Violence: Possibly, you never know with Lex - but once again, nothing too graphic. PG-13 at most.

Subtext: Uh, yep! More like maintext, and again nothing graphic (still not talented enough to write the steamy stuff!).

Quality Disclaimer: Okay, this story picks up right where my first one, Destiny's Bridge, left off. It probably won't make much sense if you don't read my previous story first (shameless plug!). Let me know what you think, I'm still pretty new to this writing thing, so please be gentle. Feedback (good and bad) is accepted at cb.zeer@worldnet.att.net

Part 3

The last of the sun's rays reflected brightly off of the small lake, as Lex pulled the dark truck into a nearby parking space. "Looks pretty deserted." The rancher commented, not seeing

any other cars in the lot. As she stepped out of the tall vehicle, Lex pulled on her well-worn denim jacket, then closed the door and crossed to the other side.

"Yeah, but you should see this place in the spring and summer…can rarely find a parking space then." Amanda pulled a folded paper napkin from her purse, then climbed down out of the truck. Handing the item to Lex, she slipped on the coat she had brought - the old leather jacket Lex had worn in high school that she had 'borrowed' from the rancher. "Brrr…that wind is getting pretty chilly." Pulling the taller woman towards a paved path, she grinned. "C'mon…let's get moving, so I'll warm up."

Lex allowed herself to be guided down the well-traveled path. "What's this?" she asked, handing the napkin back to the smaller woman.

"Duck food." Amanda chuckled, opening it up to show two leftover flour tortillas. She linked her arm through the tall woman's and continued down the path that led to the lake.

Lex looked down at the young blonde fondly. "Do you come here often?" she felt the arm linked with hers tighten slightly.

"Yeah…this is kind of my thinking place - I usually bring old bread along and feed the ducks for hours at a time." She guided the older woman through a stand of trees, which opened up to a small cove. "When I was in school, I always spent my summers here - Mother never understood why." She pulled Lex over to a large log that was close to the water, then sat down next to her. "Mother and Dad would go to Europe, Jeannie would travel with them, or spend her time at one type of camp or another. I would beg to come here to visit Gramma and Grandpa…"

Lex pulled her close with a strong arm. "I don't really remember much about any of my grandparents." She said quietly. "Dad's folks died when he was just a kid, leaving him the ranch… I vaguely remember my mother's father. Tall and handsome - but after she died, I never saw him or my grandmother again." She straightened a little, then smiled. "They didn't care much for Dad - he's kinda rough around the edges."

Amanda put her arm around the older woman. "I'm sorry…" she felt sympathetic tears filling her eyes.

Lex leaned over and kissed the top of the blonde head. "Don't be…I'm not. Martha and the guys at the ranch more than made up for it - I had more attention from all of them than most kids ever get from two sets of grandparents."

"Really?" Amanda peeked up at the taller woman's face, which wore a wistful smile.

"Oh, yeah." She laughed. "Of course, most of the hands usually helped me get into trouble - poor Martha spent most of her time chasing me with a spoon and hollering, 'Get your filthy butt out of my kitchen and get into the tub!'" she paused thoughtfully. "Come to think about it, she still does that!"

Amanda giggled. "I bet you were a real handful growing up."

"I don't think so…but I'm sure Martha's opinion would differ." Lex watched as several ducks jumped out of the water and waddled towards them, quacking excitedly. "Looks like your friends missed you." She grinned at Amanda's delighted smile.

"Calm down, guys…" the younger woman was pulling the tortillas apart into very small pieces. After eyeing Lex cautiously, the ducks decided she didn't pose a threat, and continued their enthusiastic welcoming of her companion. "Sorry…they're a little excitable." Amanda looked over at Lex, who was watching a gray and white duck nibble on her boot tips.

"They're psycho - this crazy thing is trying to eat my boots!" She wiggled her feet slightly, causing her attacker to pause momentarily, then start back up again.

Amanda laughed. "That's all I have, guys…I'll bring a loaf of bread next time," she showed the ducks her empty hands, which caused them to glare at her for a moment, wagging their tail feathers in agitation.

"I don't think they're real happy with you right now." Lex teased, then stood up. "Let's continue our walk…maybe they'll get the hint." She offered her hand to Amanda, who accepted it gracefully.

"Thanks…that sounds like a great idea." Amanda allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "Let's not use the path…do you mind if we just walked along the shoreline?" she held the hand in hers tightly as they began walking.

They were on their second circuit around the small lake when Lex's cell phone rang. Jumping slightly, she stopped and pulled the small device from her coat pocket. "Hello?" listening for a moment, she frowned. "Martha, what's wrong?" She felt a small hand on her arm, and looked down into concerned green eyes.

"Lexie, I'm really sorry to bother you like this," Martha apologized, sounding very upset.

"Don't worry, we were just taking a walk…now tell me what's the matter." Lex forced herself to stay calm. Martha never calls me…I've never even heard this damn phone ring before.

"Go on, tell me."

"Honey, it's your brother. He called the house a few minutes ago looking for you." The housekeeper sounded quite agitated.

"Okay…did you tell him I was in town?" Lex didn't like where this conversation was going.

"No, not at first. I didn't figure it was any of his business." The older woman sighed. "I told him you weren't available…that really upset him." She chuckled in remembrance.

Lex laughed. "I'll bet. Then what?"

"He told me it was very important that he talk to you immediately - I told him again that you couldn't come to the phone. That's when he really started getting upset."

