Family Ties
Chapter 22
I had a brief talk with Jack. He and Pat were on their way. I wish the conversation had taken longer. Nothing to distract me from my worrying. It was close to an hour and a half since Ranger had set out, and I was praying that he was on his way back to me.
I had dismounted over an hour ago. I thought about taking the saddles off the horses. I was pretty sure I could get them off, but I wasn't as confident of getting them back on, so I left them alone. I had walked the horses over to a little stand of trees. We'd be just another shadow in the distance.
The urge to pace was strong, but I was trying hard to keep quiet. Maybe I could hear Ranger coming back. I smiled to myself. Yeah, like that would happen. Suddenly, I did hear something. I stilled, thinking. Maybe it was Ranger. Maybe it was Brennan. Hell, it could be a mountain lion for all I knew. Did they have mountain lions here? I took a slow breath, and removed the Glock from my hip.
I checked the time. One hour, forty seven minutes. Please, I thought. I scanned the area. I saw nothing, and the sound was not repeated. Knowing me, I was panicking over a lizard or something. I continued to look, just in case. I noticed a form separating from the shadows, and let out a breath as I recognized Ranger.
He approached with a small smile, and nodded toward the Glock in my hand. "Good to know you were keeping alert."
I holstered the gun and looked up at him. "Yeah, well, you scared the crap out of me."
He closed the distance between us and wrapped one arm around me. Kissing me on top of the head, he whispered. "Sorry Babe, couldn't be helped. Did you talk to Snake and Kappy?"
I nodded against his chest, and felt myself relax. "They're on their way. I guess that means it was them?"
"Yes. They're settling in for the night, so we have time to wait for the Imaris."
We held each other for a while, not speaking. Finally, I pulled back a little. "So what's the plan?"
He tightened his arms around me. "It'll take Snake and Kap a few hours to get to us. I'd like to move in on them in the early morning hours, when they're in a deep sleep. Less chance of complications that way, but a long night for us."
"Okay." I was keyed up, and at loose ends. A bad combination. I wished we were somewhere I could take a run.
Ranger noticed, of course. He stepped back and held a hand out to me. "Come on, Babe. Help me unsaddle the horses. Once we get them fed and watered, we can relax for a bit. Dinner for us will be cold tonight, I don't want to risk a fire. But I promise you a hot breakfast in the morning if we catch those two tonight. Deal?"
I smiled as I took his hand. "Deal." Ranger was right, as usual. Helping get the horses settled took the edge off my restlessness, and I was calmer as we contemplated dinner.
"So what do we have that we can eat cold?" I was peering over his shoulder as he knelt next to Annie's bag.
He continued to dig in the bag. "Not much. Some crackers, peanut butter, some kind of cheese in a can, peanuts...and chocolate chip cookies."
I shrugged, "Well, at least there's dessert."
He turned to look at me, giving me the 200 watt smile.
"What?"
He shook his head. "If anyone had asked me a few months ago how you would tolerate being out in the open, unable to shower, eating like this...well, this is not what I would have expected. You keep surprising me."
I turned partially away to hide my blush. "Yeah, well, a girl will put up with a lot if there's chocolate."
He chuckled softly. "Good to know."
Ranger spread out our sleeping bags enough that we could both sit and stretch out a little. We ate what there was, and sat in companionable silence. I offered him a cookie, but he shook his head. "C'mon Ranger, I've seen you eat chocolate chip cookies before."
His slow smile answered me before he did. "That was just to keep me from tearing your clothes off in the middle of your living room."
I shook my head at him, and waved the cookie under his nose. He grinned and finally took it. "You should try to lie down and get some rest if you can, Babe. We've got at least four hours until Snake and Kap get here, and another couple of hours before we need to get moving."
"I don't think I can sleep."
He looked at me, considering. "Okay then, I'm going to try to get a nap. Wake me in two hours. Sooner if you hear anything, or even just feel something off. Or if you get tired."
"I will."
He took off his holster and laid it in easy reach before stretching out on his back. "Hey Steph?"
"What?"
"Come kiss me goodnight?"
I crawled the few feet between us. "Gladly." His hands were in my hair, and mine rested on his chest as we kissed each other breathless. I finally started to pull away before I let myself any more carried away. "Sweet dreams, Ranger."
I heard the smile in his voice. "Definitely. Two hours."
"Two hours."
It wasn't long before I heard his breathing even out as he fell asleep. I wished there was more than starlight to watch him by. I was keeping watch, but occupying myself with daydreams of real food and a hot shower. Hot shower with Ranger...better not let myself go there. I really wouldn't be aware of my surroundings.
I was surprised that I enjoyed the quiet. I glanced down at the man sleeping next to me, and wondered if he knew how much it meant to me that he'd trusted me enough to keep watch as he slept. Time passed slowly.
Finally, it was time to wake him. I put a hand to his shoulder, and he was instantly alert. "Trouble?" he whispered.
"No, it's been two hours."
He relaxed and stretched. "Good. Thanks. Your turn." I started to shake my head, but he wasn't finished. "Even if you don't sleep, stretch out and close your eyes for a little while. We may be very busy in a few hours. Gather your energy while you can."
I smiled a little. "Never miss an opportunity to eat, sleep, or piss. I remember. But I expect a goodnight kiss."
He smiled and leaned toward me. His kiss was slow and tender, and he broke from it much too soon, smiling at my pout. "I know, but I want you to sleep if you can."
Oh. Good point. I curled up on the sleeping bag, and quickly fell asleep.