Category: Change in the Wind

The Full Story, with all Side Stories and the Housekeepers’ War series integrated in.

Chapter 60: Liaison Week at the Beach, II

Thomas’s POV

Sharing a room with Rodney this week is going to be difficult. I want to kill him. I don’t know much about what’s going on, but I do know that Armando and Diego have worked directly with and respect the CO deeply. That’s all I need to know. Rodney should be grateful I don’t have direct experience with her. If I did, he’d need to sleep with one eye open.

I’m not much of a talker, which makes my position as liaison difficult sometimes. Diego, Armando and I have all laughed about it. Armando talks too fucking much for his position and Diego and I don’t talk at all. We’ve laughed that perhaps the wrong men are in the wrong positions.

I can tell that Diego is on his last days in Miami. His NYC work made him a star and it’s clear Armando is trying to train him to become an XO. I know Diego wants the position, he’s waiting on it, and it’s just a matter of where it will be. I’m hoping San Antonio; I’m hoping his position doesn’t come at Armando’s expense.

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Chapter 59.7 The Housekeepers’ War, Part IX

San Antonio, Part I

Maria’s POV

I am very interested in meeting the San Antonio RangeMen. This will be the first time I’m walking into a branch where there isn’t an established housekeeper. I’m not following in someone else’s footsteps. It’s just me this time. Rafe is also looking forward to a month-long vacation to another location. We’re giddy about this opportunity.

Lester, Tank and Rafe meet me at the airport. True to his silliness, Lester picks me up and twirls me around.

“Maria!”

I giggle and Tank slaps him on the head. He turns to me and gives me a warm hug, as does Rafe.

“Maria, welcome to Texas. Where are your bags?”

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Chapter 59.5: We Woo, Part I

Ram’s POV—Sunday Afternoon

I’ve had it. I’ve been staring at this computer for four hours now, moving stuff around, cataloging it, trying to get the Trenton RangeWorld ready for deployment. My butt is numb. Time to move.

I pull up Fandango and check out the movie listings. Great! A superhero movie is in theatres and it’s one I’ve wanted to see for a while. I hop up and stretch then check my wallet. Yup. We’re good.

My moves are gaining attention.

“Ram?” Bobby asks, frowning.

“I’ve had it, sir,” I reply, smiling. “If I look at that screen for one more minute today I’m going to scream. Time for something new.”

Everyone looks at me, confused. I turn to Steph.

“Steph, may I have the pleasure of your company at the movies? There’s some good ones starting in 45 minutes, if you’re interested.”

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Chapter 59.5: We Woo, Part I–Deleted Scene

A/N: This scene would have begun after this line:

Somehow, my invitation was reinterpreted to be a group thing, which made me grumble. The guys decide to see the superhero movie I want to see and I end up sitting through a rom-com. Why did I give Steph the option? She laughs at me at the end of it.

“Enjoy it?”

Ram’s POV

I scrunch my nose, which makes Steph laugh harder. “You realize that movie could have been 20 minutes long if the leads had just talked to each other? Honestly?”

Steph stops and the smile falls from her face. “That the difference between movies and real life, Ram. In the movies, everything has a happy ending. In real life, it’s so much more complicated than that.”

I nod and wait. If you just wait, Steph will fill the silence.

“That’s why women love romantic comedies, Ram,” she says softly. “Because everything ends happily and tied up with a pretty bow. Man and woman get together and live happily ever after. The end.”

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Chapter 59: Liaisons Week at the Beach, Part I

A/N: Assume someone is translating for Hector. Conversations in Italics are in Spanish.

Bobby’s POV

Ram meets me at Newark Airport. We’re headed straight to Point Pleasant from the airport and Ram has a grin on his face.

“Sir.”

“Ram.” I’m proud of Ram. He’s done a good job of acting as both Trenton’s mouthpiece and as Steph’s. Brand new and making a name for himself. And he’s great at calming clients. I’m impressed. “You look amused.”

