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 3
Chapter 5
"Oh, stop pouting! You're not going to win this one, so don't even try." Amanda glanced at her friend out of the corner of her eye. She was straining to see over the dash of Lex's truck and was afraid to take her eyes off the road for more than a moment. The temperature had dropped during the night to around twenty degrees, and the blonde woman was worried about hitting patches of ice on the road to town.
Lex continued to stare out the passenger window. The early morning sun was glinting off of the frost in the passing fields and she had to squint in deference to her headache. "I'm not pouting." Her heavy sigh caused condensation on the inside of the window. The rancher used her good hand to idly draw a small circle on the glass. Her right arm was still wrapped heavily with the elastic bandage, and Martha had made her wear an old sling to keep it close to her body. Stupid doctor…
As the truck reached the outskirts of town, Amanda tried again. "Honey, you can't really blame him for wanting you to go to the hospital instead of his office. Especially when you told him about the headache and the pain in your back." She knew that Lex did not like being fussed over, and truth be known her friend was probably a little frightened over what the tests might show. "He said it was just a precaution."
"If it's just a precaution, why did you make me pack an overnight bag?" Lex turned away from the window to study the younger woman's profile. "What did he say to you?'
"Doctor Anderson asked me to have you pack a bag in case the tests took longer than he thought. I guess he was afraid to ask you." Amanda reached over and patted the rancher's leg. "Now just relax. I promise that I'll be there with you the whole time, okay?"
Lex moved her hand away from the window and placed it on top of Amanda's. "You must think I'm acting like a child. I'm sorry, sweetheart." She raised their hands and kissed the young woman's knuckles. "Forgive me?"
Amanda smiled. "Oh, I don't know. How do you plan to make it up to me?" She felt a small thrill chase down her back as the rancher began to nibble on her fingers. "Okay. You win."
"Yeah?" Lex murmured as she continued her gentle assault. "So, I'm forgiven then?" She looked up as the truck pulled to a stop. "We're here?"
They were in the parking lot of Somerville Community Hospital. The older brick structure was only four floors, since a majority of the people went into the larger cities for most of their medical needs. It did have all the newest medical technology mostly due to private donations from the town's citizens.
Amanda had parked the truck near the side entrance as Doctor Anderson had requested. He had told her that he didn't want Lex walking any further than necessary, and that they'd be able to check her in at the nurses' station just inside the door. "Yep." She switched off the truck and turned sideways in her seat to look at the dark-haired woman. "You want to stay here while I go inside and get a wheelchair for you?" She knew it was probably pointless, but she had to try.
"Nah…I'm fine." Lex smiled at her and unbuckled her seatbelt. "Let's just get this over with, all right?" She watched as her friend climbed out of the truck and hurried to open her door. "Thanks."
"Anytime." Amanda smiled as she helped the rancher from the vehicle. "Lean on me, okay?"
Lex wrapped her good arm around the shorter woman's shoulders. "I always do, love." She smiled to herself when Amanda began to walk very slowly to the hospital entrance. "Sweetheart, I won't break, you know."
"I'm sorry…I just…" Amanda stammered, embarrassed at being caught coddling her lover.
"Don't be. I just don't want you to worry. I'm fine, really," the rancher assured her.
Amanda chuckled. "Don't worry? Why not ask me to do something easier? Like eat your cooking?" she teased, trying to steer the conversation away from serious matters.
They had almost reached the side entrance when Dr. Anderson met them outside with a wheelchair. "Good morning, ladies." He exchanged amused glances with the small blonde. "Hello again, Amanda." He focused his attention on Lex. "Lexington, have a seat. I'm not going to let the hospital gossips say that I don't treat my patients right."
Lex eyed the contraption warily. "I really don't think I need that, Dr. A."
The smaller woman had already maneuvered the rancher near the chair. "Consider this another one you're not going to win." She met Lex's stubborn glare. "Don't try that look with me, Slim. I'm not intimidated."
She released an aggrieved sigh, but Lex allowed Amanda and the doctor to assist her into the chair. "This is ridiculous. I'm just a little sore."
"Uh-huh…tell me another one." Amanda patted her on the shoulder then began to wheel her into the hospital. She leaned down until her mouth was right next to the rancher's ear. "Behave yourself and I'll give you a nice hot oil massage when we get home." Amanda kissed the ear before moving away.
Dr. Anderson laughed at the blush that colored the injured woman's face. "Well now, Lexington. I was going to get onto you for being so pale, but it looks like you've developed quite a bit of color in your cheeks." To escape the possible wrath of the dark-haired woman, he quickly led them through the automatic doors and to the nurse's station.
"Good morning, Dr. Anderson." A middle-aged nurse greeted them. "I see you found your patient." She smiled at the woman in the wheelchair. "Good morning, Lexington."
Dr. Anderson nodded. "That's right, Gina…didn't even have to send out a search party."
Lex waved at the petite woman with her good hand. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Fowler. Have you heard from William lately?" The gray haired nurse's son had worked at the ranch the summer before he graduated from high school three years ago. After graduation he decided that ranch life wasn't for him, but the lure of adventure called him into the Army. The last postcard that Lex had received from him had been postmarked Germany. The young corporal had hastily scrawled a teasing note about the beautiful frauleins to the amused rancher.
Nurse Fowler laughed. "Just last week, as a matter of fact. He has leave next month and will be coming home for Christmas."
"That's great. Tell him I said hello." Lex gestured over her shoulder. "Mrs. Fowler, have you met Amanda Cauble? She's living at the ranch now."
"It's nice to meet you, dear." Understanding dawned in the older woman's gray eyes. "You're Anna Leigh and Jacob's granddaughter, aren't you?"
Amanda smiled. "Yes ma'am. It's nice to meet you too." She unconsciously placed her hands on Lex's shoulders. "Do you know my grandparents?"
The nurse nodded her head. "Oh yes, I certainly do. I'm on the historical committee with Anna Leigh." She smiled at the closeness between the two younger women. Anna Leigh was right. Looks like Lexington finally found what she's been missing all this time. And such a nice girl, too.
