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!).
Special Thanks: Bill, for all of your words of encouragement. And especially my AJ - Thank you for keeping me on the right track, and for your constant support - You're the keeper of my heart.
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 7
Chapter 39
After a short argument which she won, Amanda had Lex's place setting moved from next to Frank, to across the table beside her. The entire meal was spent in tense silence, only broken by the occasional attempts by Jeannie and her husband to clear the air.
"Good grief, Mandy…Daddy told us about what happened to you today. But he failed to mention that you looked like you got into a fight with Mike Tyson and lost." Jeannie teased. "So c'mon…tell us the whole story."
Amanda's explanation about the day's events further antagonized her parents, especially since she painted her companion's part in the tale so heroically. "The police officers said the look on that thief's face was really funny when Lex pulled that rope tight, and he hit the ground. They were trying to catch up on their bikes, and saw the whole thing."
Michael glared at the rancher. "Sounds rather foolish to me…chasing down a criminal when you are unarmed." He took a sip of wine. "People have been killed for less."
"I really wasn't thinking." The dark haired woman admitted. "I saw him hit Amanda, and totally lost it. I just wanted to make sure he paid for what he had done to her." Lex added quietly.
Uh-oh…time to change the subject, I think. "So, my lovely sister…" Jeannie smiled at the young blonde, "Give me all the juicy gossip from Somerville." She purposely ignored the glare from her mother, and winked at the rancher. "Or maybe you can fill me in, Lex."
"Sure…what do you want to know?" Lex flinched slightly when Amanda poked her leg under the table.
Jeannie gave her sister an evil grin. "Got anything on my sister? She never likes to talk about herself."
Lex grinned too, then almost yelped out loud as her leg was pinched. "Ow!" She quickly cleared her throat to cover up her slip. "Excuse me." Turning her head slightly, Lex quirked an eyebrow at her lover. "Well…did Amanda tell you about her promotion? She's now the manager of the real estate office."
"Really? Oooh…Mandy - that's great!" Jeannie almost squealed with excitement. "But what about that Neanderthal, Rick?" She looked at Lex. "He was always so rude when I would call Amanda's office. Someone needs to knock him down a peg or two, in my opinion."
The rancher almost choked on the water she was drinking. "Well," she coughed, "there's actually a really funny story about that…ow!" A sharp pain from her just-stomped foot stopped Lex in mid-sentence.
Frank, who had been silent up until now, looked at the dark-haired woman. "You okay, Lex?" His smirk let her know he knew exactly what was wrong.
"Yeah…" she glared at Amanda, who smiled innocently. "Sudden cramp, I guess." She felt a hand rub her leg in a soothing manner.
"So…what's the story?" Jeannie asked, missing the glare her sibling threw at her.
Feeling the hand on her thigh tighten into a claw, the rancher decided that discretion was the better part of valor. "Seems poor Rick not only got fired, but ended up receiving a bruised jaw and got thrown into jail for disorderly conduct." The claw straightened out, and gave her a loving pat instead.
Amanda quickly decided to change the subject. "So, Mother…have you decided on a cruise, or a tour of Europe this year?" Knowing that Elizabeth had one real passion in her life - travel.
"I believe I'll do Paris…the last cruise was such a disappointment to me. People actually brought children on board!" Sounding totally disgusted, she continued, "And they let the little heathens run wild. It was absolutely disgraceful."
Lex started to say something, but closed her mouth and concentrated on her plate instead. No sense in giving them any more reason to make Amanda's stay here miserable, she thought to herself.
"Do you have something you'd like to say, Lex?" Michael had seen the tall woman begin to speak, then stop. "I'm sure that we would all be interested in whatever is on your mind."
Amanda looked at her father in surprise, but didn't say anything.
"I really don't think you want to hear my opinion, Mr. Cauble." Lex gave Amanda's father a small smile.
Michael returned her smile. "Don't be ridiculous…please - share with us." He waved a hand at the table.
Feeling Amanda's comforting touch on her leg, Lex gave her partner an apologetic look. "I was just going to say that those folks probably worked and saved for years to go on a cruise, so they had just as much right to be there as anyone."
"Are you saying that I…don't…work for my money?" Elizabeth gave the rancher a nasty look, daring her to answer.
Lex shook her head. "No, ma'am, not at all. I'm just saying that most folks don't take a real vacation every year. But when they do, they have as much right to relax and enjoy themselves as the people whose biggest concern is where they'll go, not how much it will cost."
Seeing his mother-in-law preparing herself to attack, Frank jumped into the conversation. "Have you ever been on a cruise, Lex?" Cutting the older woman off before she could get started.
The tall woman smiled, a little embarrassed. "No…never really had the time. As a matter of fact, this is the first real vacation I've ever had." She gave Amanda a meaningful look. "But I wouldn't mind going on one, someday."
"Frank and I are taking an Alaskan Cruise as a second honeymoon next spring," Jeannie shared, helpfully. "Maybe you should consider going on one too - certainly a great way to beat the summer heat." She smiled. "I didn't visit as often as Amanda did, but the Texas summers stand out as extremely wicked in my mind. I don't know how you are able to handle it."
Lex shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to it - doesn't really bother me any."
Elizabeth saw her opportunity. "I suppose it's like the migrant workers in the Valley… they don't know any better than to stay in the hot sun all day. They're quite used to it as well, I suppose."
Amanda glared at her mother. "I can't believe your attitude!"
"It's okay, Amanda." Lex placed a hand on the younger woman's arm, trying to calm her down.
"No, it's not!" the furious blonde snapped, then looked into hurt blue eyes and immediately dropped her voice. "I'm getting tired of listening to my parents take potshots at you." She whispered, forgetting the other people at the table.
Lex casually slipped her hand beneath the table, and took a firm grasp of Amanda's fingers. "We'll talk about this later, okay?" she gave the smaller hand in hers a gentle squeeze. Looking up at Elizabeth, she smiled again. "And I have to agree with you, Mrs. Cauble…if a person works all day, every day in the heat, it's much easier for them to handle it." Then, with a slight twinkle in her eye, she continued, "Unlike the poor folks that have to sit in an office all the time… they break out into a sweat just walking to their cars at the end of the day."
