by Carrie Carr
Lex pushed the food around on her plate. "I’m sorry for running out like that earlier." She glanced up at the woman sitting beside her. "I just needed to get out for a while, and I wanted to check the fence down by the creek to see if my patch job held up."
Amanda did her best not to show her enjoyment of Lex’s expression, which did remind her of a child who knew she was in trouble. "That’s okay. Martha and I had a good chat. She is such a wonderful person." Amanda made it a point to look at Lex’s plate. "But she might come back and throw a fit if you don’t eat your lunch. How’s the fence?"
Lex took a bite of food. "The fence is fine. And the bridge looks like only the middle is gone, so it shouldn’t be too hard to fix. ’Course I’ll have to check the supports and make sure they weren’t knocked too loose to be used again."
"How are your ribs? All that riding couldn’t have made them feel any better." Amanda knew that Lex more than likely had pushed herself to the limit today.
"Hmm?" The touch of Amanda’s hand on her arm broke Lex out of her musing. "Ribs?" She swallowed another bite. "Oh. Ribs. Right. A little sore, but not too bad."
"So, what do you have planned for the rest of the afternoon?" Amanda lightly squeezed Lex's arm, then took a sip of coffee. "Is there something I can help with?"
Lex finished her lunch, not even realizing she had been hungry until she had begun to eat. "Well," she leaned back in her chair, "I thought we’d take it easy for the rest of the day." She interlocked her hands and laid them on her stomach. "It’s too muddy to do anything outside, and there’s not much else to do. Besides, I've got a large collection of movies in the den, and I just recently finished wiring the surround sound system. Been wanting to try it out." She stood up and carried her dishes to the sink.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Amanda followed suit and placed her cup in the sink.
Lex looked around and, seeing that the coast was clear, ran hot water. "Shhh." She placed a finger to her lips before sticking her hands in the soapy water. "I just gotta tweak Martha somehow."
Amanda bumped her with a hip. "Scoot over. I’ll rinse and dry. No fair you having all the fun."
They made quick work of the dishes and had just put them away when Martha came into the room. "What are you two up to?"
Amanda hid the dishtowel on the counter behind her back. "Who, us?"
"Nothing, Martha. We were just going to go into the den and watch movies. You interested?" Lex stepped in front of the housekeeper, trying to keep her away from the sink.
Knowing that Lex rarely took time off, a concerned Martha reached up and touched Lex's forehead with the back of one hand. "What’s the matter? Are you not feeling well?"
Lex took Martha's hand. "I’m fine. It’s just too nasty to do any work outside, and I thought Amanda would enjoy the break." She pulled her into a surprise hug. "You care to join us?"
Martha returned the hug, confused by the sudden change in Lex. It’s been a long time since Lexie has been this affectionate. Usually, she doesn’t allow anyone within ten feet of her. She sure is touchy-feely lately. Not that I’m complaining. "No, that's quite all right. But if you’re going to relax today, is it okay for me to go over to my place and get some things done?"
"Martha, you don’t have to ask me if you want to do something. You know that."
"I know you say that, but you run this ranch and I respect that."
Lex thought about Martha's words. Although the ranch was in her name, she always felt like the woman standing before her was in charge, and couldn’t be happier about it. "Not exactly."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You’re the one who runs this house, Martha. I just work the ranch." Lex motioned for Amanda to follow her out of the kitchen, leaving Martha sputtering behind them.
Amused by the fact that she had finally left Martha speechless, Lex led Amanda into the den and pointed to the wall where a bookcase full of videotapes and CDs awaited their selection. "Go on and pick us out something to watch. I’ll go beg Martha’s forgiveness and nab some sodas and popcorn."