"I hate to break up this little chat, but I'd really like to get started on those tests." Dr. Anderson gently took control of the wheelchair. "C'mon, young lady. Let's get you settled and changed into one of our fancy gowns."
"Can I…?" Amanda started, but was stopped by a raised hand.
The nurse sat a clipboard down on the counter. "Why don't you and I take care of the paperwork first, then I'll show you where the cafeteria is and you can grab a cup of coffee?"
Amanda watched as Lex was wheeled down the hallway. I'll be right there, love. Hang in there. She looked at the kindly nurse and smiled. "I promised Lex I would stay with her while the tests are being run.
"Honey, she's a big girl. I'm sure she'll be just fine." Nurse Fowler patted her arm. "All we really need is her signature on the bottom of this form - everything else we already have on file." She glanced up as Amanda began to sign the paper.
"It's okay. She gave me power of attorney a couple of weeks ago," Amanda assured her.
And what a surprise that had been, too. Lex had worked late with the ranch hands that day, not coming back to the house until almost midnight. Amanda was beside herself with worry because she had heard that they were searching for lost cattle in remote areas of the ranch. The rancher hadn't been seen or heard from in over five hours, and all the hired help had returned to the bunkhouse hours before.
Amanda had fallen asleep on the sofa in the den while she was waiting up for any word of Lex. She was startled out of a sound sleep by the sound of the back door closing and heavy bootsteps treading slowly down the hall. The worried young woman jumped off of the couch and peered around the doorway. "Lex? Is that you?"
The bootsteps moved towards her slowly in the darkness. "Amanda? Sweetheart, what are you doing up this time of night?" Lex kept her distance, however, allowing only the barest glimpse of her profile in the dim light.
"I was worried about you. Are you alright?" Amanda took a step closer, only for the rancher to step back. "What's the matter?"
Lex held her hands up to ward off any contact. "I'm a mess. No sense in you getting all nasty because of me." She took another step back, moving nearer the staircase. "Why don't we go upstairs? I can get cleaned up, and you can get to bed. I'm sorry for keeping you up but I lost the radio I was carrying."
The younger woman closed the distance between them. "You haven't answered my question. Are you alright?" The closer she got the more she could see. Lex was covered from head to toe in smelly mud.
"I'm fine. Just tired and really stinky." Her white teeth shone from a gunk-covered face. "I'm really sorry you were so worried. I was kinda stuck for a bit." Lex turned and motioned for Amanda to precede her.
After the rancher had gotten out of the shower she had told Amanda about her day. The first part of the afternoon was spent tracking. She finally caught up with the missing cattle after dark. They had somehow fallen into a pit of mud, and Lex had worked for the next several hours to dig them out. She figured that the radio was lying somewhere at the bottom of the pit since she couldn't find it in any of her pockets.
"I'm sorry that I worried you." Lex was lying on her left side with her hand propping up her head.
Amanda mirrored her friend's posture. "I think it was more the uncertainty than anything else. Not knowing if you were okay." She looked deeply into Lex's eyes and whispered softly, "I wouldn't be able to survive without you, Lex. You've become such a part of me."
They had settled down to sleep after a long talk. Lex tried everything she could to assure the younger woman that she wasn't going anywhere, and that Amanda would always have a home on the ranch.
Two days later, Amanda woke up alone. She rolled over towards Lex's side of the bed and saw that lying on the rancher's pillow was a large manila envelope with her name on it. She opened it and began to cry softly. Inside were signed and notarized papers giving Amanda Lorraine Cauble complete power of attorney of the Rocking W Ranch and Lexington Marie Walters.
"See? I told you I was fine." Lex grumbled as they drove towards Amanda's grandparent's house. Dr. Anderson had put a sturdy splint on her right arm and instructed Lex to keep it immobile for at least a week. The test results showed considerable bruising and swelling along her back and shoulders, but no permanent damage was detected. Lex took great enjoyment over her condition and continued to harass the younger woman. "Spent half the damn day proving my point, but I think it was worth it." Her last words were slightly slurred since she was fighting the effects of the sedatives she had been given earlier.
Amanda cut her eyes over at her jubilant friend. "God…you can be such a poor winner sometimes." She stuck her tongue out at Lex. "Be nice, or I'll tell Martha that the specialist said for you to stay in bed for the rest of the week."
Lex glared at her. "You wouldn't." She noticed the smirk on the younger woman's face. "You would!"
"Yep. My silence is not cheap." Amanda continued to watch the road in front of her. She could almost hear the wheels turning in Lex's mind. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
"Not cheap, huh? Are you saying that you can be bought? Just at an inflated price?" Lex was enjoying this conversation, but her mind was somewhat fuzzy, and seemed to be getting worse. Damn medication…feels like I'm about half-drunk.
Amanda turned the truck onto her grandparent's street. "Well…" she pulled up in the driveway and shut off the engine, "I'm just saying," she murmured, unbuckling her seatbelt and leaning towards the dark-haired woman, "that for the right price, I'll keep your secret."
The rancher raised her left hand and tangled it into the blonde hair to pull her lover closer. "You will, huh?" she whispered, their lips only a breath apart.
"Yeah," Amanda growled as she covered the older woman's lips with her own. "Wanna hear my price?" she asked after they broke apart breathlessly.
"Uh…" Lex had to clear her throat, "Uh-huh. I sure do."
Amanda kissed her again with shorter contact. "You have to promise me," another kiss, "to stay," another one, "in bed until Thursday. I promise to make it worth your while."
*TAP,TAP,TAP!*
The knocking on the passenger window caused both women to break apart quickly. An older man was standing outside the truck with a big smile on his face. "You two gonna play kissy-face all day, or are you coming inside to visit?" Jacob Cauble teased.
"Hi, Grandpa." Amanda waved. She regretfully pulled herself away from Lex and climbed out of the truck. The small woman circled the vehicle and practically knocked her grandfather to the ground. "I've really missed you."
"Hello there yourself, Peanut." The tall man wrapped his arms around Amanda and spun her around. "I've missed you too." He dropped her gently to the ground and studied the young woman carefully. "How are you doing, sweetheart?"
Amanda gave him a relieved smile. "Much better now." She stepped around him and opened the passenger door on the truck. "You ready to be social, Lex?"