Dammit! Lex felt a headache fast approaching. "What did he say to you, Martha?"

"Oh, well he yelled and whined quite a bit," she laughed, "then he said, 'Forget it! I'll just come out there myself!' and hung up."

"He's on his way to the ranch?" Lex ran a slim hand through her hair. "Shit!" She looked at Amanda, who was looking back at her with a worried expression. "How long ago did you talk to him?" Lex was already pulling Amanda down the path towards the parking lot.

"I just hung up with him right before I called you." Martha said, not quite as angry as before.

"Good…I'm on my way - lock all of the doors, in case he gets there before I do, okay? Don't let him in for any reason." Lex and Amanda were back at the truck, the taller woman holding the passenger's door open for her companion. She closed the door, then quickly jogged around to the other side and climbed in.

"Why? Are you expecting him to cause trouble?" Martha sounded concerned. "What's going on, Lexie?"

Holding the phone with her shoulder, Lex put the truck in reverse and backed out of the parking space quickly. "I don't know what to expect - we found out that he's the one who's been taking money from the ranch." The rancher glanced at Amanda with a questioning look.

"Tell her to sit tight. We're on our way." The young woman answered the unspoken question.

Lex smiled at her companion and turned the truck south, on the road out of town. "Amanda says to hold tight…" she spoke into the phone.

"She's there? Let me talk to her, then." Martha perked up. "You shouldn't be talking on the phone while you're trying to drive, it's not safe." She could hear the roar of the truck engine over the phone.

"Yes, ma'am." Lex handed the phone to the smiling blonde sitting next to her. "She wants to talk to you."

"Martha…it's great to hear from you, although I'm sorry about the circumstances." Amanda chattered happily. She genuinely missed the older woman, even though it had only been a couple of days since she had last spoken to her.

"Amanda honey, how are you?" the housekeeper asked, sounding quite pleased with herself.

"Great! I've really got a lot to tell you when I see you again - so much has happened!" Amanda watched as Lex rolled her eyes.

Martha laughed. "Really? Well, I can't wait…were you able to get Lexie to go see the doctor? I swear, that girl argues with me sometimes just for sport!"

"Yesterday morning, as a matter of fact - her side was terribly infected, but Dr. Anderson took care of that." The younger woman reached over and caressed a muscular leg, causing a slight smile on the rancher's serious face.

"Blast it! I knew that would happen…but you say she's okay?" Martha sighed. "She never takes care of herself…" the older woman muttered more to herself than to Amanda.

"She's fine…got a couple of stitches, and Dr. Anderson made her promise to keep her ribs wrapped for another week." Amanda chuckled, remembering the argument with the old doctor. "He says she's gotten a little too thin, though…" This little bit of news got her a glare from the subject in question. "Don't give me that look…and keep your eyes on the road." Amanda scolded.

The housekeeper laughed. "If I could get her to sit still long enough to eat…" she turned serious. "But, I think that she's eaten more in the last week or so than the entire last month combined. And I have you to thank for that - she's happier now than I can ever remember seeing her. So thank you, Amanda - for giving my little girl back her heart."

Lex had turned to glance at Amanda, who had stilled suddenly. Even in the fading sunlight, she could see a deep blush on the younger woman's fair skin. Reaching over with one hand, she touched the small blonde's shoulder. "Hey…you all right?" she asked, trying to keep one eye on the road, and one on her companion.

Amanda blinked, and grasped Lex's hand. "Yep." She gave the large hand a strong squeeze and smiled. "Martha, I think I got the best end of the deal." She told the housekeeper.

"I think you both did." The older woman chuckled. "How far out are you now?"

Lex had just turned off the main road, and Amanda could see the old bridge up ahead. "We're almost to the bridge…so we should be at the house in about ten minutes or so."

"Great…I just started a fresh pot of coffee. I have a feeling we're gonna be needing it." Martha paused. "Hold on a minute, honey…I think I hear a car pulling up out front."

"Wait!!…Martha? Are you there?" Amanda heard the phone being set down.

"What?" Lex looked over at the younger woman as they started across the bridge.

"She thought she heard a car drive up, and sat the phone down to go look." Amanda listened intently to the phone, trying to hear any unusual noises.

"Dammit!" Lex sped up the truck, practically flying across the old wooden structure.

"Lex! Slow down! We're not going to be any help to Martha if you kill us!" Amanda had released the rancher's hand, and was bracing herself against the dash.

The older woman slowed the vehicle down reluctantly. "Has she come back to the phone yet?" Lex had a deathgrip on the steering wheel, the dashlights casting an eerie glow on her tense face.

"No…not - wait, I think I hear something." The younger woman chewed on her lower lip in concern.

"Amanda?" Martha sounded somewhat breathless. "You still there?"

"God, Martha…don't scare me like that - are you okay? We're almost to the house." Amanda held her breath, waiting for the answer.

"Oh heavens, yes…but I'm afraid Hubert is going to hurt himself trying to get in." She laughed. "Sounds like he's working his way around the house - banging on windows and doors as he goes."

The truck skidded to a stop in the long driveway, Lex parking beside a grossly expensive BMW convertible. She looked over at Amanda and gave her a worried look. "Do you want to wait here, or…"

The young blonde frowned. "Do you really want me to?" She unbuckled her seatbelt, looking at the taller woman for an answer.

"No…I'd rather you stay with me - I'm less likely to strangle Hubert if there are witnesses." Lex gave her a wry grin. She unclipped her buckle and opened the door. "C'mon, let's go get this over with."

