Simple Hearts
Chapter 11
"Wow, Mommy, you look pretty," Reilley Plum told his mother.
Her father concurred, "Very nice, Pumpkin."
That damn Cuban man in black no sooner left, well, Stephanie did have to push him out a little, and he called. "Babe, go out to dinner with me." He knew how to make her heart palpitate. She was going to object being her father was convalescing and she didn't have anything appropriate to wear since she threw jeans and T-shirts in her overnight bag having rushed out of her row house, but her parents wanted her to go out.
"Stephanie," her mother told her, "you don't get to have adult time. Go out. Reilley and your father are happy upstairs. If I have any problems I can call you."
"I know. I may never get my son out of his PJ's. He's been in them all day like Daddy."
Her evening attire was fixed. She was going to borrow a dress from Mary Lou but before she could leave to walk the two blocks, her parent's doorbell rang and one of those men dressed in black handed her two boxes. In one when she opened it was a black T-shirt dress from 'Victoria's Secret' with a black bra and panty set. In the other box was a pair of high heeled sandals.
The dress had black sequins around the neck and hemline. She loved it because it was designed to be reversible. It could be worn with a scoop front or as a boat neck with a scoop back which was how she was wearing it. It fit like a glove and the shoes were comfortable for being high heels. Stephanie didn't know how Ranger had accomplished this, but his housekeeper had magic of her own she figured.
"Thank you, you are two of the best men in my life," she replied kissing them each on a cheek. She felt a tingle run across her neck. Stephanie didn't need to turn around, she knew her date was standing in the doorway. "And my other and new boss is here."
"Babe."
Turning around, Ranger was standing there holding a red rose. He was perfect as a GQ cover in black pants and a pale blue-grey shirt open at the neck and his sleeves cuffed up. His dark eyes were appreciating the body hugging dress on her tall, trim frame, the soft curls all around her expressive face, and the long legs all the way down to her sandals.
"So, do you have fashion stylist on your payroll?" She pinched her dress. It was simple and felt so good against her skin, also the type of dress she would choose for herself if she was to buy one.
"Yeah, her name is Ella to go with my hair one," he teased before he kissed Stephanie.
She teased right back, "Well, maybe you are a Diva then."
"I know what I want and like, Babe." He stressed the endearment making himself clear.
Frank Plum cleared his throat. "Would you two like us to go somewhere else?"
A pink tint was rising in her cheeks. Ranger smirked. "No need, we have reservations."
Picking up the soft black wrap with silver threading and the black clutch also with her outfit, Stephanie kissed her contented son. "Don't wear Grandpa out, Rye."
"Our evening is planned," her father elaborated, "We have our Potato Heads to make funny faces and 'Toy Story 3' to watch." Frank Plum loved the new television; it was small but very high definition. The built in DVD made it right for Reilley and his movies.
"Don't forget the crackers and milk, Grandpa," his favorite grandson and only one reminded.
Stephanie was giggling. "That sounds like a funfest. Mommy won't be too late."
"Bye, Mommy. Bye, Power Ranger."
Ranger was chuckling. There were face pieces and body parts in piles on the bed. Stephanie's father was happy giving his Potato figure characteristics with Reilley. "Good Night, You Two."
"Good Night, Mom."
Ellen Plum was reading the paper in her husband's recliner with a cup of coffee, her feet were up. "You look lovely, Stephanie. Have a good time."
"If you need me, call me."
"Everything is under control. Your father is contented upstairs watching TV with Reilley. If he needs anything, your son relays the message. He's even told me when he's been in the bathroom, not that I need to know. It's been a very peaceful day even with your father home after surgery. Reilley keeps him happy."
"He's running around like a miniature Hugh Hefner in 'Toy Story' pajamas." she said observing him all day in his favorite PJ's.
"Enjoy your dinner. I did."
Stephanie saw on the side table a plate. Her mother was really laying back. She and her son would be leaving tomorrow, so Ellen Plum would be on her toes. Frank Plum wasn't a man to lie around even if he was sick so he would be a tad irritable.
