by Carrie Carr
"Damn," Lex wheezed painfully. She rolled over slowly until she could sit up. "Stupid vines." Her boot had caught in the ground cover, and she had been moving too fast to keep herself from falling. She coughed a couple of times and rubbed her stomach. "That was embarrassing. Thank God no one saw that," she muttered as she lay back to kick the vines free from her feet.
Morris continued to slowly make his way though the dense brush, talking softly to himself. "I think she went down right over--there." He broke through the foliage and saw her prone form. "Oh, God! Lex?" The frantic man stumbled over and fell to his knees next to the still woman.
"Morris?" Lex sat up quickly. "What in the hell are you doing here? I thought I asked you to stay by the truck." She rubbed her belly where she had collided with the ground.
"You're okay? Thank God!" He dropped Lex's hat and impulsively wrapped his arms around her neck. "I saw you just lying there and I thought you'd been shot."
Lex laughed. "Shot? Why did you think that?" She picked up the discarded hat and dropped it back onto her head.
"I was watching you jog through the trees when I heard another shot. It was about the same time I saw you fall forward." He leaned back and assessed her appearance. Lex was a bit dirty, but was otherwise fine.
"Umm--yeah. I kind of tripped." Lex lowered her head so her hat hid the blush on her face. Jeez-- he's probably laughing his ass off. A gentle touch on the brim of her hat caused her to lift her head.
"Are you all right? That had to be a nasty fall you took." Morris could tell Lex was embarrassed. He watched, ready to help, if needed, as she climbed to her feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing hurt but my pride." She dusted herself off and sighed. "Since you're here, you can help me."
Morris accepted her outstretched hand and climbed to his feet as well. "Sure. What are we going to do?"
Lex pointed west of where they were standing. "The shots were coming from that direction. If we're real careful, we can circle around behind them and find out why they're shooting at us."
"Sounds like a plan. But how do you know it's more than one person?" Morris dusted himself off and buttoned his jacket.
"Because I heard two different caliber rifles, and I'm just hoping there are only two," Lex explained. "You ready?"
"Lead the way."
They slowly made their way through the trees, careful not to make any loud noises that would alert the shooters. After a five-minute hike, they could hear voices. Lex raised her hand in warning and stopped.
She turned around and whispered to her companion, "I was right. Sounds like two men." Lex pointed to the left of their position. "Two stupid men, I think." She grinned at Morris. "Two drunken, stupid men."
Oh boy, she has that look again. "What are we going to do?"
CHARLIE RAISED HIS hands. "Hold on! Let's calm down and try to consider this rationally." He was standing in the den, surrounded by the other occupants of the ranch house.
"Consider what? We've got two people missing, possibly seriously injured, or worse!" Kevin almost shouted. "I think we should organize a search party immediately." A strangled gasp from Amanda caused him to fall silent.
Amanda was sitting on the sofa with her father on one side of her and Martha on the other. "We don't know if anything's wrong, Kevin. The radio could have malfunctioned." She sounded calm, but the look in her eyes showed just how worried she was.
"That's right. Lexie has been talking about replacing the whole radio system, because this one is so old. Aside from that and the ancient piece of scrap metal she insists on driving all over the back pasture, I'm sure everything's just fine. They're probably on their way back now." Martha patted Amanda's hand.
Kevin wasn't convinced. "I think we need to go look for them." He rubbed his jaw nervously. "They should have been back hours ago. Just how long does it take to feed cattle?"
Travis stood from where he had been sitting. Ignoring the semi-rhetorical question, he said, "We're all concerned, young man." He had been making phone calls upstairs when he'd heard all the commotion in the den and came downstairs to investigate, "But, getting all bent out of shape isn't going to help matters any." If you upset Amanda any further, family or not, I'll thump you myself.
"You're right," Kevin nodded, feeling his cheeks flush in shame. "I'm sorry."
Martha rubbed his arm comfortingly. "Let's just listen to what Charlie has to say and we can decide what to do."
At Kevin's nod of agreement, the sheriff released a heavy sigh. "Good." He directed his next words to Amanda. "Sweetheart, how long does it normally take Lex to feed the cattle?"