Touché, Mother. Amanda smiled inwardly. She looked over at Lex and gave her a wink. "You about finished?" she looked at the half-eaten plate of food in front of her lover with a frown.
"Yeah…just not real hungry, I guess." This offered with a sheepish shrug. Lex's stomach was still in knots over what happened earlier in the day.
"You two got any plans for tonight?" Frank asked, after a not so subtle poke in the ribs from his wife.
Amanda looked at Lex, who raised an eyebrow encouragingly. "Not really…what do you have in mind?" She looked at her sister, who was smiling broadly.
"Lex…you can't come to LA without going out at least for one evening…isn't that right, Amanda?" Jeannie winked.
The rancher looked suddenly panicked. "Umm…that's really nice of you, but I didn't bring anything to wear for a night out on the town."
Frank and Jeannie both laughed. "Actually," he said, smiling, "You'll be more suitably dressed for where we're going than Jeannie or I will."
"Okay, why not?" Lex looked at Amanda. "Do you feel up to it?" The tone in her voice made it clear that Amanda could just say no.
The young blonde smiled and patted Lex on the arm. "Sure…" she touched her bruised jaw, "Looks bad, but really doesn't hurt."
Elizabeth Cauble sighed heavily, drawing everyone's attention back to her. "I guess it's too much to ask that you actually spend some time with your father and me before you leave us." She gave Amanda a pitiful look.
"Now, now…" Michael stopped her. "I'm sure Amanda will be glad to spend some quality time with us in the morning." He gave the rancher an unreadable look. "And you too, Lex. I'd really like the opportunity to get to know you a little better." He smiled, a look that sent chills down the dark-haired woman's spine.
Why do I suddenly feel like a man at the gallows being told to jump? Lex wondered. "Sure, Mr. Cauble…if you really want to." She gave Amanda's hand a firm squeeze. "But I'm sure I can find something to occupy myself with if you need to spend a little time alone with Amanda."
"That won't be necessary, Lex." If all goes well, Amanda will send your gold-digging hide back to Texas so fast it will make your head spin. He laughed inwardly. "If my daughter is determined to spend time with you, I'd really like for us to become better acquainted."
Jeannie stood up. "Great! We'll get ready, and meet you two in the sitting room in an hour." She grabbed her husband and hurried from the room.
Amanda released Lex's hand and stood up as well. "Guess we'd better go get ready, huh?" she asked her lover with a sweet smile. "We'll see you both in the morning," she assured her parents as Lex joined her by the door. "Goodnight."
Halfway up the stairs, Lex pulled Amanda to a stop. "Do you have any idea where we're going tonight?"
"Sure." Amanda grinned, then continued up the stairs, a growling rancher at her heels.
"AMANDA!" Lex chased her, laughing.
Chapter 40
Lex stood away from the pool table quietly, watching as Amanda lined up her shot. She couldn't help but smile as the cute blonde's tongue slightly poked from her mouth - the perfect picture of intense concentration.
"Don't let that innocent look fool you…" Frank whispered, "she's a first class shark!" he chuckled. "The first time we played, she beat me so badly that I had to carry her books to class for a solid week! Do you know how demeaning it is for a high school senior to be enslaved by a freshman?"
"Amanda said you were her best friend…" Lex took a sip of her beer, "How long have you known each other, if you don't mind me asking?" she shook her head as Amanda sunk her shot, dancing around and waving her hand in front of her sister's face. "Uh-oh…"
Frank watched, as his wife good-naturedly threatened the blonde with her cue stick. "Don't worry…Amanda can take her." He laughed out loud at the look of shock on the dark-haired woman's face. "I'm kidding! Well, not completely…Mandy can take her - but they don't actually fight, anymore." He took a strong swallow of his third scotch and water. The tall woman was still nursing her first beer, which she surprised them all by ordering. Lex told them she really didn't drink much anymore, which was okay by him and Jeannie, since the last time they were out they got carried away and had to call a cab. "Mandy literally ran me over on my first day at her school." He shook his head in remembrance. "I had just transferred from a small school south of Sacramento, and was completely and totally awed by this huge school. I had run myself ragged trying to find my classes, and had bent down in the hallway to tie my shoe. Then this little blonde whirlwind came flying around the corner and knocked me flat on my face."
Lex laughed. "I'll bet that was a sight! But it's nice to know she's always been like that, running from place to place." She felt a hand on her arm.
"What's so funny?" Amanda asked, reaching across Lex to grab her drink, a vodka Collins.
"Frank was just telling me how you two met." Lex grinned, seeing her lover blush.
Amanda rubbed her face. "Umm…it's your shot, Lex." She gave the older woman's stomach a gentle pat, then smiled at the rolled-eyed look she received as the rancher walked towards the pool table.
"You look really happy, Mandy." The big man studied his sister-in-law closely. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much." He nodded towards the pool table, where his wife was trying to ruin the rancher's shot by making faces and slinging silly comments at her.
"Yeah…I'm very happy." Amanda saw what Jeannie was doing and tossed a pretzel at her. "Stop cheating!" she yelled, getting a nasty look from her sibling. Turning her attention back to Frank, she smiled warmly. "She's the one, Frank."
He nodded. "I kinda figured that by the look on your face, kiddo." The burly man smiled, remembering the long talks the two of them used to have. Amanda had sworn she would find her one true love, and not settle for anything less. Frank was the only person she had shared that with - not even her sister knew the high standards she had set for a mate. He had understood, since he had fallen completely in love with her sister the moment he met her. "Even I can see she's special, Mandy…don't ever let her go." Frank spoke quietly, his eyes suspiciously sparkling in the smoky light of the bar.
Amanda wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a light kiss on the lips. "Thanks, Frank…I knew you'd understand."