The rancher grudgingly accepted Amanda's help to climb out of the truck. "Thanks." She leaned a little shakily against the truck. "Hey, Jacob. How's everything going?" She was really starting to feel the tranquilizer Dr. Anderson gave her before they left. Sneaky old goat…he slipped an extra one in, I'll bet.
Jacob tried to hide the grin that threatened to break out over his face. "Never been better, honey. Would you like some help getting into the house?" He winked at Amanda who was pulling a bag from the back seat of the truck.
"That would be great," Lex took a wobbly step towards the older man. "I seem to have a little problem with my legs right now."
"Watch out, Lexington. I think my husband is putting the move on you," Anna Leigh's voice warned from behind him.
Amanda closed the truck door and turned around. "Gramma!" She stepped over to the petite woman and enveloped her in a hug. "Long time no see," she teased.
Lex and Jacob stepped around them as the older man supported most of her weight. "I think Jacob needs to be the one who watches out," Lex chuckled, "I may just run off with him myself." He was the grandfather that Lex never had and she adored him. She allowed him to lead her into the house, leaving Amanda and her grandmother gaping after them.
"Sorry, Gramma. The doctor gave her another sedative before we left so she'd get some rest this afternoon." Amanda linked her arm with the older woman's as they followed the pair into the comfortably sized home.
Anna Leigh laughed. "Oh, honey. She's priceless!" She sobered and slowed their walk momentarily. "How is she, Mandy? She looks pale."
"Her arm is severely sprained and she has a couple of nasty bruises on her back, but Dr. Anderson said that all of the tests came back negative." Amanda followed her grandmother into the house. "He was pretty concerned about the head injury and wanted to keep her overnight, but I promised to get her to rest here instead. That's why she's acting so goofy. He gave her a shot of something before we left the hospital."
The two Cauble women watched in amusement as Jacob escorted the tall woman up the stairs. "Almost there, honey," he encouraged, "Just a few more steps."
"Did y'all add a few extra steps since the last time I was here?" Lex questioned. "It sure seems like it."
Amanda grinned at her grandmother and jogged up the stairs. She stepped in behind Lex and put her hands on the unsteady woman's hips. "How about an extra set of hands?"
"Good idea, Peanut. I think we're running out of steam." Jacob was standing on Lex's left side with her good arm wrapped securely around his waist. "Think you can make it now, Lexington?"
Lex kissed him on the cheek. "Piece of cake, Jake!" She turned her head slightly to wink at Amanda who was supporting her from the other side. "And you'd better watch those hands, Blondie. I could get the wrong idea," she giggled as they guided her to Amanda's old bedroom. "Damn, that's a hell of a walk. I'm pooped!"
Jacob gently lifted Lex's legs and swung them up onto the bed after she had sat down. He patted her knee gently. "You get some rest, sweetheart. I'll see you later." He walked over and met his wife at the door. They watched for a moment as their granddaughter fussed over the extremely groggy rancher. "C'mon, love…let's go downstairs and give these girls a little privacy. The coffee should be ready by now." He kissed Anna Leigh on top of the head before they turned and made their way back down the stairs.
"C'mon, honey. Stay awake for a few more minutes and help me get your comfortable." Amanda gently eased the sling off of Lex as the older woman fought to keep her eyes open.
"Mmm…you tryin' to take advantage of me, cutie?" the rancher murmured with a sly grin. "I gotta warn you; my girlfriend is the jealous type." She opened one eye as small fingers began to unbutton her shirt. "You're pretty good at that."
Amanda helped ease Lex into a sitting position so that she could remove her shirt. "Honey, this is going to hurt when I try to pull your sleeve over that splint." Dr. Anderson had wanted Lex to keep her arm immobile so he put an extensive splint on her. The metal and foam brace covered her arm from her elbow to her knuckles. He told them both not to remove it for a week, when he expected Lex back for her follow up exam.
Lex sighed. "No problem." She reached up with her good hand and took a firm grip on the right shoulder of her blue cotton shirt. Pulling hard, she ripped downwards until the sleeve was lying down by her wrist. "There…no more sleeve." She grinned and closed her eye.
"Oh, boy." Amanda shook her head and removed the rest of the shirt. She's gonna be pissed about that later. "Okay, sweetheart. Let's get this tee shirt on you now."
Chapter 6
Ten minutes later, Amanda stepped into the kitchen, a tired but relieved smile on her face.
"You look worn out, Mandy. Why don't you come and sit down before you fall down?" Anna Leigh pulled out the chair nearest her. She watched with concern as the young woman dropped gracelessly into the seat. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Amanda smiled at her grandmother. "I'm fine. Just been a really long weekend." She gratefully accepted the cup of coffee offered by Jacob. "Thanks, Grandpa."
"Anytime, Peanut." He sat down on the other side of her and laid his hand on her arm. "Anything we can do to help? You look like you haven't slept in days."
"I haven't." Amanda concentrated on the mug in front of her. "Everytime I close my eyes, I keep seeing Lex lying at the bottom of that ravine." Tears began to spill down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. "I thought she was dead…my entire world was gone."
Anna Leigh leaned over and wrapped her arms around the young woman. "Honey…" she pulled Amanda close to her. "You can't think like that. She's okay."
The small blonde spun and wrapped her arms around the older woman's neck as she began to cry harder. "Oh, Gramma," she buried her face in Anna Leigh's neck, unable to stop the tears. "I was so scared."
Jacob looked at his wife as understanding shined in his eyes. "I'm going to work in the office for a bit, and give you ladies a chance to have a little chat." He stood and placed a soft kiss on Amanda's head before leaving. "I love you, Peanut."
After crying fitfully for several minutes, the young woman finally wound down. "I'm sorry I fell apart like that," she sniffled and wiped her eyes with the napkin that Anna Leigh had given her, "I guess it all finally caught up with me."
"Mandy, you have nothing to apologize for. I did the same thing once we got Jacob home from the hospital after his wreck." Anna Leigh assured her. Earlier in the year, Jacob had been almost killed when a drunk driver had hit the car he was driving. Amanda had moved temporarily from California to help her grandmother, but never went back after his injuries had healed.
