Chapter 5

FIVE

Ranger

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you right, Dakota." I sigh as I listen to my ex son‐in‐law rattle on.

"I can't get out of this gig. It's important. I won't be there to pick Karli up."

This motherfucker. "Your daughter is more important than a gig. You couldn't come home when Britt hurt herself, and you haven't been home since. When are you going to take responsibility?"

"I send child support."

Growling, I pull the phone away from my mouth slightly. "That's not true support. Karli misses you. Why? I don't fuckin' know because you've always cared more about being on the road and playing gigs than you ever have taking care of your family. But she does. She asked me about you yesterday."

"You're a father figure for her," Dakota argues.

"I'm her grandfather. I've already done my parenting. I love that little girl more than the sun that comes up in the sky, but I will not do your job for you. Either you make her a priority, or you're never going to have a good relationship with her, and I won't feel sorry for you when she goes to therapy for her daddy issues." I hang up the phone with a curse.

"Bad day?"

I glance over, rolling my eyes when I see Troy James standing there, smirk on his face. "Yeah, it started off when you gave me a speeding ticket for going six over."

He stretches. "I got a quota and all. You know that right? Don't be dramatic, Ranger, it was a warning. Wasn't even a real ticket. I do have a question for you though."

"Alright, I'll help you as best I can. What's going on?"

He smirks. "So, Lizzie and I have been trying to do different dates than normal."

"Oh, you can count me out on any freaky shit." I hold up my hands and step back slightly.

"Real fuckin' funny. No, I wanna take her horseback riding. She mentioned the other day that she'd like to do it, and never has. It's been years since I went. Do you know of any place that would allow us to go? It's not like I'm gonna buy us horses on a fucking cop's salary. I mean, I probably wouldn't enjoy taking care of one either. I just wanna use one or two for an afternoon. I don't want to purchase one. Can you help me with that?" He raises his eyebrows, looking over at me with a hopeful glance.

I remember being so in love with the person I was dating, and wanting to do everything I could to make them feel special. It's been a long time, but I can remember being that involved with another human being. Who knows if I'll get there again or not, but it's nice to think I might. "I can. I have to do some checking around. I can get back to you?"

"Yeah, no rush, I appreciate it. If you could keep it under your hat, I'd appreciate that too. I really want this to be a surprise." He blushes slightly, rocking back on his heels as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

Troy has never struck me as bashful, so this woman must mean a lot to him.

"Here's my card, text me from your number, and as soon as I have an answer, I'll get with ya."

"Will do, thank you again. This has gotten you at least a couple more warnings." He taps his fingers on his gun belt, and heads back to his patrol car.

Sighing heavily, I check my phone. "Motherfucker."

Time gets away from me easily now that I'm helping Britt with Karli. I used to have unlimited hours, basically to do whatever I wanted, now it revolves around helping the two ladies in my life. Tonight, a friend of Britt's is coming over so they can have dinner together, and I'm picking up Karli from daycare.

Heading over to my truck, I hop in, and break a few traffic laws to get over to Little Tykes before it closes. "Sorry I'm almost late," I apologize as I run in. "Lost track of time."

All of the women who work there are nice, and they've called me a Zaddy, I'm not sure what that is, but I think it gets me brownie points.

"No problem, Ranger. We were going to stay open if need be." The last worker who's there gives me a smile.

"I really appreciate it." I give her a wink. I don't mean to, but it's just second nature. Maybe from where I'm used to soothing ruffled customer's feathers. "You ready, K?" I bend down, and catch her when she comes running toward me.

"I'm hungry," she announces, giggling when I blow raspberries on her stomach and flip her over.

"Well then let's get you fed." I turn to the worker. "Y'all be careful."

"Thanks, Ranger. You too." I'd be blind to miss the way her gaze rakes up and down my body.

"Let's go, K."

She babbles on and on as we head downtown to the local pizza place. It's her favorite, and she will pick it every single time if I let her. When we pull up, it's already packed.

"I'm stuck!" She yells as she tries to wiggle out of her car seat in the back.

"Wait just a second. You're really gonna be stuck if you don't watch it." It takes me a few minutes to get her untangled and I'm fucking sweating, but when we're done, I'm hungry too. "Alright, let's go."

We walk in, her hand in mine, and at the hostess station, I tell them it's just the two of us.

"Do you mind combining with someone else so that we can get more seated, quicker?" The teenager pops her gum. "I have a party of one ..."

"Umm." I glance around, trying to see who it might be. That's when my gaze lands on Ava. She's dressed in a pair of cutoffs that show thick thighs and curves for days. The T‐shirt she wears emphasizes tits I haven't taken notice of before, but I sure am now. "You?" I point to her.

She nods. "Sure is."

I turn to the teenager, giving her a bright smile. "We'll take it."

As she leads us to our table, I can't help but wonder if there isn't a little bit of divine intervention in this turn of events.