I'd still like to know what you think, just drop me a note - cb.zeer@worldnet.att.net
This is dedicated to AJ, who holds my heart and inspires my thoughts. I love you!
Part 10
Chapter 19
The receiver dropped from Charlie's fingers. He watched it swing back and forth for a moment before he put the phone back to his ear. "Is that a positive identification? Are we sure that the phone number is registered to Michael Cauble?"
"I'm afraid so. I personally ran the check three different times." Robert assured him. "I'd really like to talk to this man…do you think that he'll be coming here to see his daughter?"
"I'm not sure. His oldest daughter called last night to notify him and his wife of Amanda's condition. Neither one of them seemed too concerned." Charlie put his notepad back in his pocket. He looked up as the door to Amanda's room opened and a very haggard Lex stepped out. "I've got to go, Robert. Page me if you get any more information, okay?"
The prosecutor released a relieved breath. "You got it. I'll talk to you later. Give my best to your family, Charlie."
Charlie hung up the phone and walked quickly over to where Lex was standing. "Lex? Are you okay, sweetheart?" He stepped up next to her as the tall woman turned and fell into his arms. "What's wrong?"
"Uncle Charlie…" Lex buried her face in the older man's shirt and breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne. She cried in relief for a few moments, then pulled back. "Sorry about that."
"What's the matter, honey? Is Amanda okay?" He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and used it to clean away the tears from her face.
Lex looked up at the sheriff with a relieved smile. "She's fine…I'm a basket case, but she's okay." She looked around the hallway and then back to him. "Where's everyone else?"
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and began to lead her away from the room. "They went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee." He glanced down at the young woman. "You look like you could use a cup yourself, sweetheart."
"Yeah…I think I could. You buying?" She smiled up at the man who had always been there for her.
"Yup." Charlie continued to lead her down the hall. "C'mon…they probably make it nice and thick, just the way you like it."
Lex laughed. "Great…think they'll just give it to me intravenously? I'm so damn tired that I don't think I could lift the cup." She gratefully accepted the sheriff's arm around her waist as they headed toward the cafeteria.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Martha almost spewed coffee through her nose. "She didn't actually do that, did she?"
Anna Leigh nodded. "Took off all her clothes and raced through the front yard, right during shift change at the plant." She laughed with the others at the table. "I swear, the woman you know is not the same child I knew growing up. She was such a little exhibitionist as a toddler."
Martha shook her head. "It's hard to believe…Amanda gets embarrassed just talking about anything related to that sort of thing." She met the older woman's glance. "It embarrasses her to let me wash her underwear."
"That sounds just like my sister." Jeannie shared. "She turned into such a prude when she grew up. I was afraid she was going to die a virgin." She felt an elbow in her side. "What?" The auburn-haired woman glared at her husband. "Well? It's true."
Frank covered his face with one hand. "I can't believe you talk like this around your grandmother," he murmured.
Jeannie leaned over and whispered loudly in his ear, "She knows about sex…how do you think my dad got here?"
"Geez…" The big man blushed.
Lex sat down next to the red-faced man and leaned into him. "What's the matter, Frank? You look a little flustered." She nodded and smiled gratefully to Charlie when he sat a cup of coffee down in front of her. "Thanks, Uncle Charlie."
"No problem, kiddo." The sheriff took his place next to his fiancee'. "Hello there, beautiful. What are you folks jabbering about?"
"How's Mandy doing, Lexington?" Anna Leigh asked the exhausted woman. She looks completely worn out…poor thing.
The rancher looked up from her cup of coffee. "She's sleeping right now. But she was feeling pretty good, other than having a sore throat from the respirator." Lex bit her lip to keep from crying. She just looks so tiny and frail in that bed, all alone. I should have never promised her that I would go lie down for a while. I hate leaving her by herself. Damn!
Jacob reached across the table and took Lex's hand in his. "I'm glad you were there for her, Lex. But you look like you're about to fall over." He saw out of the corner of his eye as Jeannie quietly left the table. "Why don't you go back to the hotel and get a little rest?"
"I promised Amanda that I would take a nap, but I didn't actually tell her I would leave the hospital." Lex quickly drained her coffee cup. "I think I'll go find a quiet corner in the waiting room." She stood up slowly.
Martha stood up also. "I think that we can do better than that, Lexie." She smiled as Jeannie walked back into the room and gave her a thumbs up. The housekeeper was about to lead her charge from the room when a young nurse stopped them.
"Excuse me…are you Ms. Walters?" She had been given a detailed description of the woman, but the lady that stood before her was more beautiful than the man on the phone had described.
"What's wrong?" Martha asked. She had one arm wrapped protectively around the rancher and wasn't about to let go.
Lex smiled slightly at the nurse. "I'm Lexington Walters. Is something wrong with my… friend?" She stammered a bit on the last word, unsure of how their relationship could best be described.
"Oh, no…nothing like that. There's a phone call for you at the nurses' station. It's a Mr. Dempsey…he says that it's quite urgent."
The housekeeper scoffed. "That old geezer thinks that everything is urgent." She remembered when he would call the ranch all upset at the slightest rise or fall in the market. Joshua Dempsey had been Victoria's investment broker. When she passed away and left a large sum of her funds to Lex, he had stayed on to make certain that unscrupulous men like her older brother wouldn't take the young woman for all she had.
"How did he know where to find me?" Lex looked at Martha, who shrugged innocently.
"I wouldn't know. I called Roy before we left so that he could keep an eye on the house for us. But he's the only one I told. I think that old man is psychic, or something." She shook her head.
The rancher sighed. "Might as well go talk to him before he has a stroke." She smiled at the nurse. "Thanks for coming to get me."
"No problem." The young woman returned the smile before leaving the room.
Martha squeezed Lex gently. "Do you want me to talk to him and just take a message? You look like you're about to collapse, honey."
