For disclaimers, please see part 1.

Love’s Journey

Part V

Chapter 17

"You’re welcome, honey." Anna Leigh couldn’t keep her hands still as her nerves were on edge. She fussed a bit with the blanket, straightening and brushing off the same area several times. She had chased her son and husband from the room earlier, asking them to go pick up something to eat. Morris and Kevin promised to take care of the two men, and return shortly with lunch for her as well.

"Gramma?"

The older woman looked up into the eyes that looked so much like her own. "I’m sorry, Mandy. Do you need more water? How about another blanket? Maybe I can…" One of her nervous hands was clasped gently.

"What’s the matter? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this." Amanda had a fairly good idea what her grandmother’s problem was. "I’m okay, Gramma." She looked down at the foot of the bed, where her right leg had been placed in traction. Still feeling groggy from the anesthesia, she grinned. "Still have everything I came in here with," she teased. "That’s always a good thing, right?"

Anna Leigh laughed, then covered her mouth with her free hand to fight back her tears. "Dear Lord, Mandy. This is not a joke. You both could have been killed!"

"But we weren’t." Amanda looked around and saw the linen curtain that marked off her part of the room. "Where’s Lex? How is she? I need to see her." She reached for the side rail of the bed. "Help me sit up, please, Gramma?"

The beige curtain slowly moved back, and a smiling Martha appeared. "Goodness, honey. You sure do raise a ruckus," she teased. "How are you feeling?"

Amanda smiled back at her. "I’m doing okay, still feeling a little groggy, though." She sighed in relief when she was helped to a near sitting position, and she could see across the dimly lit room. "Oh, Lex," she murmured, trying not to wake the woman resting in the opposite bed.

"She’s doing just fine, Amanda. I’m afraid she got a bit anxious waiting for you to come down from surgery, and the nurse had to sedate her." Martha stepped over and placed a hand on Anna Leigh’s shoulder. "The swelling in her eyes should be down enough tomorrow so that she can see again, thank goodness. I’m afraid our Lexie isn’t one for feeling helpless," she joked to the young woman.

"Now that’s an understatement." The space between the beds appeared to be vast, and Amanda wracked her brain trying to figure out how to get her leg from the traction that it was in. "Is there any way we can be pushed closer together? I’d like to be able to…"

"I’m sure something can be arranged," the housekeeper murmured. Martha exchanged looks with Anna Leigh. "What do you think?"

For an answer, Anna Leigh stood up and slid her chair to the other side of Amanda’s bed. Both women worked quickly, and soon had the beds no further than a foot apart. "I’m certain that the nurses will have something to say about this," the elegant woman commented, "but they’ll have us both to answer to!" She watched as her granddaughter slowly reached over and touched the sleeping woman’s arm.

"Lex…" Amanda whispered, feeling relief at finally able to make contact with her lover. She looked at the two women standing by the foot of her bed. "Thank you, both of you." Tears pooled in her eyes. "You don’t know how much this means to me."

Anna Leigh gently patted the young woman’s uninjured leg. "I think we have a pretty good idea, Mandy. Why don’t you try to get a little rest? Lexington will probably be sleeping for hours, yet. The nurse was afraid that she’d hurt herself, so I think the sedative she gave her was a strong one."

Amanda’s lips curled into a faint smile. Knowing Lex, that’s probably the only way they got her to rest. Then a frown of concern appeared as she studied the rancher’s face. She looks so pale. She looked up at Martha. "She is going to be okay, isn’t she?"

"She sure is, sweetie. Looks a lot worse than she is. I’d forgotten how scary a broken nose can look," the housekeeper sighed. Poor child looks like a wounded raccoon.

"Maybe I’ll just close my eyes for a minute," Amanda said, tilting the bed back to a more comfortable position. "I just don’t want her to wake up and think that no one’s here." She closed her eyes, but kept her grip on Lex’s arm.

Martha smiled at the sight. She patted Anna Leigh on the arm and sighed. "Why don’t we let these girls get some rest, and go see how the rest of our family is doing?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Martha. I’m sure they’re busy harassing half the staff by now." Anna Leigh spared one final glance at her granddaughter, then followed the housekeeper from the room.

***************

"What do you mean, it didn’t work?" He sat up and rubbed his eyes. The hangover from all the alcohol he had consumed the day before was making him sick to his stomach.

"You stupid jackass! Can’t you do anything right?"

"Don’t be yelling at me! We almost killed ourselves for you! As it is, I’m gonna have to put the truck in the shop. You told me it would be easy. Didn’t think the damned broad could drive that good." Bobby reached to his nightstand and grabbed the half-empty beer he had left there last night. Taking a long swallow, he blinked and rubbed his eyes. "It’s too early to argue about this, anyway."

"Quit your whining. It’s after one o’clock in the afternoon. How hard is it to run someone off the damned road?"

The bleary-eyed man pulled the phone away and stuck his index finger in his ear, wiggling it around. "Not so loud, for crissakes! Jeez! Try to do a person a favor, and get yelled at," he muttered.

The person at the other end of the phone sighed. "Okay, fine. I’m sorry I yelled at you. But you told me last night that you could handle her for me. You didn’t even do anything to her at the dance!"

"How were we supposed to know that her little girlfriend could fight so dirty? Benny’s still aching from last night." He almost chuckled at the memory. Better him than me. "I was gonna go after them, but you told us to make sure nobody saw us. Stupid dykes."

"Okay. Don’t worry about them. I’ll think of something else."

Bobby nodded, and drained the rest of the beer. "That’s cool. I’ve gotta get the truck fixed, though. If the old man…"

"Wait! You idiot! If you take the truck in to get repaired, they’ll know it was you. And then they’ll trace you back to me. I can’t afford for that to happen."

"Well, what am I supposed to do? It’s not even my truck."

A long pause was followed by another heavy sigh. Do I have to think of everything? Idiot. "Rent a truck for now, and just give me the bill. Once everything dies down a bit, then take the damaged truck out of town to be worked on. I’ll pay for that, too. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Yeah, yeah. I got it. You don’t have to get all bent out of shape."

"Don’t screw this up, idiot. I’ve got enough things to worry about without having to baby-sit you, too."

Bobby yawned, and scratched at his belly. "Yeah, right. Just don’t be asking me for any more favors." He hung up the phone and shook his head. "Somebody needs to get laid. Waaay too uptight."

***************

The touch on her arm was so light, that Lex thought she was imagining it. Struggling to see through her still-swollen eyes, she was gratified to see that it wasn’t a dream. Amanda was sleeping in the bed next to hers, and she had her fingers curled around the rancher’s forearm. The lights in the room were dimmed, so it was hard to see everything, but Lex strained her eyes to see the younger woman’s right leg raised in traction. "Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry," she murmured.

"Mmm?" Amanda tried to roll over in her sleep, but was stopped as a wave of pain flashed through her leg. "Ow!" She felt eyes on her and looked across at her lover’s pained gaze. "Lex! Why didn’t you wake me?" She quickly tried to scoot closer, never releasing her grip on Lex’s arm.

"I just woke up, myself," the rancher admitted. Lex blinked a few times to try and clear her vision. She struggled to a sitting position and swung her legs over the side of the bed, much to her partner’s shock.

"What are you doing, Lex? You can’t do that, honey." Amanda almost hit the call button for the nurse. "You’re going to hurt yourself!"

There was barely enough room between the beds for the tall woman to stand, but she somehow managed it. "Hush," Lex whispered. "My eyes still aren’t working that well, and I need to see you." Luckily, the IV was hooked up to her right arm so that she didn’t have to maneuver around it. Her bare feet hit the tile floor, and she gasped. "Damn, that’s cold."

Amanda chuckled. "Teach you to not listen to me," she grumbled. She watched as Lex fought to keep the pain from showing in her face. Her poor face. She looks like she lost the title fight. Even in the faded light she could see what the effort was costing her lover. "You really should be lying down."

"I would, but these beds aren’t big enough." Lex settled for sitting on the edge of Amanda’s bed, and reached up with one hand to caress the younger woman’s face. "I’m so sorry about your leg, sweetheart. Is there anything I can get you?" She had to lean down to make out her partner’s features.

"Yeah, this." Amanda wrapped her unencumbered arm around the dark-haired woman’s neck and pulled her face down gently for a kiss. I was afraid of this. She could feel the heat from Lex’s body as she pulled her close. She’s still running a fever. How on earth am I going to get her back in her own bed?

"Ahem."

They both turned their faces towards the door, and smiled. "Hi, Grandpa," Lex greeted. She was thankful for the low lighting in the room, so that he couldn’t see her blush.

Travis walked further into the room, shaking his head. "I was going to ask you how you’re doing, but I can see for myself," he teased. "Is there a reason, besides the obvious one, why you’re not in bed, Lexie?"

"Umm…"

He waved his hands. "Never mind. I don’t think I want to know." Travis reached over and turned Lex’s face towards him. "Good Lord, child!"

She grabbed his hand and held it. "It looks a lot worse than it is, Grandpa. I’m fine."

"Uh-huh." Deciding to change tactics, Travis looked down fondly at Amanda. "How are you doing, honey? Your grandmother told me that the surgery went well."

Amanda nodded. "I’m feeling pretty good. They didn’t find the problems they expected, and only put a pin in my leg as a precaution. I should up and around in no time."

A pin in her leg? My God! What have I done to you? Lex felt tears burn her eyes. Maybe if I were a better driver, none of this would have happened. She could have been killed, and it’s all my fault. Her self-recriminations were cut short by Amanda’s gentle touch.

"Lex? Hey, what’s the matter?" The blonde didn’t like the lost look on her lover’s face. "Are you okay?"

Lex nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I’m fine." She felt a strong hand on her good shoulder. "What?"

"I think you’ve been out of bed long enough, young lady. Don’t make me pick you up and tuck you in," Travis threatened. When he saw his granddaughter open her mouth to argue, he shook his head. "Nope. In bed. Now. Or I’ll go get Martha."

The rancher exchanged looks with her partner and sighed. "You would, wouldn’t you?" Hearing his chuckle, she rolled her eyes. "Okay, you win." Lex bent down and kissed Amanda gently on the lips. "I’ll be back," she whispered.

"Not for a while you won’t, young lady." Travis gently helped Lex to her feet and to her own bed. "I’d hate for Martha to spend the night up here, thinking that you can’t be trusted."

"Grandpa! Don’t you dare!" Lex blustered, as he swung her legs back onto the bed, and covered her with the blanket. "Martha worries enough as it is."

He nodded. "My point exactly, Lexie." Travis turned serious and lightly touched her head. "This could have been a lot more serious, I know. But you’ve still got a concussion and a fever, and you need to take it easy, all right?" He cleared his throat, which had closed up at the thought of what he’d almost lost. "Humor an old man, will you? Just for a little while?"

I’ve been pretty selfish, haven’t I? Seeing the tears sparkle in his eyes, Lex nodded. "I will, I promise."

"Good. Thank you." Travis leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Now get some rest. Charlie wants to come in a little later and ask you a few questions, but he thought he’d better wait until you were feeling stronger." And he also knew that Martha would have his hide if he came in any sooner with official business. I’m so glad that she’s been here to take care of Lexie for all these years. Such a remarkable woman. He straightened up and made his way back to the door. "You girls both get some rest. I’ll be back later to check on you." With a wave and a smile, he was gone.

"He’s certainly got your number," Amanda giggled. "Threatening you with Martha like that."

Lex turned her head and looked at her lover. "It’s not like I’m afraid of her, or anything," she huffed. "I just didn’t want to worry him, that’s all."

Amanda laughed. "Uh-huh. Bwawk, bwawk," she teased. "Big chicken."

"Brat."

***************

She was sitting in the back booth at the diner, reading the paper and not paying attention to anything around her. Hearing a body drop into the seat across from her, Janna looked over the paper at the intruder. "What in the hell do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize for the other day," Hubert answered contritely. His forehead still sported a nasty bruise from where he banged it on the wall. "I’m afraid I was drunk, and out of line. I’d like for us to be friends, if we could."

"Do you really think that’s possible, Hubert? Calling me a bitch and trying to take my head off isn’t the best way to impress me." She folded up the paper and sighed. Bad enough I had to get this lecture from Dad, but now I have to talk to SuperJerk, too?

He gave her a charming smile. "I know, and I’m really sorry. Alcohol makes me do, and say, some really stupid things." Hubert leaned forward slowly. "Your dad and I go back a long ways. I don’t want our differences to jeopardize a friendship I’ve come to depend on dearly. He’s like a brother to me."

Uh-huh. He sends you business, and vice-versa. Why am I sitting here talking to a man who can’t even treat his own SISTER with respect? What a complete asshole! Janna leaned back in her seat to get some space. "Right. Speaking of family, have you seen your sister? I hear she gets out of the hospital tomorrow." Let’s see how he handles this one. Janna had gone to the hospital the day before to visit Lex and Amanda after their automobile accident. She had called the ranch looking for Lex, and the young man had answered the phone had given her the news.

"Umm…no, I haven’t. My sister and I don’t get along, and I don’t want to upset her unduly." His outside demeanor calm, Hubert fumed inwardly. How dare she bring up that bitch to me? All I’ve heard about all day was Lexington this, Lexington that. If one more person asks me how she’s doing, I’ll shove my friggin’ fist down their throat!

"I see. Well, she’s looking pretty good right now, all things considering." The more Janna was around this man, the more disgusted she became. "Anyway, I don’t think it would be a good idea for us to be around each other, Hubert. There’s just too much history, don’t you think?"

Hubert stood up. "Your loss, babe. Just don’t go messing up what I have with your old man, and I’ll be happy." He straightened his tie and stomped from the diner, leaving a trail of curious glances in his wake.

Asshole. Janna shook her head and opened up her paper again. She heard someone clear their throat discreetly, and looked over the paper in annoyance. "What?!" Standing beside her table was Barbara, the woman she had ‘rescued’ a couple of nights before. "Oh, I’m sorry. Would you like to sit down?"

"Thank you," Barbara murmured, as she slid into the booth across from Janna. "I saw Hubert leave, and he didn’t look happy." She privately enjoyed the angry look on his face as the livid man stormed from the building. He had almost run into the light post outside, and Barbara had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

"Yeah, well, he’s a jackass." Janna noted the other woman’s blush. "I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse my language. I’m not used to being around a lady." She studied Barbara for a moment, then decided. "Would you like something to eat?" the accountant asked, as she waved for the waitress.

Barbara nodded. "Sure." She looked up as the server stood by the booth. "I’d like a chef’s salad, and a glass of tea."

"Salad? That can’t fill you up. Why not a hamburger instead? My treat."

The bank teller shook her head. "Oh, no. I couldn’t let you do that."

Janna smiled at her. "C’mon, please?" At the other woman’s reluctant nod, she gave the waitress a triumphant smile. "All right! Bring the lady your burger platter, and a large glass of tea." Once the server had left with the order, Janna looked at her watch and turned her attention back to her tablemate. "So, what brings you here this time of day? I thought that the bank gave you folks a decent lunch hour."

After the incident with Hubert on New Year’s Eve, Janna had driven the other woman home. Over coffee at Barbara’s house, they found that they actually had a lot in common, and quickly became friends. Several hours and a pot of coffee later, Janna had learned all about Barbara’s life in the small town, and how she had been tricked by Hubert to help him get his hands on the ranch’s money.

The buxom waitress brought over Barbara’s lunch, and left the check with Janna. "Here you go, honey." She winked at the tall blonde and went back behind the counter, leaving the accountant tracking her with a confused look.

"Did she just…?" Janna asked her friend.

Barbara laughed. "Oh, yeah. Francine likes ‘em tall…and blonde. She’s harmless enough, though." She looked at the woman across the table. "Does that bother you?"

"Umm…no. It just caught me off guard, that’s all." Janna shrugged her shoulders. "Does it bother you?"

"Nope," the bank teller answered. "You’ll find, in this town anyway, most people have grown pretty tolerant over the years. Especially since several of the more upstanding citizens are gay." She leaned across the table with a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. "The mayor’s son, for one. And," she whispered, "one of your biggest clients, Lexington Walters. She’s funded more social programs around here than several people put together. And she’s on the Historical Committee – they’ve saved three old homes in as many years, thanks a lot to her influence."

Janna smiled. "She’s a great person, and so is her partner, Amanda. I’ve really become fond of them in a short amount of time. They’re the first people here to really make me feel welcome."

The other woman smiled. "I know. Beneath all that bluster and bravado, Lexington is just the sweetest person I’ve ever met. But don’t tell her I said that, okay?" Barbara looked around the diner to see if anyone was paying attention to her. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure. It’ll go no farther than this table, I promise."

"I’ve had a crush on Lex since high school," she murmured, looking down at her plate. "I think that’s the reason I put up with her brother for as long as I did, because I was hoping he would be like her." She shook her head. "Sad, isn’t it?"

Janna reached across the table and grasped Barbara’s hand. "No, it’s not. I can see why you’d feel that way. Hubert and Lex look a lot alike, but that’s where the resemblance ends. "

"Well, I’ve certainly learned my lesson." Barbara touched her cheek and sighed. "I’m just glad that you were there the other night, or there’s no telling what Hubert might have done."

Squeezing the hand that she was holding, Janna smiled. "I’m glad too, Barbara. I got to thump a jerk, and made a really good friend…all in one night." Her grin widened when she felt Barbara’s other hand cover their joined ones. "Very glad."

