by Carrie Carr
She leaned back in her chair slightly, causing the front legs to rise from the floor. "I just hope they have the good sense to keep her there. I don't want Amanda to have to go through any more grief because of her. I'd kill Elizabeth first."
"I understand. Lex, I'm so sorry about what happened to your home. If I can do anything at all to help--"
"It's okay. I was thinking about remodeling again, anyway." Lex directed her attention to Amanda, who had stepped up to the table. "How's it going?" She stood and helped her to a chair. "You need to stay off your leg right now, tough stuff."
Amanda blushed, but took the offered seat. "Um, thanks." She turned her attention to her father. "I was wondering if you were going to come over and say hello, or if you were going to be working all day." Lex had retained her father to take the wedding pictures. He had refused payment, but was enjoying showing off his new camera equipment.
"Yes, well. I wanted to make sure I did a good job. The boss I have is tough," Michael joked, winking at Lex. He leaned over and whispered loudly, "Although I hear her boss is even worse."
"Dad." Amanda shook her head, laughing. "Did Gramma find you yet?"
"No. Was it something important?"
"Knowing the women in your family, Michael, I'd say everything is important, at least to them," Lex added wryly. She flinched as Amanda lightly slapped her leg. "See what I mean?"
"I'm not going to get myself into the middle of that mess," he countered. "I think I hear my mother calling me." Michael jumped to his feet and left the table, patting his daughter on the head as he walked away.
Amanda watched his retreat. "So, what were you two talking about so seriously before I came over here?" she asked Lex. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No." Lex grasped Amanda's hand. "He was telling me about his hospital visit yesterday. They're going to transport your mother to Austin next week."
"Oh. I guess I should go by and see her, shouldn't I?" Amanda felt her hand being squeezed.
"Only if you want to, sweetheart." Lex ran her free hand through her dark hair nervously. "I'll, umm, be glad to go with you, if you want." The last place she wanted to be was anywhere near Elizabeth Cauble, but Lex didn't want Amanda to think she'd have to go on her own. "Your dad said her burns were going to heal, but he didn't mention how she was, otherwise."
"I don't want to go, but I think I should." Amanda attempted to swallow the lump in her throat. "Can we go after the reception? I'd like to get it over with, if you don't mind."
"Sure, love. Whatever you want." Lex stood. "Looks like the happy couple is about to leave. Shall we?"
"Sure. Let's." Amanda allowed Lex to escort her to where everyone had gathered.
Martha stood on a chair, so everyone could see her. "Attention, everyone. Charlie's telling me we have a flight to catch, so I've got to make this quick." She motioned for Lex and Amanda to stand beside her, and waited until they were in place. "I know the tradition says I'm supposed to toss my bouquet over my shoulder. But since it's my wedding, and my bouquet, I say: to heck with tradition. I want to give this to someone who could use it, especially since most of you ladies are already taken." She saw Lex shake her head slightly and frown. "Don't worry, child. I wouldn't dream of doing that to you." She stepped from the chair and handed the bouquet to Amanda, enveloping the younger woman in a hug. "Take care of my baby for me, Amanda. She's the most important thing in the world to me."
"You can count on it." Amanda kissed Martha's cheek. "Have a safe trip," she finished loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'll try to make some use of these flowers while you're gone."
"You see you do, young lady." Martha crooked her finger at Lex. "Come here, Lexie."
Lex stepped forward slightly. "Yes, ma'am?" She was surprised when Martha wrapped both arms around her and squeezed her tight. "You behave yourself while I'm gone, you hear? I don't want to have to commandeer the cruise ship and row it back to Texas."
"Yes, ma'am." Lex grinned at the attempted scowl on Martha's face. "I love you, too." She kissed the slightly wrinkled cheek and stepped back. "Now get going, before Charlie has a fit."
The newly married couple quickly said their good-byes and hurried through the door, stopping suddenly. "What the--" Charlie turned to Lex, who was standing at the doorway. "You little sneak."
