Category: Change in the Wind

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

Chapter 126: How Do I Love Thee?

A/N: Based on a true story (mine!)

Steph’s POV

“Babe.”

“Yes?”

He closes his eyes, a half smile on his face. “Torture.”

“Worse than dinner at my parents’?”

We’re both smiling. “Much worse.”

The masseur smiles. “This conversation is deja vu. You two have been here before, haven’t you?” he asks me.

Ranger’s fingers lace with mine. “Yeah. We have.”

—oOo—

When we left Atlanta last night, Ranger was in a much better mood. I think we both were.

I had half a pineapple upside down cake.

Was it better than my mother’s? Nope.

Did I make it all by myself? Yeah, with some help from Hec, who refused to be cut out of the fun and stuck with the cleaning.

Was it ooey, gooey, buttery, and sweet? Oh yeah! Continue reading →

Chapter 125: The Brotherhood Strikes Again!

Hector’s POV

There’s an email from Bobby.

Listen to the recording first then read the attachment. I didn’t understand until I was asked to delete the recording. Advise.

I’m intrigued. Les I’d wonder about. Bobby less so.

I put on my headphones, find the correct server and recording and listen.

Lots of quiet. I hear mariachi music and breathing. Stakeout?

“So what’s up with you and the CTO?”

“What do you mean?” Manolo. I smile.

A loud sigh. “Oh come on. Everyone knows you’re banging the CTO.”

A long silence. The truck starts and I hear the music get closer. The truck is turned off.

“Who I’m banging is no one’s business. I think Lt. Brown made that very clear.” Manolo is pissed. I hear it in his voice. I’m wondering who this other person is.“Also, as I’ve said before, I met the CTO in Miami shortly before training started—”

“Yeah, but you gay people all know each other.” Continue reading →

Chapter 124: Highs and Lows

Steph’s POV

Ranger’s been quiet the entire drive.

No digging through RangeWorld.

No questions for me.

Just a blank look on his face as I drive to Atlanta.

“Hey.” I can see him looking at me from the corner of my eye. “Everything OK?”

He nods, his lips thinning.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I’m starting to read Ranger’s moods. Quiet and thin lipped? Angry or thinking.

Hec’s right. Eyes and lips. If Ranger’s going to give anything about his mood away, it’ll be there. Continue reading →

Chapter 123: Judgment Day

Mando’s POV

0700.

I’m back in my office.

Ranger is back in my office.

We’re staring at each other, squinting slightly because of the early morning sun filtering through my blinds. I get up and adjust the blinds, staring at the park outside. The entire office is quiet. Ranger pulled the fabric mask off once we hit the building. The men have been silent.

It’s ‘official’: the CCO is really here, even though he’s not if you like living. Continue reading →

Chapter 122: Love is a Choice

Steph’s POV

“OK, I think that’s everything,” Mari says, crossing off the last item on her list. We have multiple Christmas trees, lots of wrapping paper and boxes, decorations for the tree, and enough flour and baking supplies for me to have a cake every day for a year.

“Whew!” Lourdes says, smiling. “Thank goodness! My feet are so tired.”

“Same here,” I reply.

The Charlotte RangeMen with us are moaning. “Yeah, you ladies are super shoppers,” Luis says. “Can we go home now?”

“Yes!” Continue reading →

Chapter 121: Chance Encounters

Ranger’s POV

“Babe?”

“No.” Steph stretches and buries her face under the pillows. “You’ve woken me up at hours not known to me for the past few days. Go explore. I’ll be here when you get back.”

There’s a thought to make me smile.

“Should I ask for a room with two beds from now on?”

She sighs in obvious relief. “You don’t mind?”

“No.”

I kiss her and leave. I’m off to investigate Charlotte.

She’ll be there when I come back.

Hopefully.

Well, I’m taking her car. Where could she go?

Sigh. I grab the keys and leave before my brain starts calculating the possibilities. Continue reading →

Chapter 120: This Feels Like Deja Vu

Mando’s POV—Monday

I’m staring out of the window, contemplating a quick jog, when Chase walks in.

“Sir?”

1100. Never mind. Time for my standing meeting with Chase. I motion for him to come in.

“Thanks for covering me this morning.”

“No problem. How was Miami?”

“Good. Atlanta?”

He grins. “I’m so glad my cousin does not schedule health checks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

I laugh. “Same here.” Continue reading →

Chapter 119: Star Signs

A/N: DragonFly Friday, the car horn is just for you. 🙂 Hope everything is OK.

Ranger’s POV—Sunday Night

“Where are we going, Carlos?”

I smile and hold her hand. “Come on. You’ll see.”

We keep going until we reach the top of the hill. “We’re here.”

“Where’s here?”

“The top of the hill.” It’s pitch black around us. Perfect. I take the basket from her hands and drop to the ground.

Steph rolls her eyes. I can’t see it but I can feel it. “Got that, Carlos. Why are we here?”

“To stargaze.”

She looks over at me and her mouth drops. “Stargaze?”

“Bad idea?”

“It’s freezing! It’s the middle of the night, we hiked fifteen minutes to get here, it’s … it’s …” She beams. “Wonderful, Carlos! So romantic!” Continue reading →

I Learn to Waltz, Part IV

“Closing the Deal with the Right Fork”

Javi‘s POV

Every man here is in a panic.

Numbers come out in three days. We’re desperate to know if we tipped Trenton. I’ll have an office full of pissed off men if we didn’t.

Steph sent her pre-visit info yesterday.

Our review? In two weeks.

Conducted by who? The entire Leadership Core!

Ranger, Tank, Les, Bobby and Hector on-site, Tank, Bobby, and Steph doing the review, and Ranger and Hector meeting with the leadership.

So now the pressure is on. For Jorge, Drake, and Mack, this is extra special and nerve-wracking. This is the first time Jorge will meet the entire LC and he’s dreading it. I kept reminding him that he’s met Les, Hector and Steph. He knows them. It’ll be OK. Continue reading →

Chapter 118: Perhaps I Should Explain . . .

Ranger’s POV

Boston looks good, as always. I’ve confirmed Mark went after Hospitality contracts. Nice healthy ones too. At the moment, his ass is grass with me, but Steph kept him for some reason. I’m waiting to hear why because it’s the only thing saving him from time on the mats with the entire LC before I dismiss him.

We return from the downtown office and I go in search of Mike again. He’s in Mark’s office, watching the monitors and reading.

“Problem?”

His head jerks up. “No, sir. Reading through the information Mark left for me. He left a series of articles for me to read, one each day, to teach me how to be an XO.”

I motion for the binder. He hands it over and I look. Good job. Detailed, broad range of topics, perfect to teach someone new to management how to perform his duties. “Useful?”

Mike barks a laugh. “Somewhat.” I wait. “I mean, it’s the difference between reading about how to drive and driving.” I nod, amused. “That binder is factually correct in everything it covers, but until you sit in this seat with twenty different things flying at you, you don’t understand the brilliance and the limitations of that book.” Continue reading →