"I guess this means I get to take Slim here home with me." Jeannie teased, wrapping an arm around Lex's waist. "No offense, Frank, but I think I got the better end of the deal." She grinned as a long arm draped casually across her shoulder.
"I've heard about some of the wild things that goes on here in California," Lex drawled, raising an eyebrow as Amanda spun around and Frank placed his chin on her head, wrapping his arms around her protectively - an innocent look on his face. "You think you can handle her?" she gave the big man a smirk.
Frank appeared thoughtful. "I dunno. Since you met her - you nearly drowned, got your ribs broken, were shot, and attacked by rustlers." He stepped back suddenly, pushing the giggling blonde forward. "Gimme back my wife - Please!"
Lex impulsively caught Amanda, who snuggled happily into her arms, much to Frank and Jeannie's amusement. "Fickle, ain't she?" the rancher muttered to the other couple, only to receive a slap on the belly. "What'd I say?" she complained to the blonde.
The more I'm around her, the better I like this mysterious rancher who has stolen my little sister's heart, Jeannie thought to herself. "Okay, gang…now that I whipped Slim at pool…"
"What?!" Amanda leaned back so that she could look Lex in the eye. "How could you lose? We only had to make one shot." She spun around and glared at her sister, who was now giggling. "What did you do?" Then she felt strong arms wrap themselves snugly around her.
"I didn't think she could actually do it…" Lex said, lying her head on the smaller woman's shoulder. "I said she couldn't distract me into blowing my shot."
Amanda frowned. "I'll ask again…what did she do?"
Jeannie laughed. "I tried dancing around the table like a fool - didn't work. I even blew in her ear…" She saw Amanda's eyes widen, "Nothing. So, while she was bent over about to shoot, I pinched her on the butt!" At this startling confession, everyone burst out laughing.
"Damn near knocked the guy at the next table out with the cue ball, too." The rancher admitted with an embarrassed grin.
Amanda pulled the long arms around her tighter. "God, honey…I'm sorry I missed that." She felt Lex laugh. "Are you ready for our next stop?"
Lex released a heavy sigh. "Do I want to know where we're going?"
Jeannie reached over, grabbed Lex by the hand, and started dragging her towards the door. "Dancing!" She exclaimed, as Amanda and Frank followed closely behind.
"What in the hell is that supposed to be?" Lex grumbled as a young person walked by her, their bright purple spiked hair and multiple face piercings shocking the somewhat conservative rancher.
Amanda giggled, pulling Lex through the crowd of people, right behind Frank and Jeannie. "I think it was a he, but don't quote me on that."
They found a table near the crowded dance floor, loud music with a strong beat making Lex's teeth hurt. She ordered another beer, and then focused her attention on the dozens of people dancing. Men dancing with women, men dancing with men, and women dancing with women all seemed to be having a good time. There were even a few wildly dressed people dancing alone, which caused a smirk to cross Lex's face.
"See anything you like?" Amanda asked, her lips close to the dark-haired woman's ear. She could tell that Lex was a little overwhelmed, seeing a lot of things that she would never see in a small town. The rancher looked particularly engrossed with a young woman who was wearing white makeup with black across her eyes and lips, studs and hoops adorning her eyebrows and nose. "Maybe I should get my nose pierced." Amanda whispered, then playfully licked Lex's ear.
"Huh?" the older woman jumped, then smiled. "C'mon…" she grabbed Amanda's hand. "Let's go join the crowd!" Lex stood and pulled the younger woman onto the dance floor, just as a slow song began. "Perfect!" she smiled, claiming a piece of the dance floor.
Amanda linked her hands behind the tall woman's neck, snuggling her face into Lex's chest. I really like this, she thought blissfully, as Lex pulled her even closer.
Closing her eyes happily, Lex gently swayed to the music, enjoying the feeling of holding Amanda in her arms. Her peaceful thoughts were interrupted by a strong hand on her shoulder.
"Mind if I cut in?" A short, pudgy woman with slicked back hair asked.
"No, thank you." Lex said, turning back around.
"Hey!" The woman, clad in leather pants and a leather vest, grabbed the taller woman's arm and swung Lex around to face her. "Look, cowboy, I'd like to dance with the cute blonde." She craned her neck to look the rancher in the eye. "Why don't you go feed your horse, and I'll show the lady a good time."
Amanda stepped between the two women, thinking fast. "Lex, honey…" she said loudly, patting the rancher on the stomach, "You remember what your parole officer said. The next person you hospitalize can get you sent back to prison." She almost laughed out loud at the look on the pushy woman's suddenly pale face.
Lex gave the woman an evil grin, then glanced down at her lover. "Aw…c'mon, sweetheart - just this once?" She took a menacing step towards Amanda's would-be suitor. "Please?"
Deciding to find someplace else to be, the leather-clad woman turned quickly and made her way back through the crowd, muttering under her breath. "I've got better things to do with my time…"
"Thanks, sweetheart." Lex wrapped Amanda into a hug, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "I really didn't want to ruin tonight by getting into an argument with Motorcycle Mama."
Amanda chuckled. "I was tempted to just smack her one, but I was afraid she'd scream 'lawsuit'." She wrapped her arms back around Lex's neck. "Don't we have a dance to finish?"
Lex kissed her lightly on the lips and rested her hands on Amanda's waist. "Yeah." She pulled the smaller woman to her and closed her eyes peacefully, slowly rocking once again to the music.
"I thought for sure we were going to have a brawl on our hands," Frank laughed at the table later. "We saw that woman try to cut in."
Jeannie nodded. "Why didn't you just slug her, Lex?" She asked the smiling rancher. "I know I probably would have, the rude little turd."
"Nah…I really couldn't blame her any." Lex put her arm on the back of Amanda's chair. "She had great taste in women." The rancher enjoyed seeing her lover blush. "Besides, I knew Amanda would be coming home with me." Lex winked.