***************

"You can’t stay, Ms. Walters. We released you from the hospital this morning, and it’s past visiting hours," the doctor argued. Although the woman standing before him was battered and bruised, he couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated. She had stubbornly removed the splint and tape from her nose the day before, and her blue eyes seemed to be highlighted by the dark bruises beneath them. Once they had her fever under control, he could see no reason for her to stay, so he signed her release papers. "I can assure you that we’ll take excellent care of Miss Cauble."

Lex sighed and took a step towards the frustrated man. You’d think that having a medical degree would make him smarter. What an idiot. "I know you’ll take good care of her, Doctor. But like I told you before, she’s my partner…my lover…my better half. Whatever you want to call it, she’s the most important person in the world to me. And there’s no way in hell that I’m gonna leave her here alone, you got that?" She realized that she was scaring the doctor with her aggressive attitude, so she leaned back against the wall and slowly crossed her arms over her chest. Lex had conveniently lost the sling for her shoulder the moment she had been discharged.

They were standing in the hallway outside of Amanda’s room. The doctor had been on his rounds when he caught the rancher sitting by her friend’s bed. He had pulled her out into the hall so that his patient wouldn’t be disturbed. "I’m sorry, but you have no authority to stay after hours." I hate these kind of people. They always want equal rights, even though they are an abomination to God. "This is a Christian hospital, young woman. Don’t make me have security throw you out."

"Now you listen to me, you little pissant!" Lex pushed herself off the wall and looked down at the physician. "I’m not in the mood to put up with your bullshit, but I’ll be glad to…"

"Lexington Marie!" Martha quickly stepped in between the two upset people, gently pushing the tall woman back. "What’s going on here?"

Lex glared at the doctor over the smaller woman’s head. "This damned quack is telling me I have to leave Amanda!"

Martha swatted the younger woman on the hip. "Watch your language, young lady! Now go and cool off!"

"But…"

"No buts! Now git!" Martha glared at her charge and pointed down the hallway. "Go grab yourself something to drink, and come back in a few minutes."

"Yes, Mada." Lex gave the physician one final dirty look, and walked dejectedly down the hallway.

The housekeeper turned her attention back to the doctor. "Now, what’s this nonsense about my daughter not being able to stay here?"

"Your daughter?" He looked at the tall form now at the end of the hallway, and then back to the sweet woman in front of him. Impossible. She must take after her father. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Walters…"

"Rollins," Martha corrected, "but you can call me Martha." She enjoyed the look of confusion on his pinched face. He appeared to be about her age, but looked as if he had never smiled before in his life. "You were saying?"

He straightened his lab coat and nodded. "As I was telling your daughter, since she was discharged this morning, she has no reason to be up here after visiting hours."

"I see." Martha studied him for a long moment. "Are you married, Doctor?"

"Yes, I am. Although I don’t see how that relates…"

She waved a hand to silence him. "Do you love your wife?"

The doctor looked insulted. "Of course I do! What kind of ridiculous question is that?"

"What if your wife had been injured in a car wreck? Would you want to stay with her and make sure she’s all right? Or would you simply stay around only during visiting hours, and run home as soon as you could?" She placed a hand on his arm and smiled sadly. "Just because my daughter loves another woman, that doesn’t make their love any less real." Martha patted him on the shoulder and turned to walk down the hallway.

He watched her walk away, a thoughtful look on his face. Shaking his head, the doctor took a deep breath and continued his rounds.

Martha found Lex in the main foyer, staring out through the glass into the gloomy night. A light rain had begun to fall, and the chill caused the tall woman to tremble slightly. "Where’s your coat?" Martha asked, placing one hand on the small of Lex’s back and rubbing gently.

"I dunno," Lex mumbled. She turned around and looked into Martha’s eyes. "Why does everything have to be so damned complicated?" she asked, tears in her eyes. "I just want to stay and keep Amanda company. It’s not like I was in the way, or anything."

"I know, baby. Some people are just a little more dense than others," Martha commiserated. "But you really should go over to the hotel and get some rest. It won’t do Amanda any good if you collapse the same day that you were released."

Lex bit her lip and looked down at the ground. "I know. But I can’t stand the fact that she’s still here, and I’m not." She turned to look back outside, unable to meet Martha’s gaze. "It’s my fault she’s here, Mada. If I was a better driver, or…"

"Now you wait just a damned minute!" Martha grabbed Lex by her good shoulder and spun her around. "Don’t start with the ‘what-ifs’. If you weren’t such a good driver, you both could be dead right now." Her voice cracked on the last part of the sentence. "And that is completely unacceptable to me, so just hush!" She pulled the rancher into her arms and hugged her tight. Pulling back slightly, Martha smiled gently. "Now, go back into that room, and tell Amanda goodnight. You’re coming back to the hotel with me, and going straight to bed."

Lex knew it was pointless to argue with Martha, once her mind was made up. "Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back in a few minutes." She kissed the graying head. "I love you, Mada." Her eyes held a few unshed tears, but she smiled.

Martha fought back her own tears. "I love you too, sweetie." She pushed the tall woman towards the hallway. "Now go say goodnight, so I can tuck you into bed."

Lex had started to leave, but turned back around. "You wouldn’t!" Seeing the ingenuous smile on the older woman’s face, she shook her head. "You would." She sighed as she turned and started down the hallway. "I should know better by now," Lex mumbled, as she walked away.

Chapter 18

"That’s really nice of you, but I wouldn’t feel right." Lex was sitting on the right side of the Suburban, with Amanda’s injured leg propped across her lap. She knew she was being ridiculous. Anna Leigh had offered the use of her Cadillac until Lex could find a new vehicle, but the rancher was nervous about getting back behind the wheel again. Maybe if I start with my old Jeep, it won’t be so bad. While Amanda was in the hospital, Lex allowed everyone else to ferry her around. She hadn’t even been back to the ranch yet. I hope they didn’t have any trouble getting everything set up.

Jacob drove slowly on the winding road, mindful of his cargo. The day had turned out cold, but sunny, and up ahead they could see where the truck had been forced from the road. Dark tire marks covered the two-lane blacktop, showing just how far the struggle had gone.

"Could you stop for a moment, please?" Amanda had watched the different emotions cross her partner’s face. She decided that the sooner they got past this, the better off they both would be. Martha told me that Lex wouldn’t even drive between the hospital and the hotel. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but it’s going to stop. She reached over for her friend’s hand and squeezed it tightly. "Looks a lot different in the daylight, doesn’t it?"

The rancher nodded. "Yeah, it sure does." She struggled to keep herself from trembling. I almost got you killed here, Amanda. How can you be so calm?

"My goodness," Anna Leigh exclaimed, seeing the earth torn up along the side of the road. She could see where the truck had begun to spin in the mud, and where it slid down the embankment and into the trees. Other tracks were evident, presumably from the emergency vehicles that arrived later. She looked back at her granddaughter and shook her head. "You must have been terrified."

Amanda appeared thoughtful for a long moment. "It was frightening. But I had faith that Lex would get us through it, and she did."

Lex’s head snapped around to face her lover. "Like hell I did! You were almost killed, Amanda – don’t make me out to be some sort of hero." Her eyes lowered to the leg in her lap. "Look what I did to you."

"No!" The younger woman put her hand under Lex’s chin, and forced eye contact. "Honey, if it wasn’t for your driving skills, we’d probably both be dead. Don’t do this to yourself, Lex. Life is too short for us to go around beating ourselves up over everything." Amanda leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. "I love you. Let it go, please?"

"I’ll try," Lex agreed, clearing her throat. She ran her fingertips down the soft cheek inches from her own. In a voice hoarse with emotion, she murmured, "I love you, Amanda." Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Lex looked toward the front seats. "Well? Are we gonna go on to the house, or sit here all day and watch the leaves fall?" She sat back in her seat and grinned at the wink she received from Jacob through the rear view mirror.

"You got it, kiddo!" He exchanged grins with his wife and continued on to the ranch.

When the Suburban pulled up to the front of the house, Amanda noticed a ramp had been built over the front steps. It was made of wood, and a fresh coat of paint caused it to stand out. "Lex? What did…?"

"I made a few phone calls," Lex explained as she climbed out of the vehicle. She ran around to the back of the Suburban and pulled out the wheelchair that she had rented for her friend.

The younger woman was in a cast that was up over her knee, and she was told to keep her leg elevated for the next couple of weeks. Amanda allowed Jacob to help her from the vehicle and place her in the chair. "Thanks, Grandpa." She looked back at Lex, who started pushing the chair up the ramp. "Umm, honey? How are we going to make it up the stairs?" She was charmed by the smug grin on her partner’s face. She’s definitely up to something.

"We’re not."

The front door opened and Martha stepped out onto the porch. "Welcome home, Amanda!" She bent down and kissed the blonde’s cheek. "With you home, maybe I’ll finally see more of Lexie," she whispered.

"What do you mean? Hasn’t she…?" Amanda looked up at the housekeeper in confusion. No wonder Lex was able to be up at the hospital so much of the time – she never left! Her broken leg had to stay in traction for over a week, so that the doctor could make sure no infection set in. Since Lex had been released the fourth day after the accident, she had been at the hospital almost constantly. Amanda would fall asleep to the soothing voice of her lover talking, and awake the next morning to Lex’s blue eyes gazing down fondly on her.

Lex pushed the chair through the door, and stopped outside of the den. "You about ready to lie down, sweetheart?"

Amanda turned around as best she could and gave the tall woman a questioning glance. "Uh, yeah. I am kinda tired. But how are we going to get upstairs?"

"Like I said," the rancher pushed the chair through the den door. "We’re not." Instead of the leather sofa and loveseat that usually occupied the den, the large four-poster bed from the master bedroom stood to one side of the room. "You can even watch TV while you’re lying down," Lex explained. "I had some of the guys from the bunkhouse move the bedroom downstairs." She wheeled Amanda over to the bed and set the brakes on the chair. "All out, first floor – bedroom and housewares."

"You’re a nut."

The rancher nodded. "Yup. Now c’mon, get your cute little rear into this bed." She partially carried Amanda to the bed, trying to ignore the twinge in her shoulder from the strain. "It’s past time for your pain pill, anyway."

Anna Leigh and Jacob stood in the doorway, watching in amusement as Lex pampered their granddaughter. "Do you want to take bets on how long Lexington’s going to get away with all this?" she quietly asked her husband.

"Two…three days, tops," he joked. "I don’t remember this room having a door on it." Jacob pulled the bifold door partially closed. "Pretty nice, though."

Lex turned around and smiled at the couple. "I figured that being right off the front door, we’d need some sort of privacy," she explained. "The doorway was too wide for a normal door, so Roy did the next best thing."

"He fussed over it for almost two days," Martha related, bringing in a tray laden with mugs. "Anyone for hot chocolate?"

Jacob relieved her of the tray and set it down on a nearby table. "Wonderful idea, dear lady!" He looked around and realized that someone was missing. "Where’s Travis?"

Martha frowned. "He went upstairs earlier. I figured he’d be down here by now." She turned to the rancher.

"I’ll go check on him," Lex volunteered, before the housekeeper could say anything. She kissed Amanda on the forehead. "Be right back."

***************

Her long legs ate up the distance of the long staircase, and Lex quickly found herself in front of the guest room door, which was closed. She reached up and lightly knocked on the wood, waiting patiently for an answer. "Grandpa?" When there was no response, she rapped her knuckles against the frame a bit louder. Worried now, Lex slowly opened the door and peeked inside.

Travis was lying on the bed, his eyes closed. Although a quilt covered his tall frame, she could see that his hands were across his stomach, and no movement could be seen.

"Grandpa?" She continued into the room, fear and worry seeping into her voice. "C’mon, handsome. Everyone is downstairs." Lex stood by the bed with a puzzled frown. She reached down to his head, her hand shaking slightly.

His eyes popped open with a shock, as his granddaughter pulled the headset away from his ear. "Lexie! You scared me half to death!" Travis sat up and pulled the thin device from his head. "I didn’t know you were home."

Her heart slowly resumed its normal rhythm. "Scared you? I thought for a minute you were…" Lex couldn’t even voice the thought out loud.

"Heavens, no!" Travis laughed. "I was just listening to some music and relaxing. I’m afraid I nearly drove poor Martha to distraction in the kitchen earlier, while we were waiting for you to come home. So I decided to give her a break and come up here." He stood up and wrapped his arms around the agitated woman. "I’m sorry I worried you, sweetheart."

Lex returned the hug with a heavy sigh. "No, I’m sorry, Grandpa. Guess my nerves are a bit on edge, that’s all." She pulled back slightly and grinned. "The downstairs ‘bedroom’ looks great. Amanda sure was surprised."

Travis led her from the room, his arm never leaving his granddaughter’s shoulder. "I’ll bet. Martha sounded like a field general, making sure everything was in the right place. I don’t think the men will ever be quite the same," he joked.

"I’m sure you had nothing to do with it, right?"

"Not me. I’m just an old man. Not much I could have done." He flinched as her elbow hit a particularly ticklish spot on his ribs.

The tall woman laughed and shook her head. "Oh, no. You’re not going to make me believe that. Martha told me on the phone this morning, that she couldn’t have done it without you."

Travis felt like the little kid whose hand was caught in the cookie jar. "She tends to exaggerate, don’t you think?" He stopped near the den door. "Well, we’re here. Let’s go say hello." The older man was through the door before his granddaughter could say another word.

"That sneak! I’ll get him for that." Lex grinned and followed her grandfather into the room.

***************

Amanda snuggled deeper into her lover’s arms. "That was fun." It had been several hours since her grandparents had left, and the fire had burned down to embers. Although it was still early in the evening, they were lying in the large bed, both content to just enjoy the peace and quiet.

"Yeah," Lex agreed. She buried her face into the blonde hair and took a deep breath. "But this is better," she sighed happily. "I’ve really missed this," the rancher quietly admitted.

"I have too." Amanda was lying on her back – or more truthfully, on Lex’s front. They had found that it was more comfortable to have the rancher propped up against the headboard, and the younger woman sitting between her outstretched legs, leaning back. "Which reminds me. Martha made a comment about not seeing much of you lately." She craned her head to see her partner’s face. "What was that all about?"

Lex swallowed nervously and had trouble meeting Amanda’s gaze. "Umm…" Gentle fingertips pulled her face down.

Amanda stroked the strong jaw beneath her hand. "Honey…don’t tell me you’ve spent all this time in town?"

"Well, I…"

"Lex! It’s been almost two weeks since the accident. Why?" Amanda finally caught the rancher’s eyes. "Please, talk to me."

The older woman sighed. "Do you really think I could have left you in the hospital alone? What if our positions had been reversed?"

"We’re not talking about me, love."

"But we are, don’t you see?" Lex squirmed around until they were sitting face to face. "You are the most important thing in my life, Amanda. There’s no way in hell that I could have been that far away from you." She looked down at the bedspread. "It took all I had to leave the hospital long enough to shower and change clothes."

Amanda cupped her lover’s face with her hands and forced her to look up. "Oh, honey." Her heart broke at the tears that formed in the blue eyes. No wonder she looks so worn out. The only sleep she’s gotten is when I’d catch her dozing in the chair across from my bed.

Lex wiped angrily at her eyes and took a deep breath to collect herself. Idiot! Now you’re upsetting her. "I really did try to lie down a couple of times," she protested. "But every time I’d close my eyes, I’d see you lying alone in the hospital."

Pretty hard to argue with that, since I’d probably do the same. Time to change the subject, I think. "Well, we’re home together now. That’s the important thing, right?" Amanda saw relief flood Lex’s face.

"Right." Happy that the subject was closed, Lex yawned and snuggled back down in the bed. "Goodnight, sweetheart." She kissed the top of Amanda’s head and closed her eyes.

***************

She slammed her hand down on the table, causing the silverware to jangle. "This is completely unacceptable!" Elizabeth looked around the restaurant, relieved that no one noticed her little outburst. "My daughter could have been killed!" They were having dinner at the steak house, feeling secure because their table was situated near the back of the restaurant, and partially hidden by plants.

"Calm down, Liz. I had nothing to do with the accident." He reached across the table and took hold of her shaking hands. "Do you honestly think I would stoop to something that poorly planned?"

"No, I suppose not." She glared at him. "You DO have a plan, don’t you? It’s even more imperative that I get my daughter away from that…woman. God only knows what could happen next."

The handsome man released her hands and leaned back in his chair. "Ranching can be a very dangerous business, you know. Just about anything could happen out in the middle of nowhere." He winked at his employer and smiled. "Don’t worry your pretty little head, Liz. I’m on it."

Elizabeth leaned across the table and pinned him with a nasty look. "Don’t you DARE be condescending to me!"

Raising his hands in a defensive manner, he shook his head. "No, no…I’d never do that. I just think that your time could be better spent, than worrying about that rancher. I’m handling the details as we speak." He reached into his back pocket for his wallet and dropped several bills on the table. "Let’s go back to my room, where we can discuss this more…freely."

"Good idea. The less we talk about it in public, the better." Elizabeth allowed him to pull her chair away from the table and escort her from the room.

At the next table, the eyes of two women widened as they realized what they had overheard. Barbara, whose back was to the now deserted table, leaned forward and whispered to her companion. "Oh, my God! Do you think they were talking about…?"

"I think so," Janna agreed. "I didn’t recognize either one of them, either. But the way that lady was talking, she’d have to be Amanda’s mother, wouldn’t she?"

Barbara turned around in her seat, and casually glanced toward the exit. "Oh, yes! That’s definitely her – I remember her from the bank." She turned back around. "What are we going to do?"