They were almost to the front door with they heard a man's voice screaming from the back of the house, "Dammit, old woman! I know you're in there - open this friggin' door before I kick it in!"

Lex unlocked the front door and ushered Amanda inside, then closed and locked the door behind them. "Martha, we're here." She said in a normal voice, walking down the hallway.

The short, round housekeeper stepped out of the den, causing Amanda to yelp in alarm. "Oh sweetheart…I didn't mean to startle you." Turning towards the taller woman, "Lexie, I think that Hubert has about worked his way back around to the front of the house." Suddenly, a loud banging on the front door interrupted her.

"Goddammit!! Unlock this door, you old bitch, or I'll knock it down!" Hubert kicked the door ineffectually.

Lex opened the door, an angry set to her face. "Hubert! What in the hell is your problem?" she stood in the doorway, daring him to try and get by her. "And watch what you say about Martha."

"Get the hell outta my way, Lex!" He tried to push past her, but was stopped when Lex put her hand in the middle of his chest. Hubert was only an inch or two taller than his younger sister, but he outweighed her by at least fifty pounds.

"Why?" Lex pushed her brother back a step. "What business do you have in this house?" She stepped out on the front porch with him. "I believe we settled that when I gave you the house in town - you didn't want anything to do with this 'old, dirty ranch', or so you said then."

Hubert stood quietly, remembering. He'd always hated the ranch, even as a child. Illogically, he felt that this place killed his mother, since she had started going into labor here at the ranch, and it took longer than it should have to get her into town to the hospital. Then, of course, his father bypassing him and teaching his younger sister how to run it - it still hurt, all these years later. Looking at Lex now, he realized just how much he missed his mother, she looks so much like her. Shaking his head slightly, Hubert glared at his little sister. "I still don't…but I seem to be having some trouble accessing the bank records, and I thought I may have left some papers here last time I did the books."

"I should hope you're having trouble getting into the account…I changed it." Lex leaned back against the doorframe, casually crossing her arms across her chest.

"What?!?" Hubert yelled, stepping up to the smirking woman, grabbing the front of her coat with both hands, and pulling her towards him. "You can't do that!"

Lex reached up and grabbed the angry man's wrists, squeezing them painfully. "Let go of me," she muttered quietly, "or I'll break 'em…then we'll let the sheriff deal with you." Seeing the comprehension flicker across his angry features.

Hubert released her, pushing the tall woman back slightly. "Bitch." Taking a couple of steps back, he ran his hand through his dark hair. "Why didn't you call the law when you found out?"

"Because, no matter what else I think of you, you're family." Lex answered wearily. "Why did you do it? Couldn't you have just asked?"

The big man let out a derisive snort. "Yeah, right…so you could lord that over me like you have everything else?" he shook his head. "You're so damn high and mighty…always acting like you're better than everyone else. I don't have to explain anything to you - besides, you can't prove a thing."

"What do you want from me, Hubert?" Lex dropped down onto the porch swing gracelessly. Bracing her elbows on her knees, she sighed. "I'm not going to press charges, but I think it would be a good idea if you stayed away from the ranch for a while."

A movement in the doorway caught his eye. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Glancing at the small blonde moving towards them. "Is this your latest plaything? I'll have to hand it to you, she's…URK!"

Lex pinned her brother up against a nearby support post, her forearm against his throat. "Say what you want to about me, you asshole - but…never…let me hear you talk about Amanda that way again…" she enjoyed the look of fear on the big man's face as she held him against the post, his face getting redder by the moment. She felt a gentle touch on her back.

"Lex? Let him go, please?" a soft voice pleaded behind her.

The tall woman flexed her arm, causing Hubert to stand up on his toes, gasping for air. "I've had it with you - I didn't want this ranch, but by god I'm going to work it with everything I am, and no two-bit bean counter is going to change that." She felt Amanda place her small hand on her shoulder. "Especially not the likes of you!" Shifting slightly, Lex shoved her brother off of the porch.

Hubert stumbled to the driveway, holding his throat and gasping for breath. "This…isn't… over, Lex." He panted, backing his way clumsily toward his car.

The rancher braced her hands against the porch rail, Amanda standing beside her. "Go home, Hubert…" she sighed heavily, watching as her brother got into his car and drove away. Bowing her head, Lex closed her eyes against the exhaustion that was left behind as her rage crumbled away.

"God, Lex…" Amanda whispered.

The older woman felt the words as if they were physical blows. Afraid to turn around, she took a deep breath. "Yeah…I completely lost it…" she felt the smaller woman duck under her arm and snuggle close.

"Was he always such a jerk?" the young blonde asked, turning to look up into the anguished face above her.

"Huh?" Lex blinked, then wrapped her arms around the smaller woman in reflex.

Amanda smiled at the unconscious gesture. "Good grief…how you have kept from killing him before now is a complete mystery to me."

"Ahem."

Both women turned around to see Martha standing in the doorway, arms crossed. "You two gonna stand out there all evening mooning over each other, or are you coming inside for coffee?"

Smiling wearily, Lex wrapped an arm around Amanda and pulled her towards the door. "Well, how can we resist such a gracious invitation?" Allowing the younger woman to enter before her, Lex stopped in front of the smirking housekeeper.

Martha looked up into the twinkling blue eyes. "What?" Then she stopped in shock as the tall woman bent over and placed a gentle kiss on top of her graying head.

"Thanks." So softly uttered she almost didn't hear.

"For what, honey?" the older woman heard her own voice crack.