"You did? I never knew." Amanda looked at the older woman with a new respect. "You always seemed so strong, so in control." She saw the remembered pain in the green eyes so much like her own. Her grandmother had been a source of strength for them all and spent every available moment with Jacob at the hospital. She had even held Amanda as the young woman cried in fear of losing the man who was more like a father to her than a grandfather.
Anna Leigh took a deep breath and smiled. "Poor Jacob. I think I scared him to death the night we brought him home from the hospital."
After sending Amanda out for Chinese food at Jacob's request, Anna Leigh bowed to his good-natured complaints and helped him get comfortable on the sofa in the den. He had argued that she could not get him upstairs without their granddaughter's help, and he was tired of lying around in a bed.
"My love…I can rest as well here as upstairs. I promise to take it easy." Jacob took Anna Leigh's hand in his, kissing her knuckles. His left leg was incased in a cast from hip to toe, and his wife had covered him with a soft quilt. "It feels really good to just sit up normally for a change," he teased.
Anna Leigh was kneeling next to him, fussing with the covering. "I'm sure it does, Jacob. But you know the doctor said for you to not overdo it, or you'd be right back in the hospital." She felt a tightening in her throat. "And I don't think I could handle that right now." The weight of the past month or so came crashing down on the petite woman, crushing her spirit with remembered pain. "You almost…"a strangled sob broke from her chest as Anna Leigh leaned into her husband.
Jacob wrapped his strong arms around his wife and pulled her close. "Shhh… everything's okay now." He felt her bury her head deeper and cry harder. Without thinking, Jacob pulled Anna Leigh up into his lap and began to rock gently. "That's it, sweetheart. Let it out. It's all going to be okay now."
"I'm sorry for falling apart like that, love. I don't know what came over me," Anna Leigh sniffled sometime later. She pulled her head back and looked down. "How did I end up in your lap?"
Her husband looked at her sheepishly. "I'm not real sure myself, sweetheart." Jacob scooted back to make more room on the sofa. "But I kinda like where you are." He winked at her. "Wanna make out?"
She felt a gentle hand run down her back. "You're supposed to be resting, Jacob." Anna Leigh chastised, but she found herself not wanting to break the contact. "Well…I suppose a little snuggling couldn't hurt." She huddled up next to her husband and kissed him gently. "I love you, dearest."
"And I love you, my beautiful wife." Jacob returned her kiss as he pulled her closer.
Amanda reached over and wiped a tear from the older woman's face. She saw the strong determination and love that got her grandmother through the rough months of Jacob's recuperation. "I don't know how you did it, Gramma. I don't think I could ever be that strong." She inhaled a shaky breath.
"Honey, you're a lot stronger than you realize. I don't know of many who could have gotten through what you have in the past couple of months. Don't sell yourself short." Anna Leigh reached up and riffled the younger woman's hair. "Besides, you're MY granddaughter."
"Well, you do have a point there," Amanda agreed. She had always considered Jacob and Anna Leigh more than just her grandparents. The older couple had welcomed her into their home every summer of her life, giving her more love and support than her real parents ever had. "Thanks, Gramma."
Anna Leigh smiled. "Anytime, sweetheart. Now why don't we go find out what kind of trouble your grandfather is into now?" She stood up and stepped away from the table. "I swear that man of mine can get into trouble walking through the house." Once the two of them reached the doorway the older woman put her arm around Amanda. "Nice to see you got something from him."
"Gramma!" Amanda chuckled as they walked out the door. "You sound just like Lex!"
A gentle touch on her head brought Lex out of a wonderful dream. "Mmm…" She opened her eyes slowly and saw the same face that she had been dreaming about. "Hey, there." Lex murmured, her voice rough with sleep.
"Hey there yourself, blue eyes. Nice nap?" Amanda continued her gentle ministrations with the dark locks. I just love playing with her hair. It feels like silk on my fingertips. "How are you feeling, honey?"
"Okay…still a little woozy, I guess." Lex tried to sit up and dropped back to the pillow. "I guess I'm a bit more than a little woozy." She smiled at her friend.
Amanda studied her carefully. "I can tell…your eyes still look a little glazed. But Dr. Anderson called and told me that I needed to get you awake for a bit so that you can eat and take your medication."
Lex blinked a couple of times and lifted her left hand to the younger woman's face. "Are you okay? You look like you've been crying." She struggled to sit up. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
"Nothing." Amanda leaned into the touch and covered the hand with her own. "Had a good talk with my Gramma earlier." She searched the older woman's face with concern. "You doing okay?" she asked as she removed her hand and checked the rancher for fever.
"Fine." Lex gently batted the small hand away. "What kind of talk did you have with your grandmother that would make you cry?" She sat up a little more until she turned her arm the wrong way. "Damn!"
The blonde helped Lex until she was in a more comfortable sitting position. "You could ask me for help, you know. You don't have to try to do everything yourself." She reached behind her lover and fluffed the pillows.
"I know…"
"It wouldn't be admitting any weakness to actually let me help you every now and then…" Amanda continued as she fussed with the blanket covering Lex.
"Well, I…" Lex stammered, trying to sneak a word in.
"You can just be so darn stubborn sometimes!" Amanda stood up and walked into the bathroom mumbling. "I love you, and that means that I don't mind taking care of you when you need me to." She stepped back into the bedroom carrying a glass of water.
"Amanda?"
The young woman stopped next to the bed and sat down beside Lex. "So if I want to pamper you every now and then, you should just…what?" Amanda stopped in the middle of her good-natured tirade and looked at Lex.
The rancher smiled at her. "I don't mind you fussing, I just don't want you to wear yourself out, love." Lex held out her good hand. "You got something for me?" she smirked.
Amanda sighed as she handed over the glass of water and a couple of pills. "You do that on purpose, don't you?" She waited until Lex was finished with the water then took the glass back. "Just when I get a good rant started, you nip it in the bud by being agreeable."
"Well, there's no sense in being too predictable, is there? You'd get bored, otherwise." Lex teased. "And since you so kindly offered…think I could get an escort downstairs?" She reached up with her good hand and waited until Amanda grasped it.
