They woke early the next day, tangled together.
"I need to head out and your trainer is going to be here in a few minutes, Babe." Ranger said. He swung his legs away from Stephanie and stood leaving her feeling very alone.
"Who did you get?" she asked.
"I think you'll be happy," Ranger said evasively and Stephanie knew it was bad. He walked into the bathroom and Stephanie could hear the water running. Already she was feeling the loss and he'd just left the bed. Was this normal? Was this the way she was supposed to feel? She didn't like it at all. Stephanie eased out of bed and pulled on her workout gear. She may not need the exercise she thought, as her aching muscles reminded her of the night with Ranger, but she did need the training. Stephanie steeled herself, whoever would be training her, she'd make it work.
Ranger came out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped around his waist and Stephanie fell back to the bed to enjoy the view.
"How long will you be gone again?" she asked.
"Couple of days or maybe a week. I'll call you when I'm back in town." He promised.
"And where are you going?" Stephanie asked. Ranger gifted her with one of his blinding smiles.
"Nice try, Babe, but you know I can't tell you." He said as he pulled his pants on.
"Can't or won't?" she asked.
"A little of both. It's better for you not to know." The chills she felt the night before returned.
"Is Tank going with you?" she asked.
"Not this time, this is one I'm taking on my own but he'll be around if I need him." He sat down next to her and reached for her.
"It's going to be fine and you'll have a great time learning the trade while I'm gone. I'd love to come with you on your first big dollar bounty." He said. Ranger held up his hands. "Just to watch because I know you'll be able to do it." Stephanie smiled but Ranger's warm support couldn't cool her feeling of dread. He tied his shoes just as the doorbell rang.
"That'll be Tank and your trainer, Babe." He said before leaning to kiss her deeply. "I've got to go. I'll be in touch." Stephanie nodded weakly trying to regain a little of the balance he'd thrown off. She followed him to the living room and stood next to him as he opened the door. She stepped around him and smiled broadly at Tank but stopped cold as she recognized the woman next to him.
"Jeanne Ellen?" she asked, turning to Ranger. "JEANNE ELLEN?" Jeanne Ellen Burrows was arguably the baddest bounty hunter Stephanie had ever met next to Ranger but she was also someone of whom Stephanie was fiercely jealous. Her inner Stephanie had gained more confidence in recent weeks but her truer Stephanie felt short and dumpy next to the statuesque and well toned, Jeanne Ellen. Ranger leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Trust me," he whispered in her ear. He kissed her deeply again. "I'll be in touch." Ranger said. He and Tank walked toward the staircase. Stephanie watched him walk away and knew in that moment that she would do what she had to do to achieve her goal and show Ranger, and herself, that she could do it. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning to Jeanne Ellen. It took all of her strength to smile but she managed it.
"What first?" Stephanie asked. Truly dreading the answer.