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 6

Chapter 11

Lex opened her eyes and saw Lester's concerned face hovering above her. "What happened?" she murmured, "Why am I on the floor?"

"Good lord, Miz Lex! Are you okay? You done scared ten years off of me!" The old cook ran trembling hands down the reclining woman's arms. "You didn't have a relapse or something, did you?"

"No…I don't think so." Lex slowly raised up to a sitting position to lean against the wall. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. "Did I hear you right? My grandfather is alive?"

Lester slowly climbed to his feet. "That's right. At least he was about a month ago when I got his last letter." The old man hobbled over to the radio that was sitting on the counter. "I'm getting too damn old for all this excitement," he grumbled. He picked up the freestanding microphone and hit the transmit key, signaling the radio at the ranch house. "Excuse me a minute, Boss. I gotta buzz the main house before Ronnie gets there."

The rancher slowly rose from her position under the window and sat down at the kitchen table. "Why is Ronnie going up to the…" Understanding dawned in her blue eyes. "Oh, hell." Amanda and Martha will come unglued when he gets there, she worried.

"He took off before I could stop him, Miz Lex. The little guy just happened to walk into the kitchen the same time that you hit the floor." He put the microphone to his lips. "Main house, this is Lester. Do you read me?" He released the key and waited.

"Why the radio? Is there something wrong with the phone?" Lex asked as they waited for a response from the house.

"I was going to tell you about it this evening, Boss. It was out yesterday morning when I got up." Lester gave the rancher a shrug of his shoulders.

A clear voice from the radio interrupted him. "I read you loud and clear, Lester. This is Amanda. Is something wrong?" She had been carrying the handheld radio around in her sweater pocket in case Lex called.

The old man looked over at Lex with a worried look. The dark-haired woman had her arm propped up on the table, resting her forehead on her open hand. "Everything is okay, Miss. But Ronnie is going to show up there any minute now, all excited and upset. Just tell him that you talked to me, and that everything is all right."

"Why is Ronnie on his way up here? What's going on?" Amanda's voice had a slightly panicked tone to it.

"Lester, this is Martha." The housekeeper overheard the conversation and had taken the radio away from the distraught young woman. "Is Lexie there with you?"

Lex looked up and saw that Lester was becoming increasingly frustrated. She stood up and gently took the radio microphone away from him. "Martha? Calm down. Everything is just fine." She leaned back against the kitchen counter and closed her eyes. "I had a little shock a bit ago, and kinda passed out for a minute. But I'm okay now, so just…"

"You passed out? Oh, Lexie! Maybe we should…" Martha was interrupted when Amanda suddenly seized the radio.

"Lex? My god, are you okay?" Amanda's voice trembled. "What happened?" She didn't wait for an answer. "That does it. I knew you were going to overdo it. Just stay right there…I'll get the truck and pick you up in a couple of minutes."

"Wait!" Lex nodded thankfully at Lester when he brought her a chair to sit on. "Sweetheart, I'm fine, really. I just had more of a shock than I was able to handle, that's all."

Amanda took a deep breath and sat down at the kitchen table. "What kind of shock?" She heard a frantic beating on the front door. "I think Ronnie's here, honey." The young woman watched as Martha nodded and left the room. "Now… you were going to tell me what kind of shock would make you pass out?"

The rancher chuckled. "Yeah…it does sound sorta strange, doesn't it?" She felt calmer since she could hear Amanda's voice. Now isn't that pitiful? "Lester just told me that my grandfather is alive, and I guess it kind of threw me for a loop." Major understatement, Lexington old girl. More like knocked you senseless.

"Oh, honey…that's wonderful news! What else did he say?" Amanda felt a large weight lift off of her shoulders as she realized that Lex was okay.

"I don't know. That's when I passed out," Lex ruefully admitted. "But we're about to make our way back to the house. Hopefully we can get Lester to tell us a little bit more about all of this."

Amanda smiled and waved to the teenage boy that Martha escorted into the kitchen. "Sounds great, love. I'll be looking for you." She rose and walked over to the window as if she could see where Lex was calling from. "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. We'll be there in a few minutes, okay?" Lex looked at the old cook, daring him to say something about her use of endearments. She sat down the microphone and laughed. "Ronnie made it there in record time. Maybe we should see if he wants to join the school track team."

Lester grabbed his coat from a nearby hook and pulled it on. "Maybe so. Lord knows that boy has been a godsend for me. He never complains and is always looking for something to do." He went over to a nearby closet and grabbed a metal box, tucking it under his arm. This should help her understand where Travis and Melanie were coming from a little better. Hopefully she won't hold their absence against them.

Lex led the old man out of the bunkhouse and closed the door behind them. "Is that so? I'm really glad, Lester. He's had a rough life, that's for sure." She climbed into the jeep and waited for him to do the same. "What's in the box?"

"Something I think you'll be rather interested in, Miz Lex. I'm just sorry I didn't show you this before now." Lester looked at the young woman sadly. "I just always assumed that you knew about your grandparents but didn't want to have anything to do with them."

"Don't worry about it." Lex flinched as the jeep hit a particularly rough spot in the road. "Remind me to get some new shocks put on this old thing, would you? This damn road's going to beat me to death." They rode the rest of the way to the main house in silence; both caught up in their own thoughts.