Amanda was so intent on studying the room that she didn't even notice her host had left her alone. In the far corner, there was a massive rock fireplace that was larger than the one in Lexington’s bedroom. One wall held a large entertainment unit with a big screen TV and other electronic components. Next to that was a closed door. A wide, dark red leather sofa sat facing the television equipment. There were matching plush chairs situated on either side of the sofa, and a heavy oak coffee table was centered in front of them. She wandered to the bookcase, amazed by the large selection of videos. "Comedy or drama?" Amanda shook her head in disbelief when she saw that the movies were grouped alphabetically, except some that were grouped by series. "Mel Brooks? She has the entire collection of Mel Brooks? Indiana Jones, Die Hard, Star Trek—someone’s an action junkie." She continued to browse through the titles, looking for something lighthearted. Sleepless in Seattle? While You Were Sleeping? A Fish Called Wanda— "I love that movie!" Amanda pulled the tape from its designated spot and placed it on the coffee table.
Lex returned from the kitchen with a tray loaded with goodies, which she set on the coffee table. "Hope you like butter on your popcorn. Did you find something to your liking?" She noticed the tape on the table and picked it up. "Great. That’s one of my favorites." She took the tape and crossed the room to the entertainment center and inserted it into the VCR. After taking the remote control from atop the TV, Lex sat down on the sofa next to Amanda. "I figure we could just set the bowl between us and share, but I brought some extra bowls if you’d rather not."
Amanda scooted closer to her. "No. Why dirty up more dishes? Unless you think we can get away with washing these, too?"
"No way. I’m lucky to have escaped the kitchen with my rear intact as it is."
"Was she really angry?" Amanda hated to think that she helped get Lex into any trouble.
Lex tried to keep the smirk off her face while she pointed the remote at the TV and turned it on, along with the surround speakers. Martha had threatened her with cooking utensils for as long as she could remember, but had never actually spanked Lex once she got to be a teenager. It was more of an inside joke that they shared in reaffirmation of the child-parent bond they enjoyed. "Not really. But she did make threats." She leaned back and propped her sock-covered feet on the coffee table. "Might as well take your shoes off and get comfortable."
Amanda knew she had been tweaked. She made a silent promise to get back at her new friend, then put her feet up on the table next to Lex's and settled back to enjoy the movie.
A few hours later, Martha came back from her cottage and thought the house was entirely too quiet. She was about to start the evening meal, but decided to go see what Lex and Amanda were up to first. She peeked inside the doorway to the den and saw Lex asleep on the sofa with her feet propped on the coffee table. Well, at least she wasn’t wearing boots this time. The television screen had gone blank sometime earlier, and only a hissing sound emanated from the stereo speakers. Lex’s arm was draped over Amanda’s shoulders. Amanda was curled up against Lex, asleep, using one shoulder as her pillow with her arm wrapped tightly around Lex's waist. They were turned so that they were almost facing each other with Lex’s other hand on her back, hugging Amanda close to her while they slept. Smiling at the tender scene, Martha decided to let them rest and tiptoed back to the kitchen.
Amanda woke a little time later, feeling groggy. She was warm and quite comfortable, at least until she recognized where she was. She was still studying her companion when the arms around her tightened, and she felt her body being pulled closer to Lex’s. Not wanting to startle her, Amanda allowed Lex to continue to hold her while she soaked up the feeling of being in the other woman’s arms.
In the shadowy state between being asleep and awake, Lex had started to nuzzle Amanda’s hair when her eyes blinked open. For a moment, she looked as confused as Amanda had been upon wakening. Becoming fully alert, she
thought about how it must seem to Amanda and hurriedly removed her arms from around her. "Um. I’m sorry about that." She struggled to sit up. "I didn’t mean…"
Amanda gently patted her stomach. "Don’t worry about it. I pretty much climbed all over you like you were my own personal mattress." She sat up and stretched. "That was a good nap, though." While outwardly pretending to be unaffected, Amanda ached for Lex to hold her again.
Relieved that she hadn’t frightened Amanda off, Lex stretched as well. "Yeah, it was. Guess I was still pretty tired from last night."
Amanda looked at the clock on the wall. "Me, too. It’s early evening, don’t you think?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Why?"
"Well, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to call my grandparents and see how they’re doing."
"You don’t have to ask permission to use the phone." Lex stood up and held out a hand. "Here. I’ll let you use the phone in the office so you’ll have some privacy."