Mother and Father are so wrong about her, Jeannie marveled, She's the best thing that's ever happened to Mandy. "You guys about ready to leave? I think Frank has had about all the fun he can stand for one night." She gestured towards her husband, whose eyes were beginning to droop.
Frank stifled a yawn. "Sorry about that…guess I'm not used to all this excitement."
"I'm pretty pooped too." Amanda admitted, leaning back against Lex's arm. "How about you, honey?" She turned her head and gazed into the dark-haired woman's eyes. "Ready to go home and go to bed?"
Lex quirked an eyebrow, amused. "Is that an offer from the cute blonde?" She stood up, offering her hand to Amanda. "I thought maybe I was just getting old - I can barely keep my eyes open." She pulled the younger woman to her feet.
"You…old…yeah, right!" Frank took Jeannie's hand, and they followed Lex and Amanda through the still raucous crowd towards the front door. "If she's old, then I'm ancient." He grumbled to his wife.
Jeannie patted him on the rear lovingly. "Whatever you say, grandpa."
"I haven't been out with Frank and Jeannie in a couple of years. We used to have a lot of fun together." Amanda yawned much later that evening, towel drying her hair in the bedroom. They both had decided that smelling like stale cigarette smoke from the bars was not a good way to sleep, so they shared a quick shower before getting ready for bed.
Lex, walked out of the bathroom in her boxers and sleepshirt, and returned the yawn. "Mmm…" she fell back onto the bed bonelessly. "Yeah…well, it was certainly an experience, that's for sure."
Concerned, Amanda walked over and kneeled on the bed. "Are you okay, honey? I know you maybe had one beer all night long - are you getting sick on me?"
"Nah…just tired." The rancher assured her. "I'm not used to staying up quite this late dancing and stuff." She smiled, then grabbed Amanda and pulled her on top of her. "You coming to bed anytime soon, or are you going to play with your hair all night?"
"Well, I wanted to…oooh…" Amanda gasped as a warm hand snuck under her nightshirt, tracing a soft pattern across her back. "Umm…" Gentle lips began nipping at her throat.
Lex felt the body on top of hers relax completely, as she continued her assault on Amanda's neck. She pulled away slightly, gazing deeply into green eyes that were struggling to stay open. "C'mon, love…" Lex sat up, pulling the blonde with her, "Let's get some sleep." She maneuvered them both under the covers, not relinquishing her hold on Amanda.
"'Night, love." Amanda murmured, placing a kiss on the older woman's throat.
"Pleasant dreams, sweetheart." Lex whispered, hearing the deep, even breathing that told her Amanda was already asleep.
Chapter 41
The four late-night revelers ended up sleeping in, so they spent the latter part of the morning enjoying each other's company for breakfast.
"So, Lex…" Frank teased, "You ready to go back out dancing? Maybe we can find your little friend again."
The dark-haired woman chuckled. "Think I'll give it a miss…I don't want to end up bailing Amanda out of jail."
"Me? I have no idea what you're talking about." Amanda tried to look innocent, but failed miserably when Lex gave her a knowing grin. "Stop that."
Choking on her coffee, Jeannie gasped, "Mandy…you know darn good and well what Lex is talking about." She wiped tears from her eyes, "You've still got a bad temper…I was hoping that staying with Gramma and Grandpa would have had a positive effect on you." She changed her focus of attention to the still smiling rancher. "Has she taken a swing at you yet, Slim?"
"No…not…" Lex shook her head, then stopped. "Well, actually…" she grinned. "Just yesterday, she slapped me."
Amanda looked shocked. "I did no such…" she paused, then rolled her eyes. "Oh, for god's sake! You deserved that - scaring me half to death, chasing after that guy." She glared at Lex. "And I'll do it again, if you ever pull another stupid stunt like that!"
"Yes, ma'am." Lex teased, then sobered. She ran gentle fingertips over the still-purple bruise on her lover's face. "How's that feel today? Looks like all of the swelling is gone, at least." The rancher barely controlled the urge to lean over and kiss the contusion.
Capturing the hand with one of her own, the blonde smiled. "Fine. Doesn't even hurt today, honest." She happily leaned into the touch.
Jeannie sighed. They are just so cute together…"Well, I hate to leave such wonderful company, but I promised Mother that I'd go by and check on the gallery." She tossed her napkin onto the table. "You ready, darling?" She asked Frank, who nodded.
"Sure. I've got a couple of last-minute things to pick up before the dinner tonight, anyway." The big man smiled at Amanda then stood up and pushed his chair back to the table.
Lex gave Amanda a look. "Yeah, I still gotta get something too, I guess." She missed the wink the blonde gave Frank.
"Miss Amanda…I'm terribly sorry to interrupt you, but your father has requested that you join them in the library." Beverly stepped into the dining room quietly, a subdued tone in her voice.
"Our cue to leave." Jeannie and Frank headed towards the doorway. "Good luck, guys." She waved a hand and hurried from the room.
Amanda smiled at the maid. "Thanks, Beverly…we'll be right there." As the woman began to leave, she asked, "What kind of mood is he in, or dare I even ask?"
"That's just it, Miss Amanda. He's in a really good mood - it's very strange." She shook her head and left the room quietly.
Turning to face Lex, Amanda frowned. "I don't think I like the sound of that. You sure you want to go with me?"
The rancher leaned forward, kissing the top of the younger woman's forehead. "I'm with you, sweetheart…as long as you'll have me."
"Forever sounds pretty good to me, at least to start with." The blonde captured Lex's lips with her own, sharing a kiss full of love and promise. Pulling back and releasing a heavy sigh, Amanda forced a smile. "Let's go 'visit', then we'll go shopping, okay?"
"Right." Lex stood up, then pulled her friend into a strong hug as soon as the smaller woman got to her feet. "One for the road." She buried her face into the soft hair. "I love you, Amanda." She spoke quietly, savoring the moment. "With all my heart and soul."
Amanda felt the tall woman tremble slightly. "I love you too, Lex." She returned the embrace, kissing the collarbone that peeked through the v-neck of the shirt Lex as wearing. "And I always will."
