Realigning Destiny - Part 7: Front
By TT
Disclaimer/Notes: See part 1
Feedback: Email TT
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 7 - Front
"Mom," a voice called.
Stephanie shifted in her sleep.
"Mom!" the voice called again.
The word registered and Stephanie opened her eyes. Identifying the source of the disruption as her son, she let out a sigh of relief and stretched. "Hey, kiddo," she greeted. Her eyes drifted to the clock. It read six-thirty.
Stifling a groan, she eyed her son. "What are you doing up so bright and early?"
"Mo-om!" Charlie moaned as only a child can. "The guest is here! I heard him moving around and heard the door open. Is he going to be around for breakfast? Can you make a frittata?"
Stephanie laughed. A few more hours of sleep certainly wouldn't hurt, but with Charlie's reminder that Ranger was actually there, she suddenly needed to see him again. "All right," she agreed, but only because you asked so nicely."
"Thanks, Mom. You're the best!" the boy exclaimed, rewarding his mother with a quick kiss and hug before scampering off to his room.
Stephanie looked after him fondly. Never would she have thought she would be a mother. She certainly had fought long and hard against becoming one.
A promise had changed everything.
She certainly wasn't the same type of mother her mother had been or anyone else she knew for that matter. Still, it worked for them.
Tossing aside her covers, she got up out of bed and headed to the shower.
This was something else that had changed. She had learned that doing full Jersey Girl makeup and hair was not necessary. In fact, people out here tended to trust her more with only minimal makeup.
That one change had cut quite a bit of time from her morning routine.
She had also learned that the best way to wear her hair when working was in a low bun. That way her hat fit and, on the off-chance she had to chase someone or help break up a fight, it gave the other person one less thing to grip.
Of course, they hadn't had trouble like that in a long time. For the most part, her job as deputy was the calmest she'd had. Even her job at E. E. Martin had kept her hopping more than this one.
That wasn't to say that nothing happened. There was usually at least one, if not more than one, incident on even her shortest shift.
For all the calls she'd gone on during the last few years, though, she had never fired her service weapon in the line of duty.
Back in her bounty hunting days, despite her hatred of her gun, she had fired it more frequently in defense. Now she fired her service revolver frequently, but only on the gun range.
Finished with her shower, she got dressed in her uniform and packed an extra set of clothes in a duffle. She had two extra uniforms at work in her locker.
Although she didn't chase skips anymore, it wasn't uncommon for her to attract something messy during her shift. Most of the time, now, she could say it was, at least, substances that were easier to remove than garbage.
Other than the one incident a few months ago, the worst she had to try and remove was the incident at Potter's ranch. But, then, she always knew there was a reason she didn't like cows, despite their role in creating ice cream.
Finished with her morning routine, she checked the clock. It read 7:05.
If Ranger kept to his old habits, he should be back soon. A few minutes to shower and dress and he would be ready to start the day.
As she entered the kitchen, she couldn't help but smile. Charlie had the coffee going and all the ingredients out for the frittata. "Been busy?" she asked, smiling at her son's guilty look.
She knew he was excited about having a guest and just enjoyed his enthusiasm.In some ways, she wished she could feel the same excitement. And, in some ways, she did. But, there were so many other emotions involved with Ranger's being here that she couldn't feel the joy the way she would like to.
"Why don't you bring the juice out front to the dining room and then help me get everything else ready."
"O. K.!" Charlie replied, moving to the refrigerator. "Plates and silverware are already out," he informed as he opened the door to get the juice.
Stephanie grinned at the boy before turning her attention to cooking.
Things hadn't always been easy with Charlie. At first, Stephanie had no idea about what to do with him and he had been hurting so much at the loss of his mother that she almost gave him up.
Somehow, though, they had worked through it all and ended up close - closer than she had ever felt with her own parents anyway. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that she was probably breaking all sorts of rules of parenting, but she could never find it within her to care. The way they worked together worked for them.