"Well, for starters, we’re going to call and warn Lex." Janna tossed her napkin onto her plate and stood up. "I’m sorry about cutting dinner short," she apologized. "But we can always go somewhere else, later."

"That’s fine with me," the smaller woman agreed, rising from her chair. "Do you want to go back to my place to call Lex, and then have some coffee?"

Janna smiled as she dropped money onto the table. "Sounds good to me. C’mon." She placed her hand lightly on the other woman’s back, protectively escorting her from the room.

***************

The cold wind cut through his thin coat as the man cautiously navigated the old bridge. He tightened his hold on the collar, wishing again that he had thought further ahead. His boots slipped on the damp wood, and he nearly dropped what he was carrying. Thankful for the thick gloves on his hands, he wished again that he had waited until early morning. Too damned cold to be out in this mess, he thought to himself. I’d much rather be sitting in front of a nice warm fire.

He proceeded on his way, staying just to the side of the dirt road. Didn’t realize it was so damned far to the house. The strap over his shoulder slipped, and he pulled it back up. This better be worth it. After another fifteen minutes, the ranch house came into view. No lights were visible from inside, and the only light at all was from atop a tall pole at the back of the house. He walked to the back of the home, careful to keep out of the light.

Seeing the two large structures down behind the main house, the chilled man decided to spend the remainder of the night out of the elements. Tomorrow morning will come soon enough, he thought as he opened the door to the barn. Warmth hit him in the face and he smiled. This is more like it. No sense in being uncomfortable until then.

***************

Janna hung up the phone and sighed. She had just called the hotel that Lex had been staying in, and was told by the night clerk that the rancher had checked out early that morning. "They must have taken Amanda home today," she told Barbara, who was sitting on the sofa, and watched as her friend tried to stay calm. "I don’t know whether I should call the ranch now, or wait until the morning."

"It is getting late," Barbara admitted. "But that man had said that he already had something working, didn’t he?" She patted the empty spot next to her and smiled. "Why don’t you come over here and sit down, so we can talk about it?" They had been with each other almost every day for the past couple of weeks, and she was determined to move their relationship to the next level.

"Ah…okay." Janna crossed the room and sat next to the smiling brunette. "What?"

Barbara shook her head. "Nothing." She reached over and placed her hand on the blonde’s thigh, which was bouncing nervously. "It’s after eleven o’clock already. Why don’t we try calling them first thing in the morning? If Amanda just got out of the hospital, she’ll probably need all the rest she can get."

"You’re probably right. Maybe I’ll stop by the ranch on the way home, and see if anyone’s up." Janna tried to stand up, but the other woman’s hand held her in place. "What?"

Charmed by the nervousness in the bookkeeper’s tone, Barbara squeezed the leg she still held. "It’s really late, and the storm is getting worse. Why don’t you stay here tonight?"

Janna flinched. "Umm…well…I’d really feel better if I checked on them."

"I’ve got a perfectly good guest room, Janna. There’s no sense in you driving all the way out there this time of night, is there? It’s late, it’s dark, and you can’t possibly do anything right now, anyway." She leaned forward slightly until they were inches apart. "I promise that’s all I’m thinking about," Barbara smiled, "for now."

"Well…umm…" Feeling the heat in her face, Janna took a deep breath. "If you’re sure it wouldn’t be any trouble." She’s right. If I go storming out there, all I’ll end up doing is scaring them all to death. It would be a lot better if I just called them early in the morning.

Barbara reached out with her free hand and ran her fingers through Janna’s short blonde hair. "Trust me. The only trouble I’m going to have is staying in my own room tonight." She leaned forward and kissed Janna lightly on the lips.

***************

Amanda woke up to an empty bed. She glanced over at the nightstand, and saw by the clock that it was after midnight. Blinking several times to adjust her vision, she finally spotted Lex standing beside the large windows, staring out through the half-drawn blinds. "Lex? Is everything okay?"

The rancher turned around and started back to the bed. "Yeah, I think so. I thought I heard something, but there’s nothing out there that I can see." She sat down next to her lover and brushed her fingers through the messy blonde hair. "Sorry if I woke you."

"You didn’t. At least, I don’t think you did." Amanda leaned into the touch and sighed. "Mmm…your hands are cold." She smiled and captured the hand as it tensed to pull away. "I didn’t say I didn’t like it." She brought Lex’s hand down and placed it inside her nightshirt, hearing the older woman gasp as she touched warm skin.

"Tease." But Lex allowed her fingers to roam, causing her partner to inhale sharply in return.

The blonde head nodded. "Only when you’re involved, honey." Amanda jumped as the long digits found a particularly sensitive spot. "Oooh…umm…" She squirmed slightly and exhaled. "Whoa."

Lex grinned and continued her exploration. "Like that?"

"Uh-huh." Amanda felt her shirt being lifted over her head. "Ahhh…I think your hand is warm, now," she mumbled.

"Maybe. But I need to warm up the other one, too," Lex countered, as she removed the shirt and began to blaze a trail of kisses down the younger woman’s body. "Are you cold, sweetheart?"

Amanda shook her head, but couldn’t answer. She tangled her hands in the dark hair and guided Lex to more sensitive areas. God, I’ve missed this, was her last coherent thought as the tall woman continued to attack her senses and lovingly worship her body.

Some time later, Amanda was curled on her side, snuggled up to Lex’s warm body. They had placed a thick pillow between her knees, so that her good leg wouldn’t lie across the rough cast. She ran a playful fingertip across the perspiring woman’s stomach, causing her to flinch. "I thought you said you weren’t ticklish?"

"I’m not. You just surprised me, that’s all." Lex continued to comb her fingers through the blonde’s damp hair. Another poke from her companion, and she grunted. "Hey! Cut that out."

"You’re such a big baby," Amanda teased. She raised her head and kissed the bare skin that her head was resting on. "But I’ll stop, for now." She dropped her head and lay quietly for a moment, thinking. "You said earlier that something woke you up?"

Lex nodded. "Yeah, I thought I heard something. But when I looked outside, I didn’t see anything. Guess I’m getting paranoid in my old age."

The younger woman giggled. "Oh, yeah…you’re practically ancient," she quipped. "But I don’t think you’re paranoid, Lex. I’m sure something woke you." Amanda sat up. "Maybe we should call Charlie."

"Nah. I’ll check around the house in the morning. It was probably a fox, or maybe a deer." Seeing her lover yawn, Lex pulled Amanda back down into her arms. "Let’s get some sleep, huh? We’ll worry about it tomorrow." But sleep was elusive for the exhausted woman, as she continued to worry about what trouble Amanda’s mother would create next.

Chapter 19

Lex stepped out into the cold morning and shivered. She navigated her steps carefully on the icy ground as she made her way to the barns. The frozen rain from the night before had left a nasty accumulation of ice, and more than once the rancher had to slow down to keep from falling. Damn nasty out here this morning. Maybe Amanda was right. She had left her partner in the cozy kitchen, comfortably ensconced in a padded chair, with her leg propped on another.

"I swear, Lex. You do these things just to drive me crazy, don’t you?" Amanda had been arguing with the tall woman for almost an hour, trying to keep Lex from leaving the house. "You have a bunkhouse full of able-bodied men, and yet you persist in trudging out in the nasty weather to check on your horses. Would it be so awful to stay inside and let them handle it?"

The rancher opened the door to the horse barn and quickly dashed inside. "Whew! That wind can take a person’s breath away!" she exclaimed to the animals, who leaned over their stalls and stared balefully at her. "Morning, everyone."

A shifting sound could be heard from the tack room, and Lex stopped in her tracks. What the…? Searching around for a weapon, she reached for the nearby pitchfork and held it out in front of her. "All right. Whoever’s in there, come on out."

There was no sound for a long moment, then the door began to open slowly. A slightly built man stepped into the doorway, holding something in his hands. A well-worn hat hid his face, and he was wearing an old denim jacket. "Put down the tool," he commanded in a no nonsense tone.

***************

Martha poured herself another cup of coffee and was about to sit down when the phone rang. "It’s a bit early, isn’t it?" she grumbled as she picked up the phone. "Rocking W Ranch, Martha speaking."

"Hi, Ms. Rollins," Janna returned. "I hope it’s not too early."

"No, dear. Everyone’s up before the chickens around here," Martha joked. She exchanged wry glances with Amanda, who shook her head. "What can I do for you this morning?"

The bookkeeper sighed. "I really need to talk to Lex, ma’am. It’s rather important."

"Well, she’s gone down to the barn, honey. Do you want me to have her call you when she comes back?" At Amanda’s questioning glance, she shrugged. "Or would you like to talk to Amanda? She’s right here."

"Umm…well…yeah." Janna didn’t want to upset the younger woman, but she felt that she needed to warn them about the danger they might be in. "Thank you, Ms. Rollins. I’d really appreciate that."

The housekeeper stretched the phone cord to where Amanda was sitting. "Here, honey. It’s that nice young woman who’s working on the books for Lexie."

"Thanks, Martha." Amanda smiled at the housekeeper. "This is Amanda. What’s going on, Janna?"

"I’m really sorry to bother you this early in the morning, but I thought you ought to know," Janna jabbered nervously. "Barbara and I went out to eat last night, and…"

Amanda smiled broadly. "Oh, really? You’ve been seeing quite a bit of her, from what I’ve been told," she teased. "I’m sorry, go ahead."

Janna sighed. "We’ve become really good friends. Anyway, it was really quiet in the restaurant, and we overheard this couple at the next table talking. Barbara said she recognized your mother, and there was a younger guy with her we didn’t know."

"It’s hardly news to me that my mother is dating," the young woman sighed. "From what I understand, she never really stopped."

"No, it’s not that. I don’t’ think that they’re dating." Janna took a deep breath, then released it slowly. "She was tearing into the guy because she thought he had something to do with your accident. The way it sounded, he’s working for her."

Seeing the blood rush from Amanda’s face, Martha sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. "What is it, dear?"

The blonde shook her head. "No…she didn’t…"

"No. He said that he didn’t have anything to do with it. But," Janna paused, unsure if she should say anything.

"What? Please, Janna. Just tell me."

"Your mother said that it was more important than ever to get you away from Lex. He told her that he was handling the details right then. Even made some sort of comment that all sorts of things could happen at the ranch, since it was so far from town, and all."

Amanda dropped the phone in shock. Could she really be that cold-blooded? I know I’ve said she would in the past, but still. My own mother? She barely listened as Martha took over the phone conversation.

"No, dear…she’s just a bit shocked, that’s all. Yes, I’ll let her know. Thank you for calling, Janna. Good bye." The housekeeper hung up the phone and sat back down next to Amanda. She waited until the tear-filled green eyes met hers. "Oh, honey."

"My own mother, Martha," Amanda whispered. "Why is she doing this to us?"

Martha leaned forward and pulled the younger woman into her arms. "Sshhh. Everything’s going to be just fine. I’ll give Charlie a call, and let him know what’s going on, okay?"

The blonde head nodded. "That’s probably a good idea. I just wish Lex were back from the barns. She needs to know about all this."

***************

"What in the hell are you doing here?" Lex asked, still holding the pitchfork in a defensive manner. She backed up slightly until she could feel the bales of hay behind her. Guess that’s far enough. I can’t believe this!

The man stepped forward and raised his hat away from his eyes. "That’s no way to talk to me, girl. Now put the damned fork down!" He took several more steps, until the pronged tool touched his chest. "I’m not telling you again." His hazel eyes were tired, and he sported several days’ growth of beard.

Her hands shaking, Lex lowered the implement until the points were on the ground. "Why are you here?" Her legs gave out and caused her to drop down on the hay behind her. "What possible purpose could it serve?"

"You act like you’re surprised. Don’t tell me you haven’t been expecting this visit." He began to walk around the barn, looking around. "Looks like you’ve done pretty good. How much money have you sunk into this place?"

"Enough to turn it around. What do you want?"

He laughed. "You know, I was sure surprised when I came in here last night and felt how nice and warm it was. You treat these damned horses better than you do people." He sat on a barrel on the other side of the room. "But you always did, didn’t you? People didn’t mean that much to you at all, did they?" He reached down into his boot and pulled out a large hunting knife.

Lex jumped to her feet and pointed an angry finger in his direction. "Don’t you be telling me about how to treat people!"

"Sit down! I’m talking to you, girl!" He pointed the knife at the agitated young woman. "You always did fly off the handle." The older man began to clean his nails with the point of the knife. "Maybe someone should teach you some manners."

***************

Martha hung up the phone and turned around. "Charlie said that Janna had already called him. He’s got a couple of men on the lookout for your mother, and the man she’s been seen with. He’s on his way out here now."

"That’s a relief," Amanda sat back in her chair and pointed at her propped up leg. "I really wish there was something I could do, though. I feel completely helpless like this!"

"You’ll have plenty to do, sweetie. If you can keep Lexie even halfway calm, I’ll be impressed." The housekeeper opened the refrigerator and pulled several items out. "Now if that girl would just get back to the house for breakfast, I’d be happy."

Amanda laughed. "You know how she gets when she starts messing with her horses. Nothing can pull her away until she’s finished." She pulled herself closer to the table. "If you’ll bring me that bowl, I’ll be glad to mix those ingredients together for you."

The older woman finished measuring the flour and dumped it into the bowl. "Thank you, dear. That would be a big help." She brought the large glass dish over to the table and placed it in front of Amanda. "Here you go. Just let me know when you’re done, honey. I’ll go ahead and start the sausage to cooking."

"Sure, no problem." Amanda glanced at the clock on the wall. I wonder what’s taking Lex so long? She said that she’d be back soon.

***************

"What is it you want? Money?" Lex was becoming increasingly aware of how long she had been in the barn. Amanda’s gonna be coming unglued if I’m not back to the house soon, she worried. "I’m sure I could give you enough to make you leave."

He bristled at the disgusted tone in her voice. "Your brother was right," he growled. "You are a snotty excuse for a person." The man stood up slowly and brushed off his jeans. "Money doesn’t mean anything to me. You’re the reason I came here, you know." He buttoned up his coat and pulled his hat down over his head. "Why don’t we go on up to the main house and finish this up there?"

I don’t want him anywhere near Martha, or Amanda, but we’re not accomplishing anything here. "You still haven’t told me why you’re here. Has this got something to do with Hubert?"

"All in due time, girl. Let’s go. It’s too damned cold to be messing around out here." The man bent down and placed his knife back in his boot. He motioned for her to precede him from the barn. "Hurry up. I’m not getting any younger, you know."

"All right." Lex led the way to the house, taking careful steps to avoid falling. I wonder if there’s some way to get rid of him before Amanda sees him? Damn.

She opened up the back door and stepped inside, hanging up her coat and hat.

"Lex! It’s about time you got back," Amanda’s voice carried from the kitchen. "Come on in here and have some coffee."

Double damn. There goes that idea. Lex turned to the man behind her. "Try and act civilized, will you?" She walked into the kitchen with him close on her heels.

Amanda turned around in her chair to greet her lover. "I was beginning to get worried, honey. What took…?" She stopped when she saw the unsmiling man standing behind the rancher. "Who is…?"

Martha spun around from the stove and froze. The spatula she was using fell loudly to the floor. "Oh, my."

"Amanda, I’d like you to meet Rawson Walters…my father." Lex turned around and glared at the older man. "Dad, this is my fiancée, Amanda Cauble." She got a secret satisfaction at seeing him blanche at her choice of words. He had never accepted his daughter’s lifestyle, and refused to acknowledge that she was gay.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Walters." Amanda reached up and offered her hand to the still quiet man. "Lex has told me all about you."

He accepted the young woman’s hand and shook it firmly. "And you still wanted to shake my hand? You’re a brave woman, miss." Rawson released her hand and pulled his hat from his head. "Mind if I sit down?"

Amanda smiled. "Please, go right ahead."

Lex stood next to Martha, looking as if she would bolt from the room at any given moment. She felt a gentle hand on her back, and turned to smile at the housekeeper. "Big surprise, huh?"

"It sure is, honey. Are you okay?" I’ll chase that man out of here with my broom if he does one thing to upset these girls.

"I’m fine. A bit shocked, but fine. He was in the horse barn – scared the hell out of me." Lex watched as her partner continued to charm the rodeo rider. How does she do that? "I nearly ran him through with a pitchfork," she admitted sheepishly.

Would serve the man right, the way he treated her all those years. Martha patted her on the back. "Well, I don’t see any holes, so you must have done all right," she teased.

"Lex? Why don’t you come over here and join us?" Amanda asked. She knew that her lover was shook up at the arrival of her father, but hoped that her presence could keep Lex a little bit calmer.

The rancher walked unhappily over to the table and sat down next to Amanda, reaching over and grasping the younger woman’s hand. "Here I am." She glared across the table at her father. "Are you ever going to get around to telling me why you’re here?"

"Don’t get sassy with me, girl. I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it." Rawson leaned forward and pinned his daughter with angry eyes.

"Give me a break. My MOTHER brought me into this world, old man. YOU were just a sperm donor."

The slap was unexpected, and it knocked the chair that Lex was sitting in to the floor.

"You watch your mouth! I won’t have my daughter talking like a common street thug!" Rawson rose from his chair and stood over the prone woman.

He was suddenly pushed away by Martha, who had a large frying pan in her hand. "Don’t make me use this on you, Mr. Walters. You leave my girl alone."

"YOUR girl? You’re delusional, woman! You’ve always treated Lexington like your own. That’s probably what’s wrong with her!" The ex-rancher raised his hand as if to strike Martha, as well.