"Everything." Lex murmured, then followed Amanda into the house.

Martha watched them go, wiping a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron. "Rotten kid…" she grumbled, "just when I think I have her figured out, she says something like that." She sighed heavily, then closed the door behind her.

Chapter 19

The three women spent the next several hours sitting in the kitchen, with Amanda catching Martha up on the happenings of the last couple of days. She tried to gloss over her involvement in the incident with Rick, but Lex wouldn't let her.

"Wait…wait! Back up, Amanda!" the rancher looked over at Martha. "She neglecting to tell you the best part." Watching the young woman blush, she continued. "Rick started toward Mrs. Cauble, so I stepped in behind him to try and get his attention," she gave a sheepish grin, "He, ah…elbowed me in the ribs…" Lex cleared her throat, "and I dropped like a rock."

"Good lord, child!" Martha reached across the table and placed her hand on the tall woman's arm. "Are you all right?"

Lex nodded. "Yeah…just kinda took my breath away for a few minutes…" she gave the young blonde next to her a warning look. "Anyway, there I was, on my knees trying to catch my breath, when I see Rick moving towards the desk again. He got about two steps when he went flying backwards!"

Martha looked back and forth between the two younger women. "How?" she was practically on the edge of her seat.

"Amanda did some sort of karate, or something…" Lex looked at the younger woman for confirmation.

"Kickboxing…actually." The young woman muttered, embarrassed.

The housekeeper's jaw dropped. "You? Kicked him?"

"Nailed him right on the chin," Lex supplied helpfully. Amanda slapped her on the shoulder. "What?"

"I just wanna die…" the small blonde mumbled, covering her face with her hands.

Martha stood up, chuckling. "Don't feel bad, honey…I think it's great that you can defend yourself." She kissed the top of the young woman's head. "Now…" she waited until she got both women's attention, "I think it would be best if you two stayed the night…it's been a long day, and there's no sense in your driving back to town this late."

Amanda looked at Lex, who shrugged her shoulders. "That sounds like a great idea…let me give my grandparents a call so that they won't worry." She stood up. "I'll just use the phone upstairs, if that's okay."

Lex smiled. "Sure…I'll be up in a minute." Her eyes followed the young woman as she left the room.

"Lexie?" Martha was charmed by the smile on the dark woman's face. "Honey?"

"Hmm?" Lex answered. "Oh! Umm…sorry about that." She straightened up in her chair. "What's up?"

Martha stepped over until she was standing next to the younger woman. Absently running her hand through the dark hair, she murmured, "I was so proud of you this evening, Lexie."

The rancher leaned into the contact unconsciously. "Really? I thought you would be disappointed - I almost strangled my brother on the front porch, Martha." She released a heavy sigh. "Dad was right…" she closed her eyes wearily.

"About what, sweetheart?" the housekeeper continued her gentle ministrations.

"He said my temper would cause nothing but trouble…and he was right - first Lou, and now Hubert." She fought back the tears that threatened to fall when she thought about her youngest brother.

"How can you say that?" Martha sat down in the chair next to the anguished woman. "Louis was killed in a boating accident - you weren't even there!"

Lex looked at the housekeeper, tears threatening to spill from her shining blue eyes. "And if I hadn't lost my temper with him, he would have never gone in the first place."

It was the middle of summer, and Lex was angry because she was stuck in the office at the ranch, when she would much rather be down at the creek swimming. It had been over a year since her father had left her in charge of the ranch, and the teenager was getting more and more stressed out every day. Running the ranch, putting up with the snide remarks of her older brother Hubert, and trying to keep one eye on her younger brother Louis, all combined to make the serious young woman a bundle of nerves.

After an especially trying argument with Hubert over the working of the latest herd of cattle, Lex had escaped to the office for some much needed peace and quiet, when an excited Louis rushed into the room.

"Lex! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" he exclaimed breathlessly. Where Lex and Hubert favored their mother with their dark good looks and blue eyes, Louis took after their father Rawson - short, small frame, dark blonde hair, and dark hazel eyes.

"Not too hard to figure out where I am," she muttered, "I seem to live in this damn office."

"Yeah," Louis agreed sadly. He missed his playful sister, who seemed to have disappeared in the past year or so. "Hey! I've got a great idea! A bunch of us are going to the lake this afternoon - why don't you come with us?"

Lex ran an impatient hand through her hair. "I can't…there's too much to do around here." She looked at her younger brother. "Just who is 'a bunch of us'?"

Louis couldn't meet her eyes. "Uh…well…five guys from school, and Jim's brother Randy, who's gonna drive us out there."

"Randy? The kid that just got out of juvenile detention? No way!" Lex stood up and paced around the desk. "He's what? Sixteen?" she looked at Louis, who was beginning to mirror her angry posture. "I absolutely forbid it!"

"You don't own me, Lex! I wasn't asking your permission - I just wanted to let you know where I'd be." He began to walk backwards towards the door.

"Dammit, Lou…use your head! You need a 'responsible' adult around if you guys are going to the lake…not some kid who just got out of jail!" She was interrupted by a horn honking in the front of the house.

"They're here…I gotta go." Louis started for the door.

"Lou…I won't allow it!" she reached for his arm.

Jerking away from her, he cried, "You're…not…my mother, Lex! I don't need your permission to go anywhere - Hubert already said I could go!" He turned back to face her. "I'll see you tonight." The young man raced out of the office.

