BCC 12- A Chip Off the Old Block

STEPHANIE POV

Ranger returned with my wrap and clutch even before I realized he was gone; I had been so wrapped up in watching Lester and the his group of ladies prepare to leave. With his warm hand on the small of my back, Ranger glided us expertly through the crowd and out to the waiting turbo.

I sighed sinking down into the cushy leather seats; thinking how heavenly they are. When I reached down to buckle myself in when I found Ranger had already done it. "Need to be more aware of your surroundings Babe," he chuckled and turned the ignition. The motor began to purr and soon we were off into the night; the city lights a blur as we passed by.

Ranger collected my hand in his and I just enjoyed the intimacy, feeling content with how the night had gone. My merry men seemed to fair pretty well; some of them looking extremely happy with the outcome.

"Proud of you, Babe" Ranger said bringing my hand to his lips; his chocolate eyes radiating warmth and sincerity.

"Thanks, Batman," I grinned. I always feel invincible when he tells me that. Where was he when I was growing up? Life could have been so different if I'd had him in my corner then, I mused.

"You did a great job as emcee and I know the guys appreciated all your help."

"I'm glad I could be there for them, they are always there for me! I don't get many chances to help them they are so damn near perfect!"

Ranger chuckled. "No one is perfect Babe, not even me," he said and gave me a mischievous grin.

I suddenly notice we were not headed back to Rangeman. "Where are we going?" I frowned. "Do we have plans I forgot about?"

Ranger's lips twitched and an evil grin soon emerged. "We have reservations for dinner and a floor show."

The look on my face must have been one of puzzlement because he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it again, "You're not going to want to miss THIS show," he said with his knowing smile.

"What show?" I demanded. "Where are we going?"

"We're here," he said pulling into a large parking lot behind a stretch limo. We parked on the other side as the limo pulled up in front of the entrance

I unfastened my seat belt and Ranger squeezed my left hand and used it to point at the limo.

The driver got out and opened the door closest to us. Lester climbed out and walked around and positioned himself at the restaurant entrance, his back to the wall; as the driver came around , opened the other door and extended his hand to help each lady out into the night air. Lester was being a good sport, smiling broadly and guiding the group inside.

My car door opened and Ranger extended his hand. "Shall we?" he asked.

"Is Lester's date our floor show?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders bringing me close to his warm body.

"Yep," he said and kissed my temple.

"You are a devious man, Carlos Manoso," I grinned and kissed his lips lightly.

"Yep," he grinned smugly, " And don't you forget it, Babe."

We were quickly seated in a corner table where we could clearly see the action at Lester's table. I couldn't help but wonder what else Ranger had up his sleeve and how Grandma was involved. Before this night is through I am getting some answers!

I was surprised when a few minutes later Bobby and Charise snuck in and found a booth just down from ours. Bobby's eyes sparkled in mischief as he kept close watch on the action. Charise cuddled into his side and reached for a menu. "Order me whatever you're having," Bobby said unable to keep his eyes off the Santos party.

Les escorted the group of ladies to a large table. He pulled out a chair for each of the ladies. "Uh oh," I groaned.

"What's wrong, Babe?" Ranger asked concern skittering across his face.

"Where's Grandma?" I asked, the familiar sense of panic bubbling up in my stomach.

Ranger relaxed a little and chuckled, "With Edna, only God knows what she is up to."

If you only knew the half of it, I thought.

EDNA POV

Hot damn, this plan of that hot bounty hunter boyfriend of Steffie's worked like a charm. All his men are hotties but that Lester Santos has a little something extra! He is a charmer. I bet women his own age don't know what to do with him. He probably juggles several at a time. I knew a few smooth talkers like him in my day. Dated one briefly. I can't wait to see if this silver tongued devil can handle five mature women who could teach him a thing or two...

I decided to excuse myself and use the ladies room to freshen up and on my way back to the table I saw a tall man with broad shoulders and a head full of thick salt and pepper colored hair. His back was to me and he had the most delectable looking behind filling out a fitted pair of tan chinos. Before I knew what I was doing my fingers were doing the talking. He jumped a foot off the ground when my fingers made contact and quickly turned around grabbing my hand in his. "Well, hello cutie," he grinned showing the most adorable dimple. His skin was tan and he looked to be about my age. His bourbon colored eyes sparkled as he guided my hand to his lips and kissed the top of it. Such a gentleman. A very handsome gentleman at that.

"Dance with me?" he said still clutching my hand. I couldn't help but grin and nodded my acceptance.

He led me confidently to the dance floor and swept me up into his arms. One arm held me close, the other hand holding mine as his body guided us around the floor. He clearly knew his way around a dance floor. I was in for a treat. His lean body was strong and I would guess quite built as he pressed even closer and grinned at me. There is something about this man, I thought as the music came to an end. He intrigued me.

"What's your name?" he asked not releasing me and continuing to dance even with no music. I looked up into his mischievous eyes and grinned. "Edna." I said.

"Edna, I'm Ernesto and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am here to meet my grandson but I find I don't want to let you go."

"You're a smooth talker, Ernesto," I grinned, "And in fact you haven't let me go, the band stopped playing a minute ago."

Ernesto looked around to find that we were the only ones on the dance floor. "Ah, so they have," he sighed, but made no effort to release me or to stop dancing. I do like a man who marches to his own drum, especially one as handsome as this charmer.

He grinned. "And I like a woman who knows what she wants," he said and chuckled at my confused look. "You said your thoughts out loud, doll."

Damn I thought I had outgrown that. He chuckled again, "I hope you haven't outgrown anything," he said, "I think you are absolutely charming!"

CAL POV

Charlene followed me out to my truck and waited for me to open her door. "I knew you'd be a gentleman," she whispered. I caught the look in her eye and leaned in brushing my lips over hers. She tasted so good I found my tongue going in for another sample. She moaned softly and ran her fingers through my hair. I heard someone shout, "Get a room!" and that pulled me back into our surroundings. Oops, not very professional of me. I quickly lifted her into the passenger seat and soon we were stopping to get a large bag of Chinese take out and headed back to her shop.

When we pulled up out front I realized this was a shop I had always intended to check out but just hadn't yet. If I had known this amazing woman was the owner I would have camped out here months ago just to catch her attention.

The bell on the front door announced our presence to the empty shop. I could feel my head swivel around trying to take in all the designs posted on the walls as she lead me to a back room. She made a place on her desk to set the food and disappeared into another room. I pulled out the containers and grinned to myself about how lucky I was.

"What are you thinking?" Charlene asked as she entered the room with a couple beers in her hand and a handful of napkins.

"Huh?" I responded so very eloquently. Way to go Cal, I admonished.

"You," she said, "You had an odd look on your face when I came in."

I felt my face flush. She reached up and touched my cheek. "No need to be embarrassed Calvin, I just wondered what you were thinking."

"I uh, well,.." I stammered, "I was just thinking how lucky I am to have met you."

She smiled and gave me a sweet kiss. "I'm glad I took a chance and went to auction to meet you." She wiped the lipstick off my mouth and grabbed a take out box and began opening them. "Moo Shu or sweet and sour chicken?" she asked. I traded her a pair of chop sticks for the Moo shu and we took a seat Indian style on the couch and shared bites of each.