"I should bring your dinner upstairs, but I know how you are." She pulled the dark-haired woman into a sitting position. "Promise me that you'll come back to bed after we eat?"
Lex grinned. "You gonna keep me company? I get awfully lonesome up here all my myself, you know."
The blonde chuckled as she helped Lex slip on a pair of sweat pants. "Yeah, I could tell when I came up here that you were pining away for me." She snapped the waistband gently.
"Do I get extra points since I was dreaming of you?" the rancher queried as Amanda adjusted the sling around her neck. She looked down into the green eyes that were a few inches from her own. "It was a really good dream. I could give you…Mrrumph!" a small hand covered her mouth.
"Hush. If you starting telling me about this dream, we'll both be late for dinner." Amanda stood on her tiptoes and replaced her hand with her lips for a quick kiss. She felt Lex's good arm snake around her back and pull her closer. "Lex…" she broke off slowly and tried to catch her breath. "You're not helping matters much, you know." She snuggled her face into the older woman's chest, being careful to avoid the injured arm. "And I think we'd better get you downstairs before those pills start to take effect…I don't think that I can carry you back up here like you can me."
Lex allowed the younger woman to wrap an arm around her left side. "Heh. That would be fun to watch." She began to walk cautiously through the bedroom and down the hall. "At least I can walk now. Guess whatever that old quack injected me with has worn off," she mumbled as they worked their way down the stairs.
The doorbell cut off any reply that Amanda was about to make. The two women stood on the stairway and watched as her grandmother went to answer the door. "Hi girls. Let me get this, and then I'll give you a hand." Anna Leigh waved at them as she passed by the stairs. She opened the door partially and then stopped. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to you, Mrs. Cauble," a man's voice called from the front porch. "If you'll give me just a minute, I'll be gone before you know it."
Amanda and Lex were standing at the foot of the stairs a few feet away. "Who is it, Gramma?" The younger woman asked as she took a step forward. Lex followed her cautiously.
The door swung open wider, and Rick Thompson stepped inside. "What are you two doing here?" He pushed by Anna Leigh and moved to confront the younger women.
"Mr. Thompson! Do not barge into my home and yell at members of my family!" Anna Leigh put a restraining hand on his arm. "I will be forced to call the sheriff and have you removed."
The large man looked down at her hand that was wrapped around his arm. His face softened slightly. "I didn't come here to cause any trouble, Mrs. Cauble. I really did want to talk to you, though." He glanced back over at Lex who had casually placed herself between him and Amanda. "Damn, Kentucky…you look like hell."
"Thanks, Rick. Looks like that bruise on your chin healed nicely." The rancher smirked. The last time they had seen the angry man was during a confrontation at the real estate office where Rick used to be the manager. When Anna Leigh had found out that he had sent her granddaughter on a wild goose chase to Lex's ranch, she immediately fired him and gave his job to Amanda. He had struck out in anger at Lex, and Amanda used her kickboxing skills to knock him to the floor, unconscious.
Amanda stepped up until she was in front of the dark-haired woman. "Why don't we all go into the den where it's more comfortable?" She felt Lex's hand rest gently on her shoulder and squeeze lightly.
"I came here to talk to Mrs. Cauble, not you." Rick pointed an accusing finger at the small blonde. He turned back towards Anna Leigh. "I can't get a job in this damn town anywhere, thanks to you."
"Now wait a minute. Are you accusing my grandmother of blacklisting you? Because if you are, you are completely off base." Amanda stepped away from Lex and moved closer to the seething man. "Have you ever considered that everyone in this town knows you?"
"Yeah? So what?" Rick crossed his arms across his chest and glared down at the younger woman. "It's a small town."
Lex walked slowly until she was behind Amanda again. "What she's trying to say Ricky, is everyone else in town knows what an ass you are." She saw as Anna Leigh fought to keep the grin off of her face. "Why would anyone want to hire someone with a track record like yours?"
Rick stepped forward and jabbed Lex in the chest with a finger. "You'd better watch your mouth, Kentucky…or I'll break your other arm!"
Anna Leigh grabbed his arm and pulled. "I think you've had your say, Mr. Thompson. It's time that you left."
"I don't need this shit from you…any of you!" He spun away from the older woman and headed for the door. "I'll finish with you later, Kentucky." Rick stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind him.
"Jackass." Lex mumbled. "Are you okay, Anna Leigh?" She asked as the small gray-haired woman locked the front door.
Amanda wrapped her arm around Lex and hugged her gently. "I could ask you the same thing, honey. He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"I'm just fine, Lexington. Why don't we all go into the den and sit down? You're looking a bit pale." Anna Leigh quickly stepped to Lex's other side and helped her granddaughter escort the injured woman into the next room. "I don't know what that man thought he could accomplish by barging in like that. Did he actually think I would give him his job back?"
Lex chuckled as they helped her sit on the loveseat close to the fireplace. "He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer." She groaned softly as she leaned back. "I'm guessing that he just felt like harassing someone, and you just happened to be convenient."
"Maybe we should call the sheriff. He did threaten you, Lex." Amanda snuggled down next to the rancher. "For all we know, he could be the person behind what happened to you on Saturday."
Anna Leigh sat on the sofa across from them and curled her feet up under her. "I thought you said it was just thieves that you had stumbled across. What makes you think that Rick might be involved?"
"Did I hear you mention Rick's name?" Jacob walked into the room and took the place next to his wife. "Hello, sweetheart." His kissed her on the cheek. "What has that fool done this time?" He looked over at the two woman wrapped up together on the loveseat. "Hi, girls. Are you feeling any better, Lex?"
"Much better, Jacob. Thanks for asking." Lex smiled. "We had a visit from Rick a little while ago, but your beautiful wife ran him off." She winked at Anna Leigh who blushed slightly. "The poor idiot thought that Anna Leigh had blacklisted him since he hasn't been able to find a job around here anywhere."
Amanda poked Lex. "Be nice." She turned her attention towards her grandfather who was pulling his wife close to him. "Charlie thinks that whoever has been cutting the fences at the ranch was after Lex personally." She saw the shock on her grandparent's faces and continued quietly, "Especially since several different people have threatened her over the past month or so." Amanda felt the arm that was wrapped around her stomach pull her closer.