"No…I'll talk to him. I was supposed to call him earlier this week anyway." Lex turned slightly and looked down at the older woman. "When I finish with him, I'm gonna go hide somewhere and take a quick nap." She pulled Martha into a strong hug. "I'll see you later, okay Mada?"
"Sure, honey. But when you get through with Mr. Dempsey, stop by Amanda's room first. We've got a little surprise for you."
Lex looked down with a smirk. "You have something up your sleeve? Should I be nervous?"
"Nope…now go talk to that old man before he calls out a search party." The housekeeper patted Lex gently on the side.
"Yes, ma'am!" Lex saluted Martha and left the room smiling. She hurried to the nurses' station. "I'm Lexington Walters. Did you have a call for me?"
The young nurse who had given her the message came up behind Lex and patted her on the back. "Here…let me get that for you." She walked around the desk and picked up the phone. "Here you go." She handed the receiver to Lex and stepped back. "Just holler when you're done, hon."
The tall woman nodded and smiled. "Thanks." She ran a hand over her face and spoke into the phone. "This is Lexington."
"Young lady, you're harder to find than a five-dollar call girl on a Saturday night!" The old man the other end of the line teased. "I know you're busy, but I have to notify you of a problem with one of the companies that you have major stock in."
"I'm sorry, Joshua. I should have called you sooner. What's going on?" Lex smiled gratefully at the young nurse when she was handed a pen and paper.
The old man took a breath and then coughed. He'd smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for over fifty years, and refused to give them up. "Well, it's actually an investment that your dear mother had made, rest her soul. But the company's stock is beginning to drop drastically, and I'm afraid that if you don't get out now, it could seriously hurt you."
Lex nodded. She had always trusted the old man's business savvy - he'd never been wrong before. "Okay…what's the name of this business?" She listened for a moment and then began to write. "Cawkeen Enterprises? Did I hear that right?"
"That's right. I don't have too many particulars about it, but something happened to it recently and it's dropping fast." Joshua could be heard shuffling papers in the background. "If you sell now, you'll still be making a profit."
"Never heard of it." Lex thought for a moment. Oh, well… "Go ahead and sell it all, Joshua. I trust your judgement." She scribbled down the name and put the bit of paper in her shirt pocket. "Thanks for calling."
Dempsey chuckled. "No problem, Lexington. I'll call you back next week to go over some new investment ideas." He hung up the phone still smiling. That girl has as good a business sense as her mother…and grandfather.
She hung up the phone and smiled at the two nurses. "Thanks again for the use of your phone." Lex turned around and started down the hallway towards Amanda's room. She saw Charlie and Martha standing outside the door talking with Frank and Jeannie. "Hi folks…did I miss anything interesting?"
"Hey, Slim! My sister was asking for you." Jeannie walked up to the tall woman and enveloped her in a hug. "I think she wants you to break her out of here," she whispered into Lex's ear. "I heard her arguing with Gramma - she's feeling a lot better, but the doctor refuses to release her."
"Damn…" Lex pulled out of the embrace slowly. "I'll see what I can do." She reached for the door and then stopped. "Maybe I should give your grandparents more time with her."
Jeannie laughed. "Maybe you should go in and save my grandparents." She winked at the others. "We could hear Mandy from here…I guess her throat no longer bothers her."
Lex looked at the smiling faces around her. "Okay…wish me luck." She squared her shoulders and pushed the door open.
He tossed the suitcase onto the bed and flipped it open. Of all the days to give the servants the day off, he thought angrily. I hate having to pack my own bag…I always forget something. The phone next to the bed rang several times before he sighed heavily and picked up the receiver. "Michael Cauble here."
"Mr. Cauble! Thank goodness I found you!" The excited voice on the other end of the phone practically yelled. "I thought you were out of town?"
"I was. Something unexpected came up. What's the problem?" Michael continued to pack the bag. I really don't have time for his hysterics. Damn fool.
The man paused for a moment. "Umm…you remember how your stock began to fall this past week?"
Michael stopped what he was doing. "Yes? You told me it would pick back up and not to worry about it." A small knot of apprehension began to form in his stomach. "Why?"
"Well…umm…" the voice trembled slightly.
"Dammit, Craig! What the hell is going on?" Michael finished tossing clothes into the suitcase and zipped it shut.
Craig coughed to clear his throat and to stall for time. "It seems like one of your major stockholders couldn't be so patient."
"What do you mean?"
"They sold their stock…and a couple of others must have gotten scared because they did the same," the frightened man almost whispered.
The executive dropped soundlessly onto the bed. "How bad is it?" he murmured.
His employee swallowed loudly. "Umm…well…" Craig stammered. "They'll probably freeze all your assets to pay off the stockholders. I'm afraid you've lost it all, Mr. Cauble."
"Everything?" Michael felt lightheaded. "Even the Swiss accounts?"
"Uh…those were closed out a month ago, sir. I thought you had done it."
Michael closed his eyes. Elizabeth…that bitch said that she'd take me for everything I had. "Do you have any idea what caused the stocks to fall so rapidly?"
Craig breathed a sigh of relief. At least he's not mad at the messenger…thank god. "There had been a rumor that you were going to sell the company to an overseas buyer that had a bad reputation on the market. Everyone believed it, sir."
"All right. Thanks, Craig." The beaten man leaned forward and cradled his head in his free hand. "I've got to go to Texas for a while…my daughter has taken ill. You can reach me at my parent's house." I hope…maybe I can mend a few bridges while I'm there. Dad was right. A corporate merger does not a good marriage make. He hung up the phone and stared unseeingly out of the bedroom window.
A sound at the doorway causes him to turn around. "Michael. I thought that I had heard the phone. Who was it?" Elizabeth Cauble stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
He stood up and took several steps towards her. "You did it. I'm ruined." Michael walked over and picked the suitcase up from the bed.
"Where do you think you're going?" She held out an arm to stop him from passing her. "And what on earth are you talking about? What do you mean, you're ruined?"
