Chapter 4
4 months later…
It's been 4 months since Les found Jackson and me in the garage and boy, what 4 months it has been. Jackson started school at a private school. Ranger wanted him to go to the best, so he was paying for it. Les or Junior pick him up every day. Jackson loves all the guys and calls them his uncles.
Ranger 2 months ago offered me a job and I started as the office manager. I love it. It's a great job. I literally keep the place running. My uniform can be anything if it's black. I usually wear the uniform of Rangeman, however sometimes if I feel like dressing up, I will wear a black dress with heels or a black shirt and blouse.
Since I didn't have any clothes when I first got here. I made a deal with Ranger. He had Ella buy clothes for me and Jackson, and I pay him back. Every paycheck I took $200, and I give it to him for what he spent. I've almost got him paid back.
I know, truth be told, he probably ends up using that money on Jackson for something, but at least I know I'm giving the money to him. He LOVES Jackson and Jackson loves him. Every Saturday, like clockwork, Ranger takes Jackson to do something. They went to the movies one Saturday, then to an amusement park, if you can believe that. I can't see Ranger at an amusement park, but okay.
They've gone fishing with Ranger's father and brother. They've also gone to an arcade, rock climbing event, park, festivals, just all kinds of stuff. I do go with them sometimes, but sometimes they want to do the "guy" stuff, so I let them. Usually, other guys go with them. Like Tank, Binkie, Manny, Hector, or whoever wants to come.
It's usually at least 3 guys or more that go. What do I do when I don't go? Usually, Ella and I may go shopping. When Ranger is fishing with his dad and brother, I may be at his parent's house with Ella and his sisters. His family is nice. They love Jackson and me and we love them.
I'm also learning and getting better at Spanish. I love that language. It's sexy language. What is funny is that Ranger doesn't know I'm learning Spanish. I get to listen to what is being said when they think I don't know what it means. Hey, I'm sneaky that way.
Today is Sunday. Jackson, Ranger, Lester, Bobby, Tank, and I are housing hunting for us (Jackson and myself) a house of our own. Ranger has a house on the beach that he wants to show us to see if we like it. It's on the beach what is there not to like.
Ranger, Jackson, and I were riding in his Porsche 911, and the others drove an SUV. The house is 20 minutes from Haywood and basically sat off by itself out in the middle of nowhere. There is a black wrought-iron fence that surrounds the property. We all pulled up at the same time to this iron gate that required a passcode to get in. He punched in 0812, which he said was his birthday, and I needed to remember those numbers for the gate. I put the code into my phone.
I'm still not used to having one. The one that I have now, I didn't get until a month ago. Ranger forgot I didn't have one and wanted me to put a reminder on my phone. When I advised him, I didn't have a phone, he immediately took me to get one. His words were, "Babe, everyone needs a phone at some point." So, I got a phone.
The house was breathtaking on the outside. It was a large white 2-story house with a circular drive. There were tall pillars in the front, 4 total, to be exact. The windows 4 on each side all had window boxes with beautiful flowers different in each box. The house was an off-white color, and the front door was a gunmetal black color.
To the side on the right, as you pull in, you can see the beach and the appearance of what looks to be a back patio. This was just the outside, too. On the left side of the house was another building. Ranger said it was a pool house that had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, but it would be for the security that stayed on the property if we wanted to stay here.
Ranger opened the door, and I gasped as we walked inside. It was STUNNING. As you walk in, it's an open concept. You walk directly into an enormous living room that takes up the entire front of the house, then there is a dining area with a huge chef's kitchen. The kitchen had white marble with silver dusted cabinets that sparkled. The major attraction of the kitchen is the huge 12ft long floating island. It has shelves on each side and in the back of it, there is a mini-fridge and more shelving. 8 bar stools sit along the front of it. There is a huge silver frig that looks like the cabinets, so it blends in. with a stainless-steel dishwasher and a gas stove. To the left is a stainless-steel wall oven with a microwave over it. Over to the right next to the frig is a door, and it opens to a huge walk-in pantry with shelving galore. This kitchen was GORGEOUS.