“Looking forward to this. Steph says we’re building RangeWorld this week. The housekeepers have been in their space. It’s impressive. I can see how they’re using it and it’s creative.”

I nod, smiling. “Yes, Ella called wanting to talk about how to coordinate care for injured and sick RangeMen within it. The ladies have ideas. I’m not ready.” We chuckle. Continue reading →

Chapter 58.7: Will you give ME a chance, Part II

A/N: PPP means “Puff, puff, pass.” Weed Etiquette. I’ve never smoked.

Bobby’s POV

I’m trying my best not to laugh, but this is funny. Chiapas all over again.

Tank’s high as a kite. He’s laid out on the living room floor, passed out, a smile on his face.

Mrs. CJ and Lula are laughing their asses off and the sisters are staring at Tank in shock.

“Is he going to be OK?” Chenae asks, crouched next to Tank. She glares at Lula. “You should be trying to help him instead of laughing at him.”

Lula just waves. “He high, Chenae. Only a few ways to work that off.” She grins at me and I burst into laughter. Fuck it. I start video-taping this. No one will ever believe me if I don’t. Continue reading →

Chapter 58.5 The Housekeepers’ War, Part VIII

NYC, Part II

Lucia’s POV

I’ve been waiting. When Ella told me about the war against Miami, I got ready. I informed my children I was coming for a visit and I was staying at RangeMan for a few days. They’re looking forward to having me and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Miami men respond to me.

 Susan reported that after she ruined pounds of chicken breasts, the men apparently had a fight in the break room, including thrown punches. Antonio has been demoted from interacting with the housekeeper and Mario has taken his place. The men worked with Susan to discuss her usual procedures and they executed their first grocery run, which Susan said was successful, but they need work. Apparently, they fidgeted and non-verbally tried to get her to move faster, which she ignored.

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Chapter 58 Strategists Week at the Beach, Part II

Patrick’s POV—Wednesday

Morning activity? Amusement park. The CO ate cotton candy and rode the Ferris wheel all morning. She was a happy lady. Chase was amused. It was his idea and it was a last minute one, but she grinned all morning. We’ve been trying to think of something, besides flowers, to say ‘Thank you’ but we’re stuck. Each man is hoping inspiration hits soon.

This afternoon, it was my turn. Mark and I went over my offerings with a fine-tooth comb before I left, so I know they’re in good shape.

Wrong. The guys are vicious. I honestly think they enjoyed it. Jorge, Manny and Chase tore holes through my proposals and the carcasses were obliterated by the CO. Les was laughing his ass off. Continue reading →

Chapter 57: Nightmare?

A/N: I warned you.

Steph’s POV

I’m exhausted. Les and I have been talking quietly about Miami and the situation there. Les doesn’t think we should fire Armando but he does want to know what’s really going on.

“My information about Armando is all over the place, Les.”

Les sighs. “Mine too, Beautiful, which is why I don’t want to fire him. I think something else is going on, especially since both of us have our instincts ringing on Miami. I’m headed straight there from here, to pick up Shane and thrash Antonio.”

“What did he do? Wait, was he the one with the petition about Ella?”

“Yup.”

I commit that name to memory. I’m going to punish him too. I start thinking of what I can do.

Les eventually leaves and I get comfortable in my bed. I’m half asleep, dreaming of Ranger, when the alarm sounds.

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Chapter 56: Strategists Week at the Beach, Part I

A/N: The Album for Steph’s Point Pleasant rental is here.

Patrick’s POV—Last week

0900. Time for the pulse check.

“Yo!” Diego.

“Yo!” x5.

“Roll call. Miami, present.” Miami always starts the pulse check and we move north to each branch.

“Atlanta, present.” Chase.

“Trenton, present.” Manny.

“NYC, present.” Jorge. Cool guy. I’m starting to like him.

“Boston, present.”

“Good. Turning this over to Trenton,” Diego says.

“Thanks. OK, men, here’s the deal. Everyone got their invitation to the beach, with the address and suggestions, correct?”

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