"Come in and have a seat, you two." Michael motioned the young women into the library. Elizabeth was comfortably perched on the loveseat, while he stood at the bar, a set of papers in his hand.
Amanda pulled Lex over to the sofa, which was at a 90-degree angle from the loveseat, and directly across from the bar. She sat down next to the rancher, close enough to touch if she needed to. "Good morning, Mother." Giving the older woman a friendly smile.
"It's almost afternoon, Amanda. But I hear you had a late night last night." She gave the rancher an almost civil look. "Lex."
The dark-haired woman smiled politely and nodded. "Mrs. Cauble."
Michael interrupted. "Coffee?" he nodded to his wife. "Oh, I'm sorry Lex…" He raised a decanter filled with an amber liquid. "I hear that whiskey is more to your liking in the mornings." He poured a glass. "I'm afraid that all I have right now is scotch, but we can send one of the servant's out for some Jack Daniels, if you would prefer." Michael watched with hidden glee as his daughter's face showed confusion.
"What are you talking about, Daddy?" Amanda turned to face her lover. "Lex?"
The rancher was looking down at her feet, a resigned look on her face. Then, taking a deep breath, she looked up and locked gazes with Amanda's father. "No thank you, Mr. Cauble. I haven't drank hard liquor in years." She turned and met her lover's eyes. "Remember I told you about Linda?" she asked softly.
Amanda frowned, thinking. "Yes…what does that…"
"After that, I got a little wild for a while… but Martha got me straightened out." Lex felt a small hand on her leg, the presence reassuring. "I'll tell you all about it later, I promise." She whispered.
"I'm not worried, love." The young blonde smiled.
Michael frowned. Damn that Richards… this is not going as I had planned at all. "My mistake, Lex…" he conceded the point to the dark-haired woman. Let's just see if I can shake her up a little more. "So…do you have family back in Texas, Lex?"
Confused by the sudden change in topics, the rancher nodded. "Yes…I have an older brother, Hubert."
Stepping away from the bar, Michael sat down next to his wife on the loveseat, who was sipping from a china cup. "How about your parents?" He leaned over and poured three more cups of coffee, offering one to both Lex and Amanda.
Lex accepted the offering politely, even though the thought of ingesting anything right now made her stomach cramp. "Thank you." She acknowledged the coffee, balancing the cup and saucer on one thigh. "My mother died when I was four - and my father…travels a lot." No lie there, but I guess I could just say he's a drifter who would rather wonder where his next meal is coming from, than have to look at his daughter.
Elizabeth wasn't certain what her husband had in mind, but she decided to play along. "And does your brother work with you at your ranch?"
"No, ma'am. He's a CPA in town." Lex shared a smile with Amanda. "He's not much for the ranch life."
"A professional, then…you must be very proud of him." Elizabeth gave her daughter a look. Much more suitable than a common cowhand, that's for sure. "You only have one sibling? Must have been lonely growing up." She gave Lex a mock sympathetic look.
Lex swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "I had a younger brother…but he died…about nine years ago." She felt Amanda grasp her hand for support.
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that. It's always so tragic when a child dies." Michael shook his head sadly. "Especially when it can be avoided…" Wait…I seem to recall a boy named Walters that was killed at the lake around that time." He looked at the rancher, an understanding look on his handsome face. "That was your brother, wasn't it?"
"Louis…" Lex nodded, trying to keep her emotions under control. Almost ten years ago, and it still hurts as much as the day it happened… why can't I get past this?
Michael smiled, adjusting his glasses slightly. "That's what I thought. If I recall correctly…" he knew all of the details, since he had just read them this morning, "There was a boat full of kids, and they were hit by another boat, right?" Seeing the dark-haired woman nod slightly, a pained look on her face, he continued," Absolutely horrible. The whole affair could probably have been avoided with the proper adult supervision." Seeing Lex pale. "Don't you agree, Lex?"
"That's it!" Amanda stood up. "C'mon, Lex." She pulled the silent rancher to her feet. "We've got things to do, if you'll excuse us."
Lex allowed the younger woman to lead her through the doorway, her mind a million miles away. He's right…I should have been there, she mentally berated herself. If I had been driving the boat, maybe the entire accident could have been avoided. Numbly she continued to follow Amanda, feeling a small amount of comfort in their linked hands. The cool breeze on her face brought Lex back to her senses. Looking around she found herself standing in the garden, under Amanda's favorite tree.
"C'mere, love…sit down." Amanda sat down under the tree and patted her leg. She waited patiently until the blank look faded from Lex's face, and then she held out her arms. "Please?"
Forcing a small smile to her face, the rancher sat down in front of Amanda and stretched out, allowing the smaller woman to wrap her arms around her. Lex ended up lying on her back between Amanda's legs, her head resting against her lover's chest.
Amanda began gently running her fingers through the thick, dark hair, feeling Lex finally begin to relax. "I'm calling the airline…we're going home on the next flight out." The blonde murmured, angry tears threatening to fall.
"No." Lex finally spoke, her voice hoarse from holding back tears of her own.
"Yes! There's nothing here worth putting you through this - I'm tired of defending my actions to them, and having them try to get to me through you." Amanda absently straightened the bangs on Lex's forehead.
Lex turned slightly, so that she could look into Amanda's face. "Don't let them win, sweetheart…they'll never let you live it down." She raised a hand and caressed the unbruised side of the younger woman's jaw. "I can handle this…they just kinda caught me off guard, that's all."
Leaning down until their noses were almost touching, Amanda dropped a light kiss on the rancher's mouth. "Are you sure about this? We can be home before it gets dark tonight."
Lex raised her head slightly to capture the blonde's lips for a more prolonged contact. "Mmm…" Home…I think I like the sound of that, Lex thought for a wistful moment. "Yeah, I'm sure…we've got a dinner to sit through tonight." She gave her lover a small smile. "But it won't hurt my feelings if you decide that you want to leave Saturday morning."
