee record. Ranger hired Garth a few years earlier. He worked from the Boston office. "Tonya is looking for a part-time position. Distractions would help fill the gap in her income."
When Stephanie ran the background check on Tonya, she concentrated on the details in her past, not on her photo. Tonya was stunning. She had brown hair and pretty green eyes. "Does Rangeman have this level of details about me?" Stephanie asked.
"Babe?"
"Tonya pulled a knife on her History teacher when he gave her a failing grade," Stephanie replied. "Why would he fail her? Tonya is intelligent." Stephanie read further. "Oh. Her mother dumped him before he graded her exam."
Tonya got her tubes tied at twenty-one after a pregnancy scare. She did not want to have children. Ranger read over Stephanie's shoulder. He pointed to a spot on the screen. "She teaches self-defence to women and children."
Stephanie sat in the interviews on Monday at Ranger's request. She liked Cami and Tonya the second she met them. Neither flirted with Carlos, which was a bonus. By the time dinner arrived, they had interviewed fifteen men and women.
Bobby, Lester, Tank, Ranger and Stephanie sat in Ranger's office reviewing the interviews. "How many did we need to hire?" Stephanie asked.
"Twelve," Tank replied.
"Hmm. Hire everyone except for Loraine, Darcy and Daniella," Stephanie said, pushing their folders to Tank.
"Why?" Lester asked.
"Loraine kept rubbing her foot along Ranger's leg. He asked her to stop, but she didn't listen," Stephanie replied.
"Darcy said children are an abomination," Ranger added.
"Daniella couldn't stop drooling enough to answer a question," Stephanie stated. "Melanie and Melissa applied to Rangeman for a job, not to find a husband."
"Okay," Tank said. "Little Girl, can you draft the rejection letters?"
"Already done," Stephanie said, passing the laptop towards Tank.
He turned around the screen to read the document.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team regarding the client relations position. It was a pleasure to learn more about you and your skills.
Unfortunately, our team at Rangeman decided to go in a different direction, and you did not get selected for consideration.
The team wishes you the best as you search for your dream job. We will keep your resume on file should a position open requiring your skills.
Once again, the team thanks you for your interest in Rangeman. Good luck.
"Nice," Tank replied. He grabbed the resumes and sent emails to the three women. "We have a skip that requires a distraction."
"Call Cami and Tonya. Have them come back tonight at seven," Stephanie stated. "It only gives them an hour to prepare. I could run the distraction, but Barry Montenegro knows me. We went to high school together."
At 1700 hours, both women arrived at Rangeman. They were excited to begin work. "Cami, Tonya, these men are Lester, Bobby, Manny, Junior, Binkie, Hector, Hal and Cal. They are working the distraction with you tonight. You've already met Tank, and my husband, Ranger," Stephanie said, getting through the introductions.
She walked the women through the process. "Can we run the distraction together?" Cami asked.
"Of course. It would work better. Montenegro prefers taking two women home from the club," Stephanie replied. "You may need to get comfortable with one another."
"Doesn't bother me," Tonya said.
"Me neither," Cami added. "Just so you men know, this is only for the distraction." Cami caught Hal's eye and winked. He blushed.
"This is going to be so much fun," Tonya whispered. She couldn't keep her eyes off Manny.
"Do you understand your roles?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes," the women replied.
"Great. Follow me to my apartment. I have a change of clothes," Stephanie stated, beckoning them to follow.
Tonya waited until the elevator doors closed before asking, "The Greek god, is that Manny or Junior?"
"Manny. Hal is the tall blond that blushed, Cami," Stephanie replied.
"The men are hot. Especially your husband, but he's not available," Cami stated.
"Married men are not some challenge I need to accomplish," Tonya added. "Ranger only has eyes for you, Stephanie."
"Please call me Steph," she insisted. "I've got some dresses, skirts, tops, shoes and anything else you need in the closet."
"Nice apartment," Cami stated. She noticed the masculine decorations with the flare of a feminine touch.
"Ranger and I stay here whenever we work a late shift. There are apartments on the fourth floor if you decide to live on site. Some of the men moved to their homes a few minutes away," Stephanie added.
"Wow," Tonya said as she pulled a tiny red dress from the closet. "I'll need to go commando or wear a thong with this number."
"I have new lingerie in the drawer," Stephanie said, pointing to the stack of drawers in the back of the closet.
Tonya rifled through the drawer to find a matching lingerie set for the dress. "They still have tags," she observed.
"I never put the ones I wear back into that drawer. Those go inside my dresser," Stephanie explained.
Cami selected a black leather mini skirt, a dark green silk top and black heels. "Have you worn these shoes?" Cami asked.
Stephanie took the shoe from Cami's hand and looked at the design. "No. Ella bought them for me when I got pregnant with Michaela. I never got the opportunity to wear them."
"Tonya, we have got to borrow her shoes. We're all the same size," Cami gushed.
"Ella will stock your closets with everything you need for distractions. Rangeman covers the expenses," Stephanie explained.
They arrived at Blue Bayou at 2100 hours. Barry Montenegro sat at the bar, watching the women enter. Hal, Manny, Lester and Binkie were in the club. Binkie worked behind the bar as the other men danced with various women.
Bobby and Junior got stationed out front while Hector and Cal waited by the side exit. Tank and Ranger were at the back door. Stephanie sat in the car, waiting for the two women to exit. Their objective was to lead Montenegro through the rear exit.
Stephanie smiled when the women directed Barry towards the right side of the parking lot. They moved out of the way for Ranger and Tank to apprehend Barry. "Where are you taking him?" Tonya frantically asked, playing her role to perfection.
"To jail. Barry likes to steal women's credit cards while they're sleeping in his bed," Tank replied.
Cami and Tonya held each other as Tank took Barry to the SUV. He got Lester and Bobby to accompany Barry back to jail. The women got into the car with Stephanie. "That was fun," Tonya stated.
"Why aren't you running distractions anymore, Steph?" Cami asked.
"I have four children. My oldest is sixteen. The youngest is two," Stephanie replied. "You'll meet them tomorrow at the orientation."