"Usually between one and a half to two hours," Amanda answered quickly, finally feeling as if she was contributing to the cause.
Charlie looked at his watch. "And how long have they actually been gone?"
Kevin checked his watch as well. "I can answer that one. It's been over three hours already." He pushed the sleeve of his sweater back down over his watch. "And almost an hour since we've heard anything from them. Right, Martha?"
"That sounds about right." She exchanged looks with Charlie. "How about I rustle up some coffee and sandwiches? I think the lack of food is putting everyone a little bit on edge."
Amanda jumped to her feet. "I'll help you, Martha." She followed the portly woman from the room with a sense of purpose.
"Now that the women are out of the room, just exactly what are you going to do, Sheriff?" Kevin asked.
"Now wait just a damned minute!" Charlie angrily pointed a finger at the younger man. "Those women are more capable of handling things than you are. I'm not going to stand here and let you make stupid remarks about my family." Upon seeing that his point was getting across, Charlie's voice calmed. "I know you're worried and upset. We all are, but there's no reason to let your fear run away with your mouth."
Travis put his arm around Kevin and pulled him close. "What say you and I go help in the kitchen? I've always enjoyed getting under foot." He gently led him from the room.
Charlie rubbed his face with one hand. "I can't believe I went off on him. I used to have more patience."
"You just beat me to it, Charlie," Michael acknowledged. "Do you think they're okay?"
"I have to, Michael. Knowing our Lex, she's probably showing Morris the time of his life."
AFTER LISTENING TO the strangers talk for several minutes, Lex was able to determine there were only two men and they were definitely drunk. "Morris, you stand behind this tree and toss rocks and sticks over there," she pointed to the right of where they were hiding. "I'm going to sneak around and see what our two friends are up to."
His eyes widened. "You're kidding me! I hate to break this to you, Lex, but you're unarmed and they have big guns." He shivered from the cold and from the fear that something could happen to his niece's lover.
She chuckled. "Come on, Morris. You know what they say about the size of men's guns," she teased, enjoying the look of shock on his face.
"You didn't just say that, did you?" he blustered.
Lex almost laughed. "We'll discuss it more later," she whispered, patting him on the shoulder. "I'll see you in a little bit." She rushed off into the trees before Morris could say another word.
Morris gathered several good-sized rocks and sticks and stashed them in his coat pockets. When he thought Lex had enough time to get into position, he took a rock and threw it as far as he could.
"Did you hear that?" one of the men asked his friend. "Sounded like it came from over there." The overweight man pointed to the left of the small bush where they were crouched. He was wearing a green plaid, heavily quilted shirt, and a dirty baseball cap with a decal that said, "Beer Drinkers Make Better Lovers". His denim jeans were dark with old dirt, and he scratched at several days' growth of dark beard as he let out a loud belch.
The smaller man next to him waved his hand in front of his face. "Damn, Noel. Either drink another beer or brush your damn teeth. Shit!" He lifted his beer can and drained it. His stained
hunting jacket may have been a bright color at one time, but now it was a dirty gray. He was also sporting an old brown cowboy hat that appeared to have spent one too many days out in the elements. The hatband was dark with well-aged sweat.
Noel scratched his protruding belly and belched again. "I can't help it. Musta been those beans we had for breakfast." He tried to take a drink from his can of beer, but came up empty. "Hand me another one, will you, Dan?" He heard another noise from the same area so he raised his rifle and took another shot. "Damn. Think I got 'em?"
"I don't know. We ain't seen a deer since early this morning." Dan scratched at his crotch and leaned slightly to one side before passing a noisy gust of gas. "Ahh--"
Lex listened to the two men from only ten feet away. Jeez--a couple of morons. At least now I know they're not after us. She edged closer to where they were sitting.
"Hey, Noel?" The small man dug into the paper sack that sat next to him.
The larger man picked at his nose. "What? Where's my damn beer?"
Dan wadded the sack in disgust. "We're out of beer." He tossed the bag over to where they had previously discarded their empty cans Noel slapped at his friend's head. "Shit! Now we gotta stop hunting long enough to buy more!"