Those 2 rooms took up the front of the house. When you walk out of the kitchen, there is a small powder room with a toilet and sink. Past that is a huge back room that Ranger calls the entertainment room, but it could be anything. It has 2 sets of sliding doors. One each on the left and right facing the front of the house in the back. Throughout the entire house is solid oak flooring in white/stony color. The flooring has white, gray, and black in it. In the middle of the sliding patio doors is an immense fireplace with a 12-foot-long mantel. Above the Mantel is a huge 75-inch tv.
When you turn around in the room to the back, there is a staircase that is hidden that leads up to the second floor. There are 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. When you get to the landing on the second floor. There are 3 bedrooms on each side with 2 bathrooms on each side, in between each bedroom. Directly straight ahead is the master suite. This is the only room in the entire house that has furniture in it. All the rest of the rooms are empty. Ranger said that's because this is his favorite room, and he never got around to furnishing any of the other rooms. The doors, yes, there are 2, open, and directly in front of you is a huge California King Bed with a black leather headboard. On each side of the bed is a nightstand in black oak color. Then, to the right of the bed, is a dresser with an enormous mirror. Over to the left is an indoor gym inside the suite. There is a treadmill, weight bench with weights, an elliptical machine, and a punching bag.
On the other side of the doors, there is another door that opens into a huge master bathroom suite. To the right, inside the bathroom, is a wall-to-wall shower with 4 shower heads and a bench. With a glass door in the shower. Then next to the shower to the left is a toilet, then a double vanity with tons of cabinet space. There was a whirlpool jet tub. Behind the tub is a closet for linens. The bathroom has the same white marble as the kitchen. When you walk out of the bathroom and turn to face the "indoor gym" back over in a corner is another door that is on the left and when it's open, you come into a huge walk-in closet with shelving on each side. Bars for clothes spanning the right. Left and center. In the middle is a sitting bench to sit on so one can change. Behind the bench is a custom cabinet with drawers that hold jewelry, purses, and anything else you would like to put in there. It also spins and locks in place.
On the other side of the bedroom door to the right is another door that is a second-floor laundry room. With a side-by-side washer and dryer and a folding table. Very convenient for that to be on the second floor. Next to the headboard on the right side of the bed are double doors that lead out of a balcony that overlooks the beach. It is a gorgeous scene.
Each of the bedrooms on the second floor is identical. All have a bathroom in between them. With a small walk-in closet. Every room is of a different color. Beige, off-white sage, caramel brown, yellow, and baby blue. Each of the bathrooms in between each room has the normal toilet, sink and shower tub combo. Still with the white marble counter.
The complete house is breathtaking. When you go back downstairs and out one of the sliding doors, there is a patio area that leads down to a pool and a Jacuzzi that is gated in with a black iron gate. Past the gate, you are about 50 steps from the beach, and it is GORGEOUS. It's a private beach and no one else has access to it.
We headed back to the front of the house to the living room. "Babe, if you decide you want to live here, I will make sure it's furnished the way you want it furnished. You will have access to the beach and everything that is available in the house. It also comes with a vehicle that will be in the circular driveway. You just have to tell me if this is what you want or if it's too big." All the guys waited while I was debating my answer.
I knew I wanted to ask Jackson because he would live here too. "Jackson, what do you think, sweetie?" I bent down to his level to look him in his eyes.
"I love it, mommy, yes, we need to stay here. There is a pool, and I would have my bedroom and bathroom." He looked up at Ranger, "Can I get superheroes painted on my wall?"
"Jackson, you can't ask that. That's not nice." I didn't want there to be any more work than necessary for Ranger to have to get done.
He picked up Jackson. "Yes, you can, buddy. Whatever you want to be done to your room, I will make sure that it's done." They high-fived each other and Ranger looked at me with his 200-watt grin. "Babe, us guys got this."
