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Realigning Destiny
by TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny jumps the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 21 – Under The Influence

Stephanie had just ended her call with Dr. Mitchell when the door opened. Hope and expectation flared within her as she turned to see who was coming into the building.

Her hope dissipated into disappointment before she was able to push aside the emotions.

Seeing Jed walk into the office behind a cuffed Dean Johnson, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in question.

“Driving while under the influence,” the sheriff explained, guiding Johnson through the office and back to the cells. “We'll take care of processing when he sobers up some.”

Stephanie had just opened her mouth to say something when the stench coming from Dean reached her, causing her to gag and cough. She managed to recover just as Jed was opening the door to the back. “Maybe we should call Myra and have her bring over some new clothes.”

“Maybe,” Jed called back as he entered the hallway to the cells.

The door from the back had just closed when the front door opened.

Turning to look, Stephanie couldn't stop the smile on her face when she spotted Ranger and Bob walking into the building. “Hey,” she greeted, moving toward the front.

Ranger smiled his 200-watt smile at her and tried to step in front of Bob.

Though older, Bob had expected the move and moved just a little more quickly to Stephanie. Reaching her half a step before Ranger, he swept her up in his arms and hugged her tight, lifting her from the ground.

“Bob!” Stephanie laughed out loud as the older man laughed with her. “Put me down, I'm on duty!” she protested.

“Yes, ma'am, Deputy Mazur,” Bob replied, putting action to words. He leaned in toward her ear and said in a loud stage whisper, “But I think Carlos had something a little more intimate and embarrassing in store for you.”

Stephanie could feel her face turning red as her eyes shot to Ranger's face and she read the truth of Bob's statement there. Though mostly embarrassed, she couldn't help but think of how good it would feel to have Ranger's lips against hers again.

Before she could get too lost in the fantasy of kissing Ranger, the door to the cells opened. She turned to see Jed coming out and locking up behind him. His step faltered only slightly when he noticed the trio looking at him.

Walking over to the group, he nodded at them in greeting, “Bob, good to see you,” he said, offering his hand. He faced Ranger and scanned him up and down, evaluating. “And you are?” he asked when no one seemed to want to make introductions.

“Carlos Manoso,” Ranger introduced, offering his hand. “I'm a friend of Bob and Steph.”

“Any friend of Bob's is always welcome,” Jed offered, not entirely hiding the curiosity in his eye at the mention of being a friend of Stephanie's. “How do you know Stephanie?”

“He's staying at my house in one of the front rooms,” she inserted before Ranger could answer.

Bob and Ranger looked a little startled at the response.

Jed had missed their reaction, having turned to look at his deputy. “I thought you didn't rent those rooms?”

“Normally I don't, but Bob's guest room is still under construction and I was assured Carlos is a quiet tenant,” she replied with a smile, not missing Ranger's raised eyebrow.

Turning back to the men, he smiled and informed, “It's been nice, but I have a patrol to finish.” As he walked to the front door, he called over his shoulder, “And some deputies have paperwork to finish and Dean Johnson to book.”

Stephanie let out a loud groan which caused Jed to laugh as he waved goodbye.

“Dean Johnson, again?” Bob asked as the door closed behind Jed.

“Yeah, DUI,” Stephanie informed. “He's sleeping it off out back right now. When he sobers up a bit, I'll need to book him.”

“Are you OK?” Ranger asked, moving closer to Stephanie and wrapping her in his arms.

Stephanie rested her head on his chest and let out a sigh as the sound of his heartbeat soothed her. “I feel like a one-armed juggler with too many balls in the air,” she murmured, nuzzling Ranger's chest slightly as he rubbed his hands up and down her back.

“Enough of that,” Bob interrupted, sounding uncomfortable at the display.

When she stood straight and moved away from Ranger, she glanced at Bob and saw more than just discomfort. He looked unhappy. The look he was giving Ranger wasn't the friendliest around. Glancing at Ranger, it was obvious he wasn't too thrilled about the interruption.

“Well, what did you need to talk about?” Stephanie asked, hoping to ease some of the tension and avoid a messy discussion. When both men looked at her, she knew that hope was in vain. Blowing out a breath, she said, “Fine. Let me see if I can get through some of this. Ranger, I don't know why I didn't want Jed to know about our past. But, for now, I think we should leave it alone. Bob, I saw the research you did on me. I know you know all about me now, but what you probably don't know is that Ranger and I had started a serious relationship before I left. I'd loved him for years before I admitted it to him or myself and I've loved him constantly ever since.”

Several minutes of silence filled the room before Bob seemed to relax, his angry glare easing. He was about to say something when the front door opened again.

Looking past the two men in front of her, Stephanie saw Myra Johnson walked in, a gym bag in her hand. With a few short steps she was by them “Hey, Steph,” the older woman greeted. “Jed called and said Dean might need these,” she continued indicating the bag in her hand.

“Thanks, Myra,” Stephanie replied, taking the bag from her, smiling as she noticed Myra's eyes drifting toward Ranger and glazing slightly. It had been a while since she'd seen that reaction, but it still amused her. “Myra, I'd like to introduce you to Carlos Manoso.”

With a slight shake, Myra seemed to gather herself together and offered her hand. “Mr. Manoso,” she greeted.

Ranger smiled and shook her hand. “A pleasure.”

Myra managed to tear her eyes away and look back at Steph. “What was it this time?” she asked, sounding somewhat resigned, her eyes drifting back to Ranger over and over.

“DUI,” Stephanie said, her voice serious and grave.

A curse escaped Myra as her face grew serious. “How bad?” she asked.

Stephanie blew out a breath, looked at Ranger and Bob, then back at Myra. Tipping her head toward the door leading to the back, she said, “He's in the back if you want to see. I'll join you there in a minute.”

Nodding her acknowledgment, Myra headed toward the back door, while Stephanie turned her attention to Ranger and Bob again. “Now's not a good time,” she stated, moving to her desk and gathering together the information she'd printed out. She handed it to Ranger and said, “This is what I've found so far, my comments are on the sheets. I should have more by the time I get home tonight.”

“Thanks, Babe,” Ranger said, leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on her lips.

“A-hem!” Bob interrupted, clearing his throat. “Thanks, Steph.”

“No problem,” Stephanie responded. “Why don't you use the dining room at my house. There's more room there to spread out.”

“Sounds like a plan,”Bob agreed. “Do you want us to pick up Charlie?”

“No, let him play,” she said. “We should be home around 6:30 or 7.”

“We'll meet you there,” Ranger said, smiling softly at his Babe.

“I'll cook dinner,” Bob added. “It should be ready by the time you get home. We can discuss the information Carlos and I have then.”

“It's a date. Thanks for dinner, Bob,” Stephanie replied with a smile before turning to head back to Myra.

Continued in part 22: 069. Shortbread

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