Lex kissed the top of the blonde head under her chin. "We don't know that for sure, sweetheart." She gave the older Cauble's a wink. "Besides, Rick isn't smart enough to pull something like that off without being caught. He can barely tie his shoes without help."
"I agree with you about the sense that boy has," Jacob nodded, "But he could just be the brawn behind the operation. Maybe someone else is calling the shots."
Anna Leigh gave both young women a glare. "Why didn't you tell us that you had gotten threats, Lexington? Maybe we could have done something."
"We didn't want to worry you unnecessarily, Gramma. There isn't much that anyone can do until Charlie gets more evidence." Amanda answered for the rancher.
"She's right. And, personally, I think that Charlie has just been reading too many mysteries lately and is trying to play detective." Lex joked, trying to lighten the mood in the room. "Although picturing him decked out like Sherlock Holmes is always good for a laugh." The tall thin sheriff was never without his silver cowboy hat and rumpled brown uniform shirt. The thought of him dressed in London gentleman's clothes and a deerstalker hat made Lex almost laugh out loud.
Amanda didn't have the same self-restraint. She giggled at the mental picture. "Oh, god. Charlie as Sherlock Holmes. Would that make Martha his Watson?"
The rancher lost her composure after that comment. The image of her housekeeper wearing a bowler and dressed as the famous detective's sidekick was too much for her. "Oh god, Amanda," she chortled, "That's a picture I really didn't need in my head." She leaned back against the sofa and closed her eyes.
"That would be a sight." Jacob agreed with a chuckle. He watched as Lex fell back tiredly. "I almost forgot the reason I came in here to begin with." He stood and pulled his wife up next to him. "I brought dinner home."
Anna Leigh found herself wrapped in her husband's strong arms. "And what great feast have you prepared for us this evening, darling?" She laughed as Jacob spun her around the room to imaginary music.
Jacob continued to twirl his wife from the room. "Only the best for our family, my dear. Take out from the Peking Palace!"
Amanda laughed as her grandparent's waltzed into the kitchen. She glanced at Lex, whose eyes were still closed. "Honey?"
Lex opened her eyes slowly. "Hmm?" She struggled to sit up. "What's up?"
"Grandpa brought home Chinese takeout for dinner." Amanda ran a hand lovingly down the older woman's face. "You want me to just bring you some in here?"
"No…I'm fine." Lex raised herself upward. "I may need a bit of help getting off the couch, though," she smiled tenderly at Amanda. "Especially since I seem to have a lapful of cute realtor on top of me."
The young woman blushed and stood up. "Oops. Now how do you suppose that happened?" She reached down and carefully pulled Lex to her feet. "C'mon…let's get in there before all the good stuff is gone." Amanda wrapped her arm around the taller woman and led her from the room.
The lone figure sat in the darkened room, the only light coming from a small lamp in the center of the desk. Impatient hands rifled through several stacks of papers as they searched for something. Photos were also strewn haphazardly across the desk, showing a dark-haired woman in many of the shots. Pictures on horseback, outside a large stucco house, or with a small blonde woman all had the same tall figure in each shot. It was one of the latter photos that the figure picked up and gazed at for a long moment. Angry eyes flashed as the hands ripped the photograph in half. "You will not get away with this," the impassioned voice growled, "I will see you burn in Hell before I allow this to continue."
One hand reached to the side of the desk where the phone sat and dialed a number from memory. The other hand angrily discarded the torn photo into a nearby trash bin already filled with similar victims.
"Yeah?" A man's voice sleepily answered on the fourth ring.
"Have you done what I asked?" the brooding figure at the desk questioned without preamble.
The man on the other end of the phone became instantly alert. "Well…" he stammered, "It's not as easy as you might think. I have to be really careful, you know."
A fisted hand slammed down on the desk. "Now you listen to me, you pathetic moron. I'm not paying you to think. Just do as you are told." Silence for a moment as they thought. "Alright. Did you at least get the hospital reports?"
He sat on the edge of his bed and ran a trembling hand through his hair. "Yeah. She must be a goddamned cat. Not one broken bone - just a twisted arm, some bruises, and a concussion. Why?"
"Because, you idiot…if she's not seriously injured, then she'll quickly get back to business as usual. Which means…"
"Oh! I get it! Which means I can try again?" he interrupted, trying to get back into his bosses' good graces.
The voice on the other end of the line almost screamed in frustration. "No!" a heavy sigh. "It means that we'll be able to tell if she suspects anything by how she goes about her daily business. I don't want anything to happen to her…just yet, anyway."
He stood and paced the cluttered room. "What the hell do you want me to do, then? Follow her around and take more damn pictures?"
Dead silence from the other end of the phone for a long moment. "Don't," the voice whispered menacingly, "Ever…take that tone with me!"
"Okay…okay…sorry." He whined as he kicked an empty beer can across the room. "But I hate to just sit around and do nothing!"
"Stop whining. I promised you that you'll get your chance, just be patient. We just have to wait for the perfect opportunity."
He sat back down on the bed, then brightened. "I can always mess with her truck. The weather is kind of bad right now…no one would think anything of it."
"NO! I don't want to take the chance of hurting…" The mysterious voice caught itself before it revealed too much. "No. I don't want any more accidents right now. I'm looking into ruining her professionally and then personally. If that doesn't work, THEN we'll try something more… permanent."
"Jacob, that has got to be the best Chinese food I've eaten in months!" Lex sighed as she leaned back away from the table. Of course the fact that almost every other bite was fed to her by the small blonde woman next to her had nothing to do with her enjoyment of the meal. Amanda had taken pity on the rancher as she tried to eat with her left hand, and gave her tidbits off of her own plate in fun. Oh yeah…definitely the best Chinese food I've had…period!
The older man looked up from where he was putting the leftovers in the refrigerator. "I'm glad you liked it, honey. I've been having a hankering for Chinese for over a week and I know it's one of your favorites."
Lex smiled at him in appreciation. "Thanks. Don't tell Martha, though. The last time she tried to fix stir fry, she almost burned the house down." As proficient as the housekeeper was in the kitchen, she never mastered the use of the wok that Lex had given her one Christmas.
