Happy New Year. I know it has been a while. Lee Anne

Whispers in the Wind

Chapter 33

His dark eyes went around the large room as the lights turned brighter. Slowly, Ranger's eyes took in the large living area laid out before him with the tall windows and New York outside. Tink and Mingo went running out into the glistening patio disappearing around a corner. The dark wood floor was the opposite of the white and neutral furnishings. He chuckled at a few throw pillows colored with dogs. The space was open with a gentle curve of the staircase that offset the rectangular high windows that went to the ceiling. A large glass table with cream chairs near the white cabinet kitchen indicated the dining area. This was pure New York Stephanie Ranger thought to himself.

"Make yourself at home, Ranger," Stephanie told him slipping off her sandals and dropping her purse on the glass-topped sofa table. "My studio is off the kitchen. There is a bathroom and Lester's room down here," she explained pointing in the direction of the kitchen. "There are high walls around the deck," she added noticing the handsome man watching the happy dogs chase each other.

Mary Alice and her sister were comfortable on the swivel lounger right at home in the their aunt's condo.

"Hey, Steph, I'm going to take these small boxes down to my Vette so I don't have to do it in the morning," her nephew called from somewhere.

"OK, if you need a cart, I can buzz for one."

"They're not big," he replied carrying two boxes in his hands. "The other things of Uncle Regis' stuff I'll come back for. I'll need to make room in my Rangeman storage locker."

Only nodding to his employee and strained friend, Ranger and Lester had a silent acknowledgment between them. Lester was removing personal items he assumed belonging to his uncle and Santos in turn was more accepting of the relationship between Ranger and Stephanie. It was somewhat ironic, items owned by Regis Burton were stored in Ranger's building while the Cuban Bad Ass was seeing his girlfriend. Also, it meant Stephanie was letting go more of her former life and moving forward.

"Here," Stephanie responded linking her keys on Lester's pinky finger and Ranger opened the door. "to let yourself back in. I want to get our guest settled upstairs and I have nieces who need to get ready for bed. We've had a long day."

"We're not," Angie yawned, "tired."

Stephanie giggled ushering Angie and Mary Alice up the circular staircase following her dogs, "Right."

Looking down as he went up with his overnight duffel in hand, "Ranger had a full view of the white condominium. It was striking. The areas were distinct in their layout, but the white and cream hues blended together. Stephanie's female dog waited for Ranger at the top of the steps giving a doggie sniff running into an open door on the right.

"This is the master suite," Stephanie indicated turning off the seating area.

Her nieces and dogs were on the massive white four-poster bed that faced the windows. There was still room on it for her and at least one more.

His eyes went up almost to the ceiling. "That is quite a bed, Babe."

"It is big. The bathroom and dressing room take up most of this side," she said, "facing the river. Regis' office is at the end and I hope you will be comfortable in here." Ranger walked across the hallway beside her into the remaining bedroom.

It was white with the platform bed and glass side tables. The bed was covered in a pale mint coverlet. "The bathroom is in here." she said turning on a light in the marble bath, "and more towels, toothbrushes, soap, and who knows is in the cupboard. I kept it stocked for Mary Lou when she and her family visited."

It was minimalist in the furniture. Uncluttered except for a window seat overlooking the patio lined with green and cream pillows. A Cuban hand touched the mattress, it was firm with some give to it.

"Will you be comfortable, Ranger?"

"Babe, this is more than I could have imagined. Thank you." He walked over standing in front of the beautiful woman watching him. "Yes, I'll be quite comfortable." He would have preferred holding Stephanie the entire night, but he was a patient man. Taking one more step, she was wrapped in his arms. "I missed you, Babe," Ranger whispered before finding her waiting lips.

"I missed you."

Ranger saw something in her blue eyes, he wasn't positive but it could be apprehension.

"If you're not too tired after you get settled, I'll tell you about today."

He nodded hoping the ball forming in his stomach was only his imagination.

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Coming down the rounded stairs, Ranger saw Stephanie was standing looking out at her patio; her thoughts were focused on something or someone, because she never heard his shoes on the hardwood floor.

"Babe," he said quietly. He saw her jump slightly turning to face him with a weak smile. A feeling a dread now settled in the Cuban stomach, but his face didn't reflect it.

She handed him a glass of wine asking "Can we talk?"

"OK."

"What if Stephanie isn't ready?" echoed in his brain as Ranger followed her and her Belgium Tervurens out onto the patio.

It was lit in white lights, warm, and faint noise from the activity below. Furniture was placed around it. He stopped putting distance, a few steps, between them, as she was visually searching for something lost in her thoughts.

"It's funny, Stephanie began talking facing the Hudson River, "when I met Regis I was living across the river almost in direct line from where I am standing. I was making it on my own picking up more assignments with the wildlife group and gaining some recognition. I didn't know who Regis Burton was. Today, it hit home, the trust and responsibility he placed in me as the major stockholder of Burton Enterprises."

Turning around, he fought the desire to wipe the tears off her face but he stood there helpless because his future could be crumbling. "Let's sit down," the photographer said indicating a metal table with thick cushioned chairs. "I need to ask you something."

Taking the chair next to her, Ranger's hand covered hers even as uneasy as he was and a finger wiped a stray tear. "Anything, Babe." The tangle in is stomach was growing tighter.