Lex pulled the jeep up to the front of the house. She watched as Lester slowly pulled himself out of the vehicle and stretched. "You okay, Lester?" She walked around the rear of the jeep and met the old man as they started up the steps to the house.

"Just fine, Boss. I reckon this cold weather is just messing around with my old bones. I betcha anything that we're in for a nasty storm soon." Lester limped up the steps next to the tall woman. "You sure you're feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little sore." Lex opened the door with a grimace. A little sore? Geez… I ache all over. Wonder if I could talk Amanda into a massage tonight? She smiled to herself as she stepped into the hallway with Lester behind her. Oh, yeah…

The cook patted Lex gently on the back and stepped around her. "I'm gonna go hunt down Ronnie and make sure he's okay." He limped down the hallway towards the kitchen.

"Lex!" Amanda rushed from the sitting room and wrapped her arms around the startled rancher. "Are you alright?" She pulled back slightly to study the older woman's face. "You look a little pale."

The rancher gently grasped the small hand that was checking her forehead. "I'm just fine, love." She put her sore arm around Amanda's waist and began walking down the hall again. "Did you two get everything done while I was gone?"

Amanda sighed and allowed Lex to lead her to the kitchen. "Yes, we did. And we heard from Gramma, too. They should be here in a couple of hours with Jeanne and Frank." Don't try and change the subject with me, Lexington Marie…I'll find out sooner or later, she thought to herself.

"Great." Lex inhaled deeply at the kitchen doorway. "Mmmm…it smells great in here!" she complimented Martha who was handing Ronnie a stack of plates. "Looks like you've drafted some more help, Martha." She waved at the young man as he made his way into the next room. "Hi there, Ronnie."

"Hi, Ms. Walters. You doing okay?" Ronnie asked as he started to carry the plates into the next room.

The tall woman gave him a gentle smile. "Yep. Just great. Thanks for asking."

The housekeeper looked up and smiled warmly at the couple standing in the doorway. "I'm glad you're doing alright, honey. But you look completely worn out. Why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a little while?"

Lex was about to argue when she felt the arm around her squeeze slightly. "Sounds like a good idea. Guess I'll see you all in a bit." She looked down at Amanda and winked. "Wanna help me up the stairs?"

"Of course. I'd hate for you to strain yourself." Amanda grinned at Martha and escorted the rancher from the room.

Lester and Martha both smiled as the couple left. The housekeeper sat down at the table across from the old cook. "Okay. It's just you and me now. Tell me what happened."

"Not a whole lot to tell. Miz Lex asked me about her granddaddy, and I said that he was still around. Next thing I knew, she turned white as a sheet and hit the floor like a rock. Scared me half to death. The old man sighed. "Ronnie walked in about that time and took off like his tail was on fire."

Martha shook her head and sighed. "My poor Lexie. This has all been such a terrible shock for her."

Ronnie came back into the kitchen and stood next to the table. "I set the table, ma'am. Is there something else that I can do for you?"

"No, honey. I think you've taken care of everything. Why don't you go into the den and watch a movie?" Martha smiled at the earnest young man. "I know that Lexie wouldn't mind."

"Okay, Ms. Rollins…but you come and get me if you need anything done, okay?" Ronnie took off out of the kitchen with a large grin.

Lester chuckled. "That boy never walks anywhere." He sobered and looked at the housekeeper. "I had no idea that the boss didn't know about her grandparents. I just assumed that her old man poisoned her mind against them like he did Hubert's."

"What do you mean? And, forgive me for asking, but how do you know them so well?" Martha refilled both of their coffee mugs from the carafe that was sitting by her hand.

"Oh, yeah. I reckon we don't run in the same social circles, do we?" The old cook scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it's kinda a long story, but if you're interested…" At Martha's encouraging nod he continued," Me and Travis grew up together - we've been good friends for close to sixty years now. He went on to college and made a name for himself in oil, where I went and just worked in the oil fields." Lester winked slyly at the smiling housekeeper. "I wanted to make quick cash to spend on the ladies, and Travis decided to go the safer route and build his money slowly."

Martha laughed. "That sounds about right. So you two have kept in touch for all these years?"

The older man nodded. "Yep. When he found out that the ranch needed a cook right after little Victoria got married, he asked me if I would take the job. It made him feel better knowing that there would be someone here to kinda look out for her." Lester tried to unobtrusively wipe a tear from his eye. "When she passed away, he and Melanie tried to get custody of the children - especially young Lexington and Louis. But their daddy fought back, and used Hubert's nasty temperament against them. He and the boy told them that none of them wanted anything to do with their grandparents and to leave them be."

"That's horrible." Martha shook her head sadly. "But why didn't they try to reach Lexie once her daddy left? Surely they thought she'd at least see them."

"Well, they did. Sorta." Lester fiddled with the box that he had laid on the table. "They actually called out here not long after Rawson took off, but Hubert was still living here at the time."

Martha's eyes widened. "Oh, no."