"Several stockholders pulled out. I'm broke." He laughed humorlessly. "Don't look so innocent. I knew you were up to something while I was out of town. I just never figured you to be this vindictive."
Elizabeth glared at her husband. "You've always been weak, Michael. I've tried to give you a backbone, but you're just like your father."
Michael shook his head sadly. "No…I'll never be the man my father is." He sat the suitcase down and pulled out his keyring and removed several keys from it. "You can have this damn mausoleum, Elizabeth. For years I've listened to you, and became just as cold and calculating as you are." He handed her the keys and wiped his face with his sleeve. "I almost lost my daughter yesterday. I may have already lost her heart." Michael picked up the suitcase and started for the door.
"Don't you dare walk out on me! Not after all I've done for you!" Elizabeth yelled.
He stopped and turned back around. "Done for me? What in the hell have you done for me?" Michael dropped the suitcase at the door and shook her head. "You've never done an unselfish thing in your life."
The enraged woman crossed the room and slapped him. "You ungrateful bastard! How dare you speak to me that way." Then Michael watched, spellbound, as Elizabeth's countenance changed from angry and imperious to soft and condescending. She took his hand and led him to the bed and sat him down. "I didn't ruin you…she did."
"Who?" Michael rubbed his cheek where his wife had slapped him. What the hell is she talking about?
"I tried to stop her, you know." She looked down at their linked hands. "But she has more lives than a cat."
Her husband pulled his hand out of hers. "What are you talking about?" Understanding dawned on his face. "You're talking about that Walters woman, aren't you?" Michael scooted away from the woman he thought he knew.
"Nothing can be proven, you know." Elizabeth smiled coldly and patted his leg. "And don't act so offended. You don't like her any more than I do…you're just too spineless to do anything."
"Just because I don't like someone, doesn't mean I want any harm to come to them." Michael slapped her hand away. "What's the matter with you? Have you completely lost your mind?"
Elizabeth tilted her head back and laughed. "You fool! That woman is the one that ruined you. SHE was the major stockholder that sold you out." She shook her head. "She's probably sitting in a bar drinking beer with her redneck friends and laughing her head off."
"Do you actually believe that?" Michael asked. "As much as I dislike the woman, I can't believe that Amanda would have anything to do with someone like that."
"Oh grow up, Michael! Our daughter - both of them, actually…have been too influenced by those simpering fools that you call parents. It's a shame mine were killed in that car wreck all those years ago - they would have been excellent role models." She stood up and began to pace. "I've done everything possible to secure our future…and that country bumpkin ruined it!"
Michael stood up and caught her arm as she walked by. "Stop it, Elizabeth! You're acting crazy!" Her behavior was beginning to scare him. He stopped and thought back to what she had said. "Secure our future? Just exactly what have you done?"
"Since you wouldn't do anything more than to hire that worthless private investigator to dig up old history, someone had to take charge." She turned and gave him a disgusted look. "I sent someone to Texas to keep an eye on her."
"You did what? Don't tell me you had anything to do with her almost getting killed." He stepped away from her.
"Not exactly. But the moron that Mark hired…" Elizabeth was cut off by her now furious husband.
He stepped forward and grabbed her arm roughly. "I KNEW IT! You slut! Garrett is your little plaything, isn't he?"
"Let go of me!" She shook off his hand. "At least he was man enough to take care of what I needed!"
"My god…what haven't you done?" Michael stepped away from her. "Are you going to marry him after our divorce is final?"
She laughed mirthlessly. "Oh please…he was a good distraction, but hardly worthy of any long-term investment on my part." She walked over to the dressing area and picked up a brush. "I sent him overseas…" Elizabeth looked at her husband's pale face in the mirror as she brushed her hair. "And as for a divorce…I'm not sure." She reached for her lipstick and applied it to her lips. "There's such a stigma attached to being a divorced woman…I don't know if I want that applied to me."
Michael walked over and stood behind her. "I can't stay married to someone who paid to have another person killed. How can you be so cold and calculating?"
"Don't be such a baby, Michael. I paid someone to keep an eye on her…HE hired some inbred moron who had a grudge against her. It was his idea to push her off a cliff." Elizabeth sighed. "What's the big deal? She lived…not that I was happy about that fact," she mumbled almost under her breath. She met Michael's eyes in the mirror. "Since when have you gotten so attached to her? Why the sudden change in you, Michael?"
"Do you realize that I yelled at Jeannie last night for waiting so long to call about Amanda?" He dropped his gaze. "I didn't even ask how she was." He looked back up at his wife with tears of anguish in his eyes. "My daughter was lying unconscious in a hospital halfway across the country, and I was more concerned with appearances. Dear god…I've turned into YOUR father!" He turned away and began walking towards the door again.
Elizabeth turned and glared at him. "Just where do you think you are going?"
He bent down and picked up the suitcase again. "I'm going home, Elizabeth… and I'm going to beg my children for forgiveness and pray that it's not too late." He walked out the door without another word.
"We'll just see how welcome you'll be when your children find out that YOU were behind this whole mess…" she murmured with a smile. "At least all the evidence will point to you."
Chapter 20
Lex opened the door and poked her head inside. Amanda was sitting up in the bed with her arms crossed stubbornly over her chest. She looks a lot better…and she's so cute when she's trying to get her way…I can never tell her no.
"Just stay one more night, Mandy. The doctor wouldn't ask if he didn't have a good reason." Anna Leigh was sitting on the edge of the bed. "For goodness sake! You were in Intensive Care last night, AND on a respirator! Give your body a chance to get over this, please?" Where on earth does this child get her stubborn streak? She glanced over at her husband's smiling face. Oh, yes…NOW I remember she smiled to herself.
"But I feel fine, Gramma. I just want to go home." And snuggle up with a certain rancher. The young woman sighed in defeat. She heard the door squeak and looked up with a smile. "Hi, stranger."