Lex started after him, but the phone on the desk stopped her. "What!?" she yelled into the receiver, taking her anger out on a poor helpless salesman who happened to call at the wrong time.

The rancher was still simmering in the office when the phone rang again, several hours later. "Hello?"

A stranger's voice asked, "Lexington Walters?"

'Great, another salesman,' she thought. "Who wants to know?" Lex growled.

A short pause, then a sigh. "This is Richard Saylor…I'm one of the rangers that handles Somerville Lake."

'I knew it! They're in some sort of trouble…' she grumbled to herself. "Is this about my brother, Louis? What kind of trouble did he get into?" she asked resignedly.

The man cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Miss Walters, we need you to come down to the lake…there's been an…accident."

Lex jumped to her feet. "What kind of accident? Is my brother…?"

"The boat your brother was riding in capsized when another boat broad-sided it…" the ranger spoke gently, "I'm afraid your brother was killed…" he paused. "Do you have someone that can drive you to the lake? We need a relative to make a positive identification."

"I'll be right there." Lex hung up the phone numbly.

Looking back, Lex realized that was the day she shut herself down - only going through the motions of day to day living, until Hubert brought Linda home. For a short while, Lex allowed herself to feel, until she was handed her heart back to her in pieces. Then it became easier to hide inside a bottle than to face the loneliness. After she sobered up, Lex decided to just quit caring - you couldn't get hurt if you didn't care. She never really mourned the death of Louis, choosing instead to shut off all of her emotions - until a certain green-eyed blonde entered her life.

Martha leaned over and pulled the younger woman into her arms. "Sweetheart, blaming yourself for that does no good…it was an accident, plain and simple. No one was to blame, especially you." The housekeeper kissed the top of the dark head. "Let it go…" she held the rancher closely to her as Lex sobbed, finally releasing all the grief she had held in for so many years.

Amanda stood quietly in the doorway, feeling guilty for witnessing such a private scene. God…I vaguely remember that summer - I had no idea who that boy was that had been killed. Poor Lex. Amanda wasn't very fond of the water, so she and her grandparents rarely went to the lake when she visited in the summer…but she remembered hearing them speak of the tragedy right after it happened. Sparing one final glance in the kitchen, she turned and walked silently back up the stairs, tears of compassion in her eyes.

"Sorry, Martha…I don't know what came over me…" Lex pulled back and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "It's been almost ten years - why did I fall apart now?"

The housekeeper brushed the hair out of the younger woman's eyes. "Baby, you finally gave in to your feelings enough to grieve." No sense in telling her how afraid I've been, wondering what would happen if she ever did open up…my poor little girl. She picked up a napkin from the table and wiped Lex's face with it, like she used to do when the rancher was a child. "Now you go upstairs and get a good night's sleep."

Lex took a deep breath, then gave the older woman a shaky smile. "You're right, as usual. I'm pretty worn out." She leaned over and kissed the graying head. "Thanks."

Martha waved her off. "No need to thank me, child…that's what I'm here for." She stood up, embarrassed.

Smiling to herself, the tall woman stood up as well, then enveloped the stocky woman in a strong hug. "Well, thanks anyway." She felt the small arms give her a squeeze. "I love you, you know." The rancher whispered, just before she released the older woman.

"I love you too…" Martha replied. She stepped back and turned Lex towards the doorway. "Now go on upstairs before Amanda thinks you've run off!" she swatted the smiling young woman on the rear.

"Yes ma'am." Lex hurried from the kitchen and up the stairs.

Taking and releasing a deep breath, Lex stood in the darkened doorway of the master bedroom, the only light in the room coming from the low burning fireplace.

"Amanda?" she called out quietly, unable to see if the younger woman was asleep on the bed. A movement near the fireplace caught her eye.

"Over here." Amanda sat up from her curled up position in one of the stuffed chairs.

Lex crossed the room quickly, dropping to her knees at the blonde woman's feet. "You okay?" she asked, placing her hands on the small legs.

Even in the dim light, Amanda could see the rancher's red and puffy eyes. Reaching out with a gentle hand, she brushed the unruly hair from Lex's face. "I'm fine…but you're looking a little rough around the edges - what's say we take a quick shower and go to bed?" she continued to run her hand through the dark hair.

"Mmm…" Lex closed her eyes and absorbed the loving touch. "That's the best offer I've had all day." She gathered her wits about her and stood up. "C'mon…I'll scrub your back." She pulled Amanda up beside her, wrapping both arms around the smaller woman.

Amanda enjoyed the warm security of the strong arms she found herself in. Closing her eyes, she was content to stand and absorb the love that emanated from the older woman. "I could stay here forever," she mumbled, not realizing she had spoken out loud until she felt Lex squeeze her a little tighter.

"I hope so…" Lex murmured in her ear, "because I have no intentions of ever letting you go." She pulled her head back slightly so she could look into Amanda's eyes. "I love you." Leaning down, Lex gently covered the younger woman's lips with her own, placing a soft, re-affirming kiss on slightly parted lips.

Amanda leaned into the kiss, accepting the gentle, almost hesitant touch from the taller woman. Finally breaking off to breathe, she leaned her cheek against the rancher's heaving chest. "Let's go get that shower…" she gave Lex a quick kiss on the chin. "If you're real good," she led the dazed woman towards the bathroom, "I'll practice my massage techniques on you." She swatted Lex on the rear and closed the bathroom door.