A large white limousine was parked in front of the Ladies Auxiliary Hall, with the words, 'Just Married' written across the back window in large letters. The driver stood beside the door, waiting to help the couple inside.
"Don't blame me." Lex raised her hands defensively. "It's not my car." She pointed at Travis, who was standing close by. "Talk to him."
Charlie walked over to Travis. "I don't know what to say, Travis. This is just too much."
"Nonsense. You wouldn't let me pay for the wedding, at least let me get you to the airport in style." He placed a hand on the sheriff's shoulder. "You've helped take care of my granddaughter when I couldn't. At least let me do this for you."
"Lex is like a daughter to me. You don't owe me a thing." Charlie couldn't believe the generosity of his friend. "And it's an hour and a half drive to the airport."
"I know. But it'll give us all peace of mind to know you'll get there safely. Do you want Lexie to follow you? She would, you know."
"Lord, don't I know it." Charlie knew he'd lost the argument. "I imagine I can't say no to an offer like that. Thank you, Travis."
"You're more than welcome, my friend." He motioned behind them where Lex and Amanda stood. "Besides, you've got it easy. I'm the one who has to stay behind and keep an eye on those two."
"Ah. I never thought about it that way." Charlie shook the other man's hand. "Take care, Travis. We'll see you in about three weeks."
THEY STOOD OUTSIDE the closed door, Lex nodding in acknowledgement to the deputy who sprang from his chair at their approach. "Oscar. You missed a fine wedding," Lex reported, shaking his hand.
"I drew the short straw," he admitted. "Although I heard there was a bit of excitement there, too." He tipped his hat to Amanda. "Ma'am."
"Hello," Amanda greeted quietly. "Can we go in?" She pointed to the closed door.
"Yes, ma'am. You go right ahead. Just holler if you need anything."
"Sure, sweetheart." Like I'd let her face the old gorgon alone. Lex followed her into the room and closed the door behind them.
Elizabeth Cauble lay quietly on the bed. The only outward signs of her confinement were the restraints wrapped around her forearms, just above her bandaged hands. When she heard the door open, she turned her head and saw her youngest daughter standing by the door. "Amanda, darling. I knew you'd come." She raised one hand slightly and beckoned her forward with a smile.
"Mother." Amanda stood next to the bed, just out of reach. "How are you?" She felt Lex move in behind her and was thankful for the warm hands that rested on her shoulders.
"Much better, now you're here." Elizabeth eyed her daughter critically. "You look pale, Amanda. I'm sure you'll get your tan back in no time, once we're home." She finally noticed the person standing behind her daughter. "Lexington Walters. I surmise by your being here, there are no hard feelings? It was so kind of you to bring my daughter to me."
"What are you saying, Mrs. Cauble?"
The restrained woman waved her hand as best she could. "Why, Lex. I can call you Lex, can't I?" When the other woman nodded, she continued, "The best woman won. My daughter is here to take me home, and you're being ever so gallant about the whole thing. I admire that."
Amanda shook her head. "No, Mother. That's not why we're here. I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"Nonsense. I was just waiting for you, so we could go home together. You have no place to live, so you have to come back to California with me." Elizabeth was getting more agitated by the moment, her eyes taking on a crazed look. "We'll be so happy, you and I. There are so many things to do in Los Angeles. Not at all like this backwater hellhole."
Realizing her mother was losing
control, Amanda tearfully pushed the nurse call button to have the woman sedated. "I'm sorry, Mother. That's just not going to happen. My life is here with Lex." She gently brushed the hair away from Elizabeth's eyes. "Goodbye, Mother. I love you." Amanda turned away from the bed and hurried from the room, Lex right behind her.
"You'll come back to me, Amanda. I'm your mother, and we belong together!" Elizabeth yelled at the retreating pair. After the door closed, she dropped back against her pillow. "She'll be back. I'll see to that."
AFTER BEING DIRECTED by Amanda to "just drive," Lex steered the Explorer through a leisurely circuit around the small town. She finally pulled the vehicle to a stop at the small park near the Cauble's home. Unbuckling her seat belt, Lex turned to face Amanda. "It's kind of nice out today. Would you like to go for a walk?"