"Hey, sweetheart." Lex walked into the room slowly. I feel like I went ten rounds with Mike Tyson, and lost…every bone in my body aches. "What seems to be the problem here?" She looked over and saw and empty bed near Amanda's. Another bed? I bet that's Martha's surprise…sneaky, she grinned inwardly.
Jacob met her halfway across the room and escorted the tall woman over to the spare bed. "Have a seat, honey. You look like you're about to fall over." He put his arm around Lex and felt her lean into him.
Amanda studied her friend carefully. She looks worse than I feel…maybe a good night's rest wouldn't hurt either of us. She looked up at her grandmother's understanding face. "Guess one more night can't hurt." She winked at the older woman. You win this one, Gramma. But only because I think that Lex needs the rest more than I do.
Anna Leigh smiled at her granddaughter. "Thank you, dear." She looked over at her husband as he gently helped Lex to the other bed. "Why don't we let these two girls get a little rest and come back after lunch?"
"Good idea." Jacob bent down and picked up the tall woman's feet and swung them up onto the bed. He started to pull off her boots when Lex stopped him.
"Jake…umm…Grandpa? You don't have to do that. There's nothing wrong with me." She smiled at the older man, who continued to work with her feet.
He removed the boots and sat them quietly under the bed. "Nothing other than you're still recovering from a major injury, honey. Now just lie back and get some rest. You BOTH could use it." He covered Lex with a blanket and patted her leg. "Stubborn kid." He started towards the door shaking his head.
Lex heard Amanda giggle. She turned her head and rolled her eyes. "Don't encourage him, sweetheart." She smiled at Anna Leigh. "Could you make sure that Charlie and Martha get a little rest today? I'm really worried about them."
"I'll be glad to, dear." Anna Leigh joined her husband on the other side of the room. "You two girls take it easy, and we'll see you this evening, okay?"
"Okay." Amanda smiled at the couple. "Thank Martha and Jeannie for me, will you? They've been really great." She nodded her head in Lex's direction. This way I KNOW she'll get some rest.
Anna Leigh nodded. "I will. Please rest, Mandy." She grinned at Lex who was sitting up in her bed with her arms crossed and a disgusted look on her face. "Take care, Lexington." She followed her husband out of the room and closed the door quietly.
"You are so cute when you pout." Amanda giggled. "But I think that you lost this fight." She frowned as Lex climbed out of bed. "What are you doing?"
Lex crawled under the bed. "This isn't gonna work." She struggled for a moment then stood up with a triumphant grin on her face. "There!" Amanda's eyes widened as Lex slowly rolled the bed close to hers. When they were side by side, the rancher winked and crawled back under the bed to re-lock the wheels. "Much better." She climbed back up on the mattress and opened her covers towards her friend. "Care to join me?"
"Sure!" Amanda pulled her sheet and blanket loose on that side and scooted closer. She curled up next to her lover and sighed happily. "Mmm…perfect."
"Yeah." Lex murmured as her arms automatically wrapped around the younger woman. She buried her face in the blonde hair and closed her eyes. She felt her throat thicken with emotion. "God…I love you so much, Amanda."
Amanda could feel Lex struggle to control her emotions. With her head on the older woman's chest, she could hear the pounding heartbeat and Lex's breathing hitch as she fought the urge to cry. "I love you too, Lex." She squeezed the rancher tighter. "It's okay, honey. I'm fine now."
Lex took a deep breath to try and calm herself. "That was too close…I almost lost you." She bit her bottom lip hard to keep from crying. Don't you dare cry Lexington. She's been through enough without having to worry about you too.
"Nah…you can't get rid of me that easily." Amanda turned her head so that Lex would look at her. "You found me and I followed you home. And I'm not leaving you." She smiled. "That's what happens when you feed a stray, you know. They never leave."
The rancher laughed. "So that's all I had to do?" She hugged Amanda to her tightly. "Guess I'd better stock up on groceries, then." She fought off a yawn. "Damn…I can't believe I'm so tired."
"I don't know why…" Amanda played with the buttons on Lex's shirt. "Dr. Barnes told me that I had a private 'nurse' all night last night," she teased. "I doubt that has anything to do with you being exhausted." She unbuttoned the shirt and slipped her hand inside. When she found only smooth skin, she paused. "I think that you forgot to put something on, honey."
"Nah…Martha didn't bring me one." Lex mumbled as her eyes closed.
The blonde's eyes widened. "Didn't bring you one? What did you wear to the hospital?"
One blue eye opened. "Umm…" Lex bit her lower lip. "I was in a hurry," she tried to explain. "And it was the middle of the night, you know."
"Uh-huh." Amanda ran her hand down to Lex's stomach and patted it gently. "Just exactly what WERE you wearing?"
"My…" she grumbled under her breath. God…how embarrassing…
A light tickle on the rancher's ribs caused her to jump slightly. "What? I didn't quite get that," Amanda teased. My god…she's actually blushing!
Lex sighed heavily. Busted. My reputation is shot. She'll never let me live this down. Oh, well…at least she'll get a good laugh out of it. "My boxer shorts and tee shirt."
"Oh, lord. Not the ones you wore yesterday afternoon when we took our nap?" Amanda winced and then began to giggle.
"Yeah…the Grinch ones." Lex closed her eyes. Just kill me now…
Amanda buried her face in her friend's chest and laughed. "You ran around all over the hospital in your Grinch jammies and tee shirt?" Her laughter wound down and she looked up at her sheepish lover. "Is that ALL you were wearing?"
Damn…"Like I said, I was in a hurry." Lex met the green eyes nervously. "I really didn't think about what I was wearing."
"You could have caught pneumonia, Lex. It's cold and nasty out there." Amanda raised a hand and touched the rancher's face gently. "Wait…you said Martha brought you some clothes? Why didn't my grandparents think about…"
Lex covered Amanda's mouth with her hand. "Your grandmother brought some stuff with us…I just didn't think about putting it on. And then Martha got here…I swear, I thought she was gonna pull a wooden spoon out of her pocket and whip me right there in the waiting room!" She saw the younger woman smile from behind her hand. "It's not funny. Those two practically ganged up on me!" She removed her hand when a small tongue licked it. "Yuck!"