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His Porsche was waiting and Ranger drove them to a Cuban restaurant heading a little South of Trenton. "How about Cuban tonight?"
Her blue eyes were mischievous. "Are we talking food?"
His sexy eyebrow arched and the glance he gave her taking his eyes off the road for a second was pure animal magnetism. "Well, we won't have time for anything else, Babe, if you sample a real Cuban." Her stomach growled low but he heard the sound. "I think its food this time."
The temperature rose in that sports car.
The outside of the restaurant was a red brick building with bright yellow awnings, inside was anything but plain. It was bright and tropical. Scenes of Cuba were painted in murals on a few walls. There were palm trees lit with twinkle lights. Lively Cuban music was playing. Above the bar, Cuban straw hats were hung. The waiters were in crisp, white linen Guayabera shirts and waitresses in colorful skirts bustling around the busy eatery.
"Carlos!" The man as the host station greeted.
Ranger greeted, "Hola, Hector."
"Who is this beautiful woman with you?"
"Hector Gonzalez, this is Stephanie Plum. Stephanie, this is Hector. He owns this little place."
Stephanie extended her hand. "Hello, Hector. I love your lively atmosphere," she cheerfully complimented caught up in the Cuban festival feel.
"Thank you, Stephanie. It is my own little piece of Cuba in New Jersey."
He seated the attractive couple in a corner nestled in Palm trees.
Ranger was saying the Spanish names of the menu items translating the food into English, he looked up, Stephanie wasn't paying any attention to the menu.
"What?" he asked.
"I love listening to you say the menu. There's a very soft masculine tone in your Spanish. It's mesmerizing," Stephanie told him with a dreamy smile on her face.
"Volveré a hablar español a usted cada noche que pasamos juntos, Babe." ("I'll talk Spanish to you every night we spend together, Babe.")
She sighed. "I think it's good. I understood Spanish and night," she said.
Ranger told Stephanie with dark eyes that seemed to never end, "I'll talk Spanish to you every night we spend together, Babe."
"Oh," she said out loud as she was thinking it, "you just ruined these new panties that came from your fashion stylist." Stephanie clamped her hand over her mouth. "I can't believe I just told you that!"
He was laughing heartily. "Babe, that's the nicest thing a woman has said to me in awhile."
"You!" She playfully tossed her napkin at him.
They were sitting in the corner laughing and it didn't matter if any one noticed, Stephanie saw him and Ranger saw her. The restaurant was empty to them.
"This is good." Stephanie ordered Enchilado de Camarones (shrimp simmered in a wine sauce) and Ranger had Pargo Entero Frito o' Asado (broiled whole snapper seasoned with herbs and topped with onions). There was an introduction to sweet plantains and homemade Sangria waiting for their food. It was mesmerizing watching his beautiful date try the flavors of his heritage; she sampled one item at a time to relish the distinctive tastes. Her blue eyes would close, and then open wide at each new zest to awaken her mouth.
"I'm glad you enjoyed dinner."
"I loved dinner." Her curls turned watching a cart go by with desserts. "I'm going to love dessert more."
With their Cuban coffee, Stephanie had samples of all the sweets while Ranger had rice pudding.
"Reilley would love this," she commented slipping the spoon of creamy rice pudding between her lips. It was slightly warm with a creamy vanilla punch and a hint of cinnamon.
As she spoke the words, Hector brought over a covered bowl to their table. "A big Cuban bird told me a little boy likes rice pudding."
"Thank you. My son Reilley loves it. It is his all-time favorite treat," Stephanie explained to the restaurant owner. He heard the love in her voice speaking of her child.
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In the Porsche leaving the restaurant, Stephanie sighed contentedly. "Thank you for my evening. A dress and shoes magically appear, the food was delicious, and I spent it with a very Macho-sweet man who makes me feel so special. Thank you." Stephanie leaned over kissing Ranger with salty lips.
He continued the kiss that the beautiful woman began. "You deserve it and more."
The tinted windows were slightly steamed when they broke apart.