Chapter 20

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Lex opened her eyes the next morning. She lifted her head from it's warm nest, snuggled behind Amanda with her nose tucked in the sweetly fragrant blonde hair. Gently disentangling herself from the younger woman, Lex climbed out of bed, tucking the dark comforter back around the small body. Damn, I feel great! She marveled to herself, unsure if it was due to the release of long-held in emotion or the wonderful full body massage she had received from Amanda's talented hands. Dressing quickly, Lex left a short note on the pillow next to the sleeping woman, then crept quietly out of the room.

Bounding down the stairs, Lex saw a light coming from the kitchen, so she made a slight detour in her direction. Seeing Martha at the counter humming to herself as she rolled out the biscuits, the rancher crept up behind the unsuspecting woman with an evil smile on her face.

"Good morning, Sunshine!" she bellowed, scooping up the shocked housekeeper and spinning her around the room.

"Aaaaahhh!!" Martha screamed, then reflexively grabbed the tall woman around the head, coating Lex's dark hair with flour and bits of dough. "Put me down, you crazy brat!" she huffed, "I'm getting airsick!"

Laughing, Lex stopped spinning the older woman around, allowing her small feet to touch the ground. Realizing what Martha had been doing, she cringed when she saw the housekeeper remove her hands from where they had been clinched in her thick hair. "Ugh…" she gave the small woman another devious grin. "So, I'm guessing I look pretty good in white hair?" she casually reached behind her back and rubbed her palms across the flour-covered countertop.

Martha snickered. "I'm sorry about that, Lexie…you just startled me." Seeing the look on the younger woman's face, she shook her head and pointed a finger directly at the tall woman's chest. "Now, wait just a minute…" she backed up several steps, with the rancher closing in on her.

"What's the matter, Martha?" Lex chuckled, hands still behind her back.

The older woman put her hands in front of herself defensively. "Don't be doing anything that you might regret…"

Lex laughed. "Me? Never!" she closed in on the smaller woman, cornering her against the stove. Just as Lex was about to raise her hands and rub flour in Martha's hair, she felt two small arms wrap around her from behind, trapping her arms to her sides.

"Can't leave you alone for a minute, can I?" a soft voice whispered in her ear.

Martha laughed, and wiped another blob of flour onto the rancher's nose. "Thanks, sweetie." She grinned at Amanda, then edged past the two women and went back to her biscuit making.

Lex twisted, then picked the young blonde up and cradled her in her arms. "Good morning, traitor."

Amanda looked up into sparkling blue eyes, then noticed the flour and dough in Lex's hair. "Umm…good morning?" she used one hand to brush flour out of the taller woman's hair. "You helping Martha cook breakfast again?" she teased.

Lex rolled her eyes. "No…" she mock-glared at the housekeeper's back. "This was completely unprovoked. All I did was come in and tell Martha good morning!" she gave the woman in her arms a slight pout.

"Ha!" Martha snorted. "Don't believe a word of it…the little brat snuck up on me and started spinning me around the room!"

"You didn't…" Amanda looked up for confirmation.

"Well…" Lex blushed slightly.

"Ah…Lex?" Amanda grinned, her hands locked behind the rancher's neck.

"Mmm?" the older woman looked deeply into her eyes, a tender smile on her face.

"You wanna let me down now?" the smaller woman asked, seeing the look of total love on her companion's face.

"Not really…" Lex admitted. "I could do this for the rest of my life." She said quietly. "And I hope to." Even quieter.

Amanda stopped breathing. "Me too." She finally responded. "I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be…"

Martha glanced at the two young women in the middle of the kitchen. "Hey! Would you two either sit at the table, or go somewhere else right now? How am I supposed to cook with you two giving each other puppy-dog eyes in the middle of my kitchen?" That got the intended response. Both young women blushed furiously.

Lex gently allowed Amanda to stand on her own feet. "Sorry about that…sorta forgot what I was doing."

The younger woman gave her a gentle pat on her good side. "Don't be…it was fun." She saw that Martha was diligently working on the biscuits, with her back turned to the couple. Amanda reached up and pulled Lex's head down gently. "Let me give you a proper good morning." She gave the taller woman a long, passionate kiss, ending only when Martha cleared her throat.

"Excuse me, wouldn't you two be more comfortable upstairs?" the housekeeper asked.

"Oops!" Amanda chuckled. Then she looked directly at Martha and grinned. "Probably. But I'm so hungry I could eat some of Lex's pancakes!"

The housekeeper laughed, and Lex scowled. "Remind me to bring you breakfast in bed one morning - that'll teach you to tease me!" she gave the smaller woman a light pat on the rear, then sat down at the table. "Need any help, Martha?"

"Oh, yes…you could be a big help and go find something else to do for about twenty or thirty minutes…" the housekeeper hinted, trying to keep Lex out from under her feet.

Amanda walked over and pulled the tall woman out of her chair. "C'mon…let's go for a walk…" she led Lex out of the room, with Martha's laughter floating after them. The young woman led the tall rancher down the long hallway, pulling her into the darkened den.

"I thought we were going for a walk?" Lex asked, as the small woman pushed her gently onto the couch.

Smirking, Amanda turned on the stereo, placing a CD in the drive. "Changed my mind…it looks pretty chilly outside this morning, so I thought we could just sit in here and enjoy your wonderful stereo system." She pushed play, and turned the volume down until it became background sound. The lights from the stereo cast a soft glow in the room, allowing Amanda to see the gentle smile on her lover's face.

"Think so? Why don't you come over here and get comfortable?" Lex murmured, watching the pale lights flicker across the young woman's face.