I just laughed and stuck my tongue out at him. "Well, I guess the boss has spoken then," I referenced Jackson when I said this. "Jackson, pick your room so we can figure out what you want on the walls."
He grabbed Lester and Bobby's hands and motioned for Tank to follow him. He turned back and looked at me. "Mommy, we got this. You stay here and talk to Ranger." They all walked away, laughing.
I just looked at Ranger and laughed. "You, mister, have corrupted my son."
He just laughed and acted offended. He grabbed my hand, and we walked over to the island.
"Okay, so how much is the rent for this place?" I removed my hand from his grasp and leaned against the island with my back to it and my arms crossed over my chest, just as he was standing.
"Babe, no rent," he stated matter-of-factly
"Ranger, I'm paying rent. How much?" I turned sideways to face him, now with my hip against the island, still with hands folded across my chest.
"Babe, it comes with the contract." He turned his head sideways so he could look at me while we talked.
"Ranger, everything does not come with the contract." I was getting frustrated now. "Stop saying everything comes with the contract. Because I know this house does not. This looks like this was someone's personal house."
Ranger mulled over what I said. "It's my personal house, but I usually stay at Haywood on 7. Babe, no price. I've told you that. No price for what I give you. Ever." He pushed a curl behind my ear.
I stood there, glaring at him. "Ranger, you've done so much for me and Jackson. Let me pay you back."
On the side of the island, he turned with his hip. He grabbed me and pulled me closer to him. He wrapped his arms around my waist. "Babe, if you want to pay me back then, how about this?"
He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. At first, it was barely a kiss. Then he put more passion and force into it. It was a wonderful kiss, and I could have kissed him all day. I wrapped my hands in his hair and pulled him closer to me. When we eventually came up for air, he put his forehead against mine. "Babe…"
I laughed a little. "So, do I get to pay all my debts to you with a kiss?"
He threw his head back and laughed. "Sure, babe, if you want to. I love to kiss, and I could kiss you all day."
For the rest of the day, we were at the house. Ranger called his sister Layla because she was an interior designer, and she came over. She and I picked out all the furniture for the house and the bed for the bedrooms that I was going to use. One room I was making into an office. Everything was ordered and Jackson's room was designed the way he liked it. Even furniture for the patio was ordered. It would be a couple of weeks before everything came in, so we were still going to live at Haywood until the house was ready. We were really excited about living in our own place.
Ranger still refused to let me pay him anything for the house. Of course, the house was monitored by Rangeman. The two guys that were going to live in the pool house on the property were going to vary each week.
I'm still dealing with everything that happened with Dickie and his partners, but I have learned to trust the men at Rangeman. I trust Ranger, Tank, Bobby, and Lester with my life. Ranger has become very protective of me, and I often find him watching me. Sometimes if I'm in the break room or looking through a filing cabinet for something and I have my back to him, he comes behind me and puts his arms around me, kisses my neck, or whispers things in my ear. He is very attentive to me and seems to enjoy finding an opportunity to touch me.
The first time it happened was around 2 months after I started working for him. He came up to me and put his arm around my waist while I was talking to a client. It threw me off a little, but it didn't bother me. He told me that if I have an issue with anything that he does, to let him know.
I have learned something about Ranger. When he enters a room, I noticed that. I get a tingle at the back of my neck. It also happens when I can sense his presence. So, he could already be in a room, and I can approach the room and I can sense his presence by this tingle. I have Spidey senses and I get tingles about things that are going to happen, but this is different. I don't know if Ranger feels the same thing, but it's like we are connected. There is also a spark or a current that goes through us when he touches me or when we touch each other. I've experienced nothing like it.
I am currently in my office, going over paperwork and answering calls as they come in. I'm going to say again I love my job. Jackson is at school and Lester, or Bobby, will be the one that picks him up. I'm concentrating on the task at hand that I did not hear Ranger come into my office until he is right behind me. He leaned over with one hand across the back of my chair and the other resting on my desk. "Babe, do you have the contract for Mr. Henderson ready yet?"