"Poor baby…remind me to thank them later." Amanda teased. She saw that Lex was fighting sleep, and losing. "But for now, can you just hold me while we sleep? I'm a little tired, too." Not really a lie…although I feel a lot better than she probably does.
"Sure, sweetheart. C'mere." Lex snuggled down on the bed and pulled her friend with her. "How's that?"
Amanda tangled her legs up with the longer ones of the rancher. "Perfect." She leaned up and kissed Lex on the jaw. "Sleep well, love."
"Mmm…" Lex murmured, already well on her way to sleep.
Charlie opened the door to their hotel room and allowed Martha to enter before him. He followed behind her and closed the door. "That sure was a good lunch," he commented as he took off his boots and gunbelt, hanging the leather over a nearby chair.
"It certainly was." Martha sat down on the bed and removed her shoes. "Ohhh…that feels so good." She smiled at her fiancee' when he dropped down beside her and pulled her legs onto his lap. He began a gentle massage on her feet and calves. She moaned in appreciation.
"You like that, huh?" Charlie teased as the housekeeper fell back on the bed with a relaxed sigh.
Martha threw one arm over her eyes. "Mmmhmmm…." She stretched out and exhaled heavily. "Have I told you lately what wonderful hands you have?"
He laughed, but continued his ministrations. "As a matter of fact…" Charlie tickled the bottom of her foot, "I believe you mentioned something about that just last night."
"Oh, YOU!" Martha kicked at him playfully. She sat up and pulled his cowboy hat off his head, putting it on with a sneaky grin. "Do you think that I'd make a good sheriff?"
"Sure! Want me to teach you the proper way to frisk someone?" Charlie crawled toward his intended victim.
She squealed and began to scoot backwards. "Charlie Bristol, you'd better not!"
The ringing of the bedside phone interrupted the sheriff's retort. He changed direction and picked up the receiver. "Hello? This is Sheriff Bristol."
"Charlie! I've been looking all over for you!" Robert Campbell sounded almost out of breath.
"What's wrong? Were you able to find Mark Garrett?" Charlie felt Martha crawl up behind him and wrap her arms around his waist. He patted her hands lovingly.
The young prosecutor sighed. "You could say that - we tracked him to England. One of our guys is on the next plane out to make a positive identification."
Charlie released a large breath of relief. "That's great. Do you think he'll give us much trouble?"
"Ah…no. I don't think he'll be any trouble at all. He's dead." Robert reported.
"Dead? What on earth happened?" The sheriff reached into his shirt pocket for his notepad and pen.
Robert shuffled papers for the information. "The investigators on the scene said he was standing on a street corner when he somehow got in the way of a bus. They think that he may have been pushed, but no one saw anything. The bus driver complained that he was the third person this month who 'jumped' in front of her bus." He tried to keep from laughing. "It took three men to keep her from kicking the body in anger. Little brunette thing, they said. Wouldn't think she had the strength."
The sheriff snorted. "Good lord. Well, I guess there goes our best chance of proving who is behind this whole mess. What else could go wrong?"
The agitated man rushed up to the nurse's station and looked around. He appeared as if he had slept in his expensive clothes, and he seemed out of place in the community hospital. His handsome face had a two-day growth of beard and his reddish brown hair was in disarray. "Excuse me." He addressed the women that were bent over some papers on the back desk.
The two nurses turned around. The older one smiled and stepped closer to speak. "Yes sir? Is there something I can help you with?"
"I'm looking for my daughter. She was in Intensive Care, but the nurse there said that she had been moved to this floor." When Michael had first been told that Amanda was no longer in Intensive Care, he panicked. He had thought the worst until the woman had assured him that his daughter had improved and was resting comfortably in a private room.
"What's her name?" the nurse asked. "I'll see if I can find her for you."
Michael sighed in relief. "Amanda Lorraine Cauble." He watched as she scanned a clipboard carefully.
"Hmm…let's see…Solomon…Davies…ah! Here she is…Cauble!" She looked up at him and smiled. "Room four-sixteen. Right down the hall and to your left." She pointed down the corridor. "But I'm afraid visiting hours aren't for another forty-five minutes. She's probably resting right now."
"Oh…okay." He smiled sincerely at the nurse. "Thank you for all your help. I'll just go grab some coffee and find a place to sit down for a bit."
The younger nurse looked at the rumpled man in sympathy. "There's a lounge just down the hall from her room. I think there's even a couch to lie down on if you want."
He returned her smile. "Great…I need to clean up a bit anyway. Wouldn't want to scare her." Michael winked and turned to leave. "Thank you again, ladies." He waved at them as he walked down the hallway.
Michael stood outside the door. Room four-sixteen. He glanced down at his watch. Only about fifteen minutes early…I don't see what it would hurt to just peek in and check on her. He ran his hand over his clean-shaven face. Cleaning up killed about half an hour. At least I look more presentable now. The executive wiped his damp palms on his pant legs. This is ridiculous. She's my daughter. Why am I so damn nervous? He took a deep breath and opened the door slowly.
The late afternoon sun dropped rays of fading light across the two people snuggled in the combined beds. They were both curled up in one…Amanda had a tight grip on Lex, who was nestled face-first in the smaller woman's chest. Michael bit off the yell of disgust before it could leave his mouth. Don't screw this up again, dumbass…it shouldn't matter who she's with, as long as she's happy. He was about to step into the room when a strong hand grasped his shoulder and pulled him back into the hallway.
"What are you doing here?" Jacob Cauble looked down on his son in anger. "Don't you dare disturb them!" He grabbed the younger man's sleeve and shook him.