Amanda opened her door. "Yeah, I think I would. Thank you." She climbed out and waited as Lex made her way around the vehicle.
"I know we don't have anything for them today, but let's go visit your friends." Lex held out her hand and was relieved when it was accepted. She wordlessly escorted her lover to the lakeside, smiling a little at the antics of the water's denizens. "Looks like they remember you," she teased quietly, as several of the more adventurous ducks waddled up to Amanda's feet.
"Yeah." A giggle escaped Amanda when one of the ducks began attacking her cast. "Stop, you goofy thing."
Lex shooed the creatures away and led her partner over to a nearby bench. "Come on. Let's get you off your leg for a bit."
They sat side by side for a while, enjoying the warm sun on their faces and the peacefulness of the small lake. No one else was around, and even the ducks had gotten the idea and left the two women alone.
"She's right, you know," Amanda said at long last.
"Who?"
"My mother. Because of me, we don't have a place to live." She stared at the dark stocking that covered her cast. Small bits of leaves and grass were clinging to it, and she bent over to pick them off. Her field of vision was suddenly filled as Lex dropped to her knees in front of the bench.
"That's not true, Amanda. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. The night my father came home, you told me she was up to something. I chose to ignore it. Not even Charlie took it as seriously as he should have, because of me. I was so damned arrogant, thinking I could protect you from anything. That fire almost killed you."
Amanda brushed her fingers against her lover's cheek. "It almost killed both of us, love. When you didn't follow me through the window, I thought for sure I had lost you."
Lex cupped Amanda's face with her hands. "It would take more than a house fire to keep me away from you," she insisted. "I'd gladly walk through the fires of hell to get back to you."
"You almost did," Amanda sniffled, fighting back the feelings of helplessness the memories brought back. "What made you think to jump from the second floor on a mattress?"
"Saw it in a movie, once," Lex admitted sheepishly. "Wasn't sure if it was going to work or not."
Amanda shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "Good God. You're going to drive me crazy, yet."
"Hey," Lex wiped the tears away with her thumbs. "It worked. No problem." She allowed herself to be pulled back onto the bench, and found her arms suddenly full of Amanda. Concerned, Lex wrapped her arms around her and squeezed tightly. "What's the matter?"
Amanda buried her face in Lex's chest, and pulled her lover's scent into her lungs. "One too many close calls, I think." She felt herself calming down. "Sorry."
Lex rubbed Amanda's back gently. "No problem. I think I'm about ready for a vacation, myself." She leaned back against the bench, allowing Amanda to snuggle against her side. "You know, I was talking to your grandmother at the reception."
"About what?"
"She was telling me of this nice little house for rent in their neighborhood. Furnished, and everything. Dad's happy at the bunkhouse, and he can keep the guys in line for me and take care of things at the ranch. Since the construction on the new house is about to start, why don't we just stay in town for a while?"
Amanda looked up, trying to gauge the emotions flitting across Lex's face. "Are you sure about this? Don't you want to supervise the construction?"
Lex shook her head. "Nah. I'd just drive them crazy, and they'd never get it done. We can go out on the weekends and check on it." She placed her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small key ring. "Want to go check it out?"
"You rat. You had this planned all along, didn't you?" Amanda stood and stretched. "Come on. Let's go look at a house."
Lex allowed her lover to pull her off the bench. She snaked one arm around Amanda's waist and stood looking at the lake for a long moment. The sun sparkled off the calm surface, with only the occasional duck floating by to disturb it. "Looks like we'll be spending more time here with your little friends."
"Looks like it," Amanda agreed. She turned until she could hug Lex. "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where I am." Her hands linked behind Lex's neck as she pulled Lex's face to meet hers in a loving kiss.