Amanda grinned. "That's a great idea. I'll call and change our reservations." She wrapped her arms around the reclining woman and squeezed hard. "Have I told you lately just how much I love you?" She whispered into the ear next to her face.
"You may have mentioned something about it a time or two." Lex teased, raising up slightly to return the embrace. "I'm sorry about all that stuff with your father." She said quietly. "I guess I should have told you about that mess before you heard it from someone else… it was just a matter of time before somebody told you."
"No, Lex. I don't expect a day-by-day account of your life before you met me. What I don't understand is how he knew so much about it." Amanda had pulled back enough so that she could look Lex in the eye, angered by the poorly hidden pain she could see there.
The rancher swallowed. "It's a small town…my little 'binge' was certainly no secret." She closed her eyes at the gentle touch on her head. "I spent over a month drunk out of my mind… got thrown out of quite a few bars, and was even picked up by the law a time or two. I imagine that everyone in town knows all about it."
Amanda continued to run her fingers through the dark hair. "You were young, and had been terribly hurt emotionally. Didn't anyone try to help you, talk to you?"
"Yeah…right." Lex scoffed, then looked up into green eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "You've got to understand, Amanda…I was young, it's true. But I was so full of anger and hatred at how unfair I thought my life was, that most folks steered clear of me." She blinked, then looked down, afraid to see the look on the blonde's face. "I had been so nasty to her, even Martha threatened to leave me." She took a ragged breath, "I think that the fear of losing her was what finally snapped me back to reality."
"Oh, sweetheart." Amanda pulled Lex's chin up, so that she could look into her sad blue eyes. "I don't think that Martha would ever leave you…no more than I could." She gave the rancher a gentle kiss.
After returning the kiss, Lex smiled. "God, I love you." She ran a shaky hand down the younger woman's face, then chuckled. "I don't think she was actually going to leave, either. But she did toss a bucket of muddy water on me while I was passed out on the front porch one morning."
Amanda giggled. "I'll bet that went over well." She could almost picture the young rancher's face as Martha dished out her own brand of 'tough-love'. "Wish I had been there to see that."
If you would have been there, I'd wouldn't have been in that situation." Lex murmured. Taking a deep breath, she started to get up. "Let's go…I think we've got some shopping to do."
"You're right…I need to pick up a few things for tonight." Amanda jumped to her feet, pulling the taller woman up with her.
Lex kept her hold on Amanda's hand as they walked back towards the house. "A few things…" she mumbled, feeling the hand in hers tighten. "I thought you were going to help me get something more suitable to wear." Personally, she really didn't care what she wore, but Lex was determined not to embarrass her lover with her choice of clothing.
"Actually…" Amanda grinned, as they walked through the house and up the stairs, "You're all set. I have to find just the right thing to go with what you're wearing." She pulled Lex into the guestroom. "Just let me get my purse, and we'll go." She started to step away, then found herself pulled back into the arms of a grinning rancher.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Lex asked, pulling the blonde into a tight embrace.
Amanda unconsciously clasped her hands behind the taller woman's neck, smiling up into twinkling blue eyes. "Hmm…you're right. I need to grab the car keys, too."
"Ah…I see." Lex ran her hands lightly up the smaller woman's ribs.
Amanda giggled, squirming slightly. "Aaaack!" She tried to back away, but found herself suddenly lifted into the air, cradled in the rancher's arms like a small child. "Lex! Stop that!"
"Seems to me someone needs her memory refreshed." Lex grinned, slowly carry her cargo towards the bed.
Kicking her feet, Amanda unsuccessfully tried to break Lex's hold. "You're going to hurt yourself, you nut!" Then she squealed when she was tossed in the air towards the bed. "Aaaah!"
Amanda landed on her back in the middle of the large bed, bouncing slightly. Before she could say a word, she was covered with a long, lean body…her wrists being held together above her head with one large hand. "Lex…?"
"You know…" Hot breath on her neck caused Amanda to shiver slightly. "I could do this one of two ways…" Lex murmured, bending closer and taking a small bite from Amanda's earlobe.
"W..w..what's that?" The smaller woman gasped out, trying to get her breathing under control and failing miserably.
Lex allowed her free hand to slowly trace down Amanda's trembling body. "I could just torture you until you begged…" She kissed just below the blonde's ear.
Amanda wiggled, causing Lex to straddle her waist. "Uh-huh….and….just what sort of torture…Oh, god!…." she felt a warm hand sneak inside her shirt, lightly stroking her belly.
"Hmm…" the rancher pulled back a bit, so she could look into Amanda's flushed face. "Just how much 'torture' can you stand, my little impudent friend?" Lex leaned back down and captured the younger woman's lips for a long moment.
Amanda accepted the kiss greedily, trying to pull her hands free so she could tangle them in Lex's hair. "Mmm…. Lex…." she mumbled still squirming, but now for an entirely different reason.
Lex pulled away from Amanda's mouth, then began working her way down the slender throat. "You know," she slowly used her free hand to unbutton the bright green shirt, "I bet I can make you beg for mercy…" she began kissing the soft skin just above Amanda's bra.
"Oh…ummm…." Amanda closed her eyes, breathing heavily. "I'll never beg, you…oh, god…" she felt a warm tongue lick lightly at her chest. All thoughts of trying to play the game flew out the window.
"Won't beg, huh?" Lex placed a series of small bites on Amanda's now exposed stomach. "You sure about that?" She gently teased.
"No…you can't make me…ah, Lex…" The younger woman was panting heavily now, as Lex continued to work her way across her belly. "Aaaah!" she squealed, eyes popping open as the rancher's long fingers began tickling her ribs. "Lex…stop it…" she wiggled back and forth.
The older woman continued to tickle unmercifully, grinning wildly. "Heh. Say it, Amanda." Her lover was giggling almost uncontrollably now.
"Oh, god, Lex…Stop!" Amanda sputtered out between gales of laughter. "Please!"