Lester nodded as he moved his coffee mug back and forth, leaving a small ring of condensation on the table. "Yep. Hubert told Melanie that they had no use for either her or Travis, and to never bother them again. She was really broken up about it." He trailed his fingertip through the water, leaving a small squiggle design behind. "So me and Travis exchange letters about once a month, and I keep him up to date on the things around here and how young Lex is doing. He was really upset after her accident last week. Told me to call him immediately if she got put in the hospital, and he'd be right down."

"That's horrible…going through life thinking that your grandchildren want nothing to do with you. And dear Mrs. Edwards passing away before knowing any different. It's so tragic." The housekeeper brushed a sympathetic tear from her own cheek. "You say that Mr. Edwards is still interested in Lexie?" When the old cook nodded, she smiled as a plan began to form in her head. "And you know how to get in touch with him?"

Lester chuckled. "Yep. He's living just north of Dallas right now." He patted the box on the table. "I figured that the boss might be a little uncomfortable calling Travis on the phone, so I thought I'd give her something that she could use to get to know him first."

Upstairs, a couple of hours later, Amanda woke up to find the tall woman wrapped snugly around her. Lex normally would sleep on her back and pull the blonde close to her, but today she had a deathgrip on the young blonde. She was a lot more upset than she wanted anyone to know, Amanda thought to herself as she gently played with the long dark hair that was splayed across her body. The older woman's head was pillowed on her stomach and her long arms were wrapped tightly around Amanda's body. A quiet knock at the door caused Amanda to look up.

Martha had stood outside the door for several moments as she debated with herself on whether or not to wake the women inside. She knew that the rancher needed the rest but Amanda's family had just arrived, and she thought that the younger woman would want to come downstairs to visit. The housekeeper knocked lightly on the door before opening it slowly. "Hi there honey," she whispered to Amanda, who waved her into the room.

"Hi, Martha. Guess we were both kinda tired." Amanda was thankful that they were too tired to have done anything earlier and were both sporting their usual choice of sleepwear. Lex had on a dark gray tee shirt and black Garfield boxer shorts and Amanda was wearing a deep blue tee shirt that also belonged to Lex. She looked at the alarm clock and gasped. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry! I was supposed to help you with the dinner preparations. Why didn't you wake me sooner?" She was about to climb out of bed when the housekeeper waved her hand.

"No need, sweetheart. Lester is still pretty handy in the kitchen, and we got everything taken care of. Besides," she winked, "someone had to take care of Lexie, right?" She almost burst into laughter when the dark-haired woman squeezed Amanda tighter and mumbled in her sleep. "I wouldn't have disturbed you now, but your family is downstairs. I thought you might want to visit with your sister for a bit."

Amanda nodded. "I do, thanks. Let me just wake Lex up and we'll be downstairs in a few minutes, okay?"

Martha smiled as she walked back to the door. "Sure thing, dear. I'll let everyone know that you're on your way." She closed the door behind her.

The young woman directed her attention back to the sleeping form holding her tight. I really hate to disturb her when she's sleeping this well…maybe I can sneak out and let her rest for a little while longer. Amanda began to scoot sideways slightly but the rancher kept her iron grip.

"Mmm…no…" Lex mumbled. Her breath tickled Amanda's exposed stomach where her shirt had ridden up and caused the blonde to giggle slightly.

"Oh, god…" Amanda tried to keep from waking her lover. A light kiss near her belly button let her know that she was unsuccessful. "Lex?" She giggled again as the dark-haired woman raised her shirt higher and nibbled a path up from her stomach.

Blue eyes sparkled with love at the young blonde. "Hi there." Lex's voice was deep and slightly scratchy with sleep. "You planning on going somewhere?"

Amanda sighed as she ran her fingers through the tangled dark hair. "Unfortunately, yes. My family arrived a little while ago, and I thought I'd go downstairs to visit." She looked at the clock on the bedside table. "We've been up here for almost three hours, honey."

"Wanna go for four?" Lex teased as she raised up slightly to give Amanda a kiss. "Who says we have to be sociable, anyway?" she asked after she pulled back.

"You don't know how tempting that offer is." Amanda bent down and gave the rancher another, longer kiss. "But…" she sighed, "Martha has already been up here once, and I really don't want to give her any ammunition for teasing." The housekeeper's favorite pastime was causing Amanda to blush, and the young woman really didn't want to give her entire family hours of fun, either.

Lex rolled over and chuckled. "Probably a good idea. Although, if Charlie does what I think he's gonna do, we're going to have the upper hand today." She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. "Ugh!"

The smaller woman quickly snuck under Lex's arms and squeezed the rancher tightly. "Mmm…" She kissed the tan throat under her lips. "What is Charlie going to do?" She smiled as she felt warm hands travel up the inside of her shirt.

"Well, he…aaah…" Lex squirmed as Amanda reciprocated. Teasing fingers found her sensitive spots by memory. "Amanda! Damn, woman! That tickles!" Lex quickly rolled so that she could pin the blonde to the bed. "Do you really want to play this game right now?" The rancher whispered as she leaned over Amanda. She held the younger woman's arms above her head with her left hand. "Because I know a few spots that could make you squeal." Lex leaned down further and nibbled on an accessible earlobe.

"Lex…" Amanda pleaded, "Please…my family is downstairs." She remembered the last time they got into a tickle fight. Martha had heard her scream and burst into the room wielding her broom, much to the rancher's delight. "You wouldn't…" Her eyes widened as the older woman got a diabolical grin on her face. "Umm…please?" she begged sincerely.

