To say I didn't sleep that night would be a massive understatement. It's funny how a person can acclimate to their surroundings so quickly. In the week since the accident, I'd grown used to having Bobby and Lester around. At least that's what I was telling myself as I lay in the dark staring at the ceiling. I swear I'd barely fallen asleep when I awoke with a start. I rolled over to check the time on my apple watch only to realize it was five in the morning. The men would be up and heading to the gym right now.

I blew out a frustrated breath. It didn't matter that I was no longer sharing an apartment with them, I had already adapted to their schedule and routines. I'm not sure I wanted to think too hard about what that meant because I don't believe I'd like answer.

On a sigh, I reached to turn on the bedside light, then sat up in the bed. In exactly four hours I would make my presentation to Ranger. I might as well get up and grab a shower. This time I had the shower chair to help me, but I kept my phone close, just in case.

At exactly nine o'clock, with Stephanie carrying my supplies, I crutched my way into the conference room on One. With her help I set the foam board display up on a tripod, then pulled the folders with my presentation out of my laptop case.

Once everything was set, she walked to me. "You look great," she said.

I ran a hand over my black pencil skirt and glanced down at the one flat I was wearing. I would have much rather been in my power heels, but the crutches were set to my height in flat shoes. "Thank you."

"Nervous?" she asked.

I nodded. "A little."

"Well, just know that while Ranger puts on a tough façade, he's a big teddy bear inside."

She'd no sooner finished her sentence when the man she affectionally dubbed Batman arrived, followed by the rest of the core team. From the moment Steph told me about Lester, Bobby and Tank being owners, I'd prepared myself for them to be part of this meeting. Still, seeing them walk in threw me off balance for a moment. It was the first time I'd seen Bobby since Saturday morning. Much to my surprise, he didn't look hurt or angry, as I'd expected. I guess maybe Lester had talked to him after all.

"Babe," Ranger said as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"I was just helping Sienna set up," she said. "I'll head up to Four and get to work." She reached over and gave my forearm a squeeze. "Good luck," she whispered, then disappeared with a solid click of the heavy wood door.

It's show time, Sienna. I straightened my spine, as well as I could while relying on my crutches, then glanced around the table at my audience. "Gentlemen. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me this morning." I motioned to the presentation folders sitting in front of each man. "You'll find in front of you, a print version of the presentation I'm about to give…"

A half hour later I stood next to the tripod and motioned to my display board. "So, as you can see, by moving the active file storage out of this room, and placing a conference table and chairs there instead along with installing computer access and maybe a couple of dry erase boards, you now have a strategy room that can be used, not only for planning FTA apprehensions and eviction work, but can also double as a place to spread out floor plans for laying out new security systems or strategizing for event protection jobs." Careful not to lose my crutch I shifted to look at them.

"The cabinets containing active files can easily be distributed along the walls outside offices within the appropriate departments and in a manner that would provide easy access." I pointed to the area on my display. "For instance, cabinets containing searches for FTA's would go here. The same would happen with sales, security, and protection work."

I moved back to the table and eased into the chair. "According to Stephanie, security system sales is your biggest department. It's also probably your quietest with regard to work that needs to be completed. So, I propose you keep everyone in sales and security on the same side of the floor as the monitors, while FTA's and protection work should be on the opposite side."

I motioned back to my display. "As you can see by example two on my display, this would also require moving some personnel offices and cubicles around, but by placing everyone who works within a specific department together, you cut down on the amount of time wasted by employees walking to each other's offices or having to search each other out."

"What about the core team?" Tank asked. "We all have our hands in every aspect of the company."

"Your, Ranger and Lester's offices would need to be located more toward the middle of the floor so that they can effectively spanned both departments. Bobby's office would remain on Three. I would also recommend a couple of plexiglass barriers placed on either side of the monitoring stations. This will cut down on the sound bleeding into that area, but being clear, they'll still fulfill your need to see the stations from your offices and the men's need to be aware of their surroundings without making them anxious of blind corners."

"And you honestly think having more than one printer will up productivity?" Ranger asked.

I nodded. "Even if you only go with one printer on each end of the floor, you'll improve productivity simply because employees won't have to walk as far to the machines. Giving each person their own printer will keep them working in their office or cubical, which is even better, but we'll need to weigh the cost of all the extra equipment, plus ink vs time lost walking to the machines."

"If we're losing the room where we store office supplies, where do you propose we keep them?" Lester asked.

"Two cabinets on either end of the floor can be stocked with everything needed. If we place them next to the printers that will be even better."

"Won't having to keep track and keep stock of two cabinets be more work though?"

"Maybe a little bit, but I believe the benefit outweighs that particular concern."

Several long seconds passed without anyone speaking. "Okay, so let's talk departments for a second. I firmly believe you're missing a prime opportunity with how you're scheduling your people."

"Really?" Tank asked. "What so wrong with how we schedule?"

"Well…let's just start with monitors," I replied. "Why are you having healthy, young, able-bodied men sitting on monitors all day, every day?"