Amanda allowed herself to be pulled up. "Thanks."
Lex led her through the door by the entertainment center and into the office. She guided Amanda around a heavy oak desk and pulled out the leather chair. "Have a seat. Just push a button for an outgoing line. We have three lines coming in, but the computer is hooked up to the third." She turned to leave. "Take all the time you need. I’ll be in the kitchen harassing Martha."
Amanda enjoyed the gentle sway of Lex’s hips as she left. Pulling herself back from where her thoughts were taking her, she dialed her grandparents’ number and tried to concentrate on the call.
The phone rang twice, and her grandfather answered. "Hello?"
"Grandpa Jake? How are you feeling?"
"Just great, Peanut. We got back from the movies about twenty minutes ago. How are you doing, sweetheart?"
"I’m doing much better today, Grandpa. I helped Lex feed the horses, and then we took hay to the cattle." She paused, her mind’s eye going back to waking up in Lex’s arms. "After lunch we sat down and watched a movie."
"Sounds like you’ve had a busy day."
"Well, not really. I’m trying to keep Lex from overdoing it because of her injured ribs."
Jacob’s muttered curse wasn’t intelligible, and then suddenly Anna Leigh’s concerned voice came over the line as she picked up an extension. "Mandy? Is everything okay?"
Amanda hid her face in her hand. Her attempts to cushion them from the worst of yesterday’s events kept going horribly wrong. "I’m fine, but Lex bruised her ribs yesterday."
"Is she all right?"
"She’s sore, but I think she’ll be okay."
Jacob found his voice again. "Peanut, how did she get injured? Was she in an accident?"
Amanda rubbed her eyes. "Not exactly. Well, sort of. I’ll tell you, but you’ve got to promise to stay calm, okay?"
"Of course, dearest. Go ahead." Anna Leigh’s calm tone soothed her granddaughter.
"You remember when I told you I was on my way to Lex’s yesterday because of an appointment sheet Rick gave me?"
"Yes. I still have half a mind to chat with Mr. Thompson about that," Anna Leigh grumbled.
Amanda continued her story. "I followed his directions, and finally found the road I was supposed to take. I was crossing an old wooden bridge when a tree came out of nowhere and crashed right into it." Amanda waited to see if her grandfather was going to comment while she steeled herself to tell the next part of the story.
"Go ahead, Peanut. I know it’s hard," Jacob encouraged.
"Well, the middle of the bridge kind of collapsed, and my car fell into the creek. I must have hit my head, because the next thing I remember is being tied on someone’s back and being pulled across the creek." She only heard breathing from the other end of the phone, so she tried to rush the rest of her story. "Once we were about halfway across the creek, Lex was hit in the chest by some debris."
Jacob finally spoke up. "Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell us this last night, Peanut?"
"I’m fine. I just didn’t want you to worry."
Anna Leigh sighed. "Mandy, please don’t feel that you have to protect us from things. I’m just glad you’re all right." Her voice took on a quieter timber. "Lexington is a very special young woman. I’m quite thankful that she wasn’t more seriously injured."
"I know." Amanda’s voice grew thicker with emotion. "She’s becoming very special to me, too." She had to tell someone how she was feeling. Her grandparents knew she was gay and had always been very supportive of her. "There's something about her that makes me feel like I've known her forever, or that I want to know her forever. It feels so natural to be here with her. Do you think it’s just misplaced hero worship? She did save me. Maybe it’s the head wound. Maybe I’m just crazy."
Although amused by his granddaughter’s assessment, Jacob’s voice was sympathetic. "Honey, I felt the same way the first time I saw your grandmother. She became my whole world the first time our eyes met. She still is."
Anna Leigh joined in. "That’s true, sweetheart. I felt as if we were destined to meet. Is this what you felt when you met Lexington?"
"Exactly. I feel so—" Amanda couldn’t continue. She didn’t know how to put her new feelings into words. They were too overwhelming.
"I understand completely, dear. Does she know how you feel?"
Amanda gasped. "Oh, good Lord, no! I’d probably scare her out of ten years!"
"I don’t think so, sweetheart," Anna Leigh answered.