The blue eyes softened as Lex released her hold. "I shouldn't let you get away with this, but I will." The rancher climbed off of Amanda and chuckled. "This time." She pulled the younger woman into her arms and hugged her. "C'mon, before your sister comes up here looking for you."

The dinner was certainly a rousing success, Martha noted happily as she looked around the table at the empty plates. The housekeeper was sitting between Frank and Charlie, and she exchanged an amused glance with Anna Leigh who was directly across from her. Lex was sitting at the head of the table with Amanda and Jeannie on either side of her. She was trying to follow the conversation between the two sisters over who 'destroyed' whose doll years ago.

"Are you denying that you completely hacked off her hair?" Jeannie asked her sister. "She looked like a blasted GI Joe when you got through with her!"

Amanda waved her fork at the auburn-haired woman. "It wasn't that bad. Besides, it was the only way I could get the gum out." She took another bite of the pumpkin pie that Anna Leigh had brought. "It didn't hurt her any. Not like what you did with my Jane and Johnny West dolls that Uncle Morris bought me at that garage sale." The ten-inch dolls were dressed with molded on turquoise western clothes. Amanda loved them and played with the already worn dolls for hours, much to her mother's distaste.

Jeannie grinned at Lex who was watching them both with an amused look. "Oh, I dunno. Seems to me that it was rather prophetic, don't you think?"

"What do you mean by that? You ripped their heads off and switched them, then glued them so I couldn't change them back! Johnny West was the first action-figure cross-dresser in California!" Amanda noticed where her sister's attention was directed. "Why…" She looked at the rancher and began to giggle.

Lex looked at Jacob. The older man shrugged his shoulders and watched as his granddaughters both began to laugh hysterically. "I have no idea, Lex." Just as the two women would get their mirth under control, one or both of them would glance back up at the dark-haired woman and start all over again.

"How does she look in turquoise, Mandy?" Jeannie gasped out between giggles.

This caused Amanda to break out in laughter all over again. "Lex…turquoise…" she began, then chortled hysterically once again.

"Okay children…" Lex sighed and looked at the other people at the table. "Does anyone know what is wrong with these two?" She watched as her partner reached out with one hand and grasped her arm. "What?"

"Sorry…" Amanda rubbed the rancher's arm gently. "It's just that…" she began to giggle again.

Anna Leigh smiled at Lex's raised eyebrow. "Let me see if I can shed some light on the subject while Amanda and Jeannie clear off the table." She gave each woman a look that caused them both to stand, still giggling, and carry plates into the kitchen. "When Mandy was about, oh…eight? Her mother's brother Morris had taken the girls for a drive while Elizabeth had some silly tea party or something." The look on her face told what she thought about that. "Anyway, they happened upon an estate sale, and Morris decided to stop and let the girls look around. Jeannie found this beautiful wind up merry-go-round, and asked Morris if she could have it. Of course he said yes - that man just loved the girls…" she sighed. "Sorry. So he told Mandy to pick something out too. She found these old dolls, similar to Barbie dolls. They had these blue bodies that were supposed to be denim, and were dressed western style."

Lex suddenly realized where this was all going. "And Jeannie switched the heads on the boy and girl dolls?"

"Oh, yes! It was quite funny! But Elizabeth noticed little Mandy playing with a woman doll that had the body of a man, and I believe she threw it away. She was already upset because the toys were 'used' - much less not in perfect working order."

"That's a shame. It sounds like Amanda really enjoyed them." Lex felt a pang of regret for not knowing her friend then. I would have found her more dolls, if that's what she wanted, she determined. Hmm…I wonder… "I don't mean to upset you, but why do you look so sad when you talk about Morris? He sounds like a great guy."

Jacob patted his wife's hand and addressed the rancher. "Morris has been disowned by the Kingston family, including his only sister Elizabeth."

The rancher shook her head. "Why? Is he a mass-murderer or something?" She was slightly confused by the sad looks on the older couple's face.

Frank, who had been listening to the entire conversation, finally spoke up. "Worse. At least in their eyes. He's gay," he uttered quietly. "He brought his…umm…significant other to Mandy's graduation. There was a nasty fight and he was kicked out of the family." He looked up at Lex with a pained expression. "Mandy was devastated. As far as I know, she hasn't heard from him since. No one has, I guess."

"That's not entirely true, Frank." Anna Leigh spoke up with a proud smile. "We hear from him every now and then - I think he's somewhat adopted Jacob and I. He and…" she looked at Jacob.

"Kevin, isn't it?" her husband offered.

Anna Leigh nodded. "Right. Thank you, darling. Kevin…sends us cards on all the major holidays. We've been trying for years to get them to come down and visit." She gave Lex a serious look. "Maybe if he realizes that he'd be welcomed, we could get them both here for Christmas."

Lex grinned. "Sounds great." She heard the sisters, still laughing, make their way back from the kitchen. "Let's just keep it a secret though, okay?" Nods from around the table answered her.

