Family Ties

Chapter 18

We held each other like that for a while, each of us content and not wanting to break the mood. Two things interrupted. My stomach started growling about the same time as Ranger's cell phone started ringing. I rolled off him so he could answer.

"Yo...sounds like a plan. See you in the morning."

"Jack?"

He nodded. "He and Kap are stopping for the night. As near as he can tell, they're only a few miles behind us. They should catch up in the morning."

I nodded my understanding as my stomach started growling again.

He raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like I'd better get dinner started."

I scowled at him, but he just laughed. "Need to feed the horses anyway, Babe." He kissed me, slow and deep, before getting up and seeing to the horses.

I sighed in contentment as I watched him. I had never in my life been this happy. Of course, I could wish that Ranger and I weren't technically working and that my legs and butt were functioning the way they were meant to, but all in all, life was good.

Ranger left the horses and returned to the saddlebags, and the bags Annie had been toting. I noticed he was limping a little. "Ranger?" He looked over at me. "You okay?"

He smiled a little. "Just feeling the saddle some."

That's it. He was hurting too, and it wasn't fair to lie around and watch him work. I carefully got to my feet and limped over to him.

"What are you doing, Babe?"

I rolled my eyes. "Helping." He started to protest, but I cut him off. "Ranger, you're sore too. If we work together, we can both get some rest that much sooner."

His hand cupped my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. "Thanks. Can you gather up the stuff for dinner while I build a fire?"

I nodded. "Whatever you need. What am I looking for?"

He called out a list while he built the fire. Ranger as boy scout. Hmpf. Nope, that image didn't work for me. Ranger as survivalist? Closer.

I even helped cook. I know, I can't even cook in a fully equipped kitchen, much less over an open fire. But my help consisted of following Ranger's directions, so I couldn't screw it up too badly. We laughed together quite a lot, and I thought I'd even be willing to learn to cook if it meant I'd get to hear him laugh more often.

After dinner, we both cleaned up. I tried to protest, but Ranger insisted that since I'd helped cook, he'd help clean. I didn't really mind. I liked working side by side with him.

Fed, cleaned up, and repacked. I just needed to clean myself up. Ranger handed me the little ziplock, the box of baby wipes, and a bottle of water so I could brush my teeth. He pointed toward the tree where the horses were. "Ladies' room is that way, near the horses. Men's room that way. Armed escort available if needed."

I smiled and shook my head. "I think I can manage."

Business taken care of, I headed back to Ranger. He traded me all the things in my arms for one of his T-shirts. I look at him questioningly, and he smiled. "For you to sleep in."

I grinned at him, and wondered when he'd packed it. I don't remember him packing any shirts. Never mind, I suppose it really didn't matter. I changed and put away my clothes before Ranger got back from the 'men's room'. I snorted. If my mother could see me now, she'd never believe I was exactly where I wanted to be.

I slid carefully into the sleeping bag. I wasn't quite as sore as I had been earlier, I guess moving around some had helped loosen up my muscles. I sighed and relaxed, waiting for Ranger.

I watched him put his things away, wearing his boxers and boots. An odd combination to be sure, but he made even that look good. I watched him walk toward me, just admiring the play of his muscles in the firelight. Some of my thoughts must have shown on my face, because he asked "See something you like?"

I laughed and patted the sleeping bag next to me. "Do you even need to ask?"

He took his boots off and slid in next to me, gathering me in his arms. I couldn't help the contented sigh that slipped out of me. He tightened his arms around me.

"Ranger?" I tilted my head up to look at him. "When did you decide you were ready for us?"

He chuckled. "After the mess with the Cones."

I was startled. "What? But you never, I mean I didn't even, why did you wait so long?"

"I thought I'd waited too long. That you were with Morelli. I figured that if the life he was offering you was what you wanted, I didn't have the right to interfere."

I was confused. "But we've broken up before now."

He shook his head. "Seemed more like off-again than broken up. This is the first time you seemed free, and not unhappy about it."

"Oh." I wasn't sure what to think about that. "Why then, do you think?"

"Seeing how you handled yourself with Clyde in the warehouse, well, you impressed me. You didn't give up for a second, and stood up to some scary stuff. Saving yourself and your friends in the process, I might add. I knew then that you could handle being part of my life. I just had to wait until I had a chance to convince you."

I shook my head. "Even after I fell apart like that? I mean, I was a mess when you got there."

"No Babe, you weren't. You were still fighting every step of the way. Remember? You got Junior in the face with pepper spray. You didn't let yourself fall apart until you knew it was all over and you'd even told us about Albert and Lula."

I guess I'd been quiet for too long. "Babe? What are you thinking?"

"Something you said this morning, about tracking more people than you're comfortable with admitting..."

He sighed. "I will tell you about that if you insist, but it's not a nice story. There are going to be things I can't tell you, and there are others I'd just rather not talk about. Are you going to be okay with that?"

I nodded. "Tell me something else, then."

"Anything in particular?"

"Tell me about your daughter."

He relaxed and pulled me snug against him. "Ciara? She's perfect. She's smart, funny, capable, warm... Not that I'm biased or anything. I can't wait for you to meet her."

Hearing him say he wanted me to meet her eased some anxiety I didn't even know I had. "Her name is Ciara?"

"Yeah, and you two are going to adore each other."

"I hope so."

He let me go. "I know so. Roll over a little, Babe. I promised to massage your sore muscles."

"Ranger, you don't have to do this."

"I know, but I'm looking forward to it."

I laughed and followed directions.

Let me tell you, those pricey sports creams have nothing on warm, strong hands. Especially if those hands are Ranger's. I was drifting somewhere between sleep and wakefulness by the time he had finished.

"You awake Steph?" He whispered.

"Hmm." That was the best I could manage.

He stretched out beside me, and helped me turn so that my back was to his front and wrapped an arm around my waist.

He leaned up just a little to kiss me just below my ear, and I might have smiled. "Night Babe, sweet dreams."

I'm not sure if I answered.