"Somebody has to keep watch on our accounts," Tank replied.

"True," I said. "So, why not hire disabled vets to work your monitors? They'd have the discipline and skills you'd want for Rangeman and would free up your able-bodied men for tasks in other departments. Plus, you'd get the bonus of having people on monitors who wouldn't be dreading the job and praying for when they'd shift off the monitors into other departments where they can get out in the field."

Ranger glanced at Tank and for a moment I thought he might grin. "We have discussed this idea before," he said. "But concerns were raised about how the men might feel being disabled and stuck on monitors all the time when those around them were catching all the action."

"So, make that one of your interview questions," I offered. "Let them know ahead of time of what would be expected. Then leave the decision in their hands." I made a sweeping motion to the building. There are plenty of opportunities for a disabled vet to work within these walls. You could put someone on the front lobby desk. Having a disabled medic to back up Bobby and aid in paperwork, would free Bobby up to spend more time in the field. Same with doing searches and background checks. You could keep a team of disabled vets busy without the need for them to ever leave the control room floor."

The only indication Ranger had heard me was one arched brow. He slid a sidelong look at Tank, then over to Lester and Bobby before turning his attention back to me. "Interesting concept," he finally said, and I was left to wonder if maybe I'd overstepped in my observations. Still, I believed in this proposal and in my head, I knew it could work. If I showed weakness or backed down now, I might as well just pack up and leave completely.

After several long seconds of silence fell between us, I finally asked. "Everything we discussed is included within the pages of the proposals sitting in front of each of you. Are there any questions?"

The men glanced at each other and shook their heads. "I believe we're good," Ranger said as he stood, pushed away from the table, and walked toward me. When he reached where I was sitting, he extended a hand to help me up. "Impressive presentation, Sienna. You've given us quite a bit to consider."

I stood, then accepted the crutches from him. "Thank you. If you decide later that you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask."

His smile was warm as he stepped back and opened the door for me. "We won't."

Steph must have been monitoring the floors because the moment the elevator doors opened, I found her standing inside. "Well?" she asked, her face filled with hopeful anticipation.

I stepped into the elevator and grinned. "I'm happy with how it went."

"What did Ranger say?"

"That they would look over everything and if they had any questions, he'd let me know."

"How do you feel?"

I laughed now as the rush of the moment began to wane and my body started to relax. "Good. I'm proud of what I presented. Now, we wait to see what happens."

"Good." She looped her arm through mine. "So, I say we go out to celebrate a job well done."

I grinned. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I will be," she replied. "I have to drop by Vinnie's and pick up Rangeman's FTA's for the week."

"How is that celebrating?" asked.

"Afterward, we'll head back to the scene of the crime." She smiled. "I'm dying for a Boston Cream."

"And how are we getting there?"

She held up the keys. "I still have Ranger's Cayenne."

After an adventurous morning with Steph, I'd returned to my apartment, changed clothes, then booted up my computer. With the presentation now behind me, it was time to get back to my manuscript and start looking for a job and a place to live. I found myself thinking back to my introduction to Steph's friends at the bond's office and I couldn't stop my smile. Her friends reminded me so much of characters I might have written in a story that if I hadn't met Connie and Lula in person, I would have never believed they really existed.

Because of what I'd done for Steph, I was automatically endeared to her friends. So much so, that Connie informed me if I ever needed anything, including help getting rid of my in-laws, to let her know, because she knew people who could help. While I would love to be rid of Aaron's family, I wasn't willing to think too deeply about what Connie's offer actually meant and I certainly wasn't willing to take her up on it.

Lester's comment from the day of the accident danced through my mind. You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy, and Trenton isn't Oz. He really wasn't kidding with that statement. Shaking my head, I dug out my notebook and pen, then pulled up a listing of apartment complexes in the area. It was time I start focusing on getting my life back in some sort of order. That began with finding a permanent place to live and a job.

As I perused the listings, I considered my options. I had nothing but Jenny and my new friends really tying me to Trenton, so theoretically, I could go anywhere I wanted in New Jersey. A sharp pain in my chest had me lifting a hand to press against it. Damn it, why did I have this sudden need to cry at the idea of leaving? This wasn't my home and I'd only known Lester and Bobby for a total of ten days. I didn't even have this kind of reaction when I decided to leave Indiana. Yet, I couldn't deny the weight now pressing on my chest.

We didn't have a relationship, at least not one that had been clearly defined. Which meant I shouldn't be having such a visceral of a reaction at just the idea of leaving them behind.

I blinked back a sudden wash of tears threatening to fall and gave myself a stern talking to. Focus Sienna! You have a life to make for yourself and it doesn't include living inside one of your fictional stories.

Blocking out everything but the task at hand, I made several notes of places to check out, then switched over to help wanted ads.

After two hours of searching and sending out a few electronic resumes, my vision grew blurry and my eyelids heavy. Not sleeping overnight had finally caught up with me. So much for working on my manuscript. I set my laptop aside, laid back on the couch and closed my eyes.