Amanda grinned, then walked slowly across the room to climb up into the rancher's lap, straddling her muscular legs. Wrapping her arms around Lex's neck, she whispered, "You're right… this is much more comfortable." She placed a soft kiss on the older woman's lips, then snuggled under her chin.

Lex chuckled, then wrapped her arms around Amanda, pulling her close. "Happy to be of service, ma'am." Closing her eyes, Lex relaxed - somewhat shocked that she was able to sit still for such a long length of time, without the urge to be up and doing something. You're a bad influence on me, Amanda…she thought wryly, enjoying the feel of the young woman in her arms.

Chapter 21

Half an hour later, Martha peeked into the den discreetly, finding them after hearing the sounds of The Corrs floating down the hallway. Seeing the two women snuggled up on the large sofa, she smiled to herself. They look so darn cute, all snuggled up together like that. She crept quietly into the room, trying not to startle them. "Lexie?"

The rancher opened her eyes slowly. "Hey, Martha." She whispered, trying to keep from disturbing her sleeping companion. "I guess breakfast is ready?"

"It sure is…think you can tear yourself away?" Martha teased.

Lex grinned. "Well, if I have to, I guess…" she looked at the older woman with a wry smile. "'course, after breakfast I'm gonna need to wash my hair, for some strange reason."

Martha crossed her arms across her chest. "Not my fault. You shouldn't sneak up on an old woman like that…"

"You're not an old woman," Lex snorted, causing the bundle in her arms to moan, and snuggle closer. But the comment made her pause for a moment. Lex studied the older woman seriously, seeing for the first time the wrinkles on the once-smooth skin, and the hair that was becoming more gray than brown. When did that happen? Have I been so self-absorbed that I never noticed?

"Honey? Is everything okay?" the housekeeper noticed the far away look in the younger woman's eyes.

"Damn, Martha…it's been twenty-five years, hasn't it?" she asked, still a little shocked at the amount of time that had passed.

Martha perched on the other end of the sofa and chuckled. "Hard to believe, isn't it? I told you I was getting old."

"No, not old…but you've spent half of your life babysitting me…a little more than you bargained for, I'll bet." Lex gave her a sardonic smile.

"And well worth every single minute of it," the housekeeper replied. "Although, I could do with less excitement, if you don't mind. This past week or so had been a little bit too much, even for you." Martha stood up. "Now why don't you wake up Sleeping Beauty there, and come and get some breakfast?" she chuckled and left the room.

Lex let her eyes follow the older woman from the room, a fond smile on her face. Gotta do something special for her…maybe Amanda will have some ideas. She looked down at the young woman securely attached to her. Leaning close to Amanda's ear, Lex whispered, "Amanda?"

"Mmm…no…" the small woman mumbled, burying her face deeper into Lex's chest.

The older woman grinned. "Sweetheart, you need to wake up…" she kissed the blonde head.

"Don't wanna…" Amanda growled, squeezing her arms tighter around her captive.

"Breakfast is ready."

"What?" Amanda's eyes popped open, and her head lifted away from Lex's body.

The rancher laughed, pulling the small woman close. "You are absolutely priceless, Amanda."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She looked at Lex crossly.

"That means," the older woman placed a gentle kiss on Amanda's lips, "I don't know," another kiss, "what I would do," a longer, more passionate kiss, "without you."

"Mmm…" the younger woman curled up against her. She was about to continue when her stomach growled. Ignoring the loud rumble, Amanda threaded her hands through the dark hair, forcing the older woman's back against the sofa.

Lex sat back and enjoyed the gentle assault, until Amanda's stomach rumbled again. Seeing that the young woman had no intention of stopping, the rancher decided to take matters into her own hands, in a manner of speaking. She dropped her hands from the young blonde's shoulders, moving them down slowly until they came to rest on Amanda's hips. Leaning forward slightly, Lex stood up, carrying the small body with her.

"Whoa! The couch is moving!" Amanda exclaimed, opening her eyes and looking around. She had unconsciously wrapped her legs around the rancher's lean waist, and looked down at their entangled bodies with a flush of embarrassment. "Umm…guess I should let you go, huh?"

"Well…I could just carry you into the kitchen like this, if you want." The older woman told her with a sexy smile. "Or, I could carry you up the stairs, and give you a different kind of breakfast - although I would leave it to you to explain that one to Martha…" she smirked.

Amanda unwrapped her legs from the tall woman's body reluctantly. "As much as I would love to go back upstairs with you, I don't think either one of us wants to face Martha's wrath if we don't have breakfast." She pouted slightly. "But, we may need some way to work off such a wonderful feast, don't you agree?"

Chapter 22

"So, what kind of mischief are you girls going to stir up today?" Martha asked. The three women were sitting around the kitchen table after breakfast, relaxing with a cup of coffee.

Lex looked at Amanda, who shrugged good-naturedly. "Well, I thought we'd spend today and tonight here…" seeing the younger woman smile in agreement, "then I have to get packed for our trip next week."

"A trip? Where are you going?" The housekeeper asked, secretly happy that they were staying at the ranch for another day. It's just too quiet when Lexie's not around…

Amanda placed her coffee mug back on the table after draining it. "That's right! We haven't had a chance to tell you yet…" She smiled as Lex refilled both hers, and Martha's coffee cups with the professionalism of a seasoned waitress. "My parents are having this big dinner party next week in Los Angeles, and I've convinced Lex to go with me. Besides, I'm going to need some help packing up my stuff and sending it to my grandparent's house - since I've decided to move to Somerville for good."