"Dad? Wait! I can explain!" Michael covered his father's hand with his own and squeezed gently. "I've got a lot to tell you…and to ask of you." He looked up into blue eyes that were filled with anger. "Please? Can we go somewhere and talk?"
Anna Leigh put her arm around her husband's waist and pulled him back. "Darling…let's get out of the hallway and listen to what Michael has to say." She smiled at her son. "You look tired, honey." She offered her free hand to him and was surprised when he grasped it.
Michael almost broke down when he saw the look in his mother's eyes. I've hurt them both so much…I hope that they can forgive me. "I've never felt better in my life, actually." He smiled at Anna Leigh.
"Okay…let's go into the waiting room…I think it's empty right now." Jacob loved his son, but was disappointed in how he had turned out. I failed him, somehow. "C'mon…let's go someplace a little more private." He pulled the younger man to him and hugged him. "It's great to see you again, son."
"Thanks, Dad. I've really got a lot to tell you." Michael stepped in between his parents and allowed them to lead him down the corridor.
Lex woke up when the sun began to shine in her face. God…what time is it? She blinked several times and slowly raised her head. Her partner was still sound asleep and had a tiny smile on her face. The rancher moaned when she tried to sit up. Stupid, Lexington…sleeping in that position. Her back was still aching from the previous day's activities, and she had trouble stretching out.
"What's wrong?" Green eyes blinked open and peered upward. Amanda ran her hands down Lex's chest.
"Umm…" Lex slowly pulled away and rolled over onto her back. "Nothing's wrong." When Amanda gave her a look, she turned her head and smiled. "I slept in the wrong position and my back's a little stiff."
Amanda turned onto her side and propped her head up on one hand. She studied her friend carefully. "Since we're already here, why don't you have someone check it out? Nothing wrong with getting a second opinion."
The rancher shook her head. "I'm okay…really." She reached over and caressed the younger woman's face tenderly. "Dr. A told me that it would take several weeks for the bruising to heal completely. It's just something that I have to live with right now."
"I just hate seeing you hurt." Amanda leaned into the touch. "Do you think that we can just spend the next few days lounging around in bed? I'd really like to give you the chance to actually get over all of this."
Lex started to argue, but the sweet look on her lover's face halted her objections. She never asks me for anything. What would it hurt? "Okay."
"I know that you have a lot to do at the ranch, and…" the blonde continued to babble.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Lex smiled at her friend's nervousness.
Amanda didn't seem to hear her. "You've got to make sure that the fence is finished, and check the cattle in the winter pasture." A sudden finger over her lips stopped any more words from escaping.
"As you were so quick to point out to me recently, I pay the men at the ranch very well to handle those things." Lex sat up and leaned forward to look directly into the beautiful face across from her. "And to be stuck in bed with you for a couple of days? I think that I can handle the hardship." She replaced her finger with her lips and kissed Amanda tenderly.
"Mmm…" Amanda tangled her fingers in the dark hair and pulled the older woman closer. She rolled slightly until she way lying partially on top of Lex, then reached under the rancher's shirt to explore.
"Ahem." A discreet throat clearing from the doorway caused the blonde to pause. "Don't you two ever get enough?" Jeannie teased with a large grin on her face.
Amanda broke away from her ministrations regretfully. She turned around and slowly scooted back to her own bed. "No, we don't." She winked at Frank as he fought to control his laughter. "Are you jealous?"
Jeannie walked over to Lex's bed and sat down. "Of course not!" She edged closer until she was almost sitting in the rancher's lap. "But…" she leaned close to the dark-haired woman, "I certainly wouldn't turn Slim down if she ever got lonely."
"Give me a break!" Amanda laughed. "She's got MUCH better taste than that!"
"Now wait a minute!" Frank walked over and sat on Amanda's bed. "What does that say about me?" He looked over at Lex for help.
"Oh, no…don't get me in the middle of this mess." Lex sat up and waved her hands around. "I'll get into trouble no matter what I say."
Frank laughed. "With these two, I STAY in trouble." He reached over and gave the blonde's leg a light squeeze. "How are you feeling, Small Stuff?"
"I feel great. Do you think that you can sneak me out of here tonight?" Amanda covered his hand with hers. "I'd be eternally grateful."
The big man shook his head. "And I'd be eternally dead - your grandparents would kill me!"
"We certainly would!" Anna Leigh exclaimed from the doorway. She stood just inside the room with her hands on her hips. "You already promised me that you would stay the night, so I don't want to hear any arguments." She walked over until she was closer to her granddaughter's bed. "How are you feeling, dear?"
Amanda reached out with one hand to the older woman. When Anna Leigh grasped it, she pulled her grandmother closer. "I'm feeling much better, Gramma." She looked towards the closed door. "Where's Grandpa?"
Anna Leigh smiled. "He's talking with someone, Mandy. Do you think that you're up to another guest?" She glanced at the others in the room. I don't know if I should ask everyone to leave, or not.
"Sure. Can I have a couple of minutes to make myself a little more presentable?" Amanda ran her fingers through her hair. "I must look horrible."
Lex saw the look on the older woman's face and slowly climbed out of her bed. "You're always beautiful, Amanda." She kissed her lover on the top of the head and then slipped on her boots. "But I'll just run down to the giftshop and grab you a couple of things."
"I'll go with you." Frank could see the unspoken request on Anna Leigh's face. He patted Amanda's leg and jumped off the bed. "I need to stretch my legs anyway. See you in a few minutes, Lil' Bit." He hurried out after Lex.
Jeannie looked around. "I think I'd better go supervise…no telling what kind of trouble those two will get into without me." She stood up and patted her sister's arm. "I'll be back in a minute, okay?" She left the room quickly.
The young woman on the bed watched them leave. She gave Anna Leigh a confused look. "What's up, Gramma? You practically chased them all out of here." When her grandmother sat down beside her, she began to panic. "Is Grandpa okay? What's going on?"