"Hi, Slim." Jeannie walked into the room and wrapped an arm around the rancher's shoulders. "Sorry to be such a ninny." She placed a kiss on the stunned woman's cheek before she grabbed a few more dishes from the table. "But knowing how fond of that damn doll Mandy was…"

Amanda stepped in behind her sister and dropped into her startled lover's lap. "She's right. I loved that doll." She dropped a quick kiss on Lex's nose. "But I've got the real thing, now."

Lester, who was at the other end of the table laughed and slapped Charlie on the arm. "Ain't that a hoot? Little Lex being a doll?"

The sheriff chuckled and nodded. "You got that right." He reached under the table and clasped Martha's hand. "She really is though, isn't she?"

"Darn right!" Martha squeezed his hand and smiled. She started to get up but was halted by the rancher's raised hand.

"Don't even think about it. We'll take care of the cleanup." She raised an eyebrow at Amanda and the young woman climbed off of her lap.

Ronnie jumped up, glad to have something to do. "I'll help!" he offered.

Martha looked across the table and smiled at Anna Leigh. "I guess this means the rest of us can go relax in the den." She began to stand but was startled when Charlie solicitously pulled her chair back for her. "Thank you, honey."

"Anytime, sweetheart." The sheriff nervously reached into the right pocket of his pants. The ring is still there…now I just gotta figure out the best time to…

"Charlie? Are you okay?" Martha was concerned by the faraway look in the lawman's eyes. "You look a little distracted."

Charlie snapped back to the present. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm great." He gave the worried woman a smile. "Why don't we get out of the way so the kids can clean up?"

Frank stood up and grabbed the near-empty turkey platter. "That's a great idea. It won't take us any time at all, and then we'll join you."

Lex smiled at the housekeeper. "You're outnumbered, Martha. Go relax for a change, and let us take care of everything."

"You go with them, honey. There's plenty of us to handle the dishes and such." Amanda rubbed Lex's back with one hand. "No sense in you overdoing it." When she saw the rancher's mouth open to argue, the blonde covered her mouth with her hand. "Please? For me?" she added in a soft whisper.

Blue eyes softened and crinkled into a smile. When the small hand was pulled away Lex grinned. "For you." She winked and followed Anna Leigh and Jacob from the room.

Amanda watched as Lex left. "That was way too easy," she murmured.

"You think she's up to something?" Jeannie asked from behind her. "She did give in pretty quickly." The older woman swatted her sister on the rear. "C'mon…let's get everything cleaned up so we can find out what Slim has up her sleeve."

"Hey!" Amanda squealed. She turned around and chased her sister back through the mudroom.

Chapter 12

Lex closed the front door with a heavy sigh. God, it's been a long day. She had just returned from dropping off Lester and Ronnie at the bunkhouse, and had to fight the heavy sleet that had begun to fall on the way back. She had spent the entire trip to the bunkhouse talking to Lester about her grandparents. He told her that the items in the box would shed more light on who they were than he could ever explain. I'll have to have Amanda sit down with me when I go through that little box. It sure was nice of him to leave it behind for me. She could hear laughter in the den, where Amanda was entertaining her family with stories of her life on the ranch. Lex hung up her drenched duster and hat, then peeked into the brightly-lit room.

"So, Lex tried to sneak back into the house, looking like some sort of bog monster or something." The blonde woman was standing in the center of the room, gesturing wildly with her hands.

Martha laughed. "She looked so pitiful, especially with the clumps of mud and twigs all over her." She shook her head regretfully. "And those socks! I had to throw them out - not even bleach helped!"

"It wasn't that bad." Lex walked slowly into the room and tried to ignore the amused looks she received from around the den. Everyone was laughing except for Charlie, who was staring blankly into the fire. Poor guy…he'd better pop the question soon, or he's gonna go crazy. "I hope you all are very comfortable where you are," the rancher drawled, "because the weather has gotten really nasty and I'm not about to let anyone drive home in it." She stepped over to the fireplace and stood close to the fire, rubbing her hands briskly to warm them.

Amanda made her way across the room to stand next to the tall woman. "Are you okay, honey? Maybe I should go get you some coffee or hot chocolate." She rubbed Lex's back. "Good thing we've got that second guest room upstairs now, huh?" With her help and support, Lex had boxed up the mementos in Louis' room. The rancher had also given most of his clothes to Ronnie and sold off the furniture. Amanda had been in charge of redecorating, and had given the room a completely different look - much to her lover's pleased surprise.

"Yep. Shall we give the new room to your grandparents?" Lex asked with a smile. If she knew her friend like she thought she did, Amanda and her sister would spend half the night up chatting anyway. Might as well put her and Frank across the hall so they won't have so far to travel, she mused.

Charlie stood up nervously to address the room. "Well, since we're all here for the night, I've got an announcement to make." He looked over at Martha fondly. "More like a request, I guess. Since we're all practically family anyway," the sheriff took a couple of steps and dropped to one knee in front of the shocked housekeeper, "I'd like to take this opportunity to ask Martha to become my wife." Charlie took her smaller hands in his and brought them to his chest. "Sweetheart, I've loved you for longer than I can even remember. I'm not trying to take you away from here, but I think it's about time that you started thinking about yourself. Will you marry me?" He reached into his pocket with one hand and pulled out a ring and slid it on Martha's finger.