Lex stepped out from behind a tree and glared at the two men. "I don't think that's going to be necessary, fellas. You're trespassing on private property."
Noel tried to stand up, but a firm hand on his shoulder knocked him back to the ground. "Just who the hell do you think you are, lady?"
Lex crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "I think I happen to own the property you're trespassing on, jackass." She held out one hand. "Now hand over the rifles before I have my men cut you down where you're sitting."
"M--m--men?" Dan practically threw his hunting rifle at the angry woman. "D...don't let 'em shoot, ma'am!" He raised his trembling hands in the air.
"Smart man." Lex checked the rifle and clicked the safety on. She pointed it at the smaller man recklessly. "Pick up all the trash, and be quick about it." She glared at the big man. "Come on--hand it over." She caught the other gun easily.
A rustling nearby almost made them all jump. Morris stepped out of the brush. "Looks like you've got everything under control here." He dug the remaining rocks and twigs from his pockets and smiled at Lex as he let them fall to the ground.
"Sure do. You want to help me get these boys back to the truck? I think Charlie might want to talk to them." She nodded at the seated man, who growled and stood up.
"I thought you said you had men with you? I only see the one." Noel hitched his pants and belched again.
"I lied." Lex pointed his own gun at him. "Let's get moving. I'm missing my lunch."
Chapter Six
ONE OF CHARLIE'S deputies hauled the two would-be poachers away, and Lex and Morris currently were ensconced in front of the fireplace in the den. Amanda, who curled up cozily with her lover on the sofa, watched Kevin pace back and forth.
"Are you completely out of your mind?" Kevin waved his hands in the air and turned to glare at Lex. "You both could have been seriously injured, and even killed! I can't believe you went traipsing around the woods after who-knows-what kind of people who had guns."
Morris patted the empty space on the loveseat. "Kevin, please. Sit before you hurt yourself." He didn't like the look his lover was getting from Amanda. She's getting ready to blow, and it's not going to be a pretty sight.
Kevin ignored the veterinarian's pleas. "Who do you think you are, goddamned John Wayne?" He pointed a finger at Lex. "Maybe you enjoy taking chances with your life, but I don't appreciate you dragging Morris into danger with you!"
"Wait just a blasted minute!" Amanda jumped to her feet. Her face was flushed with anger. "Don't you dare take that tone with her. What did you expect them to do, sit by while someone took potshots at them?" Warm hands on her hips pulled Amanda back onto Lex's lap.
"It's okay, sweetheart. He's just scared and upset." Lex looked over at the fuming man. "I'll admit it wasn't the most responsible thing to do, but after the bullet went through the windshield, ducking didn't seem to be quite enough. I thought an offensive move was in order."
"The windshield? Dear God, you both could have been killed!" Kevin walked over and dropped next to his partner, grabbing his hand. He glared at Lex, his tone angry. "You live out in the middle of nowhere, with snakes, wild animals, and God-knows-what-else. Why the hell don't you carry a gun or rifle when you're running around?"
Lex dropped her gaze for a moment. "I don't like guns," she admitted.
Kevin was not to be deterred. "That's ridiculous. I've seen your gun cabinet, Lex. You've got a nice collection of rifles there."
"They're my father's. I don't like to carry a gun. Just drop it." Her voice had dropped to a low rumble. At Amanda's touch, she peered up into concerned eyes. "Can we talk about this later, Amanda?"
"Sure." Amanda turned around to look at Kevin. "If you'll excuse us, Lex and I are going upstairs for a little while." The look on her face dared her uncle's partner to say anything further.
"That's a good idea, Mandy." Morris rubbed his hand on Kevin's thigh. "I think we'll stay here for a bit. The fire feels good after being outside for so long this morning."
Travis met the two women in the hallway. He stopped Lex by placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "Lexie, are you okay? You're looking a bit pale."
"I'm fine. Guess being out in the cold drained me more than I thought." Lex felt Amanda squeeze her hand. "We've decided to go upstairs for a little bit. Thought we might come back before dinner and finish the decorating."