"I'm sorry, honey. It's just that our 'guest' was a little afraid of the reception he might get. So I thought it would be best if it was just us here." Anna Leigh combed through Amanda's hair with her fingers. "You look fine, Mandy. Can I go ahead and bring him in?"
"Umm…okay." Amanda smiled nervously as the older woman crossed the room and opened the door. "Daddy?" She blinked as tears suddenly formed in her eyes.
Michael stepped into the room, unsure of himself. "Hello, Amanda." He almost cried when his youngest daughter opened her arms wide. "I'm so sorry, baby," he murmured as he hurried across the room and pulled her into his arms. "Please forgive me," he whispered into her hair.
Amanda could feel her father's tears as they began to trail across her cheek. "Oh, Daddy…" she cried in relief as part of her world righted after so many years. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby." Michael pulled back slightly and cupped her face in his hands. He gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "I'm so sorry for the way I've acted." He sniffled as Amanda used her hands to dry his face. "I've just had a long talk with Mom and Dad. I'd like to stay here in Texas for a while and get reacquainted, if you'll have me."
"Have you?" Amanda looked up into his eyes. "That's all I've ever wanted." She glanced over his shoulder when she heard a light knock.
The door opened slightly and a dark head popped in. "Oh." Lex saw Amanda wrapped in her father's arms. "I'm sorry…I'll come back later." She dropped a plastic bag just inside the room. "Here's some things for you, Amanda."
"Wait!" Amanda looked at Michael. Please, Daddy…try.
Michael turned around and looked at the young woman standing in the door. I still think that my little girl could do better. He thought about the scene in Los Angeles. But then again, she's got more money than I do now. And I've learned the hard way that money isn't everything. Oh, well… "Yes, please. Come in, Ms. Walters. I think I owe you an apology."
Lex walked toward the bed warily. "You do?" She stepped back a little when he rose to his feet.
"I don't know if I'll ever be able to like you, but I do want to apologize for my earlier behavior." Michael held out his hand. "It's apparent to me that you love my daughter, and that she loves you. So for her sake, I want to try and get along with you." He felt the strong grip as the rancher shook his hand.
"Sounds fair enough to me, Mr. Cauble." Lex glanced over his shoulder and saw Amanda smile. I'd try to get along with Satan himself if it put that look on her face.
He looked closely at the tall woman's face, and saw it soften as she met his daughter's eyes. Mom and Dad think the world of this woman…guess being a little nice can't hurt. "Might as well call me Michael, since we're going to be seeing each other some."
She looked down at him and grinned. "All right, Michael…" She saw her lover's plaintive look. "Most folks call me Lex…at least that's what they call me to my face." She winked and smiled broadly.
Nice smile…now I think I know what my daughter sees in her. Michael returned her smile. "Lex…it's going to be real interesting getting to know you, I think."
"Hey! Remember me?" Amanda waved her hands wildly. "Hello?"
Michael turned around and smiled at his daughter. Thank god for my parents…they've done an excellent job with her and Jeannie. I couldn't ask for two more wonderful daughters. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Feeling a little left out?" He sat back down on the bed and grasped her hand.
Amanda stuck out her bottom lip. "No…I'm fine…just a little ignored." She saw the look on Lex's face and almost laughed out loud. "What?"
"You are a brat." Lex walked back to the other side of the room and picked up the plastic bag. "And after I bought you all of this…stuff." She brought the bag over and dropped it on the other side of the bed. "Now, if you two will excuse me…I'm going to go mug someone for a cup of coffee." The rancher ruffled Amanda's hair and started for the door.
"Thank you, honey." Amanda enjoyed the view as Lex walked away from her. Definitely got to get her to rest and eat more…those pants are a little baggy.
Lex stopped in the doorway and turned. "Anytime, sweetheart. I'll be back in a few minutes…give you two some time to talk."
"I really appreciate that, Lex." Michael nodded in her direction. "Thank you."
"No problem." Lex waved and closed the door behind her as she left the room. She had only taken a few steps when the two policemen from the night before caught her in the hallway. Great…just what I don't need. Backwater Vice.
Sergeant Byers held out his hand to stop the tall woman. "Ms. Walters. Can we have a moment of your time?"
She glared at him. "Sergeant…I really don't think that this is a good time. I'm tired, sore, and there's a cup of coffee in the cafeteria with my name on it." She started to walk around him when the shorter detective grabbed her arm.
"You don't understand, Walters. That wasn't a request." He felt the muscles in her arm tighten right before she shook his hand away. "You can either talk to us now, or I'll be more than happy to handcuff your sorry ass and drag you down to our office." Oh, please…give me an excuse to slam you face first onto the floor, you cocky bitch.
"Let go of me, Officer." Lex purposely didn't use his title. "Or I'll sue you for harassment AND false arrest." She jerked her arm away from him and stepped closer so that he had to strain his neck to look into her face.
Byers grabbed the detective's shoulder and pulled him back. "Dammit, Barry! Back off!" He glared after his partner when the man raised his hands and stormed down the hallway. The sergeant gave Lex an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about that, Ms. Walters. He's been under a lot of stress lately."
Lex nodded. "Haven't we all? What the hell have I done to him, anyway?"
"It's not you, exactly. His wife just recently left him." The sergeant hoped that she'd understand, and not sign a complaint against the man he'd worked with for almost ten years.
"Yeah? Sounds like she got smart, if you ask me." The rancher was fed up with the stocky man's attitude. "Find herself a better guy?"
Byers ducked his head. "No…a better woman." He looked up into her widened eyes. "Just don't hold this against him, okay? He's normally a really good guy."
She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. "What is it that you need from me, Sergeant? I really do need to get some coffee and maybe a little bite to eat." Lex refused to discuss the detective any further. Serves him right…hope she bagged a beauty.
"I understand. How about if I buy you that cup of coffee, and we talk in the cafeteria? I really do need to get some information from you." He waved his arm in front of them.