"Please, say 'No' if I'm asking too much and I will understand." The watery blue eyes met his concerned dark eyes. "I've talk to Arthur a lot over the last weeks. He looks after me. He and Regis were best friends since college. I'm sorry I'm rambling," Stephanie apologized.

A strong, callused hand cupped the wet check. "Take your time. I'm listening," a concerned Ranger spoke quietly.

"Here I am a grown woman and I don't understand all this business, but I do understand after my guardian Arthur outlined some of my additional duties or perks that I can exercise.

Regis was a master at scripting iron-clad agreements and today Lester and I find ourselves with more stocks and I have an empty seat on the Burton Board of Directors. I know in the next few years, Arthur would like to cut back and maybe semi-retire, but he feels responsible to look out for me. I want to appoint someone to the board who I trust, keep me informed, and assist in the direction of Burton Enterprises. It would be nice to have another friend there at the meetings. Ranger, Carlos, I want to nominate you."

"Babe?" He was taken back never expecting this. The Security Expert was expecting Stephanie to maybe back away from him.

"Please, if it's too much or too weird, say 'No'. If you want to mull it over, that's OK. I don't want to pressure you."

"Stephanie, my expertise is in security."

"I know, but it is a business. I want someone on the board that I know. This isn't about my or Lester's stock stake, but Regis employed a lot of people. He treated them fairly and took care of them. I want to look out for them," she explained hoping this wasn't too much to ask of this man. "You would be fresh eyes for me."

He let out a breath and the knot in the pit loosened. This would strengthen their growing bond. "I'm honored, Stephanie," he told her cradling her face. "you trust me that much and I will do everything in me to fulfill it." Finally, he felt he was on steady ground leaning into to kiss the beautiful woman.

"I hope you won't mind if Arthur pays you a visit to talk with you?"

"No, I look forward to meeting him," Ranger chuckled, "when he isn't rescuing your Grandmother from Donald Trump."

"He is on top of everything involving me or my family." Her nose scrunched up. "I have something else I want to ask you."

"More?" Ranger teased with an arched eyebrow. "Well, you are offering me a 'fabulous' place to sleep. I think that balances out another question."

"Once I decide on the final location for 'Helping Hands' will you give me your expert security recommendations. Rangeman will be paid and if you except the job, would you put Lester in charge of the installation? I know it would mean a lot to him. He lost too."

"Now, that I can do and Lester would do an excellent job overseeing the project. Anything else?"

"Nope," she replied taking a sip of her wine and attempted to hide a small yawn.

Ranger finished his glass standing up. "Come on, Babe. You had a long, emotional day. You need some sleep."

The dogs were waiting at the glass doors wagging their tails. Lester was inside in the kitchen

they could see through the windows. "Lester, you're going to have those gone before you get to Trenton."

From the aroma in the air, he was heating up River Pete's chicken-on-the sticks. He bought $100 worth's to take back with him. Stephanie had some for her father and some for her house to go in her travel cooler. Tink and Mingo were waiting by the breakfast bar sniffing.

Mary Alice and Angie came running down the steps. "We smell River Pete's chicken."

"See what you started," Stephanie laughed taking small plates out of a cupboard and forks.

"I just needed a snack," Stephanie's 'nephew' laughed taking the skewers out of the toaster oven. "You have to try these, Ranger. Stephanie knows all the good venders."

He admitted, his mouth was watering from the smell. It was slightly like teriyaki but more. Maybe some barbecue.

"Aunt Stephanie, do you think River Pete could come to Trenton?" Angie asked taking a bite of her snack.

He took one as the plate was passed to him taking his first bite. The chicken was tender breaking apart before he chewed it in his mouth. It was sweet with a bit of tang. "Babe, this is good."

Both Mary Alice and Angie had sauce smeared in the corners of their mouths agreed with vigorous head nods.

"When I first got my job here, I couldn't afford to eat in restaurants and pay rent, so I discovered vendors. I'm just lucky River Pete is close by."

The three females were yawning having finished their treats.

"Go to bed, Auntie. I'll clean up the mess I made," Lester said kissing Stephanie's forehead, "and turn out the lights. I think I'll catch the news."

"Just put the dishes in the dish washer, Les. I'll run it in the morning," she replied directing her nieces to the stairs. "Good Night."

The young girls went running to brush their teeth. Stephanie and Ranger were looking at each other by her bedroom door.

"There are extra pillows in the closet." she told the man in front of her.

"Found them. Go to sleep, Babe. I can take care of myself."

"Is it strange being here for you, Ranger?"

Tipping her chin up to see the blue eyes of the beautiful, caring woman, he answered honestly, "I know you lived here with Regis Burton. You were happy here and I see you here, that is what matters. Sweet dreams, Babe."

"Sweet dreams, Carlos."

He gave a flash of perfect white teeth hearing his name. He didn't want their kiss to end, but he gave Stephanie one last touch on the lips and turned her slowly to go into her bedroom.

"Good night."

Ranger settled in bed. The mattress molded to him. He heard light padding feet and bump at the bedroom door. Getting up, he opened it. There was the black dog standing there. She gave a quick sniff and ran back across the hall.

He got comfortable again chuckling to himself. His dark eyes caught a little of New York light through the drawn draperies before they closed. Ranger's last thought was how humbled he felt in the trust the woman across the hallway placed in him and Carlos Manoso would do everything to live up to it.

"Trust is proof of love," the New York night called out "Sweet dreams."