"Good idea. Why don't you take a nice hot bath while you're at it?" Martha piped in from the kitchen doorway. "You look about half-frozen, Lexie."
"Yes, ma'am." She began to lead Amanda up the stairs. "Want to join me?" she whispered to Amanda.
"Oh, yeah. I like the sound of that!" Amanda goosed Lex's rear and dashed up the stairs.
Martha shook her head as the two women raced away, laughing. "I swear, with those two it's almost like having kids around the house again." She watched as Travis stared wistfully after them. It's such a darn shame he missed watching her grow up, but maybe we can help make up for it, now. "Travis? Why don't you come on back in here and have some coffee? We can trade stories."
Travis smiled. "Thanks, Martha. I think I'd like that." He followed her into the kitchen, trying to decide which stories he wanted to tell.
UPSTAIRS, A SHORT time later, Lex stretched out in the large tub with Amanda reclining comfortably against her chest. Both women had been enjoying the quiet soak, and Lex had her eyes closed in a near doze.
"Lex?"
"Mmm?"
"I'm sorry about the way Kevin was acting." Amanda had been fretting over his words ever since they came upstairs. "He was out of line."
Lex pulled her lover closer. "Don't worry about it. You have no control over him, sweetheart." She leaned down and kissed Amanda on the neck.
Amanda tilted her head and moaned. "Oooh--nice." Not to be sidetracked, she continued. "I had no idea you didn't like guns. When you were showing me the keys to the cabinet and how to use them, you seemed comfortable with them."
"I know how to use them. I used to practice until I could hit just about anything."
Amanda turned slightly, until she could look into Lex's face. "Is there any particular reason you don't like guns? I would think living on a ranch it would be as natural as riding a horse, especially being as secluded as you are out here."
Lex closed her eyes and strengthened her resolve before opening her eyes again. "Let's get out of the tub, and I'll tell you about it."
Amanda lifted her hand out of the water and caressed her lover's cheek. "If it bothers you, we don't have to talk about it."
"No--it's not that. It was just something that happened a long time ago, and it's a little-- involved." Lex leaned into the touch, and turned her head to kiss the wet palm. "Come on. You're starting to lo
ok like a prune."
"I hate to tell you this, Slim," Amanda teased, pulling Lex's hand out of the water, "but you're not faring much better."
They climbed from the tub and got dressed. "Might as well be comfortable, right?" She stacked several pillows on the rug near the fire and waited patiently until Lex sprawled out amongst them.
"You've got a point, there." Lex opened her arms and allowed Amanda to snuggle into her embrace. "Comfy?"
"Oh, yeah."
Lex combed through Amanda's golden hair with her fingertips while staring into the fire. "Good. I guess you're ready for a story?" When her lover nodded, she took a deep breath to begin. "Umm--bear with me, 'cause I'm not too good with this sort of thing."
Amanda entwined their fingers, kissing the tanned knuckles lovingly. "Just take your time, love. You can stop anytime you want."
"Thanks." Lex swallowed hard. "You know my old man wasn't around much when I was growing up, right?" Can't bring myself to call him 'Dad' anymore. Not after all the things I've learned lately. He took a lot away from me when I was growing up. I don't think I'll ever forgive him. Feeling Amanda nod, she sighed. "When I was a teenager, I was a little on the wild side."
"And something's changed?" Amanda giggled. When her comments were met with perturbed silence, she subsided. "Sorry. Go ahead."
"Anyway, when I was fourteen, I went hunting with three friends. We had decided to camp out for several days, deep in the hills. The nearest paved road was a couple of miles hike from our camp. I guess we wanted to be big, tough grownups, 'cause we had brought some beer and some whiskey." Lex closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the events in her mind. "On the third day, we were all hung over, or maybe even still a little drunk. We decided to split into two teams. The first team to bag a deer won."
Amanda could hear the pain in her lover's voice. "Really, it's not important you tell me. I can tell this is hurting you." She turned around to bury her face against Lex's chest and wrapped her arms around her tightly.