"That's wonderful news, honey!" Martha laid a small hand on the young woman's forearm. She then looked over at Lex with a surprised grin. "How are you planning on getting there?"

The young blonde looked at Martha, confusion etching her lovely features. "Fly, of course…why do you ask?" She looked over at Lex, who had paled suddenly.

Oh, shit! I didn't even think about how we were going to get there, Lex panicked. "Yeah, Martha. You didn't think we'd walk, did you?" she tried to keep her tone light.

"Riiight…I guess it was a pretty silly question, wasn't it?" Martha spared a glance at Amanda, who was looking at the rancher with a concerned look on her face.

Lex sighed. "No…it wasn't silly. I hadn't really thought about the form of transportation that we would take to get there…" she looked at Amanda with an embarrassed smile. "I…uh…have a little…trouble…on airplanes."

"What kind of trouble?" the younger woman reached over and entwined their hands. "Do you get airsick?"

Martha chuckled. "We should be so lucky." She then quieted after the dark-haired woman glowered at her.

"No…it's not that." Feeling the gentle pressure on her hand, Lex continued, "I get a little… anxious…on airplanes." She looked at the housekeeper for help.

"I'd say more than anxious, sweetheart." The older woman looked at Amanda. "We had to practically knock Lexie out with tranquilizers the last time…not the best experience, let me tell you."

Amanda leaned in closer to the rancher. "What is it about flying that bothers you so much?"

Lex looked down at the table, unable to meet those intense green eyes. "I'm not sure…it could be one of several things - the enclosed space, the fact that we're thousands of feet up in the air with nothing holding us up, or maybe it's just the sickeningly perky flight attendants. I don't know." She smiled at the younger woman.

"Maybe you just need something else to occupy your mind." The smaller woman offered.

"Such as?" a wicked grin.

Amanda blushed. "Umm…let's try another tact." She cleared her throat. "Maybe your anxiousness is due to something that happened before. Have you had any bad experiences on an airplane?"

Lex smiled at the look on Amanda's face. "Hmm…you mean other than the food?" she teased. Receiving the expected slap on the arm for that remark. "No…nothing that I can think of…I've only flown three times - each time was more of a disaster than the last."

"And yet you're willing to put yourself through all of that again?" Amanda was shocked.

The rancher shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah. I figure it's about time to face my fears… Right, Martha?" she looked at the housekeeper, who had a perplexed look on her face.

She's certainly got it bad… "If you say so, sweetheart. I know you've really been bothered by this for a long time." Martha looked at Amanda. "She swore after the last time that she'd never fly again."

"Why? What happened the last time?" the small blonde asked, looking from Lex to Martha.

Lex rolled her eyes, as the housekeeper laughed. "They say…" she looked pointedly at the older woman, "that I hit a flight attendant…but I don't remember it. The medication I had been given to help me with my jitters was really something else."

Martha interrupted. "You did! They said it took three security guards to get you off of the plane…you kept hollering that he…" laughing, she had to stop and catch her breath, "grabbed your…rear!" The housekeeper hooted. She looked over at Amanda, who had one hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. "The tranquilizers made Lexie really woozy, and she had stood up to grab something from one of the overhead compartments - they said she started to tumble back, and the flight attendant caught her."

Amanda lost it. "Oh, god…that poor man!"

Lex gave her an indignant look. "Hey! It was my butt he was groping!"

The housekeeper wiped the tears of mirth from her face and eyes. "And for that you broke his nose? I met the poor man later…believe me, honey - you weren't his type. I'm just thankful that he was so understanding, and didn't press charges against you."

"I've always wondered what you told him to keep me out of jail…" Lex mumbled. To her amazement, the older woman blushed.

"Well, I…uh…appealed to his kind and generous nature…" Martha stammered, somewhat embarrassed at the length she went to protect the young woman.

Lex put her elbow up on the table, and propped her chin on her open hand. "Oh, this I gotta hear…" she grinned at Amanda, "Please…continue." She waved her other hand regally.

"Brat." Martha snorted, then took a deep breath. "Okay…well…we got you settled in the car," she grinned at the young blonde across from her, "slept like a baby for almost two days, too…Anyway, the poor man was in the airline security office, screaming about lawyers, court, and Amazon psycho women who should be locked away for the good of society." She gave Lex a knowing grin.

"So…how did you calm him down?" Now Amanda was curious as well.

"Well, for starters…I cried…Then, I told him how Lexie took care of me in my decidedly waning years," she rolled her eyes at her audience, "and that she was all I had left in this world after her daddy up and left us." She gave them a devious smile. "After all, it really wasn't a lie now, was it?"

Lex laughed. "Martha, only you could make a man feel bad for getting beat up on an airplane."

The older woman stuck her tongue out at Lex. "Yeah, well…after I also explained to him that she was heavily tranquilized and had no idea what she was doing, he understood." Then she looked at the dark-haired woman with undisguised glee. "He told me his little poodle was the same way when they had to sedate her for long trips." Both she and Amanda cracked up.

Lex sat there looking at the two near-hysterical women, a deep blush on her face. Once they calmed down, she looked at Amanda with serious eyes. "Woof." Which set both women off again. Standing up, she tried to preserve as much dignity as possible. "I'm going upstairs for a shower, if you two ladies don't mind." She got to the doorway and turned back towards them. "Try to stay out of trouble, okay?"

Amanda and Martha looked at each other, paused, then burst into laughter again.

Continued in Part 4