"Sure. But I need to get back soon to check on my friend, all right?" Lex accepted his offer and began walking down the hallway. She stepped into the cafeteria and saw the detective brooding at a far table. She mentally shrugged her shoulders and walked over to sit by the sullen officer. When he looked up with a sneer, Lex raised her hands in defense. "Don't look at me like that…you're the ones who want to talk." She pulled out a chair and sat across from Weingart.
"Thanks again, Ms. Walters." Sergeant Byers sat next to his partner and opened a manila folder. "We just finished going over some information that had been forwarded to us from your sheriff's department, and wanted to ask you a few questions."
"Okay…but I don't know how much help I will be." Lex leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Should I call my lawyer?"
Detective Weingart stood up and leaned over the table. "Don't give us any attitude, Walters…you're in no position to be a smartass."
"Sit down, Barry." The sergeant grabbed the shorter man's shoulder and pulled him back to his seat. He gave Lex an apologetic smile. "I will try to make this as short as possible, Ms. Walters. I know you've been through quite a bit lately."
Lex nodded. "Thanks. I'll try to help you anyway I can." She glared at the detective. I don't know what Grumpy's problem is, but he's about to get an attitude adjustment, Walters-Style.
Sergeant Byers consulted the papers in front of him. "All right. As I was saying, the sheriff's department has dug up some very relevant information. They sent it to us, in hopes that we can relate it to Miss Cauble's poisoning."
They did? Charlie hasn't notified me yet…Lex tried to appear unconcerned. "Really? What does that have to do with me? I haven't heard anything."
"I'm not surprised. Civilians aren't usually very high up on our need-to-know list," Weingart grumbled. A well-placed kick to his leg shut the detective up. He frowned at the other man. I can't believe he's letting her get away with that attitude.
"Ms. Walters, from the information that Sheriff Bristol had given us last night, you've had some problems with Miss Cauble's family, correct?" the blonde man questioned carefully.
"What do you mean by problems? Her parents don't care much for me, but I get along just fine with everyone else." The rancher watched as Byers continued to take notes.
He looked up seriously. "Do you think that her father is capable of hiring someone to do you harm?"
Lex closed her eyes and thought for a moment about the man that she had met in California.
Michael stood up and stepped around the desk, trying to distance himself from the imposing figure. "Because you're a woman? No…" he went over and poured himself a drink, gulping the amber liquid down with a single swallow. Turning to face her, he grimaced. "Unlike Elizabeth, I have resigned myself to the fact that my youngest daughter is unnatural… there's not much I can do about that. But," he pointed the empty glass in the rancher's direction, "I can try to make her see reason when it comes to dirt-poor farmers trying to sink their claws into her bank account!" He filled the glass again, then drained it quickly.
Lex leaned back against the desk, arms crossed. "Dirt-poor farmer?" she laughed. "Number one - I'm a rancher…Second - I have no designs on Amanda's money." She stood up straight and walked over to Michael, standing only a step away from the shorter man. "Third - I have more than enough money of my own, that I certainly have no need for yours." She got right into his face and spoke. "Last, but not least, I love her with everything that I am…nothing can change that." Hands grasped in her shirt took Lex by surprise, as she felt Michael pull her closer.
Amanda stood at the doorway, trying to listen to the sounds within. Not hearing anything, she opened the door just in time to see her father grab Lex by the shirt and slam her into the bar. Before she could say anything, Michael had punched her lover in the face, causing her lower lip to bleed. "Stop it!" she shouted, scrambling across the room, trying to pull her livid father off of Lex. "Daddy! Let her go, now!" she tugged at his sleeve.
Michael Cauble shook his head to clear it, and then pushed the tall woman backwards again, happy to see that he was at least able to do some damage to her before his daughter interfered. "Get out of my house… you're not welcome here." He muttered, secretly hoping that the tall woman would try and retaliate. Then maybe Amanda would see her as I do…damned arrogant piece of trash.
"Gladly." Lex pushed by him, wiping her bloody mouth and chin with the back of her hand. She started for the door, trying to control her anger. Narrow-minded bastard… if he wasn't Amanda's father, I would… her thoughts ended there as she felt a small hand touch her arm.
She opened her eyes again and sighed. Oh, yeah…he was more than capable. Her mind then compared that scene with the man now sitting in Amanda's hospital room. "I'm not sure…I suppose that if he were mad or upset enough, maybe." She looked at the sergeant carefully. "What makes you ask that?"
"They found where Matt Sterling had been staying." The detective answered her. "He had received several calls from a number in California. The prosecutor's office traced them to a private office number in Los Angeles." He took the folder and passed a sheet of paper across the table. "The office was listed as Cau-King Enterprises, which is the name of the company that Michael Cauble is the CEO of."
"Cau-King?" Lex looked down at the paper on the desk and then reached into her pocket. Of course…Cauble-Kingston. It's the combination of his last name and Elizabeth's. Damn. She wadded up the scrap of paper from her pocket and tossed it on the table. I wonder if he knew that I was one of the majority stockholders in his company. "Great."
Sergeant Byers stopped writing when the paper hit the table. "What?" He looked at his partner in confusion.
"I just sold my stock in that company, recently." Lex mumbled. "But I had no idea that it was his."
"How much stock are we talking about?" Weingart asked.
Lex frowned. "Umm…over forty percent. It had been my mother's." And if the other stockholders bailed, that would just about ruin him…
The detective snorted. "Guess he figured it would be safer to get you out of the way. According to our records, Michael Cauble lost everything." He gave the dark-haired woman an obnoxious smile. "Bet your little 'friend' won't be too happy with you when she finds out you ruined her father…" He leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "But then again, she'll probably dump you when she learns that her father nearly killed her while trying to get to you."
That's right…he nearly killed his daughter trying to save his own rotten hide. Lex jumped up from the table in a rage. "That son of a bitch! He could have killed her!" She knocked her chair down as she raced from the cafeteria.