Amanda was at a loss. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, Peanut, I keep forgetting you don't know local history," Jacob said. "Lexington certainly shook up the town gossips a couple of years ago. But I think you should ask her about it." He gave her a minute to think about that. "Let me put it this way: I don’t think anything you could say would shock her."
Anna Leigh took over. "True. The poor girl has been through a lot in the past couple of years. She deserves so much happiness. So do you, dear."
Amanda choked back a sob. "Yes, she does, Gramma. When I look at her, I find myself wanting to be the one to make her happy. We’re just becoming friends, but I already know that I want us to be so much more. I can’t seem to stop myself from touching her, and when I’m near her, I feel a happiness that I never felt before."
Her grandmother clucked. "It does sound serious. Now you listen to me. I think she’s a wonderful person, but she has a tendency not to think that way."
Jacob spoke up. "Is there anything we can bring to you, Peanut? I’m sure we could find a way to get it across that damned creek."
Amanda laughed out loud. "No, Grandpa Jake. Lex and Martha have made sure I have everything I need. But thanks for asking. And, thanks for listening. I guess I’ll let you go now."
Both grandparents laughed. "Okay, sweetheart," Anna Leigh said, "but let us know if you need anything, okay? Give us a call again tomorrow. We’ll just be puttering around the house."
"Okay. I love you both. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good-night." She hung up the phone, somewhat relieved that she had told them the truth about her accident and about her developing feelings for Lex. They took that well. Guess it didn’t sound so bad, since I’m still alive and kicking.
Chapter Five
MARTHA HEARD FOOTSTEPS enter the kitchen and turned from the pantry to greet Lex, smiling sweetly at her. "Did you enjoy your movie dear?" She picked up an armful of items to carry across the room, only to have them taken out of her hands.
"What do you mean by that?" Lex followed the housekeeper like a lost puppy. "Where do you want all of this?" She was continually amazed at how Martha could take such an array of foodstuffs and turn them into a wonderful meal.
"Just set it on the counter there." Martha patted Lex on the back. "And I didn’t mean anything by what I said. Just asked a simple question. Why are you getting so defensive?"
"I’m not defensive!" Lex snapped, and then sighed. "Yeah, I guess I am. Sorry, Martha. You didn’t deserve that." She leaned on the sink and sta
red out the window, vaguely noticing the rain had finally stopped. "This can’t be happening."
Martha wrapped an arm around her. "What’s that, sweetheart?"
Lex turned and looked down at the slightly wrinkled features. Trusting the woman who'd raised her to know what she meant, all she could say was, "Amanda."
The housekeeper nodded knowingly. "And you’re scared?"
"Terrified," Lex whispered. "I don’t think I could go through that again. I don’t know if I want to go though that again." She shook her head. "Moot point, anyway." She ran her fingers over the back of a chair while she shoved her feelings back down to where she could manage them. "Anyway, I came to ask a favor of you. I need you to keep Amanda occupied for a couple of hours tomorrow. I’m working on a little surprise for her."
Martha accepted the abrupt change in topics. "Okay, I’m sure I can come up with something, but you have to tell me what you’re up to first." She stood back and placed her hands on her ample hips, trying to assume a threatening manner.
Lex was amused by Martha’s attempt to intimidate her. She cleared her throat. "Did she tell you about the car she was driving yesterday?"
"My heart nearly broke in two when she said that it was probably gone forever," Martha admitted. The look on Lex’s face puzzled her. "What?"
"As unbelievable as it may sound, her car is still in the same place it was when I pulled her out of it yesterday. And by tomorrow, the creek should be down enough for me to tie it to the Jeep and tow it back to the house."
"You’re not—"
"Yep. Figure I can hide it in the maintenance shed until I get it running. Then we can take it into town and have the inside cleaned."
Martha loved a good surprise. "You are devious, aren’t you? She’ll be thrilled. But how long do you think you can keep this a secret? That little girl is pretty darn sharp."
"I know. That’s why I’m going to need your help. She really wants to help you out around the house. So, maybe—"