"Stop it!" Amanda tried to stand up, but was gently held down by pressure on her shoulders from behind. She turned around and saw a grim-faced Travis, who had seen the whole thing.

"That’s more than enough, Rawson," he commanded quietly. "You raise your hand to another woman in this house, and I’ll personally throw your sorry hide out of here." Travis pushed by the angry man and helped his granddaughter to her feet. "Are you okay, honey?"

Lex rubbed her jaw, which sported a red and swollen knot. "Just ducky, Grandpa." She stepped past him and glared down at her father. "If you EVER even THINK about hitting Martha again, I’ll kill you," she threatened in a low voice. Pushing by the smaller man, Lex walked over and stood behind Amanda, placing her hands on the blonde’s shoulders. "There’s a guest room across the hall from the master bedroom. You’re welcome to stay there for the night, but I want you out of our house by tomorrow morning." She silently helped Amanda into the wheelchair and wheeled her from the room.

Rawson turned around and stared at Travis. "I see you’ve finally won. You’ve poisoned my own flesh and blood against me, old man."

Travis put his arm around the housekeeper and led her to the table, helping her gently into a chair. He turned his attention back to the other man. "You did that yourself, years ago. I’m just very thankful that Martha raised Lexie, not you." He watched as the younger man stomped from the room. "I will never know what my daughter saw in him," Travis muttered.

***************

After Lex helped Amanda to the bed, she began to pace the room. "Why now? After all these years, why did he suddenly decide to come back?"

"Lex, come here." Amanda raised one hand and beckoned to the frantic woman. "Please?" She waited patiently until her lover crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. "How’s your face?" She tried to reach out and touch the reddened cheek, but Lex pulled away.

"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it." Lex didn’t feel like being comforted. She felt like climbing the stairs and giving her father a dose of his own medicine, which made her even madder. Why do I let him get to me that way? He’s always been able to hit the right buttons with me.

Amanda wrapped her fingers around the rancher’s arm and pulled her closer. "Hey." She couldn’t remember ever seeing her lover like this. The look on Lex’s face was beginning to scare her. "Honey?"

Lex shook her head to clear it. "Hmm?" She blinked several times, and realized that Amanda was trying to talk to her. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. Are you okay? Can I get you anything?"

"I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about."

"What’s to worry? I’m just trying to decide whether or not I want to go upstairs and throw my father through a window – nothing serious," Lex answered sarcastically. "When I saw him raise a hand to Martha, I honestly wanted to kill him." She tried to stand up, but was pulled back down onto the bed by Amanda’s strong grip. "God." Her whole body began to shake as she lost her composure and began to cry.

Pulling her lover forward, Amanda stroked the dark hair as Lex’s face burrowed into her chest. "Let it go, love," she murmured, slowly rocking back and forth. A knock at the door finally forced them apart. "Come in," Amanda requested hoarsely.

"Is everything all right in here?" Martha asked as she stepped into the room. She held a small icepack and carried it over to where the two women were. Her sad brown eyes tracked to Lex’s as she placed it on the rancher’s face. "That’s going to leave a bit of a bruise, I’m afraid."

Lex smiled and covered the older woman’s hand with her own. "It’s okay, Mada. Doesn’t even hurt," she lied. Her jaw ached, but the pain was nothing like the pain in her heart. "Are you okay? I’m sorry about earlier in the kitchen. I should have never…"

Martha fought back her tears. "Oh, baby. You have nothing to apologize for. I was so proud of you." She looked over at Amanda, who had a loving smile on her face. "How are you doing, honey? You look a bit tired."

"I was. But stretching out on the bed has helped." Amanda wanted to try and lighten things up a bit. "At least now I know where Hubert gets his charm from," she joked.

The rancher laughed. "Isn’t that the truth? I always thought I was the odd one, being around those two so much." She grinned at the older woman standing next to the bed. "Guess I turned out the way I did because of you." Lex watched as a deep blush covered Martha’s face. "I’m probably the only hell you ever raised, huh?"

"You were a handful at times, that’s for sure," Martha reminisced. "But you were basically a good child, even when your wild streak showed through."

Amanda patted the bed on the other side of her. "Why don’t you sit down with us for a while, and tell me some stories?" She grinned at Lex, who looked nervous. "Aw, c’mon. You couldn’t have been that bad, could you?"

"Umm…I’ve got some things I need to check on," Lex stammered, wanting to get out of the room before Martha started her tales. "You ladies go ahead and chat for a bit." She leaned down and kissed Amanda lightly on the lips. "I’ll be back in a little while." The tall woman jumped up from the bed and practically raced from the room.

"Chicken," Amanda yelled after her. She turned to Martha and they both burst into laughter.

***************

Rawson stood in the middle of the guestroom and looked around. This used to be Lexington’s room. At least, part of it was. Sure made a lot of changes around here. He had first gone into the master bedroom by mistake, and seeing the dresser and bed missing from the room had worried him. Then he remembered the young woman downstairs in the cast, and realized that his daughter had temporarily moved the bedroom downstairs. She seems like a nice enough kid, although I don’t know what she sees in my daughter.

He walked over to the window and looked outside. "The land hasn’t changed much," he murmured.

"That’s about the only thing that hasn’t," a voice called from the doorway. Rawson turned around and saw his daughter standing at the door, her arms crossed over her chest. "I see you found the guest room okay."

"I did. You sure changed up the place since I’ve been gone." He motioned to the sitting area. "Want to try again?" He walked over and sat down in one of the chairs, waiting to see if the young woman would take him up on his offer.

Lex sighed, but stepped purposely into the room and sat across from her father. "Okay. So talk." She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, trying to appear nonchalant.

He studied her for a long moment. "You’ve put on some weight," he commented. "Gotten taller, too."

"I grew up."

"Yeah, I guess you did at that." Rawson tried to find in her face the young girl that he had left so many years before. She doesn’t even really look like Victoria, anymore. Well, she does, but it’s not as noticeable. The woman sitting before him was stronger, more tan, and carried a quiet dignity that had been missing from the teenager he remembered. "You look good, Lexington." Except for the bruise on her jaw that I gave her. I never could control my temper. I’m so sorry, girl.

Having never heard a compliment come from her father, his comment startled her. "Umm, thanks. Martha’s taken really good care of me." She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. "I don’t want to hear another nasty remark about her, do you understand? She’s the only family I ever really had."

The rodeo rider nodded. "I guess I deserved that, didn’t I?" He looked down at the floor and sighed. "I know I wasn’t much of a daddy to you, girl, and for that I’m truly sorry."

"Why?" Lex’s voice cracked on the single word. "Was I such a terrible person? What made you decide that I wasn’t worth loving?" The question had been on her mind for as long as she could remember. Hoping she’d finally get an answer, Lex waited until his tired hazel eyes raised and met her gaze.

"I…" Rawson began to speak, but choked on the emotion in his throat. "I always loved you," he rasped. "I know I never did show it much, and I never could bring myself to say it. But I have always loved you, Lexington." He silently cursed the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. "I didn’t know anything about raising a little girl. And then, when you got older, you reminded me so much of your mother, it nearly killed me."

The young woman bit her lip to keep from crying. "Do you know how long I waited to hear that from you, Dad?" She stood up and crossed the room to the window, looking out at the bleak winter landscape. "I spent most of my life trying to be good enough for you. I thought that if I was smarter, or stronger, or the best at everything I did, that you’d love me." She sniffled, but refused to turn back around. "Nothing I did ever pleased you. And when I needed you the most, you left me."

Rawson’s heart broke at the pain he had caused his daughter. He could see by her stiff posture that she was trying to control her emotions. "I don’t know what to say."

"I went through my life thinking that I had no family. My grandmother died thinking that I hated her!" Lex spun around and pointed an accusing finger at the silent man. "How could you do that to me? How could you lie to a little girl, telling her that her family was dead? You bastard!" She started to leave the room, but Rawson jumped up and grabbed her arm.

"Listen to me!" He spun her around, fearful of the look in his daughter’s eyes. Rawson quickly released the hold he had on Lex’s arm. "Please."

Looking as if she wanted to hit him, Lex nodded. "All right. Go ahead." She retreated back to her chair and sat down, looking at the floor.

Scrubbing a shaky hand down his face, Rawson walked over to his chair and sat down. "I was afraid," he admitted quietly. "Afraid that if you knew Victoria’s parents, you’d want to live with them."

"What did it matter? You didn’t want me around anyway," Lex argued. "At least that’s how it felt to me." She watched in surprise as a tear fell from her father’s eye, and he wiped it away angrily.

"You were the only link I had to Victoria, Lexington. You were a miniature version of her, with my mouth and attitude. As much as it pained me to see you, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you." He looked into her eyes. "I’m sorry, girl. I never meant to hurt you."

Lex felt her anger dissipate. Sitting in front of her was an old man that she really never knew. "I believe you. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you, but I believe you." She stood up and walked to the door. "I’m not the little girl who would do anything for her father’s acceptance, any more, Dad. I’ve finally found someone who has shown me what love is all about." Lex started to close the door behind her and stopped. "You’re welcome to stay as long as you want." And with that the door closed quietly.

Rawson watched his daughter leave. I think I blew it, Tory. He cradled his face in his hands and wept for his loss.

Chapter 20

"I’m sorry, Liz. This woman leads a charmed life, and she has too many friends with the local law enforcement." He pulled out a fat envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to the fuming woman. "It’s all there, but you can count it if you want."

Elizabeth took the offering. "Don’t I mean anything to you? You promised to help me!" She allowed the fake tears to spill from her eyes. "I must have my daughter back with me."

The handsome man ran a gentle fingertip down her cheek. "C’mon, babe. We both know that it was just sex. Good sex, but only sex." He smiled. "You are a little hellcat in bed, that’s for sure."

"Well, I’ve had better," she retorted. "My pool boy showed more enthusiasm."

He laughed. "I’ll bet. But how many years ago was that?" He caught her hand before she could slap him. "Tsk, tsk. That temper’s gonna get you into trouble, sweetheart."

"You bastard."

"How did you know?" the man joked. "Anyway, I’ve got to run. There’s a plane to Europe that I’ve got to catch, and I’ve got a bit of a drive ahead of me." He walked over to the door and opened it. "Give it up, Liz. Your daughter is happy, and you’ve got more money than you’ll ever know what to do with. Go buy yourself a boy toy and have a good time." His laughter followed him down the hallway.

She slammed the hotel room door closed. "Coward!" she yelled.

"How am I supposed to get my baby back, with that woman still around?" Elizabeth ranted, throwing her glass of wine against the wall. "I suppose I’ll have to take matters into my own hands," she murmured. Smiling at the red stain as it dripped to the floor, she laughed. "Of course! I don’t know why I didn’t think about that before! It’s just so simple!"

Elizabeth tapped a blood-red nail against her front teeth as she worked out the details in her mind. "Yes…that will work beautifully." She grabbed her purse and left the room.

***************

Rawson had been at the ranch for three days before he admitted the reason for his visit. Everyone was sitting at the kitchen table, trying to get up enough energy to leave the table after a huge lunch. Martha stood at the sink washing dishes, listening with half an ear to the conversation behind her. Amanda had complained about not being able to help, so Lex stood up and began to bring dirty dishes from the table to the sink.

"You never did say what brings you back this way," Travis probed. He and Rawson had come to an uneasy truce the day before, and he was curious as to why his son-in-law had returned after so many years.

Lex stopped clearing the table and stood nearby. "I’m a bit curious, myself," she muttered. She shook her dark head, then continued to carry dishes to the sink. "Probably after money, as usual," she grumbled to Martha, who swatted her on the rear.

"Hush up! You show respect, young lady, or I’ll take a spoon to you!" The housekeeper looked over her shoulder to make certain no one at the table was listening. She reached up and gently grasped the younger woman’s chin, forcing the blue eyes to look into her own. "Lexie, I know you’re carrying around a load of hurt, but you need to let it go. Try to enjoy the fact that your daddy is back, and leave the past where it belongs."

"I’ll try, Mada," Lex promised," but that’s a lot to ask of me."

Martha caressed the tall woman’s cheek. "I know, baby. But you’ve got a really good life now. Don’t let the bitterness ruin that."

Lex nodded. "I won’t. I can promise you that."

"Good girl. Now get back over there and keep Amanda company. I think she’s chompin’ at the bit to be up, herself."

"Yes, ma’am." Lex kissed the older woman on the forehead and stepped away from the sink. She resumed her place at the table and draped her arm across the back of Amanda’s chair.

Rawson looked at the expectant faces around him and sighed. "I reckon you all deserve to know why I’m here," he sighed. He locked eyes with his daughter. "I hate to admit it, but money was part of the reason."

Lex quirked one eyebrow. "Part of the reason? There’s more?" She flinched as Amanda poked her in the ribs.

"I’m sure what Lex meant to say, was that she’s glad you’re back, no matter what the reason." Amanda turned her head and glared at her lover. "Right, honey?"

"No, she didn’t; I think she said what she meant to. But thanks for trying, Amanda," Rawson interrupted. "Yes, I’m low on money, again," he admitted. "But I also realized about a month ago just how much time had passed since I’d seen my kids, and I missed them."

His daughter laughed humorlessly. "Gee, it only took you, what, eleven years to figure that out?" Lex stood up. "Give me a break! After all this time, and you just now missed us?"

Amanda grabbed her arm. "Sit down, please?" She waited until her partner was seated, then tried to keep the conversation going. "Have you seen Hubert yet?"

The older man shook his head. "No. I didn’t know exactly where he’d be, but I knew that Lexington would still be here at the ranch."

"You made sure of that, didn’t you?" Lex accused. "Placed the responsibility for it, and everyone involved here solely on my shoulders."

"I knew you could handle it, girl. Never any doubt in my mind." He sat back in his chair.

Lex clenched her fists under the table to keep her control. "You never even asked if that was what I wanted, Dad." She calmed somewhat when she felt Amanda’s hand grasp her leg and squeeze gently.

He waved his hand in the air. "You didn’t know what you wanted, Lexington. I spared you the trouble of trying to figure it out for yourself. You’d have come back, eventually. Ranching is in your blood."

"Maybe. But it would have been nice to be given a choice. Not just waking up on my birthday to find you gone, and the papers to the ranch on the table." She glared at her father. "And the fight with Hubert afterwards almost put me in the hospital."

Travis had sat quietly through the whole exchange. "He hurt you?"

"Yeah. He said that I tricked Dad into signing the papers, and proceeded to beat the crap out of me. Martha heard the noise and came running, and whacked him with a cookbook until he ran." Lex smiled at the memory of the large man being chased from the house with the fiery housekeeper screaming after him.

Martha blushed. "I couldn’t find my broom," she admitted. "I thought he was going to kill poor Lexie before I could get him off of her." She shivered at the thought. Lex had been lying in the kitchen floor with blood everywhere. Hubert was straddling her waist and slamming her head repeatedly against the floor.

"It wasn’t quite that bad," Lex told the shocked room. "His high school ring had cut the side of my face, and my nose was bleeding. Looked a lot worse than it was." She smiled. "But he lost three teeth, and I think I broke his nose and a couple of his ribs."

Rawson shook his head. "I’m sorry that happened, Lexington. But it made you stronger, didn’t it?"

"That’s the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard!" Travis bellowed, unable to keep his temper in check. "Is that how you justify leaving a young girl in charge while you went off to play?"

"Like you’re any better than me, old man?" Rawson challenged, standing up and leaning on his hands at the table. "You spent most of Victoria’s childhood in a boardroom or visiting oil fields!"

Travis laughed. "I was never gone for months at a time, Rawson. And I certainly didn’t leave my wife a few weeks after my child was born!"

"You must not have had meddling in-laws, like me," the younger man countered loudly. "I couldn’t get away fast enough."

A loud whack caused both men to stare at Lex, who had slammed her hands down on the table. "That’s enough!" Her voice shook with suppressed anger. "I will not have our house turned into a battleground." She stood up and pointed an angry finger at her father. "Don’t you dare raise your voice at my grandfather. I’ll write you a check, and you can cash it in town."

"How dare you!" Rawson yelled at the fuming woman. "Don’t you take that tone with me, girl!"

"I’ll take whatever tone I want with you, Rawson," Lex growled. "It’s my house, and my rules."

He walked around the table until he was face to face with his daughter. "I gave you this damned house! And this is how you repay me?"

Lex stepped back, afraid that she was about to take out her anger on her father. "I never asked for it!"

"What the hell was I supposed to do? What could I have given you?" Rawson yelled, reaching up and grasping her shoulders.

"Your love," Lex whispered hoarsely. Tears fell freely from her eyes. "That’s all I ever wanted from you." She turned around and left the room.

Rawson watched the young woman leave. "I think I’d better leave."

"No, not yet." Amanda caught his arm and held it. "Let me go talk to her, okay?" She had been sitting at the table in her wheelchair, and spun the vehicle around and wheeled herself from the room.

***************

Amanda stopped in the doorway of the sitting room and looked inside. Thank goodness! I don’t know what I would have done if she’d gone upstairs. Her lover was standing near the piano, studying the pictures on the wall. "Mind if I come in?" she asked quietly.

"No," Lex mumbled without turning around. "It’s your house, too."

"Thanks." Amanda maneuvered the wheelchair into the neat little room. "Are you okay?"

Lex released a heavy breath and turned around. "Yeah." She sat down on the piano bench so that they’d be more at eye level. "You didn’t have to chase after me, you know."