"I…uh…" Martha stammered uncharacteristically. The gold ring had two large diamonds offset by four smaller diamonds on each side. The two rows of gems sparkled brightly on her hand.

Lex grinned at the housekeeper's discomfort. "The proper response is yes," she teased.

Martha looked over at Lex with tears in her eyes. She's right…I think that my little Lexie is in good hands now. She glanced over at Amanda and smiled and then looked back at Charlie. "Yes." She pulled the lawman up off the floor. "Get off your knees, you crazy old man and come here."

"Y..y…yes?" Charlie seemed to have caught her stammer as he stood with her and was pulled into a strong hug. "You mean it?" He picked Martha up and swung her around the room. "All right!"

The rancher watched happily as the couple sealed their engagement with a kiss. 'Bout damn time. I wonder how quickly we can get the wedding together? She looked over at Anna Leigh and Jacob, who gave her a thumbs up. Bet I'll have plenty of help in that department.

Once the happy couple broke apart, Jacob stood up and cleared his throat. "Congratulations, you two. I know this is rather sudden, but do you have any idea what kind of wedding, or where you want it to be held?"

"Wedding?" Martha and Charlie both asked together. "I figured we'd just go down to the Justice of the Peace and have it done." Martha shrugged then looked at Charlie. "Right, honey?"

"Absolutely not!" Lex practically yelled, which caused the entire room to fall silent.

Amanda clasped her arm lightly. "Lex, what are you saying?" She can't be against them getting married…we've talked about this. What's going on in that head of hers?

Lex gently shook off Amanda's hand and stepped towards the older couple. "I will not stand by and let you do this." She took Charlie's hand from Martha's and pulled him towards her.

"Lex…" Amanda started towards the rancher, but was halted by Lex's raised hand. "What…?"

"Shhh!" The dark-haired woman waved her partner off. Lex looked deeply into the old lawman's eyes. "I will not let two of the most important people in my life go to the damned Justice of the Peace to get married!" She pulled Charlie to her and hugged him tight. "Congratulations, Uncle Charlie," she whispered into his ear. The rancher leaned back and looked at Martha. "It doesn't have to be a large ceremony, but you've got to let us do this for you, please." She nodded at Amanda, who gestured to Jeannie and they both sneaked quietly from the room.

"You little brat!" Martha stepped over to where Lex stood and slapped the tall woman on the shoulder. "I ought to tan your backside for scaring poor Charlie like that!" She wrapped her arms around Lex and pulled her into a bone-jarring hug. "Did you know he was going to do that?"

The rancher kissed the top of Martha's head. "I thought he was, just by the way he'd been acting all day." She looked down into the older woman's brown eyes. "I'm just so damned happy that you finally said yes. I know you two are going to have a lot of good years together, Mada." Lex felt the need to call the older woman by the name that Louis had given her all those years ago. "It'll be nice to have a real father figure around here again." She remembered the talk that Charlie had with her recently. He had told Lex that if it were all right with her, he would just move out to the cottage. The sheriff knew that Martha would never be able to leave the ranch, nor would he want her to.

Everyone's attention turned back toward the doorway. Amanda bustled in with a large wooden tray with eight glasses carefully balanced on it. Jeannie followed closely behind with a bottle of champagne nestled in a bucket of ice. Both women were smiling broadly.

"Here we go!" the blonde cheerfully announced as she sat the tray down on the coffee table.

Martha was stunned. "Where did that come from?" She looked from Lex to Charlie, then back to Amanda. "I know I would have noticed something like that in my kitchen."

"We had it hidden in our room," Lex informed her. "I thought that we'd find some use for it even if Charlie chickened out." She playfully poked the older man in the ribs. "Right?"

Charlie blinked and shook his head. "Me? Chicken out?" He accepted a hearty handshake from Jacob. "Perish the thought. I decided earlier that if she said no, I'd just keep asking her today until she agreed."

"Good for you, Charlie. May you both have all the happiness you deserve." Jacob pulled his wife to him with one arm.

Anna Leigh looked to Martha, who was standing with Amanda and Jeannie. "That's right. Although I've only known her through my association with Lexington, I feel that Martha is a wonderful woman." She smiled as she watched the housekeeper play with her new ring. "Congratulations, Charlie."

Lex waited until everyone had a glass of champagne and raised hers in a gesture of toast. "Martha…Charlie…" she smiled lovingly at the couple, "We may not be related by blood, but as far as I'm concerned, you two have been the most wonderful parents that any one person could ever hope to have. Here's wishing you a lifetime of happiness together."

Everyone around the room raised their glasses with murmured words of encouragement. Charlie grinned as Martha blushed. "Thank you, Lex…everyone. I know I speak for Martha too when I say that you have always been the best daughter we could ever have asked for."

"That's right, honey. I've always been proud of you." The housekeeper stepped away from her fiancé and embraced the now-blushing rancher. Martha leaned back and looked deeply into Lex's eyes, noticing with a tiny smile the unshed tears. "But don't think for a minute that you'll be able to get rid of me easily. I'd still like to take care of the ranch house, if you'll let me."

"Let you? My god, Martha… I don't think this ranch could survive without you." Lex saw the agreeing smile on Amanda's face. "But I think we can handle it a couple of weeks while you two are on your honeymoon."