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Walking into the Plums' living room, Reilley and his grandmother were watching a wedding cake challenge on the 'Food Network'. There was a bottle of open wine and a glass. Tonight, Ellen Plum really relaxed.
"Mommy!"
"How was your evening, Rye?"
"Me and Grandpa made funny Mr. Potato Heads and watched Woody and Buzz,"
he told in his simple four year terms.
Stephanie's mother got up from the sofa; she seemed to be walking straight. "How was your dinner? Reilley and I were having Grandma and Grandson time after your father fell asleep." Her speech wasn't slurred, but Reilley's mother hoped the grandparent time didn't include wine tasting between them.
"The Cuban food pleased my palette," Stephanie said. "Guess what is in here?"
She lifted an edge of the bowl so her little boy could take a sniff.
He jumped up and down. "Rice pudding!"
"Yes, someone bought it for you."
Running over, Reilley hugged the strong legs. "Thanks, Power Ranger!"
Ranger picked him up telling him, "You're welcome. I remembered how much you liked it on Christmas."
"It's the best."
"Sit down, Mom. I'll get bowls. Would you like some?" Stephanie asked before heading to the kitchen and slipping off her shoes.
"I would. Please have a seat, Ranger," Ellen invited returning to her spot on the sofa.
Sitting down on the sofa, Reilley found a comfortable spot on his lap. "Did you have a good time with Mommy, Power Ranger?"
He looked down at the big blue eyes so honest, trusting, and as blue as his mother's, Ranger enjoyed seeing them as much as Stephanie's. "I always have fun with you and Mommy."
"You're pretty fun, too. Wow! Look at this," he said amazed at the creamy pudding his mother handed him in a bowl.
"There's a little bedtime snack, Rye."
He nodded busy enjoying his first taste of his before-bed snack.
"Oh, this is good," Mrs. Plum agreed. She was enjoying her unexpected indulgence.
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Tucking in her sleepy son, he was telling his mother about his night.
"Did you have a nice time with Grandma?" Stephanie inquired. When they visited, her father monopolized her son, so it must have been special for her mother to have alone time with her grandson.
"Yeah. Grandma had two glasses of wine. I think she liked it. She had some before Grandpa went to sleep," he detailed his grandmother's wine tasting.
Ranger was chuckling standing by the bed overlooking the mother and son listening to Reilley rat out his grandmother.
After the last few days, Stephanie recognized her mother had to let her short hair down so she wasn't going make much of it. The antics of her grandmother probably caused Mrs. Plum to reach for the bottle in the kitchen cupboard that was for emergencies. Edna Mazur caused a lot of those. "Sweet dreams, Reilley. Mommy will be coming to bed soon."
"OK," he kissed her with eyes too heavy to remain open. The cat was cozy curled up next to him. "Night, Power Ranger," he yawned.
"Night, Blue Power Ranger."
She turned out the light and the Woody night light illuminated.
"Babe." He was still chuckling in the hallway. "I get the feeling if you need to know anything, ask your son."
"Reilley is honest," she giggled. "It's the innocence of the age. I hope he never loses it. He keeps track of things better than me at times."
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He was leaving for his apartment, but prolonging his departure as long as he could. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Babe."
"Thank you for making it so special and sharing your Cuban food with me. I like getting to know you and I'm glad you shared that piece of you."
His dark eyes were taking in every curl his fingers were playing in. "I know you need to go to Wilmington. I don't want you go, but I want you to come back quickly. I'll be there to help you pack."
Sighing, she told him, "I can't believe I'm coming back, but it does also seem to be the right time to come full circle. But, in doing so, I know I'm more settled that before and Reilley is so excited to be moving close to Grandpa and the hardware store."
Ranger cupped her face in his hands. "I'll see you before you leave." He didn't wait for Stephanie's attempt to contradict him; he crushed her to him finding her lips.
There was an acknowledgement he felt when Ranger pulled away in his Porsche, there wouldn't be many more days or nights when one of them was leaving to go back to the town they lived. Stephanie would be calling Trenton home again and his heart told Ranger his was with the mother and son.