Lex stopped, a triumphant grin on her face. "Told you I could make you beg." Then laughed as she was pulled down for a heated kiss, causing the world to slip away.
Chapter 42
Shopping, Lex decided, had to have been invented by some poor slob trying to occupy his wife and keep her out of his hair, because no sane person would actually agree to put themselves through such torture. Slouched in a highly uncomfortable chair, the rancher sighed again as her companion tried on yet another item of clothing. She was stationed directly outside the dressing room door, mumbling replies to the younger woman's questions, as she had been for the past couple of hours.
"Now, before you say anything," Amanda warned, still behind the door, "I know that this is waaaay too formal for tonight, but I just couldn't resist trying it on."
Suddenly, standing in front of Lex was a vision in aqua. The long satin gown hung by spaghetti straps, draping over Amanda's lithe figure seductively.
"Uh…" Lex gasped, swallowing several times. She tried to get words from her brain to her mouth, but she couldn't form any words. Wow…
Amanda turned around and glanced at herself in the mirror, not noticing the look of complete awe on her lover's face. Looking back over her shoulder, she asked, "So…what do you think?"
Lex blinked a couple of times, then finally smiled widely. "Beautiful." She murmured, "Absolutely stunning." She stood up and walked over until she was directly behind the smaller woman. "You've got to get this, sweetheart." She whispered into Amanda's ear, looking over the petite shoulder into the mirror.
"It's too dressy for the dinner tonight - I checked with Jeannie, and she said that most of the guests will be coming in straight from the office. Mother was going to make it a formal affair, but something came up this past week and everyone is having to put in extra time." Amanda explained, enjoying the way the shimmering material brought out the color of Lex's eyes, as she peeked over her bare shoulder.
"I don't care." Lex put her hands on the blonde's shoulders, turning the smaller woman to face her. "I'll find someplace elegant to take you…but you look too beautiful in it not to have it." She squeezed Amanda's shoulders gently. "Please? Let me buy it for you."
Amanda looked at the price tag. Six hundred dollars?! Oh no, I don't think so, my love. Covering one of Lex's hands with her own, she smiled. "Honey, I really appreciate the thought, but this dress is too expensive for you to waste your money on."
Picking up the tag and peering at it, Lex shrugged. "It can't hold a candle to what you're worth to me." Giving Amanda a thoughtful look, she smiled gently. "How about if I make it a birthday present?"
"My birthday isn't for several months - not that I don't appreciate the thought." Amanda was still blushing, still not used to such bold compliments. "And I really appreciate the sentiment behind it as well." She turned back towards the dressing room. "Could you come in and help me with the zipper, please?" This was asked in a voice loud enough for the circling saleswoman to hear.
"Sure." Lex followed her into the small room, latching the door shut behind them. "Turn around and I'll…" the rancher found herself the recipient of a deep, loving kiss.
Amanda pulled back with a smile. "I love you, Lexington Marie Walters…no one else has ever made me feel as loved and special as you do." She turned so that her back was facing the tall woman. "Now unzip me and we'll get out of here."
Lex grinned and did as she was asked. Running a fingertip down the exposed smooth back, she chuckled. "We're finally through?"
"Well," Amanda pulled the dress off, slipping back into her comfortable khakis, "We can always look around some more, if you want." She looked down shyly as Lex kneeled, offering her help with her shoes. "I feel a little bit like Cinderella, going from that gown back into this." She plucked at the green polo short adorning her body. Stepping into the shoes, she watched as Lex tied them for her. "You're going to spoil me, you know."
"All part of my plan to keep you happy, sweetheart." The rancher gently massaged a strong calf. "Besides, I enjoy it too." She stood up and allowed Amanda to exit the dressing room first, grabbing the dress on her way out. "You almost forgot something."
Amanda shook her head. "I'm not going to win this one, am I?" she asked, watching as her lover handed the dress to the now beaming saleswoman.
"Nope." Lex chuckled, then turned to the woman at the cash register. "She's gonna need shoes to match, right?"
The painfully thin woman nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I can tell you're a woman of refined tastes, Madam." Looking at Amanda, she asked, "what size, dear?"
Amanda smiled, but stepped back a pace. "Oh, no…that's really not necessary - I'm sure I have shoes to match somewhere." She gave Lex a pleading look.
Leaning up against the counter with her arms crossed, Lex smirked. "Size?"
"Six…" Amanda sighed, shaking her head.
Leaning over to the saleswoman, the rancher whispered, "I don't care what it costs, make sure they're the most comfortable shoes you can find, okay?"
Dollar signs practically lighting up her eyes, the saleswoman scurried away. "Right away, Madam."
"I'll get you back for this." Amanda muttered, watching as the saleswoman hurried back with a shoebox under one arm.
Lex smiled. "Oh, yeah?" she handed the clerk a credit card. "You can try, but I wouldn't waste money on a fancy dress for me…" she teased, signing for the purchases.
"Thank you, Ms. Walters, for your business. I look forward to serving you again." The saleswoman smiled, handing the hanging bag to Lex.
Amanda giggled at the look on the dark-haired woman's face. "No dress, huh?" She bent down and picked up her other shopping bags. "That's too bad. I could really see you in a slinky red number." The blonde teased, as they made their way out of the shop.
"Oh, no…that would clash with my boots." Lex disagreed, helping Amanda with her bags. "Here…I'll hold these, while you unlock the trunk."
"Thanks, honey." Amanda playfully piled all the bags into the taller woman's arms.
Lex juggled the packages, trying to keep from dropping any of them. "Good grief, sweet-heart…" she barely kept one of the packages from falling to the ground, "I don't remember seeing you buy this much stuff." She balanced a bag on her raised thigh.
"Mandy Cauble? Is that really you?" A high-pitched female voice squealed.
Amanda spun around just in time to be wrapped up in an embrace from a tall woman with dark blonde hair. "Francine?" she asked, shocked.
The woman stepped back a pace, smiling broadly. "Oh, my god! I can't believe it! You look absolutely fantastic!" she kept a firm grasp on the smaller woman's hands, as she bounced up and down excitedly. Stopping to look at the car, she commented, "I'm glad to see you finally retired that old heap you were driving."