"That's okay, sweetheart. Your secret is safe with us." Anna Leigh assured her. She watched as the injured woman tried to hide a yawn. "Mandy, why don't you get Lexington upstairs before she falls asleep at the table? I'm sure she'd be more comfortable in bed than in that chair."
Amanda looked at Lex who shrugged sheepishly. "Guess that medication is really starting to get its hold on you, isn't it?" She studied the slightly glazed eyes. "Yep. It sure is." The younger woman stood up and smiled at her grandparents. "If you'll excuse us, I'll escort Her Majesty to our room." She held her hand out to Lex. "C'mon, tough stuff. Nap time."
"Yes, Mother." Lex allowed herself to be pulled up out of her chair. "You gonna read me a story, too?" she teased as the blonde wrapped an arm around her waist.
"If you're good, I will. I may even bake you some cookies later if you behave." Amanda teased as she helped her friend out of the kitchen. "I'll be back to help with the dishes in a little bit," she called over her shoulder.
Anna Leigh waved her off. "No need, honey. Why don't you get some rest too? We're going to make an early night of it ourselves." She winked at her husband who grinned happily.
Lex chuckled as they worked their way back up the stairs. "Have they always been like that?" she asked the smaller woman.
"Oh, yeah. For as long as I could remember. I used to wonder what was wrong with my own parents. I rarely saw them in the same room, much less actually acting as if they cared for one another." Amanda felt the rancher lean a little more heavily on her. "Are you going to be able to make it up the stairs? Maybe I should get Grandpa." The weight immediately eased from her.
"Nope. I'm fine." The taller woman looked down at her lover. "Guess I just got a little carried away with my leaning. Sorry about that." She stood up a little straighter and took in a deep breath. "Let's go."
They walked the rest of the way in silence, Amanda lost in the memories of a childhood spent with indifferent parents and loving grandparents. She wordlessly sat Lex on the edge of the bed and pulled her sweatpants off, leaving the rancher in her flannel boxer shorts and tee shirt. A gentle touch on Amanda's face brought her back from her musings.
"Amanda? What's the matter, sweetheart?" Lex was somewhat unnerved by her usually chatty friend's reticence. She looked up into the soft green eyes and saw her partner come back to her.
The blonde shook her head and smiled. "Nothing. Just thinking." She helped Lex swing her legs back onto the bed and covered her.
Lex wasn't giving up easily. "About what? You looked a little lost there for a bit." She blinked and struggled to keep her eyes open.
"Nothing important, really. I just remembered a time when I was younger. I asked Gramma why my parents weren't like them." Amanda sat down on the other side of the bed and clasped the rancher's hand. "She told me that different people show their love in different ways. And that Daddy did love Mother, but he just had a different way of showing it." She felt her hand pulled towards Lex as the older woman kissed her knuckles. "I guess Gramma just didn't want to tell me that my parents had more of a merger, than a marriage." Tears of past hurt fell from her eyes.
"Sweetheart." Lex pulled the young woman close. She felt Amanda curl up next to her and tuck her face into her neck. "Shhh…it's okay." The rancher felt helpless as her lover continued to cry. She whispered quiet words of reassurance to the younger woman as she stroked the blonde head.
Amanda stopped crying after a few minutes and raised her head. "I don't know what's gotten into me today," she sniffled, smiling as Lex wiped her face with a corner of the sheet. "That's the second time today. I'm sorry, Lex."
The rancher smiled and stroked the soft cheek with her thumb. "You have nothing to apologize for, love. I think the past few days just caught up with you." She looked down at their tangled bodies. "Not that I'm complaining, but don't you think you'd be more comfortable out of those clothes?"
"Probably." Amanda blushed. "But I want to go downstairs and tell my grandparents goodnight, first." She regretfully pulled away from the long form stretched out on the bed. "I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
"Sure." Lex yawned. "Give them my love." She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Amanda stood at the doorway for a long moment and studied her sleeping lover. The scratches on her face were almost healed, and the bruises were already fading as well. Looks like she's going to be just fine. I don't know how Martha has survived this all these years. The housekeeper had confided to her one afternoon that Lex was always getting into some type of trouble. She shook her head and started back down the stairs.
She saw a light coming from the den and altered her direction. Poking a blonde head cautiously around the corner, Amanda saw her grandparents speaking to another person. She could see the back of the man's head where he was sitting on the sofa.
"Mandy! Come on in, we have a visitor." Anna Leigh saw her granddaughter standing at the doorway and beckoned her in.
The young woman stepped into the room and the guest stood up. He turned to face her and smiled. "Hello, Miss Cauble," Mark Garrett held out his hand. "I hope you don't mind me dropping in unannounced like this."
Amanda took his hand and returned his smile. "Please, call me Amanda. I thought we had that settled in the office last week." She sat down and waited for him to do the same. "You're always welcome, Mark. But what brings you here this evening?"
Anna Leigh answered her question. "He brought some flowers by for Lexington. Wasn't that thoughtful?" She pointed to a large arrangement of mixed blooms on a nearby table.
"Very." Amanda eyed the flowers appreciatively. "But that really wasn't necessary, Mark."
"Well, I dropped by your office to leave some paperwork, and one of the ladies there told me that your friend was hurt in an accident." He looked over at Jacob and Anna Leigh. "Lex and I got acquainted when we sat next to each other at the fall dinner party." Mark turned his attention back to Amanda. "I really enjoyed her company then, and I just wanted her to know that I wished her well."
Jacob decided to steer the conversation into a different direction. "That's great, Mark. You were telling us that you used to work for our son?" He saw his granddaughter visibly relax. "Why did you quit?"
Mark nodded at the older man. "Yes sir, I did. But I was ready for a change of scenery, and wanted to move my family somewhere that my children could grow up safe, yet educated. Lex had told me about Somerville, and it sounded like a really good place to settle." He smiled at Amanda. "Especially since I know I can trust the local realtor."
"That's true, you certainly can." Jacob agreed heartily. He gave his granddaughter a wink. "This town's always had real good luck with the women from that office." His wife gave him a playful slap on the arm. "Hey!"