I jumped, "Geez, Ranger make some noise, will you? You almost gave me a heart attack." I reached over and handed him the contract. "Here you go already. Anything else I can help you with, boss?" I leaned back and looked at him.
"Thanks, babe." He leaned down and planted a kiss on my lips. Then he walked out of the room. That put a big smile on my face.
I looked at the clock. It was almost 3 pm, Lester would pick up Jackson soon and I have an appointment in my apartment at 4:30 pm with my therapist. I see her every other day 3 days a week. She has been a tremendous help.
At 3:30 pm Jackson came running into my office, "Mommy, Mommy. Guess what?" I was writing the information I got from the research I was doing. I opened my arms, and he ran into them. Lester and Ranger walked in as I was placing him in my lap.
"What is it, Sweetheart?" I kissed his cheek and gave him a big hug.
"I got chosen to be the student of the week in my class. That means I get to bring anyone I want to for show and tell on Friday. You want to know who I want to bring?" His eyes were enormous, and he looked at me anxiously, awaiting my response.
"Let's see, you want to bring Elmo from Sesame Street, right?" I laughed as I just picked a random character.
He laughed at my answer. "No, Mommy. You're funny. Not Elmo. Elmo's are for babies. I'm a big boy. You want to guess again?"
Before I could reply again, Lester spoke up, "I know you want to bring Santa Claus, right?" Lester had a huge grin on his face as he looked at Jackson for his response.
"Not Santa Claus either, Uncle Les. It's easy. Ranger and Tank are who I want to bring." His answer surprised me. I looked at Ranger and he seemed surprised, but he had his huge 200-watt grin on his face.
"Now, why do you want to bring those two with you?" I had to know in case I needed to prepare him for them, saying they couldn't come.
"Because Ranger and Tank are the coolest of the cool. Tank is like the Incredible Hulk and Ranger is like Batman. Also, Tank is my uncle and Ranger is like my dad. Is that okay that I want them to come to my school for a show and tell Mommy?"
I was shocked by what he said. I didn't realize how much he missed having his dad in his life. Dickie did nothing with him, but he could still tell people he was his dad. I looked over at Ranger. I couldn't describe the look he had on his face. It was between astonishment, awe, and disbelief.
"Well baby, ask them. I can't speak for them." He got out of my lap and walked over to Ranger. Ranger was told to wait for him there. He then walked out the door and a few minutes later, he came in with Tank by the hand.
I watched with a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. It was so cute and precious. He walked Tank over to Ranger, grabbed Ranger's hand in his other hand, and walked the two guys to the couch.
Tank had a "what the hell is going on," look on his face. Ranger just smiled and looked amused. "Tank and Ranger, will you come with me on Friday to my show and tell? I am the student of the week, and I can bring anybody I want to with me." He stood there with his little arms crossed over his chest, waiting for an answer.
Tank looked at Ranger and they both looked at Jackson, "Yeah, I guess we could do that, little man." He jumped up and down screaming "Yes they can come" it was so cute.
Jackson walked back over to me. "Okay, mommy, we guys have to talk guy stuff. I love you. See you later." He then grabbed Ranger's and Tank's hands and pulled them out of the room. Lester was laughing this whole time. He looked at me and shook his head.
"You realize beautiful that Jackson has us all wrapped around his finger. Especially Ranger. That man loves that little boy." He plopped down in the chair and propped his feet up on my desk.
I eyed his feet, then gave him my best Burg glare. I leaned back in my seat with my arms crossed over my chest. "Are you comfortable, Les? I mean, I wouldn't want you not to be."
He shook his head yes, put his hands behind his head, and just relaxed. He must think he owes the joint. I just ignored him and went back to work. I wonder what Jackson, Ranger, and Tank are talking about. Hmmm…