Charlie and Martha both paled. "Honeymoon?" they choked out together.

Amanda laughed as she stepped forward. "Don't worry about it, you two. You have plenty of time to be nervous later." She turned them towards the doorway. "I'm sure you have lots to discuss, so why don't you go on to the cottage and we'll see you both tomorrow?"

"You little sneak." Martha whispered in the younger woman's ear. "Not known for your subtlety, are you?" She playfully swatted Amanda on the rear before walking through the doorway. "Goodnight, everyone." The housekeeper grabbed Charlie by the arm and led the blushing lawman out of the room.

"They're just too cute," Jeannie chuckled. She stepped over to Lex and wrapped an arm around the rancher's waist. "So, Slim…you're looking a little pale. Maybe you should head off to bed too." She winked at Amanda. "What do you say, little sister? Need some help?"

Lex rolled her eyes. "Lord help me," she muttered, "I'm surrounded." She looked over at Frank, who was trying to control his laughter. "Aren't you going to help?"

The big man shook his head. "I think that the two of them could handle you just fine, Lex. Besides," Frank stepped closer until he was face to face with the tall woman, "I didn't think I was your type." He quickly jumped away before Lex could grab him. "What?"

Jeannie pulled the rancher into a protective hug. "C'mon, Slim…he's just jealous because you have two women and he doesn't." She winked saucily at her husband.

"You kids are all crazy." Jacob shook his head at the antics of the group in front of him. "Peanut, why don't you point me in the direction of our room, and we'll get out of your way?"

Amanda stepped in between her grandparents and linked arms with them both. "You're never in the way, Grandpa. But if you're ready to call it a night, then I'll show you to the new guest room." She turned to call over her shoulder as they started for the doorway, "Lex? Why don't you drag my goofy sister and her brave husband along?"

"Brave…" Lex smirked at Frank, who was backing away from her slowly. "More like intelligence impaired, if you ask me." She watched in appreciation as Amanda escorted the Caubles from the room. Mmm…nice. She's got the cutest little…her thoughts were interrupted by a grumble from beside her.

"Hey! Did she call me goofy?" Jeannie blustered. "I ought to…" she started to chase after her sister, but was grabbed from behind. "Oof!" A strong hand had a firm hold on her belt.

Lex pulled the feisty woman back. "Hold on there." She looked over at Frank, who was now standing by the door. "Why don't you come over here and take your wife?"

"Don't look at me. She's your problem now." Frank laughed as he left the room.

Jeannie looked up at the dark-haired woman innocently. "Make you a deal, Slim."

"Hmm?"

"You don't kill my husband," the smaller woman traced a pattern on Lex's arm, "and I won't attack my sister. Deal?"

The rancher laughed. "Deal." She wrapped an arm around Jeannie and led her from the room. "But we don't have to let them know that, right?"

"I can't believe you did that to poor Frank." Amanda was curled up beside Lex in their bed a couple of hours later. "The poor man almost swallowed his tongue." She ran a light fingertip down the dark-haired woman's chest.

Lex chuckled as she reached over and switched off the bedside light. "Served him right." She pulled Amanda close to her and kissed the blonde head. "You looked a little rattled yourself."

The rancher and Jeannie had unintentionally found a way to get back at their respective partners. They had stepped into the guestroom arm in arm and saw Amanda sitting on the edge of the bed next to Frank. Jeannie had taken one look at the scene and practically come unglued. "I can't believe it! Mother was right! You've always been after my husband!"

Lex had stepped into the room, her face dark with fury. She walked over to where Frank had stood and jabbed a finger into his chest. "Is that right? Are you trying to take Amanda away from me?" She saw the big man pale slightly.

"Stop it!" Amanda jumped in between the two and quickly pushed Lex away from her brother-in-law. "What's gotten into you both?" She was about to continue when Jeannie collapsed onto the bed in laughter.

"Oh, god! You should see the looks on your faces!" The auburn-haired woman chortled. "Slim, you play the jealous lover quite well!" She squealed when her sister jumped on top of her, tickling her unmercifully. "Aaaah! Mandy, stop it! You're gonna make me pee my pants!"

Amanda had straddled her sister and was working furiously on the older woman's ribs. "I can't believe you did that!" She stopped her torture long enough to look over her shoulder at the tall woman still standing behind her. "And you!"

"Now, sweetheart…" Lex raised her hands palms up as she backed away slowly. "It wasn't my idea. But," she grinned wickedly, "You gotta admit, we got you pretty good." When she saw the look in Amanda's eyes, she looked at Frank for help. "You want to hold her back long enough so I can make a break for it?"

Frank laughed at the look on the rancher's face. "After you almost made me mess my pants? I don't think so." He saw the gleam in the blonde's eyes. "You'd better run now, my friend."

The young woman was about to leap from the bed when her sister wrapped her legs around the slim waist. "Go ahead, Slim…I've got you covered!" Jeannie yelled.

Amanda kissed Lex on the throat gently. "That was so evil. But funny." She reached up and ran her fingers through the dark hair. "How are you feeling, honey? You looked pretty worn out earlier."

"I'm okay. Just a little tired, I guess. Been a long day." Lex captured the hand and brought it to her lips. "The dinner turned out well, don't you think?" She kissed Amanda's palm, which caused the younger woman to moan slightly.