The blonde smiled. "I know. But I was worried about you." Amanda wheeled closer and touched the older woman’s arm. "Your father is talking about leaving."

"Figures."

"Lex, listen to me." Amanda waited until she had her partner’s attention. "I think there’s something else wrong."

"Like what?" Lex asked, trying to keep from sounding too interested. Do I even care?

Amanda looked at the pictures behind Lex. "Didn’t you notice?" She pointed to the wedding picture of Rawson and Victoria. "Look how strong and tan he is in that picture. The man sitting in our kitchen is pale and thin."

The older woman wasn’t convinced. "So? Rodeoing is a hard life, sweetheart. You don’t always know where your next meal is coming from." Lex had thought that her father looked a lot more frail, too, but was afraid to think about what could be causing his new look. "And I haven’t seen the man in over ten years – people change."

"Maybe. But you said yourself that it’s been a long time since he’s been home. Why now? If he wanted money that badly, he could have just called, or written. Isn’t that what he’s always done in the past?"

"Yeah," Lex admitted grudgingly, "but…"

"Do me a favor?" Amanda asked.

Lex looked at her lover cautiously. "What?"

"Just talk to him? Calmly. Maybe try to find out more about why he’s here." Amanda squeezed the arm beneath her hand. "Please?"

"Why should I? What good will it do?" the older woman asked.

Amanda sighed. "What would have happened if I hadn’t given my father a second chance? I would have lost the relationship I have with him now."

The rancher shook her head. "Completely different circumstances, Amanda. At least you knew that your father loved you."

"And yours loves you! He’s just not real sure how to express that love."

Knowing that she’d lost, Lex blew the hair away from her forehead in disgust. "I don’t think so." When she saw the younger woman open her mouth to reinforce her argument, she raised a hand in surrender. "Okay, I’ll talk to him. But I’m not going to guarantee anything, all right?"

"Okay." Amanda smiled as Lex stood up. "Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. Don’t thank me just yet." The tall woman stood in the doorway. "Do you need any help?"

Amanda shook her head. "No. I think I’ll just sit here for a while, if that’s okay with you."

Lex quickly crossed the room and kissed the blonde soundly on the mouth. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Now go talk with your father." Amanda patted Lex on the rear and watched her leave the room. God…I hope I didn’t just make a huge mistake.

***************

Lex stopped in the kitchen doorway, seeing that Travis and Martha were alone in the cozy room. "Umm…do you know where he went?" she asked.

"He’s gone down to the barn, honey," Martha directed. "Told us he needed some fresh air. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I’m okay. Just want to talk to him for a minute." Lex waved at the pair and grabbed her coat by the back door. Hope he had enough sense to put on a coat. Crazy old fool. She shoved her hat down onto her head and hurried from the house.

Her boots covered the well-traveled path to the barn, and in moments she was standing in front of the huge wooden door. Well, here goes nothing. Lex opened the heavy door and closed it behind her, standing inside the doorway until her eyes could adjust to the dim light. She saw her father leaning up against one of the stalls, and mentally steeled herself for the ensuing conversation.

Rawson looked up at his daughter as she stepped up next to him. "Nice bit of horseflesh you’ve got here," he commented, nodding towards the stall.

"Thanks. I raised Thunder from a colt and saddle broke him myself." Lex reached over the railing and scratched the dark horse’s nose. "Hey, big guy," she murmured to the animal.

"Really? That’s pretty impressive, Lexington." He turned around to face her directly. "But, even as a little tyke, you could do just about anything you put your mind to." Rawson grimaced suddenly and bent slightly at the waist.

Lex reached over to help him, but pulled her hand away as he straightened up. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Old rodeo injury –the cold brings it out." The older man made a show of looking around the barn. "You’ve really done a lot to the old place, girl. Did you spend all of your inheritance?" Rawson’s voice was matter-of-fact, without a touch of rancor.

"No, not really. I’ve made some pretty sound investments over the years. Not to mention the money I’ve made by training and selling horses." Now that she was attuned to it, Lex noticed her father’s appearance. He looks as if he’s aged twenty years. Maybe Amanda was right. "I’m going to the back pastures in a bit to drop some hay – would you like to come along?"

The look of surprise on Rawson’s face was priceless. "Umm…sure. You need the help?"

The young woman smiled. "Nah. Not really. But I’d enjoy the company." She patted him on the back. "C’mon. Let’s go find you something a bit warmer to wear than that old denim jacket."

They walked back up to the house in companionable silence. Lex left her father in the hallway while she raced up the stairs to rummage for a heavier coat.

Rawson saw Amanda sitting at the kitchen table with Martha, and he walked over and squatted down beside her wheelchair. "I don’t know what you said to my girl, but I wanted to thank you."

"I really didn’t say that much," the blonde admitted, "but you’re more than welcome." She took his hand in hers and looked directly into the older man’s eyes. Her voice was low and steely. "Lex is a very sensitive woman, Mr. Walters. I will do anything it takes to protect her, don’t you forget that."

He nodded. Nothing but respect shone in his eyes. "I won’t. I think I’ve hurt her enough for several lifetimes, don’t you?"

Amanda smiled. "I think a lot of things have hurt her. But I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nothing else ever does."

Lex burst into the room, her face flushed and a heavy coat in one hand. "I think this is one of your old ones, Dad."

"It just might be. Does look a bit familiar, at that." He stood up and placed a hand on Amanda’s shoulder, squeezing it gently. "See you when we get back, young lady. You try and get some rest."

"I will," Amanda squeezed his hand with hers and looked over at Lex. "You two have fun." She smiled as her lover winked and pulled her black hat down on her head before she left the room.

Martha watched the pair leave, shaking her head. "I never would have believed it," she murmured. "Those two going out together, after all these years." She smiled at the blonde across the table. "Reminds me of when Lexie was about ten or so. She used to follow him around closer than a shadow, never missing a step. You’ve done real good, honey."

"I really didn’t do that much, Martha. I just asked Lex to give him a chance." Amanda lowered her voice. "Does he look all right to you? I know I don’t know the man, but…"

"I think he’s tired of the rodeo life, that’s for sure. He looks so worn down." Martha took a sip of her coffee while she gathered her thoughts. "I think he’s come home to stay, if Lexie will allow it. The road’s no place for a man his age, especially as hard a life as he’s had."

Amanda nodded her agreement. "I’m hoping that she’ll see it that way, Martha. I’d hate for Lex to lose out on knowing her father again. It’s just that she can be so darned bullheaded!"

The housekeeper laughed. "I know. And believe me, you’ve done more to temper that girl’s attitude than anything else ever could. I’ll always be thankful to you for that, dear."

"It’s a labor of love," the younger woman admitted. "She’s given me quite a bit, too."

***************

She walked into the hardware store and grabbed the first clerk she could find. "Excuse me, I need some assistance."

The young woman looked at the customer quizzically. You could say that again. That look in her eyes gives me the creeps. "Yes, ma’am. What can I do for you?"

After being directed to the proper location in the store, Elizabeth looked at the items on the shelves. "How am I supposed to carry all of these?" She saw an older man pushing a shopping cart and smiled. "Ah, perfect!" When he turned away, she quickly tossed his items from the cart and began to fill it with what she needed.

The man turned around and saw his box of nails and heavy twine sitting on the floor, his cart nowhere in sight. Shaking his head, he picked the items up and continued on his way. "Crazy people these days – stealing baskets right out from under a man’s nose."

"Are you sure you don’t need anything else, ma’am? I could always help you carry that out to your car, if you’d like." The young man set the last item in her shopping cart and smiled at the well-dressed woman. "That’s quite a few cans."

Elizabeth waved him off. "Well, I’m going off to my cabin for a few weeks, and I like to be prepared," she lied easily. "Why else would I want this much?" She pushed the cart out into the parking lot and opened the trunk of her rental car. It took her several minutes, but she was finally able to situate all of the gasoline containers in the trunk for easy filling. "I’ll take care of that woman, once and for all," she muttered.

She drove around the small town for almost half an hour, searching for a gasoline pump that wasn’t full service. "Good God! Have these people lost their minds? Not one decent convenience store in sight!" She finally came upon a dingy grocery that also served gasoline. As she got out of the rental car, a freckled-faced young man raced outside to greet her.

"Good afternoon! Would you like some help with that?" He zipped up a lightweight jacket as he stepped closer.

"NO! Don’t you backwater bumpkins understand the concept of self-serve? Do I have to draw you idiots a goddamned picture?" she practically yelled, her eyes wide.

The boy stopped several feet away, his face suddenly pale. "Umm…gosh. No, ma’am." He began to back away from her, fear surfacing in his brown eyes. "I’ll…ahh…leave you to it, then." The young man spun around and ran back into the store.

"I should say so!" Elizabeth giggled. "Pathetic morons. Act as if they’ve never seen a lady want to fill her own tanks," she laughed. "That reminds me, I need to buy myself a bottle of champagne to celebrate – it won’t be long now until I get my daughter back!"

***************

Lex stole a glance at the man seated next to her in the old truck. He was quietly looking out his window at the passing scenery, a small smile on his face. She had offered to let him drive, but Rawson refused, saying that he hadn’t been behind the wheel of a vehicle for almost ten years. So Lex had stubbornly buried her fear of driving and climbed behind the wheel. Now she was glad that she had. "It hasn’t changed that much, has it?" she asked.

He turned and smiled. "No, not really. It’s amazing how quickly I remember this old road." Rawson gasped as they hit a deep rut. "I think it still has the same potholes."

"Probably," Lex agreed with a grin. "We’re going back to the back pasture, which I added a couple of years ago. It’s got the best grazing for the horses, and I switch it out with the east pasture every other year." She pulled up to a wide gate and stopped the truck. "Let me just…"

Rawson opened his door. "Let me get that for you, Lexington. It’s the least I can do." He jumped out of the truck before she could stop him.

She watched as her father worked the clasp on the gate and swung it open, a triumphant smile on his face. Would it really be so bad to have him at home? I know he never approved of my lifestyle, but he seems to get along with Amanda all right. Maybe he’s mellowed, like I have.

"Whew! That thing was heavier than it looked!" he exclaimed as he climbed back into the truck.

"Yeah…the horses kept pushing the last one down, so I had this one built out of steel."

The older man grinned. "I bet it worked, huh?"

Lex nodded. "Pretty much. Umm…can I ask you a question, Dad?"

"Sure. Don’t know what kind of answer you’ll get, though." Rawson turned and watched a slight smile cross his daughter’s face.

We are a lot alike, that’s for sure. Lex parked the truck so that she could give him her undivided attention. "Would you like to stick around here for a while? Maybe get to know one another again?"

He blanched. "No!" Seeing the hurt cross her face, he realized that she deserved an honest answer. "What would you want with an old rodeo man, girl? You’ve gotten along just fine all these years without me."

"I’ve acted like a spoiled child these past few days, Dad. I’d like to try and make it up to you, if you’ll let me." Lex reached across the seat and took his hand in hers. "Please? You know I’ve never asked much from you, but give me this, will you?"

"You don’t want me, Lexington. You want who you remember." Dammit, girl! Don’t let me do this to you! I don’t want to let you down, again.

Lex shook her head. "No, I don’t. I remember a man who was gone more that he was home, someone who I could never do enough to please," she corrected, somewhat bitterly. "But I’m a grown woman now, and I’d like a chance to know who you are now, not try to find the man who deserted us as kids."

Rawson cleared his throat. "You don’t sugarcoat things, do you?"

"Nope. Guess I learned that from my old man," she replied quietly. "Stay, at least for a little while. If you get tired of us, you can leave."

"I won’t be staying too long, anyway," he mumbled.

***************

Amanda heard the back door slam and bootsteps thump their way down the hall. She smiled and straightened the quilt that was lying across her lap. Martha had helped her into the bed earlier, so that she could prop her leg up and get a little bit of rest. Lex stepped into the room, her black hat still low over her eyes. "Hi, honey. Did you have a nice visit with your father?"

"Yeah, I guess." Lex’s voice was hoarse. She stood next to the doorway as if she were unsure of what to do.

"Why don’t you come over here and tell me all about it," Amanda offered, patting the space next to her. "Martha’s gone back to her place for a while, and your grandfather went upstairs for a nap.

Lex sniffled and sat down on the bed. A moment later, she stood back up and paced over to the windows, looking out over the barren landscape. "He’s going to stay, for a while," she related quietly, "but he wants to stay down at the bunkhouse, with the men."

"Well, that’s better than nothing, isn’t it? Did he say how long he’ll stay?" Noticing the stiff set of her lover’s shoulders, Amanda wished more than ever that she were able to stand up and walk over to where Lex was.

"Probably only a few weeks." Lex’s voice caught on the last word.

Seeing the upset in Lex’s posture, Amanda tried to maneuver herself back into her chair, causing the vehicle to turn over. "Blast it!"

Lex spun around. "Hey!" She rushed over to the bed and sat down. "Calm down, sweetheart." She wiped away a stray tear from the younger woman’s face.

"I’m sorry…it’s just so aggravating right now," Amanda sighed. She looked up into the rancher’s face, seeing the red, puffy eyes and dried tears on her cheeks. "What’s wrong? Did something happen? You said he was only going to stay a few weeks…Did he give you a reason for leaving so soon?" Her heart broke at the anguish in her lover’s eyes. "What?"

"He’s dying, Amanda. He wanted to see us one more time before he died. He was just going to say hello, and then leave without telling me."

Amanda cupped the older woman’s face in her hands. "Oh, baby…I’m so sorry."

Chapter 21

The evening’s dinner had been a subdued affair. Although Lex hadn’t told anyone else of her father’s illness, the family seemed to have sensed that something was wrong and acted quite somber. Travis was actually civil to his son-in-law, and Charlie and Martha sat next to each other silently as well. Amanda had finally livened up the group by telling Rawson the story of Janna’s bull, and how Lex had a new admirer of the bovine persuasion.

The rodeo rider had looked at his daughter with pride, although he shook his head at her questionable bravery. "I don’t know if I would have been quite that calm, Lexington. I’ve seen what those beasts can do to a body." He reached for his glass of water and chuckled. "I reckon I’d be coming back to the house and cleaning out my britches, at the very least."

Lex laughed. "I was anything but calm, Dad. I just didn’t know what else to do." She winked at her lover. "When Amanda came charging out of that jeep waving a shovel, I didn’t know whether to be proud of her, or scared to death for her."

Rawson studied the blonde with a thoughtful eye. "Just what did you think you were gonna do?" he asked her.

"Ah, well…I don’t really know. I wasn’t thinking," Amanda admitted. "I only knew that I couldn’t just stand by and let him hurt Lex." Trying to change the subject, she looked over at Martha and Charlie. "What do you two have your heads together about? Should we be worried?"

The sheriff chuckled and shook his head. "We had come to a decision, and were trying to figure out the best well to tell everyone." He nodded at his fiancee. "Do you want to do the honors, honey?"

"I might as well, since you’ve teased everyone about it," the housekeeper replied. She met the gazes from around the table. "As you all know, the date for the wedding is coming up next week. But, with all the excitement we’ve had lately," she smiled lovingly at Lex, then Amanda, "Charlie and I have decided to postpone the whole affair for a while."

"What?" Lex’s head snapped around and she pinned Martha with a distressed look. "For how long?"

Martha shrugged her shoulders. "Long enough, I suppose. It’s not that big of a deal."

Rawson frowned. "Wedding?" He had thought the housekeeper incapable of those kinds of feelings, since she had outright refused his pitiful attempts at romancing her years before.

Victoria had been gone for over a year, and the rancher saw how capable the young housekeeper was with his children. He had come in from the barns late one evening, and was pleasantly surprised that she had kept a plate warm for him.

"No, no. Sit down." He smiled as she joined him. As she began to eat, Rawson studied her covertly. She’s not bad to look at, and she sure can cook. I reckon she’s got her eye on me, but is afraid to say anything. Well, I could do worse. With his mouth partially full of food, he attempted conversation. "This is pretty good, Martha. What do you call it?"

She almost laughed. "Um, meatloaf. I’m glad that you like it." What is going on in that head of his?

Where on earth did THAT come from? "Mr. Walters, I’m not in the market for a husband, if that’s what worries you. I really don’t want that sort of complication in my life." Martha set her fork down and looked him in the eyes. "What exactly are you getting at?"

He looked up into her brown eyes and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Just thought I’d offer." Rawson dismissed the conversation with a shrug as he turned his attention back to the plate in front of him. Oh, well. Can’t say I didn’t try. He refused to bring up the subject again. As the years passed and he saw his two younger children treat the housekeeper more like a mother, the conversation came back to haunt him. In his eyes, he wasn’t good enough for her, but his kids were.

"That’s right, I forgot to tell you. Martha finally said yes to Charlie’s proposal." Lex smiled broadly at the couple across the table.

"Proposal?" Rawson was still awestruck at the news. "How long has this been going on?" he asked the sheriff. Right under my own nose, maybe? That’s why I wasn’t good enough for her; she’d rather have a professional man. Women. Never did understand them.

Charlie blushed. "For as long as I can remember, to tell you the truth." He smiled at his fiancee and shook his head. "I’ve been after her for years, but she didn’t want to leave the ranch."

Lex laughed. "More like she thought I needed a babysitter," she joked.

"And what’s so funny about that, young lady?" Martha countered. "Do I need to remind you of some of the trouble you’ve been in?"

Rawson turned to look at his daughter. "Trouble?" For some reason he couldn’t seem to form any coherent sentences.

"It’s not as bad as she says," Lex assured him.

