AN: Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been busily reading everyone else's work. After reading Twelve Sharp, I was seriously considering changing this story, but I think I'm committed now. Not a long chapter, but trying to get back into the groove. Hope you enjoy. As you know, the characters are the property of Janet Evanovich. They are not real, despite what we may wish. All of them are simply too good to be true!

Chapter 8

There's no way to get Ranger to discuss something when he doesn't want to. I should have realized that there would be no catching him off guard. Once he placed the ring on my finger, the subject was officially considered changed.

We left the library, went to the kitchen, kissing and hugging the whole way. Oh, I wasn't finished with the Jose Martinez subject, but what the hell, I was now engaged. It felt different than the time was I supposedly engaged to Joe. This time it felt permanent. It felt pretty darn great. I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, we haven't made any plans yet, so there was no reason to think I had to rush into anything.

Ella had set out some food, hearing Ranger come in I suppose. There were sandwiches and bottles of water on the table, but she was no where to be found.

"I asked her to take the day off," Ranger offered. "I thought we might need some time to work through your problem. Then there's the subject of Elena."

I stopped in mid-bite. The subject of Elena. What did that mean? "Okay, what about Elena?"

"I was thinking that I would like to see if Gina would consider giving me more visitation time. Now that we're going to be married, I would really like to give Elena some type of solid family life. I never could have done that before. How would you feel about it?"

I could tell that he was concerned about my response. Not that he gave anything away in the expression on his handsome face, but it was more about the eyes. I reached over and smoothed a hand down his cheek. "Ric, I would love to have your daughter visit. I would be willing to do whatever was necessary to make her feel at home. Do you think it would help if I talked to your ex-wife?"

Okay, maybe I didn't really mean that last part, but I wanted to be the bigger woman in the scenario. Shoot, I probably was bigger by a few inches and 10 pounds.

"I appreciate the offer, Babe, I really do, but this is something I need to work out with her myself. I can understand her reluctance to let me in. I haven't exactly provided a stable home life for Elena up to now. I think I need to prove to both you and Gina that I am trying to change. I'm willing to bet you aren't totally convinced that I'm not going to convert you to some Burg bride. I don't blame you for being weary, Babe, but honestly, you're fine just the way you are."

ESP or not, I think Ranger had hit on something that had been nagging me since we moved into the house. Nearly everything about the house screamed traditional family venue. That's not me. Granted the security system and elaborate camera setup was more me. Certainly the bomb detection units on the cars were my speed, but the huge bedroom and separate bath... well, okay, they were me too. That damned gourmet kitchen... that wasn't me at all.

"Stephanie," Ranger interrupted, "it's not about the house, its about us. The house is some place to live. I like comfort. You like comfort, when you're not worried about how to afford it. What's important is that we are in the house together. Babe, I couldn't live here without you."

I knew what he meant. I didn't want to think about coming home to the house without knowing he would be home soon.

"I swear I'm not as wacko as I seem right now. I don't know what's gotten into me. Maybe I need an intervention with Lula. Maybe I need Boston Cremes."

"I kind of like it when you go off sugar. It's more energy for me." Ranger flashed a wolfish grin.

My previous attempts to limit my sugar intake resulted in over active hormones. Morelli benefited from the effect of sugar withdrawal, but as I remember, Ranger had offered to help me through the rough times as well.

"Very funny," I jibed, finishing off my sandwich and returning the plate to the sink. "Who knew you were so funny."

"I try."

I was going to leave the kitchen when a strong arm circled my waist. "You never did tell me what else was bothering you the other night."

How did he know? "Nothing was really bothering me."

Ranger pushed my hair from my face. "Babe, I know you. I know that the thing with Morelli hurt you. I also know that it doesn't have anything to do with the fact you're with me now and you love me. Morelli means a lot to you. Seeing him as a husband and father has to hurt a little, especially considering how it came about. I just want you to know that I understand. You don't have to try to protect me from your feelings."

That was the most wonderful thing he could have said to me right then. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"I'm better with demonstrations."

We managed to successfully christen the kitchen after Ranger turned off the cameras in that area. Those granite counter tops are hard, but their coolness was a welcome contrast to Ric's hot body. We were very lucky that no one had decided to pay us a visit.

We were in the shower when Ranger's cell phone rang. He stepped out and retrieved it from his pants pocket.

The usual one-sided conversation and then, "I'll be there in a half hour... No, she stays here."

Obviously, I was the she. "Why do I have to stay here?"

"Because you love me and don't want to make me gray before me time," he said with a smile.

I wasn't buying it. "And you still haven't told me about Jose Martinez."

"You agree to stay here with Lester and I will fill you in when I get home. Deal?"

Lester was visiting. Well, he could be fun. "Deal, but I'm not happy about it."

"Babe," he gathered me, towel and all, into his arms, "I can make you very happy tonight if you promise to behave for just a few hours."

I thought about my options. Lester could be good for information if I played my cards right.

"Hurry home," I whispered against his ear.

Lester was waiting for me when I finished dressing and went downstairs. He was seated in the recliner in the den, watching some rerun of a war movie. I sat down on the couch, pulling my legs up underneath me.

"So Les," I began. He cut me off.

"Before you say anything, I am not going to discuss where Ranger went or why. The subject of Jose Martinez is off limits as well."

Damn, Ranger got to him before I could. Not fair!