"All set," Charlie announced, returning from the dining room. "Do you want me to set the table and the other stuff, or just leave it on the sideboard?"
Stephanie laughed. "Sure, go ahead and set the table," she agreed. Her son was something else. She only hoped he liked Ranger. She was pretty sure Ranger would love Charlie.
A short while later, she was just transferring the frittata to a serving plate when Charlie came rushing back into the kitchen. "Hurry, Mom! He's coming! Get everything out front!" the excited boy encouraged.
A soft, amused, laugh escaped Stephanie. "Calm down, kiddo," she advised. "Take a deep breath and we'll go."
Seeing Charlie take her advise, Stephanie took a deep breath herself. She was nervous. As she picked up the platter, she nodded for Charlie to open the door leading from the safe haven of their home to the dining room up front.
"Here goes nothing," she murmured, stepping through the doorway.
Her steps faltered for just a moment as she spotted Ranger standing in the other doorway to the room. As impossible as it seemed, she had forgotten the impact he had on people.
Currently, his hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail. The tiredness she'd noted the night before was reduced. He was still in excellent shape, but she noted, he no longer seemed to wear all black.
He was wearing black boots, black cargos and a black, long-sleeved, button-down shirt, but the top few buttons were undone at the neck to reveal a blue t-shirt underneath.
It was a shade of blue with which she was very familiar. It was the same color as her eyes.
"Morning," he greeted.
"Good morning," she returned, stepping forward and placing breakfast on the table. "Did you sleep well?"
Ranger moved forward and stopped a step away. Capturing Stephanie's eyes with his own, he replied, "Better than I have in a very long time."
Silence fell in the room and lasted for several seconds before a discreet cough sounded and both adults turned to see Charlie looking at them, waiting to be noticed.
Stephanie felt a flush on her cheeks as she realized she'd forgotten that Charlie was in the room. She caught sight of Ranger lifting an eyebrow in question. What surprised her, however, was the look in her son's eyes when staring at Ranger. She also noted that her son had shifted closer to her and was standing somewhat protectively by her side.
"Charlie," she began, "I would like to meet someone important to me from before I moved to Montana. This is Ricardo Carlos Manoso, but he goes by Ranger. He's also Bob's friend." Stephanie could see the curiosity in Charlie's eyes when she mentioned her life before Montana.
Turning to face Ranger, she continued the introductions. "Ranger, I would like you to meet my son, Charlie."
Ranger's eyes never left Charlie as he held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Ranger assured in his best boardroom voice.
Charlie took the hand and nodded, a little uncertain about what to do after that. But with the greeting, he relaxed his stance a bit.
"Why don't we sit and eat before everything gets cold?" Stephanie suggested.
"Isn't cold cereal supposed to be cold?" Ranger teased, his eyes straying to the delicious-smelling frittata.
Stephanie just smiled and shrugged. "If you really want cereal, that's more for us," she stated, grinning at Charlie who grinned back.
Ranger chuckled. "And miss out on something you cooked yourself without burning down the kitchen?" he teased with a half-smile. "Never."
"Hey!" Stephanie protested, laughing.
"Mom's a great cook!" Charlie defended.
"I couldn't cook at all when Ranger used to know me," Stephanie soothed right away. "He was just teasing me."
A nod of agreement came from Ranger. "I didn't mean any offense," he promised.
Charlie thought about that for a few minutes before nodding his acceptance of it. "O. K." he agreed, accepting the serving plate as it was passed to him.
Taking his food, he looked thoughtfully at Ranger. "Do you know any stories you could tell me about Mom?" he asked.
"Oh, no you don't!" Stephanie protested as Ranger opened his mouth.
Her protest only piqued Charlie's interest. He sat straighter in his chair and looked at Ranger expectantly.
"Later," Ranger mouthed to the boy.
Charlie smiled and nodded his acceptance of the promise.
Continued in part 8 - 027. Cheating