Amanda laughed. "No, it’s probably worse!" She grinned at Martha. "Wanna tell us some stories?"

The housekeeper chuckled. "Sounds like a good idea," she agreed, ignoring the outraged look she received from Lex.

**************

After dinner, Rawson reminded Lex that he would feel more comfortable staying at the bunkhouse, so he packed up his meager belongings and was about to leave when she came upstairs and tried to stop him.

"C’mon, Dad. If you won’t stay here at the house, at least let me give you a ride up there. It’s cold, and the sun’s already gone down for the evening."

He shook his head. "I’m perfectly capable of walking, girl. I got this far, didn’t I?" Rawson snapped. Seeing the hurt expression on her face, he softened his tone. "I’m not dead yet, Lexington. There’s no need to pamper me."

Lex swallowed the lump in her throat. "I realize that, you ornery old man. But I’d really feel better if you’d let me do this one little thing for you." She reached for the pack that he had placed on the guest bed. "I like to show up down there at odd times, anyway. Keeps ‘em on their toes."

"All right," he sighed. "But I don’t want them knowing about me being sick, you got that?" Rawson pulled on his heavy coat and allowed Lex to carry his bag from the room. "The last thing I want from anybody is sympathy."

"No problem. You might want to let Lester know, at least. He’s damned good at keeping secrets." Lex wasn’t about to tell her father of the old man’s friendship with Travis. No sense in upsetting him any further. They had walked down the stairs in silence, and she stopped momentarily at the den door. "Let me just tell Amanda where I’m going."

Rawson shook his head. "You’ve got it pretty bad, don’t you?" he teased. Seeing her blue eyes flash with anger, he raised one hand. "Hold on there, girl. I didn’t mean anything by it." He smiled. "I think I’ll go on outside and wait in the Jeep."

Lex smiled back and nodded. "Okay." She tossed him a set of keys. "Go ahead and get it started, if you don’t mind. The heater works pretty well." Watching as her father left the house, she then took a deep breath and shook her head as she stepped into the den. "Stubborn old man."

"Hi, honey!" Amanda greeted from the bed. She hated lying down so much, but her leg was beginning to ache and the pain medication always made her fall asleep. "Did I hear your father?"

"Yep. He’s bound and determined to stay at the bunkhouse with the men," Lex sighed as she walked over to the bed and sat down. "So I talked him into letting me drive him up there."

Amanda chuckled. "I bet that went well," she teased. "He’s almost as stubborn as a certain rancher I know."

Lex picked up her lover’s hand and brought it to her lips, placing a soft kiss on the knuckles. "Oh, really? Do I know this person?"

"Uh-huh." Amanda nodded, and began to squirm slightly when she felt Lex nibble on her fingers. "Oooh…God, Lex! You’d better stop that, before I…"

"Before you what?" the dark-haired woman asked ingenuously, turning the hand over and kissing the inside of Amanda’s wrist.

The younger woman sighed. "Hmm?" Amanda shook her head and pulled her hand away. "Be good."

One dark eyebrow quirked. "I thought I was," Lex murmured. She grinned and stood up. "But, I’ve got to get going, before Dad takes off walking." She looked at her partner, who had reclined comfortably against the headboard. "Is there anything I can get you before I leave?"

Amanda shook her head. "Nope. I’ve got the phone right here. Martha, Charlie, and your grandfather have gone to her house – I think Grandpa Travis is trying to make them set a new wedding date."

"I don’t think I like leaving you here all alone." Lex ran one hand through her hair as she thought for a moment. "I know!" She quickly walked into the adjacent office, coming back out with two items in her hands. She handed Amanda one of the handheld radios. "Keep this by the bed."

"That’s really not necessary, honey," Amanda objected, but accepted the offering anyway. "You’re not going to be gone that long."

Lex shook her head. "Humor me, will you? I’d feel a lot better if I could keep in contact with you."

"Oh, all right. I’d really like to keep tabs on you, too," the blonde admitted. "No telling what kind of trouble you can get into."

"Brat." Lex leaned over and gave Amanda a long kiss. "Keep the bed warm for me, okay? I’ll be back in a flash."

***************

Bright eyes glittering with insanity watched from the nearby trees as the Jeep left the ranch house, and a tiny giggle escaped from the figure dressed in solid black. "Perfect! Looks like everyone has gone for the night." She had seen Amanda’s Mustang parked at the Cauble’s house in town, so she assumed that her daughter was spending the night at her grandparents. She had no way of knowing that Anna Leigh had driven the car back a few days before, so that they could store it in their garage while Amanda recuperated.

Walking stealthily back through the trees, Elizabeth went back to pick up her car. She had parked it in a clearing nearby to keep it from being seen from the road. I’ll take away that bitch’s house, so Amanda will HAVE to come home with me! She stopped momentarily when the black knit hat she was wearing became hung up on a low branch. "Dammit!" she squawked, as she wrestled with the tree, "Let go of me!" Finally breaking free, the angry woman dusted off her dark clothes and continued to the clearing. Maybe I’ll burn the trees, too! That would teach them!

Elizabeth continued to ramble to herself as she climbed into her rental car. Once there’s no pretty house to live in, Amanda will want to come home. I just wish that…woman…would be inside when it burns. Unnatural bitch – seducing my poor innocent little Amanda like that.

She drove down the dirt road slowly, trying to navigate without her headlights. Such a barbaric place, this is. No theater, no museums, and not one decent tea service to be found within a hundred miles! "How do they survive?" she asked the empty car. A heavy rut in the road nearly threw her into the steering wheel. And these roads – abominable! "It won’t be long, my dear. I’ll have you home in no time!"

***************

"Look, about what happened back there," Rawson started, unsure of why he was trying to apologize.

Lex waved him off. "Don’t worry about it, Dad. I’m just a little sensitive where Amanda’s concerned." She grimaced as the Jeep bounced roughly. "I’m sorry."

He sighed. "I know I’ve never quite figured you out, Lexington. Why you like women, I mean." The older man looked back through the side window, not wanting to see the hurt on his daughter’s face. "I figured I must have done something wrong, raising you around all those men."

"No, it doesn’t have anything to do with how I was raised, Dad." Lex rubbed at her tired eyes. "I was born gay. Just like you were born the way you are." Whoever thought that I’d be having THIS conversation, now? God…I wish Amanda were here. She’s so much better with this kind of thing. "I just don’t want Amanda to be hurt by your attitude towards me, that’s all."

"She’s got spunk, that one does," he chuckled. "Came right out and threatened me earlier today." Rawson looked back at his daughter. The dashboard lights highlighted Lex’s strong profile, and the bruising around her eyes was slowly fading away. "I’ll say one thing for you, girl."

"What’s that?"

"You’ve got damned fine taste in women," he admitted. "You’d better take good care of her."

Lex smiled broadly. "I plan on it, Dad." She fought to keep the old Jeep on the road as they slid up to the bunkhouse in the mud. "Piece of cake," she bragged.

Rawson shook his head. "Crazy kid." He stepped out of the Jeep, then poked his head back inside. "Thanks for the ride, Lexington."

"You want me to come in with you for a minute?" she asked, reaching for her seatbelt.

"Nah. I’m a big boy. Think I can find a bunk without any help from a snot-nosed kid." His tone was light, and a large smile covered the older man’s face. "I’ll be back up at the house sometime tomorrow, if that’s okay with you. Maybe help you with the stock again?"

She returned his smile. "That sounds great, Dad. Get there early, and you can have breakfast with us."

He nodded. "I just might do that, girl. Now get on back to the house and take care of that little lady." Rawson slammed the Jeep door before Lex could send back a retort.

"Ornery old man," she muttered, backing the Jeep up and turning it around.

***************

She parked the car behind the house to stay out of the dim light that shone from the side lamppost. It took a few minutes more, but she was able to back it in so that she could leave quickly. Excellent. It’s still nice and quiet around here. Elizabeth got out of the car and closed the door gently. This shouldn’t take too long. It’s an old house. She walked to the back of the car and unlocked the trunk, pulling out one of the canisters filled with gasoline. "These are much heavier than they look," she muttered. Her nose wrinkled with disgust. "And good God, the smell!"

The small woman wrestled the gas container as she began to splash the contents against the sides of the house. I hope Amanda appreciates all the trouble I’m going through for her. Perhaps I should have paid someone to do this for me. She giggled. No…I’m having too much fun.

She had two containers left by the time she made it to the front of the still-dark house. This rickety old porch will burn nicely. I can’t wait to see the look on that pervert’s face when she comes back to see her precious house in ashes. Elizabeth poured one out over the porch, the wooden railing, and the swing. Now, how am I going to light this, and keep myself clear? She giggled again and picked up the final canister. I’ll leave myself a nice little trail.

After she had poured a trail of gasoline from the house to the driveway, Elizabeth reached into her pockets for the book of matches she had brought from the hotel. "Where did I put those?" she asked herself quietly, patting down all of her pockets. "I know I brought them with me." Shaking her head in dismay, she quickly jogged back to the rental car. "Must have left them in here," she muttered, opening the door and looking on the seats. "Aha! There they are!" She picked up the errant matches and looked at them closely. "Shame on you, hiding from Mother that way. We’ve got work to do!"

As she closed the car door, headlights appeared at the driveway. "NO! Not when I’m so close!" she screamed, racing for the front of the house with the matches in hand.

Lex pulled into the driveway and parked the Jeep near the front. When she stepped out of the vehicle, she sniffed. "Gasoline? Don’t tell me this thing’s got a leak." She reached into the back seat and grabbed her flashlight, then opened up the hood and peered inside. "The smell is really strong," she mumbled, leaning down to check the hoses.

"You bitch!" Elizabeth screamed, racing to the Jeep and slamming the hood onto the unsuspecting woman’s head. "You’re going to mess up my plans! Can’t you do anything right?" She slammed the hood again, happy when the tall woman collapsed against the vehicle. Lex’s limp body fell to the ground, landing in the puddle of gasoline that Elizabeth had left behind.

Amanda’s mother dusted her hands off and laughed. "That will show you who’s in charge around here!" She stopped laughing and suddenly looked around, panicked. "My matches! Where are my matches?" The crazy woman turned around and began to crawl around on the ground, searching for the small book in the dim light. "Where are you, my babies? Mother needs you," she whimpered, her hands patting the ground all around her.

Inside the house, Amanda woke from a fitful doze. "Lex?" she murmured, looking around the house. It was still dark and quiet, and she couldn’t figure out what had caused her to wake up. What time is it? She looked over at the clock on the nightstand and frowned. She should be back by now. Worried, Amanda picked up the small radio and clicked the key on the side. "Lex, can you hear me?"

When she didn’t receive an answer, she picked up the phone. "No, I’m not going to bother everyone at Martha’s, just because Lex is running a little late." Amanda yawned and dropped her head back down onto her pillow. I’ll give her a few more minutes, she decided.

"Damn…what hit me?" Lex groaned, rolling slowly over onto her back. And why is there such a strong gasoline smell here? She blinked a few times to clear her head. The last thing I remember is checking under the hood.

Elizabeth tore her gloves from her hands and continued to search the ground by feel. The rocks and sticks were cutting into her delicate skin, but she was beyond caring. "Come to Mother, sweetheart," she cajoled, still trying to find the matches. A moan nearby reminded her of the rancher’s presence. "She’s going to ruin everything!" Her hands skidded around frantically on the frozen ground.

Lex sniffed her coat and frowned. The gasoline’s on the ground? She reached her fingers into the nearby pool and pulled them back up to her nose. "What in the hell is going on here?" Her mind was still foggy from the blow she had taken to the back of her head. The manic mumbling of the woman close by caught her attention. Elizabeth Cauble? What’s she doing…? Oh, shit! Lex struggled to climb to her feet, unsuccessfully. "Damn!" She collapsed back to her knees. "Have you lost your mind, woman?" she yelled, trying to get the other woman’s attention.

She’s awake? I thought that deviant would take a longer nap than that. Elizabeth’s hands finally landed upon the errant book of matches. "Yes!" She snatched them from the damp ground and wiped the residue on her dark slacks. Standing up, the crazed woman raised them so that Lex could see. "Stay back! You’re not going to ruin my plans this time, you pervert!"

"Mrs. Cauble, please." Lex leaned against the Jeep and tried in vain to get her legs to support her. "You don’t want to do this. Amanda’s inside!"

"Do you really think I’ll believe that? Just how stupid do you think I am?" Elizabeth stepped closer to the house. "I saw her car in town – she’s staying at those whining idiot grandparents of hers."

The rancher shook her head. "No, Elizabeth. She’s here, I swear it! They took her car so that it could be stored in a garage while her leg heals." Lex slowly pulled herself up on the Jeep. "Please, don’t do this!"

Elizabeth laughed. "You’ll say anything to protect your precious house, won’t you?" She held the matches out in front of her. Not realizing she was standing in a puddle of the volatile liquid, the ranting woman struck a match and tossed it to the ground.

"NOO!!" Lex screamed, stumbling towards Amanda’s mother.

"YES! Now my daughter will come back to me!" Elizabeth cackled. "Burn in hell, you deviant whore of Satan!" she yelled, as the flames rushed towards the petroleum doused home. The ground beneath her erupted into flames, and she screamed in fear as the heat began to lick at her clothing. "NOOOOO!" She began to dance around wildly, beating at her body in fear. "Help me!!"

Lex charged forward and slammed the smaller woman to the ground, rolling her clear of the fire. Her own coat quickly caught on fire, and she fought to rip it from her body.

"Get off of me, you pervert!" Elizabeth yelled, slapping at Lex and hampering her efforts to free herself from the burning coat.

"Stop it, dammit!" Lex finally yanked the smoldering jacket from her body. "Shut the hell up, you crazy old broad!" She punched the screaming woman full in the face. Leaning over the unconscious woman and breathing heavily, Lex turned her head towards the house. "Amanda!" she screamed. She jumped to her feet and stared for a moment at the front porch, which was completely engulfed in flames. "NO!"

Amanda tried to roll over in her sleep, which caused her to wake up again. "Ow! I’ve got to learn not to do that," she mumbled. A strange noise could be heard from outside the house. "What’s going on?"

The sound of the side window breaking caused her to scream. She could now see a flickering brightness outside as a heavy smoke began to fill the room. "LEX!"

Lex grabbed her hat from the under the hood of the jeep and tucked her hair beneath it. Grabbing the shovel from the back of the vehicle she raced to the side of the house, using it to break through one of the den’s windows. "Hang on, Amanda!" she yelled, as she backed away to get a running start. "I’m coming, sweetheart!"

The blonde sat helplessly on the bed, her wheelchair just out of reach. The heavy smoke was starting to get to her, and Amanda began to cough as she heard Lex’s cry. "Hurry! It’s…" she coughed again, leaning forward on the bed and covering her mouth with the quilt.

A heavy body burst through the broken window, landing a few feet from the bed. Lex stood up and coughed, reaching forward and wrapping Amanda up in the quilt. "Hold on, baby." She struggled to carry the smaller woman to the window, the heavy cast hampering her efforts. "Shit." The flames were already around the window.

"What?" Amanda asked, her voice muffled by the thick quilt. "Oh, no."

"This is gonna hurt, sweetheart. I’m sorry." Lex leaned over and kissed her lover between the eyes. "I’ll have to just throw you through the window. When you hit the ground, roll out of the quilt, and away from the house."

Fear filled Amanda’s eyes. "What about you? I’m not going…"

Lex shook her head. "I’ll be right behind you, I promise." She stood as close to the window as she dared. "Are you ready?"

Amanda pulled the quilt away from her face and grabbed the tall woman around the neck, pulling her in for a demanding kiss. "Now I am," she rasped. She allowed Lex to bundle her back up, and braced herself for the throw.

With all her strength, Lex threw Amanda as far as she possibly could, praying silently that it would be far enough. She fell to the floor spent, and looked up as she heard the ceiling begin to creak ominously.

"Dear merciful God!" Martha screamed, as she raced up to the main house. She had happened to look out her front window, and saw the flames reaching up into the nighttime sky. She stayed behind and called the fire department, while Travis and Charlie went ahead to see what they could do.

Charlie started to go around to the front of the house, when he saw a bundle fly from the side window. Moving in closer to investigate, he almost screamed as the wad of cloth rolled towards him. A blonde head poked from the smoking mass, and he grinned. "Amanda!" he quickly dragged her further away from the inferno as gently as he could. "How did you…?"

"LEX!" Amanda screamed at the house, fighting to free herself from the quilt. She cursed her broken leg, which seemed none the worse for wear. "Dammit! We’ve got to help Lex!"

"Calm down, honey," the sheriff tried to placate her. He looked up at Travis, who dropped to his knees beside the frantic young woman.

"She’s still in there!"

Charlie paled. "God, no." He shook his head at the totally engulfed house. "Travis…"

The older man nodded. "I’ll take care of Amanda. You go see about my granddaughter," he begged. Keep her safe, dear God. He looked up to the sky. Melanie, my love, if you have any pull with the Man upstairs, use it now.

Martha dropped down beside him and pulled a crying Amanda into her arms. "Hush, now," she murmured, "Everything’s going to be all right." She began to gently hum, as she rocked the sobbing woman on the cold ground.

The fire had almost overrun the second floor of the house, and because of the heat, Charlie couldn’t get close enough to see inside. He felt tears of loss trail down his face, as he looked up at the bright flames. The French doors to the master suite burst open, and a mattress flew from the opening and to the ground below. "Jesus." The lawman stood frozen for a long moment, then regained his wits and bolted for the smoldering bedding. A body lay spread-eagle on the mattress, not moving.