"Mmm…god. When you do that…" Amanda squirmed even closer and burrowed her head into the older woman's chest. "What was the question again?"

Lex sneaked her other hand up the back of the younger woman's shirt. "Hmm?" She used that hand to gently massage the soft skin. "Question?" Her own thoughts were beginning to cloud due to the attention her chest was getting from Amanda's lips.

The blonde began to unbutton Lex's nightshirt, leaving a trail of kisses behind. Amanda smiled as the dark-haired woman moaned and arched up into the contact. "You like that?" she whispered.

"Uh-huh." Lex pulled Amanda's tee shirt over the blonde head. "Sure do." She rolled them over so that Amanda was below her. "C'mere."

"Look at this, honey." Amanda handed Lex a small photograph that looked as if it were taken at a zoo. There was a young girl about three years old being held in front of some sort of fenced off pit. The gentleman holding her appeared to be in his late forties or early fifties and was smiling broadly. The two people looked very much alike, dark hair and light colored eyes. "I think this may be you with your grandfather."

Lex accepted the photograph gingerly. She turned it over and saw written in neat writing, ' Lexie and Travis 1975'. "You're right." She turned the picture back over and studied it carefully. A small smile crept onto her face. "I just wish I could remember him."

Amanda rubbed her hand across the taller woman's back in a comforting motion. "I know, love." She scooted the small box that lay opened between them on the bed out of the way and moved closer to Lex. The rancher had woken her up with gentle kisses earlier, and then at Amanda's insistence tiptoed downstairs to get the mysterious box that Lester had left behind.

"It's just so strange…" Lex murmured, still looking at the photograph. She also had a letter that Travis had written around that same time. "Could you…?" Lex handed the letter to Amanda to read.

"Sure, honey." Amanda accepted the letter and began to read:

My friend,

I hope that things are going well for you at the ranch. Melanie and I finally talked Victoria into allowing us to take little Lexie overnight back up to Dallas. We had promised her a trip to the zoo, and as the enclosed picture suggests, we made good on that promise. What a wonderful child she is! Smart and beautiful just like her mother, although I can see a streak of stubbornness that only could come from Rawson. As you know, there ARE no such personality quirks like that on OUR side of the family.

Have I properly thanked you for taking that position at the ranch? We are forever in your debt, my longtime friend, for giving us some peace of mind while our little girl is stationed out there in the middle of nowhere. She did promise not to give you away to Rawson, but more out of respect for your position than anything else. I did let it slip that since you had been injured in that accident in the oil fields, that you needed the stability of the job you now had. Please forgive an old man for a minor untruth, if you will. Victoria thinks of you as an uncle, as she should. You have always been a brother to me, since we were five and chasing the little girls together.

I'm sorry to cut this note so short, but Melanie just came in with exciting news. Our little Victoria just called, and she is expecting another child! God forgive me for saying so, but I hope this next child has Lexie's personality, and not Hubert's. That boy is so much his father's son. It's a shame, too. We've tried to get him to warm to us, but he is quite hateful towards us both. I can handle it, but I hate to subject my dear Melanie to his childish tirades. Well, I'll sign off for now. It seems our daughter wants us to visit the ranch next weekend, to share in her happy news. So I will see you then, my good friend.

Sincerely,

Travis

Lex continued to study the photograph as Amanda's voice trailed off quietly. "This must have been one of the last times I actually saw my grandparents." She closed her eyes as she tried to remember the past.

"Honey?" Amanda put down the letter and touched Lex's cheek. She waited until the blue eyes opened and tracked to hers. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah." Lex studied Amanda's face and smiled. "You think he would mind a phone call later on today?"

Amanda smiled back at the rancher and hugged her tight. "I think he'd love it, Lex. Just like I know he loves you."

The rancher buried her nose in the blonde hair and took a deep breath. "I hope so. But I at least want him to know that he's welcome here, no matter what my father or brother may have told him at the time." She felt the younger woman's arms squeeze around her tightly.

"He'll know, honey. And I'm sure he will be thrilled to finally get to know his granddaughter again after all these years." Amanda raised back slightly so that she could look into Lex's eyes. A strong gust of wind blew against the house, whistling shrilly. "But, do you think we can stay up here for a while and snuggle? It's still really early, and I don't want to get out of this warm bed just yet." Amanda shivered as she heard the sound of sleet beating against the windows.

"I dunno. What's in it for me?" Lex teased. She really had no desire to get out of bed either, but teasing her lover was just too much fun to resist. "There's probably a lot to do around here, with the weather being bad and all." She remarked dryly.

The blonde snorted. "Yeah, right. I can tell by the look on your face that you're just as comfortable here as I am." She reached up under Lex's shirt and tickled the warm stomach.

Lex squirmed and chuckled. "Hey!" She started to reciprocate, but changed her mind and wrapped her arms around the younger woman tightly instead. "Okay, okay… you win." She scooted down until she was flat on her back, with Amanda straddled across her chest. "We'll lie around until Martha drags us out of bed, deal?"

"Deal." Amanda lifted up and kissed Lex passionately, until the world faded around them.

Continued in Part 7.