About the Author
Carrie Carr, born and raised in Texas, has been writing all her life. She makes her home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her partner, Jan. Carrie's experiences growing up provided much of the color and texture for her novels, also based in northern and western Texas. She likes to boast that she was on horseback before she was born, because her mother rode her cutting horse around the ranch nearly right up until Carrie made her entrance into the world. As a child, Carrie participated in barrel racing contests on her paint pony. As a teenager, she spent one summer wrangling longhorns and buffalo. Carrie inherited her love of telling stories from her maternal grandfather, who told tales of working in the oil fields and of being a foreman on a large ranch. Her time is spent writing, traveling, and trying to corral their two dogs--a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix named Nugget, and a Fox Terrier named Cher.
Carrie's website is www.carrielcarr.com. She can be reached at [email protected] .
Other Carrie Carr Titles
LEX AND AMANDA SERIES
Destiny's Bridge -Rancher Lexington (Lex) Walters pulls young Amanda Cauble from a raging creek and the two women quickly develop a strong bond of friendship. Overcoming severe weather, cattle thieves, and their own fears, their friendship deepens into a strong and lasting love.
Faith's Crossing -Lexington Walters and Amanda Cauble withstood raging floods, cattle rustlers and other obstacles to be together...but can they handle Amanda's parents? When Amanda decides to move to Texas for good, she goes back to her parents' home in California to get the rest of her things, taking the rancher with her.
Hope's Path -Someone is determined to ruin Lex. Efforts to destroy her ranch lead to attempts on her life. Lex and Amanda desperately try to find out who hates Lex so much that they are willing to ruin the lives of everyone in their path. Can they survive long enough to find out who's responsible? And will their love survive when they find out who it is?
Strength of the Heart -In the fifth story of the series, Lex and Amanda are caught up in the planning of their upcoming nuptials while trying to get the ranch house rebuilt. But an arrest, a brush-fire, and the death of someone close to her forces Lex to try and work through feelings of guilt and anger. Is Amanda's love strong enough to help her, or will Lex's own personal demons tear them apart?
The Way Things Should Be - In this, the sixth novel, Amanda begins to feel her own biological clock ticking while her sister prepares for the birth of her first child. Lex is busy with trying to keep her hands on some newly acquired land, as well trying to get along with a new member of her family. Everything comes to a head, and a tragedy brings pain - and hope - to them all.
Something To Be Thankful For - Randi Meyers is at a crossroads in her life. She's got no girlfriend, bad knees, and her fill of loneliness. The one thing she does have in her favor is a veterinarian job in Fort Worth, Texas, but even that isn't going as well as she hoped. Her supervisor is c
old-hearted and dumps long hours of work on her. Even if she did want a girlfriend, she has little time to look.
When a distant uncle dies, Randi returns to her hometown of Woodbridge, Texas, to attend the funeral. During the graveside services, she wanders away from the crowd and is beseeched by a young boy to follow him into the woods to help his injured sister. After coming upon an unconscious woman, the boy disappears. Randi brings the woman to the hospital and finds out that her name is Kay Newcombe.
Randi is intrigued by Kay. Who is this unusual woman? Where did her little brother disappear to? And why does Randi feel compelled to help her? Despite living in different cities, a tentative friendship forms, but Randi is hesitant. Can she trust her newfound friend? How much of her life and feelings can Randi reveal? And what secrets is Kay keeping from her? Together, Randi and Kay must unravel these questions, trust one another, and find the answers in order to protect themselves from outside threats--and discover what they mean to one another.
Diving Into the Turn is set in the fast-paced Texas rodeo world. Riding bulls in the rodeo is the only life Shelby Fisher has ever known. She thinks she's happy drifting from place to place in her tiny trailer, engaging in one night stands, and living from one rodeo paycheck to another -- until the day she meets barrel racer Rebecca Starrett. Rebecca comes from a solid, middle-class background and owns her horse. She's had money and support that Shelby has never had. Shelby and Rebecca take an instant dislike to each other, but there's something about Rebecca that draws the silent and angry bull rider to her. Suddenly, Shelby's life feels emptier, and she can't figure out why. Gradually, Rebecca attempts to win Shelby over, and a shaky friendship starts to grow into something more.
