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Realigning Destiny
By TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny to jump 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 43 - Tongue Tied

Ranger was smiling on the way back to Stephanie’s. He knew he was and that the others had been puzzled by the uncharacteristic emotional display but he didn’t care.

The initial meeting with Jed and the guys had gone well. The guys were more or less up to speed. They would meet over in Bob’s situation room early tomorrow to continue getting into the details and assigning tasks and roles. Jed had turned out to be quite an asset. It wasn’t often Ranger was impressed by law enforcement officers, but Jed had impressed him.

The sheriff had taken the time to sit with Bob and Ranger and explain how he had always been aware of whom Stephanie was, just not why she ran. He verified everything he had been told and then explained which local officials would be the easiest to work with and which they should keep out until the last minute. They had also discussed the fact they might have national involvement if things got out and it was agreed that no one except for the local ATF agent, Jim Cleveland, who was an old friend of Jed’s, would be alerted until the day the team was ready to strike. The short notice would prevent interference, while Jim and Jed would ensure everything was done by the book including getting warrants and appropriate approval for the raid.

When he went to greet his men, Ranger knew that Tank, at least, had noticed the difference in him right away. The questioning look his old friend gave him, caused a brilliant smile to appear on Ranger’s face, but only for a second.

Stephanie’s presence hadn’t come up in the meeting and Ranger had seen no reason to alert them to the fact she was around. His well hidden, little used mischievous side wanted to see their expressions when they saw her for the first time in four years.

He had managed to call and get a hold of her, letting her know that there would be six of them staying. Stephanie had assured him she and Charlie would have food ready and that, if the guys didn’t mind sharing, they had enough beds for everyone.

When Ranger asked about that, knowing there were only two guest rooms, Stephanie assured him that two of the guys could take her room and she would bunk with Charlie.

The protest that she should share a bed with him died on his lips as she mentioned Charlie. He had to agree it was the most reasonable decision, given Charlie’s protective nature. He decided that he and Manny would take Stephanie’s room, Tank and Zero would take one of the guest rooms and Cal and Lester would take the other. He would just need to move his stuff out of the room he had been using.

Once things got underway – hopefully tomorrow - they would only need the two rooms at the front. But that was something they could discuss later.

Pulling into the driveway, Ranger followed the curve around and stopped. He didn’t say a word to any of his men as they got out. He led the way inside.

“We’re back,” he called, smiling when Charlie’s head appeared in the doorway to the dining room.

“We’re just about ready,” the boy informed, his eyes wide at the sight of six large men standing in the foyer, only one known to him.

Ranger figured that it was only his presence that kept Charlie from being too scared. “Charlie,” he encouraged, motioning the boy out to join them. “Let me introduce you to some people who work with me. This is Tank, Cal, Lester, Manny and Zero. Guys, this is Charlie.” He watched as the men nodded or said ‘hi’ to the boy and then looked at Charlie. “They all know your mom,” he confided.

Charlie’s eyes grew wide and a smile broke out on his face. “Do they have stories too?” he demanded of Ranger.

Ranger returned the grin. “Yes,” he assured.

If possible, Charlie’s smile got wider as he turned and called over his shoulder, “Mom! Come out here. Mr. Ranger brought some friends.”

Ranger moved both he and Charlie so they could watch the reunion about to take place.

“I know, Charlie,” Stephanie called, her voice coming closer as she entered the dining room. “He called to let me know,” she finished as she appeared in the dining room doorway.

At the first sound of her voice, the five new arrivals had frozen. Tank’s eyes had grown huge as he looked first at his friend and then turned in the direction of the voice. Several mouths had dropped open as they recognized the owner of that voice.

Stephanie stood, looking at the five men in the hallway, emotions flashing across her face faster than anyone could read them. Finally, she settled on a shy smile and offered a finger wave. “Hi, guys!” she greeted.

The five men stood staring at her.

“I think they’re tongue-tied, Babe,” Ranger observed, chuckling slightly.

Looking up at the man standing behind him, Charlie asked, “Is that what a stunned mullet looks like?”

This caused both Stephanie and Ranger to laugh. It also seemed to snap the Merry Men out of whatever trance they’d been in and into action.

Tank crossed the distance to Stephanie in one stride. Wrapping his arms around her in an uncharacteristic display of emotion, he crushed her to his chest in a hug. “Bombshell,” he managed to choke out, four years of worry and fear being expressed in that one act and word. He had missed her, but more than that, he'd had to handle the pain that both his best friend and his woman had been going through after her disappearance.

“Hey, Tank,” Stephanie returned, hugging him just as closely.

After a few minutes of whispered greetings, she was passed to the next Merry Man until all had greeted her.

When she returned to her spot by Ranger and Charlie, she had tears in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she let it out, trying to get control over herself. “I’ve got food just about ready to go on. Why don’t you all have a seat so we can eat? Then, afterward, I’ll show you all to your rooms.”

The men simply nodded and piled their duffel bags and equipment in a pile in the hallway before following Ranger, Stephanie and Charlie into the dining room.

Taking seats around the table, they waited as Stephanie and Charlie disappeared through a door into what must obviously be the kitchen.

Once the food was on the table, none of the men moved. They just stared at Stephanie while she, Ranger and Charlie began serving themselves.

Nervous under the intense stares directed at her, Stephanie shifted uncomfortably and demanded, “What?”

Lester just shook his head, his eyes never leaving her face. “You're alive,” he replied, his voice hushed.

Stephanie put her fork and knife down on her plate and really looked at the five new arrivals. She hadn't been super-close to any of them, but they had all gotten along and she had considered them friends. When her eyes finally got to Tank, she could see the worry and fear in them, the strain that her disappearance had caused. It was then that she realized the position he had been in. Not only did he have to miss her, he had to comfort both Lula and Ranger.

Reaching out, she placed her hand on his arm and offered a compassionate smile before looking at the others. “I am alive. I am well. And I promise to share what happened with you, but, first, we need to eat dinner.”

Charlie looked from his mother to the faces around the table. “You're going to tell them about the bad guys, huh?” he asked.

Stephanie turned and smiled at her son. “Yeah, but not until you're in bed.”

Ranger saw Charlie getting upset. He didn't think it had to do with Stephanie speaking to the guys without him present. In truth, he suspected that Charlie didn't like it for the same reason he, Ranger, didn't like it. Telling the story upset Stephanie and neither of them wanted to see Stephanie upset.

Placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder, Ranger offered, “Why don't you and I do the dishes while your mom tells these guys about what happened?”

Charlie's eyes moved from his mom to Ranger and back. After receiving a small nod from his mother, Charlie sighed and agreed. “Fine. We'll do dishes.” Despite his agreement, however, it was apparent to everyone at the table that he wasn't happy with this turn of events.

“Well, then,” Stephanie encouraged, offering a slightly strained smile, “let's eat.”

Continued In Part 44 - 087. Butterflies

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