Amanda laughed at her grandparent's antics. They never stop…just like two newlyweds. She smiled inwardly, Or like Lex and me. Cool. "Lex is going to be sorry that she missed you, Mark. She's upstairs resting right now."
"Oh, that's fine. I'm certain I'll see her around sometime. It is a pretty small town." The young man stood. "I didn't mean to stay so long, anyway. I'm sure you folks have things to do."
"And I'm sure you want to get back to your family." Amanda stood with him. "Where are you staying?"
He shook his head. "They're still in New Mexico. I decided to come on ahead and find us a house first." Mark allowed Amanda to escort him to the front door. "Hopefully I can have them here for Christmas."
"That means you'll be all alone at Thanksgiving." Amanda made a quick decision. Well, Lex did say the more the merrier, right? "Why don't you join us at the ranch this Thursday for Thanksgiving dinner? We'd love to have you."
"Oh, I couldn't impose on you like that." Mark stopped just outside the door.
Jacob and Anna Leigh stepped up behind Amanda. "If I know my granddaughter and Martha, there'll be more than enough food to go around." The older man laughed. "Besides, it would help even things out some. I think it's just going to be Charlie and me as the only men there. We could use your help."
"You love being surrounded by women, you nut." Anna Leigh poked her husband in the ribs. "But Jacob's right. There will be plenty of food and you'll be more than welcome."
Amanda reached out to shake Mark's hand again. "Then it's settled. I want to go into the office in the morning for a few minutes, so if you'll give me a call there I can give you directions to the ranch." She stepped out on the front porch with him. "Thank you so much for bringing the flowers by. I know Lex will appreciate them. It really was very thoughtful of you."
Mark ducked his head and smiled. "It wasn't much. Just tell her I hope she's feeling better soon, and I'll see you all Thursday." He released Amanda's hand and walked towards his car.
The older Cauble's stepped out onto the porch with Amanda and watched Mark drive away. "Such a nice young man," Anna Leigh commented. "Bringing flowers over for Lexington like that." She wrapped an arm around the younger woman's waist and pulled her close. "How is she feeling, dear?"
"She was falling asleep when I left her a bit ago." Amanda answered as she returned her grandmother's hug. "I just came downstairs to tell you and Grandpa goodnight."
Jacob moved to Amanda's other side so that she was sandwiched between the two of them. "I'm glad you did, Peanut. We love seeing you, just hate to have been under these circumstances." He kissed the blonde head. "Are you going back to the ranch tomorrow? We'd love for you both to stay an extra day or so."
Amanda sighed happily as she soaked up the love from her grandparents. "Thanks. I think I'm going to try and talk her into staying an extra day. I'm afraid that if we go back to the ranch, she'll try to work. There's always something out there that needs her attention."
"That's a good idea, sweetheart. You can go into the office in the morning, and we'll keep an eye on Lexington for you." Anna Leigh looked her granddaughter in the eye. "But right now I want you to go upstairs and go to bed. You look completely worn out." Her tone brooked no argument.
"Yes ma'am, Gramma." Amanda kissed her grandmother's cheek with a smile. "I'll see you in the morning." She hugged Jacob and kissed his cheek as well. "Goodnight."
Anna Leigh linked her arm with her husband's as they watched the young woman jog up the staircase. "It's getting pretty cold, love. What do you say to hot chocolate in front of the fire before bed?"
"That sounds like a great idea, sweetheart. I'll take care of the fire if you want to bring in the chocolate." Jacob followed his wife into the house and closed the door behind them.
Amanda stepped quietly into the bedroom and quickly changed into an oversized sleepshirt. It was actually one of Lex's tee shirts that she had stolen, but the rancher didn't have the heart to take it back. When she had offered to buy Amanda a nightshirt that fit, the younger woman had laughed. I keep trying to tell her it isn't the size, or the style… it's because it's hers. Lex had given her a look like she thought she was crazy, but didn't say anything else. Probably the same reason I find her snuggling my pillow when I'm not there. She looked at the bed and saw Lex lying flat on her back with a pillow hugged to her chest. Not like she'll ever admit to it, though. Amanda smiled as she crawled onto the bed next to Lex.
"Mmm…Amanda." Lex murmured in her sleep with a smile. She squeezed the pillow to her tighter, then frowned. "Amanda?" Her eyes opened slowly to see the blonde woman leaning over her with a huge smile on her face. "What?"
"Miss me?" Amanda leaned down and kissed her gently.
Lex blinked a couple of times. "Sure. How'd you guess?" She lifted her head and returned Amanda's kiss. "Have I been asleep long?"
The younger woman raised back up and looked first at Lex, then at the pillow she was still hugging. "Comfy?" She chuckled at the look the rancher gave her. "No, honey… you haven't been asleep long. But you had a visitor earlier."
"Yeah? Who?" Lex watched with a fond smile as Amanda removed the pillow and took its place on her chest.
"Mark Garrett dropped by with some flowers. He heard that you got hurt and wanted to pay his respects." Amanda snuggled close with a happy sigh.
The older woman began rubbing Amanda's back gently. "Really? That's kinda strange, isn't it? I don't even know him that well." She felt her eyes slowly close against her will.
Amanda lifted her head up just enough so she could place a soft kiss on Lex's jaw. "I think he appreciated that you were so nice to him at the dinner party." She burrowed back down on the rancher's chest. "I invited him to Thanksgiving dinner since he'll be away from his family. I hope that's okay with you."
"You can invite whoever you want to, sweetheart. It's your home too, you know." Lex yawned. "How did he know where to bring the flowers, though?" she asked as her eyes began to close. "Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you." She pulled Amanda close and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too, Lex. Sleep well," Amanda whispered as she heard the even breathing of her lover. That is a good question. I know that the people in the office don't make a habit of telling strangers any personal information. I'll have to ask around in the morning. She mentally shook her head. Lord, I'm getting to be paranoid. They probably remembered seeing me talk to Mark and thought it would be okay, which it was. I've got to stop thinking like everyone is out to get us. Definitely need to quit watching those alien cover up television shows. She allowed Lex's steady breathing to coax her into sleep.