"Ugh." Lex rolled over onto her back and looked up into the smoky sky. "Damn, that hurt," she wheezed, rubbing her chest where the breath was knocked from her. She tried to sit up, but was held down by a firm hand. "Hey!"

"You just lie still for a minute, you crazy kid!" Charlie half-laughed, half-cried. "You could be seriously injured." He looked up at the road when he heard sirens approach. "Here comes the fire department," he announced unnecessarily.

Lex coughed and tried to catch her breath. "Amanda?" she questioned in a hoarse wheeze.

He nodded. "She’s just fine, honey. Martha and Travis are with her now."

"Please," Lex gasped out between coughs, "I’ve got to see her." She tried to sit up again, and this time Charlie helped her.

"You are one stubborn woman, Lex Walters." He held her in a sitting position for a long moment and couldn’t help but notice how she continued to hold her chest. "Did you hurt yourself, honey?"

She shook her head. "Nah. Just knocked the breath out of me." Lex reached up for him. "Gimme a hand, will you? I really want to go check on Amanda."

Charlie pulled her to her feet and shook his head. He reached up and yanked the black cowboy hat off of Lex. "How on earth did you keep this old thing on?"

"I’m probably related to Roy Rogers," Lex joked, as the older man put a steadying arm around her waist. "Didn’t you ever see any of his movies? I have…" she looked to the house, which was still burning brightly. "I had them all." She stumbled over to where the others sat and dropped to the ground next to her lover.

Amanda practically crawled into Lex’s arms, crying. "Oh God, Lex. I thought…"

Lex pulled the younger woman into her arms, as she watched the firemen try to get the blaze under control. "Sshh. It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re both fine." She looked up at Charlie when she finally acknowledged something. "Elizabeth Cauble started this whole mess," she told him. "I left her on the front lawn."

Amanda pulled back and looked into Lex’s face. "Is she…?"

"Unconscious. I…umm…had to punch her in the face," the rancher related quietly. "Her clothes caught on fire, and I couldn’t get her to calm down enough to put them out. I think she’ll be okay." Lex gave the sheriff a serious look. "You might want to be real careful with her. I think she’s gone off the deep end."

Charlie cocked his head. "How do you know?"

"She was talking to a book of matches." Lex shook her head. "I told her that Amanda was in the house, but she didn’t believe me." She looked down into the sad green eyes. "I’m sorry, love. I didn’t want to hurt her."

The younger woman pointed to what was left of the house. "Don’t you dare apologize! Look what my mother’s done! She’s destroyed your house!"

"She burned OUR house, sweetheart. And it can be rebuilt. Just like WE want it to be." Lex reached over and caressed Amanda’s cheek. We’re together. That’s all that matters."

Chapter 22

"You know, that coat hanger isn’t gonna help much," Lex offered helpfully over her shoulder. She was standing at the bedroom dresser, and watched in amusement as her lover tried in vain to relieve herself from the constant itch of her leg cast. Amanda had been put in a walking cast, so at least she could get around more easily. "Just try not to think about it." Lex had stopped brushing her hair and was now looking at herself critically in the mirror.

Amanda glared at her, but continued trying to reach a distant itch inside the plaster. "Easy for you to say," she grumbled from her position on the bed. It had been over three weeks since the fire, and for the time being they were staying in the guestroom at Martha’s house. Lex had wanted to get a hotel room in town, but the housekeeper wouldn’t hear of it. Amanda looked up at her friend, who was busy studying her forehead in the mirror. A thin red line was all that was left of her injury from the automobile accident, and the doctor had promised her that would eventually fade completely as well. "It’s not even noticeable," she commented.

Lex turned around and smiled. "It isn’t, huh?" She walked over and sat down on the bed. "I feel like Frankenstein’s monster," she admitted ruefully.

"Nope, not even close." Amanda closed her eyes and leaned into the gentle touch of her lover, as long fingers began to stroke her cheek. "Mmm…that feels good."

"I bet I could make you feel even better," the rancher growled, pushing the smaller woman onto her back and nibbling lightly on her neck. She had almost tugged Amanda’s shirt free from her body when a loud knock at the bedroom door interrupted them. "This had better be good," Lex grumbled, pulling the shirt down and rolling onto her back. "Come in," she ordered loudly.

Martha stood in the doorway. "Don’t you two ever get enough?" she teased, enjoying the blush on the two women’s faces.

"Never," Lex grinned, being the first to recover from her embarrassment. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "What’s up?"

"Amanda’s grandmother is on the phone for her," the housekeeper related. "Do you want me to tell her you’re busy, honey?"

The blonde rolled to the far side of the bed and stood up. "NO!" She used her fingers to comb through her hair. "I mean, umm…no thank you, Martha. I’ll go talk to her." She shook her head as she limped from the room.

Lex patted the bed beside her. "Why don’t you come over and have a seat? You look like something’s on your mind."

"Do I?" Martha asked, but sat down next to the younger woman anyway. She studied Lex’s face for a long moment.

"Mada? Is something wrong?"

With a shake of her head, the housekeeper dismissed the dark thoughts from her mind. She’s a grown woman, and she’s going to be just fine. "No sweetie. I was just thinking."

"About what?" Lex took the older woman’s hands in her own. "Are you nervous about this afternoon?"

"Good heavens, no!" Martha exclaimed. "Well, maybe just a touch." She looked down at their joined hands and smiled a bit sadly. "This will change things, you know."

The rancher nodded. "Yeah," she agreed quietly,. "it will. But for the better, I think." Lex reached up with one hand and gently forced Martha to look into her eyes. "Do you know how proud you’re making me today? It’s like I’m getting the best parts of my family together, finally." She fought down the lump that was quickly growing in her throat. "And while you’re gone, I promise to take better care of your house than I did my own," she teased, trying to lighten the moment.

Martha half-laughed, half-cried. "You’d better, child!" She wiped a stray tear from Lex’s cheek. "Don’t you be going all mushy on me now, you hear? I’ll fall apart for sure!"

"Nothing to worry about there, Mada. I’m not the mushy type."

"Right. And I’m the Queen of England," the housekeeper joked. "I’m a little concerned, leaving you right now, though."

Lex raised one eyebrow. "You are? Why? It’s only for a few weeks."

With a heartfelt sigh, Martha brushed the hair out of the younger woman’s eyes. "Because I know how much trouble you can get into in just a few hours, Lexie. And to leave you alone for three weeks? I shudder to think about the possibilities."

"I won’t be alone," Lex argued. "Amanda will be here with me.".

"That thought scares me even more, honey. The two of you together are a perfect trouble magnet!" She stood up and brushed off her apron. "Well, I guess I’d better get changed. We need to leave here shortly."

The rancher stood up. "Don’t worry, Mada. Everything is going to be just fine. I’m sure Amanda and Anna Leigh are working out the details right now," she joked, putting her arm around the smaller woman. "Although when those two put their heads together, you should be very afraid."

***************

"What is it?" Amanda asked, after Martha had headed for the church. "Is something the matter?"

"I think I see Hubert’s car," Lex sighed. "I swear, if he tries to mess this up for them, I’ll throttle him where he stands." She looked her partner over. Amanda was wearing a lilac blouse with a knee-length black skirt. "You look absolutely beautiful, Amanda."

The blonde smiled. Amanda felt ridiculous wearing her outfit with the walking cast, but one look from Lex and she forgot all about it. "You’re changing the subject, but thank you." She looked around and noticed the shiny BMW in the back corner of the parking lot. "I wonder what he’s doing here?"

Lex shook her head. "I don’t know, but I intend to find out." She turned around to leave when Amanda grabbed her arm.

"Please don’t start any fights, Lex. Not today."

"Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be good." Lex kissed her lover lightly on the lips. "Why don’t you go on inside and see if everything is going smoothly? I’m going to go have a chat with my dear brother."

Amanda watched her go. The tall woman looked especially nice in her new black slacks, and a gray cotton shirt, and her shiny black boots creaked softly as she walked around to the front of the church. Once Lex was out of sight, Amanda shook her head and slipped through the side door. She stood for a moment until her eyes adjusted to the light, then walked to where Anna Leigh was supervising the arranging of flowers. "Hi, Gramma!"

"Hello, honey! You’re certainly getting around a lot better these days," Anna Leigh commented, as Amanda wrapped her in a fierce hug.

"Thanks. I’m feeling a lot more useful now." Amanda stepped back and looked around the small chapel. The ‘small’ wedding that the couple had requested had quickly escalated into a larger affair because of the number of people that wanted to attend. "You’ve really done a wonderful job with the flowers, Gramma. It looks great in here."

Anna Leigh smiled. "Thank you, dear. I hope that Martha didn’t mind – I really want this day to be special for her." She looked at the door where Amanda had come in. "Where’s Lexington?"

"She’s trying to circumvent a potential problem," the younger woman explained. "Where’s Grandpa?" Amanda asked, allowing her grandmother to lead her to a pew and gently sit her down.

"He and Travis are helping Charlie stay calm. I think they’re in one of the left vestibules, telling marriage horror stories."

The front door to the chapel opened, and a harried woman rushed in. "Oh, goodness! We’ve got to get someone out in the main hall – they’re going to kill each other!" she exclaimed, waving her hands about. "Where’s the sheriff?"

"Calm down, Myra." Anna Leigh reached out and grabbed the hysterical woman by the arm. Myra Norman was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, of which Martha was a proud member. Quite a few of the ladies would be attending the wedding while others worked to set up the reception at the hall. "Who are you talking about?"

"I think I have a pretty good idea," Amanda muttered, standing up. "I’ll go check it out." She began hobbling down the main aisle, grumbling under her breath. "Dammit, Lex, you promised!"

Once she stepped out of the chapel, Amanda stopped and looked around. She heard noises coming from behind a swinging door to the right of her, so she quickly limped towards the door.

"Goddamn it! Let me go!"

"Take it back, you worthless bastard! Or I swear I’ll throw your sorry ass through that window!" Lex had her brother pinned to the wall, his feet barely touching the ground. She shoved him harder. "I said, take it back!"

"Screw you! She’s nothing but a domestic whore!" he growled, fighting to pull Lex’s hands off his chest. His nose and mouth were bleeding, and one eye was beginning to close.

"LEX!" Amanda screamed from the doorway. "What are you doing?"

The furious rancher turned her head towards the sound of Amanda’s voice, giving Hubert the opening he needed. "I…" She doubled over in pain as he broke free and his knee connected with her stomach.

Hubert laughed and swung his leg into Lex again, causing her to fall to the floor. "Teach you to fuck with me, little sister!" He pulled his foot back again, but was stopped as a heavy object slammed into his back with force. "Aaah!" The big man fell forward and slid down the wall, gasping for breath.

"I’ve had about enough of you!" Amanda growled. Her leg ached where she had used it as a battering ram, but she felt extremely satisfied to see Hubert lying on the ground, moaning. She knelt down as best she could next to Lex. "God, honey…I’m so sorry! Are you all right?"

Lex rolled into a sitting position. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just had the breath knocked out of me." She saw her brother lying a few feet away. "Good lord, Amanda. What did you hit him with?" She saw the tiny lines around the younger woman’s mouth, which meant that she was in pain. "You didn’t."

"I did." Amanda smiled slightly. "And I’d do it again, too. What was…"

Two sheriff’s deputies burst into the hallway and stopped. "Umm…we were told there was a disturbance in here," the first one said, looking around. "Lex? Are you all right?"

"Yeah." The dark-haired woman struggled to her feet, pulling Amanda up with her.

"I want to press charges," Hubert whined, trying to wipe his bleeding nose with a handkerchief. He pointed at Amanda. "That little bitch nearly killed me!"

Lex took a step towards the man. "Watch your mouth, asshole!" She was pulled back by Amanda.

"It’s okay, honey. Let it go. He’s not worth the trouble." She smiled and moved closer to Hubert, who scooted away from her.

"Keep her away from me!" he screamed, holding one arm in front of his face. "I want police protection!"

One of the deputies looked at Amanda, then at the large man still sprawled out in the floor. "Do you expect me to believe that this sweet looking woman hurt you?" He looked at Lex. The only injuries on her that he could see were her skinned knuckles. "Do you want to file assault charges, Lex?"

Hubert finally stood up. "HER? That’s total bullshit! Look at me!" The blood had begun to dry on his chin, but still dripped sluggishly from his nose. He rushed at Lex, tangling his hands in her pressed shirt and slamming her back into the wall. "You fucking bitch! I'm so glad they messed you and your whore up in that accident. It would have been worth every penny if only they'd killed you like I paid them to." Not realizing why Lex was smiling, he shoved her harder. "What the fuck are you grinning about?"

The two deputies quickly pulled Hubert off his sister and cuffed his hands behind his back. "I think we’ve heard about enough, Mr. Walters. Why don’t you come with us?" One of the lawmen began to inform Hubert of his rights as he led the screaming man away.

"This isn’t over yet! I’ll see you and your little whore dead, do you hear me?" Hubert threatened as he was pulled through the swinging door.

Amanda wrapped one arm around Lex’s waist and shook her head. "I can’t believe that Hubert would try and have his own sister killed," she murmured quietly.

"I can," a sad voice spoke up from behind them. Travis stood at the other end of the hallway. He had come searching for Lex in Martha’s behalf, and had witnessed the final confrontation between the siblings. "God help me, I’ve known for years how much that boy hated you. I never would have thought that he’d have stooped to that level, though." He joined the two women and escorted them back to the chapel. "I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I feel like I could have prevented all of this by doing something years ago."

"Don’t apologize, Grandpa. Hubert’s shortcomings are no one’s fault but his own." Lex put her arm around the older man and pulled him close. "Let’s keep this little scuffle between us for now, okay? I don’t want to ruin Martha and Charlie’s wedding."

Travis nodded. "I agree. We can tell them about it later." He stopped and turned to face the two women. "I almost forgot! Martha asked to see you, Lexie. She didn’t say why, though."

Shrugging her shoulders, Lex smiled. "Who knows? Probably some last minute instructions on how to behave myself," she joked. "Guess I’d better go see what she wants." She turned to look at her partner. "Do you want to…?"

"I think I’ll let Grandpa Travis escort me to my seat, so I don’t have to fight the crowd." Amanda struggled to her tiptoes and kissed Lex on the cheek. "Go take care of Martha. I’ll see you in a little while," she whispered in the tall woman’s ear.

***************

A quiet knock on the office door caused Martha to stop fussing with her bouquet and turn around. "Come in." She smiled broadly at the young woman who entered. I always figured that I’d be the one giving her away, not the other way around. She’s certainly grown into a beautiful young woman. "Hi there, honey. What have you been up to? Your shirt is wrinkled."

"Umm…" Lex stood silently as Martha fussed over her clothes, allowing the older woman to tuck the front of her shirt back into her pants. "Just taking care of some garbage," she muttered.

"Uh-huh." Martha stopped her fussing and looked up into the blue eyes. "You never could lie to me, Lexie. But I’ll let it go this time." Grabbing Lex by the hand, she led her over to a brightly cushioned sofa and sat down. "You know, I never thought I’d be doing this."

Lex smiled. "Nervous?"

The flowers in Martha’s hands shook slightly and her voice was uncharacteristically quiet. "No…yes. Well, not really. I guess I’m more worried about what happens next."

"C’mon, Mada. Don’t tell me you and Charlie…" Lex didn’t expect the light slap on her leg.

"That’s not what I meant, young lady! I swear, your mind is in the gutter more often than not." The housekeeper rubbed the strong thigh where she had slapped it and turned slightly so that she could look Lex directly in the eyes. "I’m not sure where this puts us, my getting married and all. You know I want to continue taking care of the house for you. At least, once you get another one built," she joked. "But, I’ll also have a husband to look out for."

The rancher grabbed Martha’s free hand and squeezed it. "All I want is for you to be happy. If that means you staying in your house and taking care of Charlie, then I’m all for it. It’s time you lived your life for yourself, not for me." Lex used her spare hand to reach up and touch the older woman’s cheek. "You are the mother of my heart, Mada." Her voice cracked on the last sentence. "That’s not going to change just because you’re finally taking some happiness for your own."

Martha nodded. "I couldn’t be more proud of who you’ve become if I had given birth to you myself, Lexington Marie. You’ve really grown into a wonderful woman." She almost lost her composure when Lex leaned over and placed a tender kiss on her brow. "Now, are you ready to give me away? I think it’s about time I make an honest man out of Charlie."

"Yeah," Lex sniffled. "Let’s go get you hitched." She pulled Martha up by their joined hands and led her from the room.

***************

Lex almost stumbled when all eyes turned to her and Martha as they entered the chapel. A squeeze on her arm gave her the strength she needed to continue down the aisle towards a decidedly nervous Charlie. "Sorry about that," she murmured to the woman next to her.

"You’re doing just fine, Lexie," Martha answered over the beautiful organ music that was playing. "Just try not to step on my feet, or we’ll both end up on the floor."

The laugh that escaped Lex was loud, and she blushed as her eyes met Amanda’s. I’m not ever gonna hear the end of this one, I’ll bet. She stopped in front of the minister and the sweating sheriff. Charlie was wearing a very nice looking dark suit, and Martha looked beautiful in a crème colored silk dress that fell just past her knees.

"Who gives this woman on this happy occasion?" the white-haired cleric asked. The usually long and boring ceremony had been altered slightly by the couple, because they didn’t want it to be too formal. He waited patiently for the dark-haired woman to answer, as did the several dozens of people attending.