"Ah, hell…" Lex murmured, dropping a couple of packages. Squatting down to gather them back up, she didn't notice the close scrutiny by Amanda's friend.
Francine eyed the dark-haired woman with a speculative eye. "Mandy…I see you've finally got a driver, too. You knuckle under to the pressure from your mother?" She gave the smaller woman a knowing smile. "I should have known that you'd pick a nice-looking woman. But isn't she dressed a little casual?" Although she was happily married to her high school sweetheart, the tall blonde still appreciated a nice body, and the lanky form gathering up shopping bags certainly fit that bill. Really good looking…hmm…
Amanda released Francine's hands, going over to help Lex with the strewn-about packages. "I'm sorry, honey…let me help you get them to the car." She turned back to a slack-jawed Francine. "Would you mind opening the trunk? The keys are still in it." She grabbed a couple of bags and winked at Lex. "Francine, I'd like you to meet Lex Walters…the love of my life." She dumped her packages into the trunk, unloading the rancher's arms as well. "Lex… this is Francine Cummings… a really good friend of mine since high school."
Lex held out a hand, smiling broadly. "It's nice to meet you, Francine." She almost blushed at the other woman's close perusal of her.
"My pleasure, Lex…" Francine gave her a slow once over, then winked at Amanda. "Honey, if I could find someone like this, I'd dump my husband!" she saw both women turn a deep shade of red. "So, I take it you're only visiting? Something tells me Lex isn't from around here."
The small blonde laughed. "Nope…we're leaving tomorrow…what gave her away?" she stood next to the still blushing rancher, patting her on the arm.
Francine chuckled. "Well, she has the most darling accent…" she laughed out loud. "And yours seems to have picked up quite a bit, as well."
"Yeah, well…I have spent the last seven months in Texas." Amanda acknowledged, as she turned back towards her old friend.
"Good lord! What happened to you?" Francine suddenly noticed the bruise on Amanda's jaw. "And what does the other guy look like?" she teased.
Amanda ruefully stroked the side of her face, careful of the bruise. "I got mugged at the beach yesterday. But Lex caught him, so everything's okay now."
Francine stepped between the two women, linking an arm with each of them. "C'mon… let's go have a cup of coffee and you can tell me all about it." She led them down the sidewalk, babbling the entire time.
"Your friend was really nice…" Lex observed quite some time later, totally relaxed as she lounged on the bed in the guestroom. "Chatty as hell, but nice."
Amanda stepped out of the bathroom, clad in only a black slip and matching lace bra. "Yeah, I know…she's one of the few friends I had in high school that didn't dump me when they found out I was gay." She sighed and sat down next to the rancher.
Lex put an arm around the younger woman and pulled her close. "I'm so sorry, love…" she kissed the blonde head. "I suppose in that respect, I was a lot luckier than you."
"Really? Why?" Amanda pulled back for a moment, looking into Lex's eyes.
"I didn't have to worry about what anyone thought." Lex gave her lover a small smile. "I pretty much stuck to myself, and didn't have anyone I really considered a friend." She wiped a stray tear from underneath Amanda's sparkling green eyes. "Except for Martha, and the guys at the ranch - and none of them ever judged or ridiculed me." Lex pulled the blonde woman into her lap. "I'm glad that you had Francine, and even Frank." She teased gently.
Amanda wrapped her arms around Lex and sighed. "I had a couple of friends who stuck beside me…there were quite a few though who acted as if I had the plague. And of course I also had Gramma and Grandpa Jake - they were the absolute best."
"I take it your folks were in the not-so-happy-to-hear-it crowd, huh?" Lex asked, feeling warm breath on her chest.
"I guess you could say that…they still think it's a phase I'm going through." Amanda gave a rueful chuckle. "Mother thinks that I'm gay because Jeannie married Frank, and I'm trying to get back at all of them."
Lex laughed out loud at that revelation. "You poor thing…Pining away for your sister's husband." She flinched as she received a sharp poke from a sharp finger. "Ouch! Jeannie was right!"
Amanda sat back a little. "Huh? My sister was right about what?"
"You are a bully!" Lex teased, capturing Amanda's swinging hands in self-defense. "Heh." She fell back onto the bed, allowing the younger woman to straddle her hips.
"And you are lucky that it's almost time for us to go downstairs for the dinner…" Amanda growled, leaning down to tease Lex with a near kiss. "Otherwise, I'd show you just how much of a bully I can be." She pulled back just as the dark-haired woman leaned up to catch her lips. "Teach you to tease me…" She leaned back down and dropped a quick kiss, then pulled away quickly with a smile.
Lex lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. "Okay…you win…" she released a heavy sigh, and let go of the small hands.
The younger woman shook her head. "I win? You've got to be kidding! You never give up without a…aaaaaah!" Amanda found herself suddenly on her back, with a grinning rancher leaning over her body. "You cheated." She muttered.
"Me? Cheat?" Lex smiled down at her lover. "I can't help it if you let your guard down like that - you shouldn't be so trusting." She leaned down and gave Amanda a loving kiss. "Let's get dressed for this shindig, before your mother busts in here looking for you."
Amanda allowed Lex to help her off of the bed, then headed for the closet. "I'll just get your clothes together, then." She stepped back out, carrying several items on hangers. "Here you go…time to get ready."
Lex looked at the clothing, and frowned. "Are you sure about this, sweetheart? I really don't want to upset your parents any more than they already are."
"I'm perfectly sure…it will go very well with what I'm wearing - I want you to be comfortable, you know." Amanda handed her the hangers, and smiled. "Trust me. You'll look great." She went over to the shopping bags that were sitting in the corner. "Let me slip this stuff on, and you'll see what I mean." She carried two of the bags into the bathroom and closed the door.
Sighing, Lex took the clothing off of the hangers and began to get dressed. I hope she knows what she's doing…