Chapter Seventeen

Not everyone is who they seem to be. The words rang through my brain. Joe's not who he seems to be? Terry's not? What was Lula saying? Although I tried to get more out of her, she was being unusually tight-lipped about that bit of information. Why hadn't she said anything about Ranger not being what he appeared to be. That was a given in my book.

I took the drive home in silence. Usually I had to have some tunes blasting when I was trying to deal with my problems, but lately, I discovered that I had my own zone. Hanging around the guys at Rangeman was definitely changing my habits, some for the better, others... who knows. I pulled up to the building on Hayward, used my key card to get the elevator. I had to wonder how much longer this apartment would be home. Ric had said that he wanted a new "Bat cave" after having experienced a problem at the last home he owned. He was security conscious, obviously, but the breach at his last home (which I never got to visit, by the way) hit him hard. He said that he didn't feel it would be safe for me and his daughter. I wondered if the problem was that he didn't want to put down any roots with me. Maybe having a home, a real home, would mean that he was in over his head.

When I made it to the seventh floor, I was still mulling this concept over when I got into the apartment. I put my keys on the table by the door, in the silver tray where Ranger always kept his. I noticed that his keys were already there.

Before I could call for him, he was standing there in the living room, phone to his ear, moving toward me.

"Call you back in a few," he told the caller. I watched as he snapped the cell phone shut.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I really hadn't expected to find him here during the day. "What do you mean and why are you home?"

Ranger raised an eyebrow. "Don't try to change the subject, Babe. I smell rubber burning. What's bothering you?"

Oh hell, I thought. Every since we moved in together, there were be no secrets. That damned ESP thing was driving me crazy.

"That's not all that drives you crazy, Babe. Now come on and tell me."

He had done it again. Either that or I had spoken out loud. "I was just thinking, that's all."

He smiled. "You thinking never ends in 'that's all', Babe. What's wrong?"

He moved to put his arms around me.

I would never, ever tire of the feel of those powerful arms around me, anywhere. I felt safe, warm and completely loved. So why I having these thoughts.

"Stephanie, whatever it is can't be that bad," he offered.

"Ric, how long are we going to live in this apartment?" There, I said it. Of course, he couldn't know the real concern, could he.

Wrong again...

"I'm glad you brought that up," he smiled against my hair, where he had buried his face. "I have a few places I want to check out, if you are willing to come with me. If they don't work out, then we can build a house."

I took a deep breathe. I hadn't expected this.

"You okay with moving?" he asked.

I tried to relax in his arms. He could pick up on the slightest tension in my muscles. "Sure. I mean I like this apartment. It's pretty convenient, but I just thought it would be nice to put some distance between us and Rangeman sometimes."

He released me, a grin on his face. "I agree. While I like the things you did to the apartment to try to make it a home for us, we need our place." He walked toward the bedroom.

I stayed where I was, wondering if I should explore this new development any further. There were times, like now for instance, when I was easily confused. I loved Ranger with all my heart. I knew that instinctively, but I couldn't get over the past. I couldn't yet make myself believe that this was the real thing. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

He was standing before me, as if he could actually watch my brain thinking.

"Babe, you really have to take it easy on the heavy thinking. You've got smoke coming out of your ears."

I smiled at him. "Very funny."

"Steph, listen to me carefully. This relationship is the real thing for both of us. We complete each other and neither of us is going anywhere. I suggest you just accept that."

I smiled. Somehow he knew what I needed to hear. "Thank you," I whispered. "I guess with all that's going on, I needed to hear that."

"No problem, Babe," he finished with a excruciatingly tender kiss.

I suddenly remembered that he wasn't supposed to be home. I pulled back. "Hey, why are you here anyway?"

I noticed a change in his manner. "I have to work tonight, Babe. I was going to leave you a note."

I had to admit I felt a bit disappointed, but he did have an empire to run. "Oh."

He moved in for another kiss. "I promise to make it up to you."