The rancher stood quietly for a long moment, then blinked. "Oh! Umm…I guess I do." She smiled at Charlie and gently gave him Martha’s arm. "Take good care of her, Uncle Charlie." Lex placed a soft kiss on the older woman’s cheek. "I love you, Mada."

He nodded solemnly and held Martha’s hand in his. "You know I will, honey." The couple turned to face the minister as Lex walked back over to her seat next to Amanda.

"That was real smooth, Slim," the blonde teased quietly. She giggled at the blush on her lover’s face. "You’re not going to be like that at our ceremony, are you?"

Lex paled. Lord! I didn’t even think about that! "Shhh! Martha’s probably got a wooden spoon in her pocket with my name on it," she whispered.

Before they realized it, the ceremony was over, and Charlie kissed Martha soundly on the mouth. They turned and waved at the crowd, which had begun to applaud wildly. The newly joined couple walked down the aisle together, stopping every so often to accept congratulations from well wishers. Lex and Amanda followed behind them, the tall woman trying to wipe her eyes casually.

"That was lovely, wasn’t it, girls?" Anna Leigh asked them as they followed the crowd outside. "I’ve never seen Martha look so beautiful."

"She certainly is," Lex agreed, smiling broadly as the couple pulled up short beside Charlie’s official car. Colorful crepe paper covered the brown sedan, and the windows had been decorated with white shoe polish. "Well. Will you look at that?" She laughed as the sheriff shrugged his shoulders with a good-natured laugh and helped Martha into the front seat. "I wonder who…?"

Travis walked up behind Lex and put his hands on her shoulders. "Shameful, isn’t it?"

"Oh, yeah," Amanda giggled, noticing the white specks on the older man’s shoes. "Who would do something like that?"

"It’s just not safe to leave your car anywhere, anymore," Jacob agreed. He had walked up with Travis, and was holding what was left of the roll of crepe. "Hooligans, I’m sure. There’s no other explanation for it." A playful swat from his wife told him that he had not been believed. "What?"

Anna Leigh shook her head. "You two are worse than a couple of teenagers," she sighed. Grabbing her husband’s arm, she began to pull him away. "Darling, what am I going to do with you?" she asked.

"What’s your excuse?" Lex asked her grandfather. She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped a foot. "Well? I’m waiting."

"Well…I…" Travis looked at Amanda. "I could use some help here."

She shook her head. "Oh, no. You leave me out of this."

Lex wrapped the older man in a hug and laughed. "I should have known it would be a bad idea to let you stay with the Caubles. Jacob’s a bad influence, isn’t he?" She winced as Amanda slapped her on the arm.

"Hey! That’s my grandfather you’re talking about!"

"The nut never falls far from the tree, does it, Grandpa?" Lex asked, ducking to keep from receiving another blow. "Oooh! You missed!" she teased Amanda, jumping away.

The small blonde waved a finger at Lex, who was backing away from her. "You’ve got to sleep sometime, Slim. And Martha won’t be around to protect you." She continued walking to the parking lot, smiling to herself as she passed the sputtering rancher.

"That’s not fair! I didn’t do anything to you!" Lex jogged to catch up to her lover. "Amanda! C’mon!" She ignored her grandfather’s laughter behind her.

***************

"I think the ladies outdid themselves, don’t you?" Michael Cauble asked Lex, who was sitting in a corner sipping on some punch. He could see his daughter talking to the bride, and was curious as to why the tall woman was on this side of the room by herself.

The rancher nodded. "Yeah. They did really well, especially considering the short notice I gave them." She pointed to a nearby chair. "Why don’t you take a load off?"

He smiled and sat down. "Thanks, I believe I will. Are you okay?"

"I’m fine." Lex took another drink of her punch. "Is something on your mind, Michael?"

"Actually, there is." He looked at the tablecloth, then back up into the startling blue eyes across from him. "I went and saw Elizabeth at the hospital yesterday." His wife was still being treated for the burns she received several weeks earlier. Although Lex had managed to extinguish the flames from her clothes fairly quickly, she had still gotten second-degree burns on her legs and hands.

Lex nodded. "I see. How’s she doing?"

Michael shook his head. "Physically, she’s going to be just fine. I don’t know if I would have had the presence of mind to do what you did. I probably would have let the bitch burn."

"Unfortunately, I didn’t really think about it, or I might have done the same."

"I don’t think so. You’re too decent. It took me a long time to figure that out, but it’s true. You could no more let her burn, than if it had been someone you loved." He sighed. "They’re going to be transporting her to the state hospital in Austin sometime next week. At least the family won’t have to be subjected to a trial."

She leaned back in her chair slightly, causing the front legs to raise from the floor. "I just hope they have the good sense to keep her there. I don’t want Amanda to have to go through any more grief because of that woman – I’d kill Elizabeth first."

He nodded. "I understand. Lex, I’m so sorry about what happened to your house. If I can do anything at all to help…"

"It’s okay. I was thinking about remodeling again, anyway." Lex smiled as Amanda walked up to the table. "How’s it going?" She stood up and helped the younger woman to a chair. "You really need to stay off that leg right now, Karate Kid."

Amanda blushed, but took the offered seat. "Um, thanks." She turned her attention to her father. "Hi, Daddy. I was wondering if you were going to come over and say hello, or if you were going to be working all day." Her father had been placed on retainer by Lex to take the wedding pictures. He had refused payment, but was enjoying showing off his new camera equipment.

"Yes, well. I wanted to make sure I did a good job. The boss I have is tough," Michael teased, winking at Lex. He leaned over and whispered loudly, "Although I hear that HER boss is even worse!"

"Daddy!" Amanda shook her head, laughing. "Did Gramma find you yet?"

Michael shook his head. "No…was it something important?"

"Knowing the women in your family, Michael…I’d say everything is important, at least to them," Lex added wryly. She flinched as Amanda lightly slapped her leg. "See what I mean?"

"I’m not going to get myself into that mess," he countered. "I think I hear my mother calling me." Michael jumped to his feet and left the table, patting his daughter on the head as he walked away.

Amanda watched his retreat with a happy smile. "So, what were you two talking about so seriously before I came over here?" she asked Lex. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No, not really." Lex reached over and grasped Amanda’s hand. "He was telling me about his hospital visit yesterday. They’re going to transport your mother to Austin next week."

"Oh. I guess I should go by and see her, shouldn’t I?" The younger woman looked down at the tablecloth. She felt her hand being squeezed and looked into her lover’s eyes.

"Only if you want to, sweetheart." Lex ran her free hand through her hair. "I’ll, umm…be glad to go with you, if you want." The last place she wanted to be was anywhere near Elizabeth Cauble, but Lex didn’t want Amanda to think that she’d have to go on her own. "Your dad said that her burns were going to heal okay, but he didn’t mention how she was, otherwise."

The younger woman shook her head. "I really don’t want to. But I think I should." Amanda took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. "Can we go after the reception? I’d like to get it over with, if you don’t mind."

Lex nodded. "Sure, love. Whatever you want." She looked across the room and stood up. "Looks like the happy couple is about to leave. Shall we?"

"Sure. Let’s." Amanda allowed Lex to pull her up and escort her to where everyone had gathered.

Martha stood up on a chair, so that everyone could see her. "Attention, everyone! Charlie’s telling me that we have a flight to catch, so I’ve got to make this quick." She motioned for Lex and Amanda to stand beside her, and waited until they were in place. "I know that the tradition says I’m supposed to toss my bouquet over my shoulder. But since it’s my wedding, and my bouquet, I say to heck with tradition!" The large group laughed with her. "I want to give this to someone who could really use it, especially since most of you ladies are already taken." The housekeeper looked down at Lex, who shook her head slightly and frowned. "Don’t worry, child. I wouldn’t dream of doing that to you." She stepped down from the chair and handed the bouquet to Amanda, enveloping the younger woman in a hug. "Take care of my baby for me, Amanda. She’s still the most important thing in the world to me," she whispered.

"You can count on it, Mada," Amanda whispered back, kissing the older woman’s cheek. "Have a safe trip," she finished loud enough for everyone to her. "I’ll try and make some use of these flowers while you’re gone."

"You see that you do, young lady." Martha crooked her finger at Lex. "C’mere, Lexie."

The rancher stepped forward slightly. "Yes, ma’am?" She was surprised when Martha wrapped both arms around her and squeezed her tight. "You behave yourself while I’m gone, you hear? I don’t want to have to commandeer that cruise ship and row it back to Texas."

"Yes, Mada." Lex grinned at the attempted scowl on the older woman’s face. "I love you, too." She kissed the slightly wrinkled cheek and stepped back. "Now get going, before Charlie has a fit." She had noticed how the sheriff kept looking at his watch.

The newly married couple quickly said their good-byes and hurried through the door, stopping suddenly. "What the…?" Charlie looked at Martha, then back at Lex, who was standing at the doorway with a large grin on her face. "You little sneak!"

A large white limousine was parked in front of the Ladies Auxiliary Hall, with the words, ‘Just Married’ written across the back window in large letters. The driver stood beside the door, waiting to help the couple inside.

"Don’t blame me," Lex raised her hands defensively. "It’s not my car." She pointed at Travis, who was standing close by. "Talk to him."

Charlie walked over to Travis and looked up into the taller man’s face. "I don’t know what to say, Travis. This is just too much."

"Nonsense, my friend. You wouldn’t let me pay for the wedding, at least let me get you to the airport in style." The older man smiled and placed a hand on the sheriff’s shoulder. "You’ve helped take care of my granddaughter when I couldn’t – at least let me do this for you."

"But it’s an hour and a half drive to the airport!" Charlie couldn’t believe the generosity of his friend. "Lex is like a daughter to me – you don’t owe me a thing."

Travis nodded. "I know. But it’ll give us all peace of mind to know that you’ll get there safely. Do you really want Lexie to follow you? She would, you know."

The sheriff laughed. "Lord! Don’t I know it!" He sighed. "All right. I imagine I can’t say no to an offer like that. Thank you, Travis."

"You’re more than welcome, my friend." He motioned behind them where Lex and Amanda were standing. "Besides, you’ve got it easy. I’m the one that has to stay behind and keep an eye on those two."

"Ah. I never thought about it that way." Charlie reached out and shook the other man’s hand. "Take care, Travis. We’ll see you in about three weeks."

***************

They stood outside the closed door, Lex nodding in acknowledgement to the deputy who sprang up from his chair at their approach. "Oscar. You missed a fine wedding," the tall woman reported, shaking his hand.

"I drew the short straw," he admitted. "Although I heard there was a bit of excitement there, too." He tipped his hat to Amanda. "Ma’am."

"Hello," the blonde greeted quietly. "Can we…?" she pointed to the closed door.

The young deputy nodded. "Yes, ma’am. You go right ahead. Just holler if you need anything, all right?"

Amanda took a deep breath. "Thank you." She looked up at Lex. "Come in with me?"

"Sure, sweetheart." Like I’d let her face the old battle axe alone. Lex followed her lover into the room and closed the door behind them.

Elizabeth Cauble lay quietly on the bed, the only outward signs of her confinement were the restraints that were wrapped around her forearms, just above her bandaged hands. When she heard the door open, she turned her head and saw her youngest daughter standing by the door. "Amanda, darling. I knew you’d come." She raised one hand slightly and beckoned the young woman forward with a smile.

"Mother." Amanda stood next to the bed, just out of reach. "How are you?" She felt Lex move in behind her and was thankful for the warm hands that dropped onto her shoulders.

"Much better, now that you’re here." Elizabeth eyed her daughter critically. "You look pale, Amanda. I’m sure you’ll get your tan back in no time, once we’re home." She finally noticed the person standing behind her daughter. "Lexington Walters. I surmise by your being here, that there’s no hard feelings?" She smiled triumphantly. "It was so kind of you to bring my daughter to me."

Lex frowned. "What are you saying, Mrs. Cauble?"

The restrained woman waved her hand as best she could. "Why, Lex. I can call you Lex, can’t I?" When the other woman nodded, she continued, "The best woman won. My daughter is here to take me home, and you’re being ever so gallant about the whole thing. I admire that."

Amanda shook her head. "No, Mother. That’s not why we’re here. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Nonsense! I was just waiting for you, so that we could go home together. You have no place to live, so you have to come back to California with me!" She was getting more agitated by the moment, her eyes taking on a crazed look. "We’ll be so happy, you and I. There’s so many things to do in Los Angeles. Not at all like this backwater hellhole."

Tears in her eyes, Amanda reached over for the nurse call button. "I’m sorry, Mother. That’s just not going to happen. My life is here, with Lex." She reached over and gently brushed the hair away from Elizabeth’s eyes. "Goodbye, Mother. I love you." The distraught woman turned away from the bed and hurried from the room, Lex right behind her.

"You’ll come back to me, Amanda! I’m your mother, and we belong together!" Elizabeth yelled at the retreating pair. After the door closed, she dropped back against her pillow and smiled. "She’ll be back. I’ll see to that."

***************

After being directed by Amanda to ‘just drive,’ Lex steered the Explorer through a leisurely circuit around the small town. She finally pulled the vehicle to a stop at the small park near the Cauble’s home. Unbuckling her seat belt, the worried rancher turned to face Amanda. "It’s kinda nice out today. Would you like to go for a walk?"

Amanda nodded and opened her door. "I think I’d like that, Lex. Thank you." She climbed out and was waiting as Lex made her way around the vehicle.

"I know we don’t have anything for them today, but let’s go visit your friends." Lex held out her hand and was relieved when it was accepted. She wordlessly escorted her lover to the lakeside, smiling a little at the antics of the water’s denizens. "Looks like they remember you," she teased quietly, as several of the more adventurous ducks waddled up to Amanda’s feet.

"Yeah," Amanda smiled. A giggle escaped her when one of the ducks began attacking her cast. "Stop that, you goofy thing."

Lex shooed the creatures away gently and led her partner over to a nearby bench. "C’mon. Let’s get you off that leg for a bit, okay?"

They sat side by side for quite a while, enjoying the warm sun on their faces and the peacefulness of the small lake. No one else was around, and the ducks had even gotten the idea and left the two women alone.

"She’s right, you know," Amanda murmured at long last.

"Who?"

"My mother. Because of me, we don’t have a place to live." She looked down at her cast, which was still covered by the dark stocking. Small bits of leaves and grass were clinging to it, and she bent down to pick them off. Her line of vision was suddenly filled as Lex dropped to her knees in front of the bench.

"That’s not true, Amanda. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine. The night that my father came home, you had told me that she was up to something. I chose to ignore it." Lex looked up into the sad eyes of her lover. "Not even Charlie took it as seriously as he should have, because of me."

Lex had returned downstairs after talking with her father, only to be met in the den by Charlie and Martha. Amanda was sitting up on the bed, her legs covered with a colorful quilt. "What’s going on, folks? What are you doing out here so late, Uncle Charlie?"

The rancher shook her head. "I was so damned arrogant, thinking that I could protect you from anything. That fire almost killed you!"

Amanda reached down and brushed her fingers against her lover’s cheek. "It almost killed both of us, love. When you didn’t follow me through that window, I thought for sure I had lost you."

Lex reached up and cupped the younger woman’s face with her hands. "It would take more than a house fire to keep me away from you," she murmured. "I’d gladly walk through the fires of hell to get back to you."

"You almost did," Amanda sniffled, fighting back the feelings of helplessness that the memories brought back. "What made you think to jump from the second floor on a mattress?"

"Saw it in a movie, once," Lex admitted sheepishly. "Wasn’t sure if it was gonna work, or not."

The blonde shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "God…you’re going to drive me crazy, yet!"

"Hey," Lex wiped the tears away with her thumbs. "It worked. No problem." She allowed herself to be pulled back up onto the bench, and found her arms suddenly full of Amanda. Concerned, Lex wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and squeezed tightly. "What’s the matter?"

Amanda buried her face in Lex’s chest, taking a deep breath and pulling her lover’s scent into her lungs. "One too many close calls, I think." She felt herself calm down. "Sorry about that."

Lex rubbed Amanda’s back gently. "No problem. I think I’m about ready for a vacation, myself." She leaned back against the bench, allowing Amanda to snuggle against her side. They both looked out at the calm lake. "You know, I was talking to your grandmother at the reception."

"Really? About what?"

"She was telling me of this nice little house for rent in their neighborhood. Furnished, and everything." Lex looked down and smiled at the small woman next to her. "Dad’s happy at the bunkhouse, and he can keep the guys in line for me and take care of things at the ranch. Since the construction on the new house is about to start, why don’t we just stay in town for a while?"

The blonde looked up, trying to gauge the emotions flitting across Lex’s face. "Are you sure about this? Don’t you want to supervise the construction?"

Lex shook her head. "Nah. I’d just drive them crazy, and they’d never get it done. We can go out on the weekends and check up on it. I’ll probably go out during the day when you’re at work, anyway." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small keyring. "Want to go check it out?"

"You rat! You had this planned all along, didn’t you?" Amanda laughed. She stood up and stretched. "Come on. Let’s go look at a house."

The rancher laughed and allowed her lover to pull her off the bench. She snaked one arm around Amanda’s waist and stood looking at the lake for a long moment. The sun sparkled off the calm surface, which was only marred by the occasional duck floating by. "Looks like we’ll be spending more time here with your little friends," she joked.

"Looks like it," Amanda agreed. She turned until she could hug Lex. "As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where I am." Her hands linked behind the tall woman’s neck as she pulled Lex’s face down to meet hers in a loving kiss.

The End

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