by Carrie Carr
Shaking her head, Amanda blinked. "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." She opened the jar of homemade salve and dipped her fingers inside. "I’ll try not to take too long."
A short while later, Lex dozed peacefully, and Amanda walked downstairs, only to find herself alone in the house. Martha had obviously gone to her own home for a while, so, not knowing what else to do with herself, Amanda went over to the kitchen phone and picked up the handset. She dialed the number of her grandparents and waited patiently until the phone was answered.
"Hello?"
"Gramma? How are you? How’s Grandpa?" The gracious tone in Anna Leigh’s voice made Amanda want to curl up on her grandmother’s lap like she did when she was a little girl.
"We’re fine, Mandy. How are you? I was a little concerned when we didn’t hear from you last night, but Jacob said that you were probably worn out from your horseback ride."
"It was a long day, that’s for sure." She sniffled to try and get her emotions back under control.
Not fooled for a moment, Anna Leigh heard the soft sniffle and became instantly alert. "What happened? You didn’t have a fight with Lexington, did you? I know she can be a bit abrupt sometimes, but she really is a dear girl."
"No, no. Nothing like that. We just ran into some trouble when we were out riding yesterday. There were these thieves, and—" Here, Amanda lost it and began to cry softly.
"Mandy honey, calm down." Concerned, Anna Leigh’s tone hardened, and her voice rose, something that Amanda rarely heard. "That does it. We’re driving out there right now, and I don’t care if I have to swim across that damnable creek!"
"No," Amanda exclaimed, then softened her tone. "No, Gramma, I’m okay. It’s just been a bad week, that’s all. And with Lex getting hurt like that, I guess I’m just a little on edge."
"Hurt? What happened? Was she thrown from her horse?"
"Um, no," Amanda hedged, knowing her grandmother would really get upset if she knew what had happened. But she had always been honest and open with her grandparents. "She was shot, but it only grazed her. But with the way her ribs are acting up, it’s—"
"Shot?" Anna Leigh yelled. "Are you okay, sweetheart? My goodness is Lexington okay? Do we need to send a doctor out there?" She stopped her questions when the phone was taken away from her.
"Peanut? What’s going on? Your grandmother is white as a sheet. Are you okay? Did I hear her correctly, was someone shot?" Jacob Cauble’s deep voice took over the phone, causing a wave of relief to wash over Amanda.
"I’m fine. Lex got a little hurt, but she’s okay now."
Jacob sighed. "A little hurt? If she was shot, that’s more than a little hurt, Peanut. Do you want to talk about it?"
Amanda ran her hand through her hair. "Yeah, actually I would. Got a few minutes? Maybe get Gramma on the other phone?" She had to talk to someone about this. Her emotions were too strong and she didn’t know what to do.
"Mandy, we have all the time in the world for you." Anna Leigh had picked up the extension and spoke from the other phone. "Talk to us."
Amanda wiped the tears from her eyes and told her grandparents everything. She started with the wonderful tour of the ranch on horseback, then graduated to when they came upon the thieves. Her voice shook again when she told of the frightening ride back to the clearing after she alerted Martha and the sheriff, and then the hiding in the thick bushes to wait for Lex to return. Finally, she told them of her feelings when she found Lex had been shot, and of the fear she had of losing someone who had already become quite special.
Jacob and Anna Leigh were very supportive as they talked Amanda through her bouts of tears and laughter. They listened as she told of meeting Sheriff Bristol, and of her finally being able to catch the unflappable Martha off guard. When Amanda told them how deep her feelings were becoming for Lex, they gave her their blessings as well.
After her emotional phone call, Amanda went upstairs to check on her patient. Since Lex continued to rest peacefully, she walked out onto the balcony to enjoy the break in the rainfall. Heavy clouds still filled the late-afternoon sky, but the lightning had stopped, and there was only an occasional rumble of thunder shattering the still silence as she leaned against the railing.
Amanda was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t hear when another person joined her on the balcony. Strong arms wrapped around her waist and hands rested lightly on her stomach.
"Penny for your thoughts," a soft voice whispered in her ear, while lips nipped at the soft lobe.
"Mmm." Amanda leaned back into the warm body behind her, covering the hands on her abdomen with her own. "Just daydreaming."
"About anything in particular?" Lex asked as she nibbled a path down Amanda’s neck.
Amanda leaned her head to one side to give Lex better access. "Uh." Her knees weakened. "Hmmm?" She turned around, and wrapped her arms around the other woman’s neck.
Lex felt hands clench in her hair as she took the opportunity to blaze a fiery trail down Amanda’s throat. The body she held trembled. "Cold?"
"N…n…no. It’s just…ahhh." Amanda released a deep breath. "C—can we take this inside? I seem to be having trouble standing."
Lex halted her exploration of the soft skin under her lips, leaning back just enough to look into slightly glazed eyes. "Really? Think you’re coming down with something?"
"Could be." Amanda unlocked her hands from the silky hair and covered the hands that were settled on her waist, bringing them both indoors. After the close call of the day before, she didn’t want to waste one precious moment of their time together. "Maybe you should tuck me into bed."
Lex followed, her legs suddenly weak. "I think it may be contagious. It sounds serious." She kept the playful banter alive while Amanda guided her to the edge of the bed.
Amanda slowly raised Lex’s shirt, pushing the rancher gently onto her back. "Oh, yeah. I’m going to need lots of special attention." She pulled her own shirt off. "Think you can handle it?" She watched as Lex’s eyes darkened. "Let me demonstrate." Amanda leaned down, covering the mouth under hers with a searing kiss.
When they finally broke apart, Lex pulled in a shuddering breath. "Let me see what I can do." She let her hands explore the supple body above her with tender caresses. Taking special care, she slid her callused hands across the dips and curves, mapping out her intentions with gentle desire.
She teased and tormented Amanda with her touches as her own desire flamed well beyond anything she had ever experienced before. Amanda was so responsive to her that it caused her own body to demand as much of Amanda’s as possible. Each moan from Amanda was reciprocated by one of her own; each woman giving herself completely to the other.
Amanda felt a burning fire course through her veins as Lex memorized her body by touch, stopping at different points to leave a heated kiss, or a gentle nip. Their bodies moved together as if each motion, each touch, had been practiced for years. Amanda reveled in the freedom to show Lex what had been in her heart from the moment they’d met. It was never like this before, was her last conscious thought before she rode out a wave of ecstasy as brightly colored lights exploded beneath her closed eyes.
MUCH LATER, AMANDA awoke with a warm body wrapped around hers, a dark head pillowed on her stomach, and two long arms stretched protectively across her body. She lovingly ran a hand though the disheveled hair, while her other hand gently clasped a tanned arm. I don’t know what got into me, but I don’t think Lex is going to complain. She smiled in remembrance. It was so intense. But I don’t think I’ve ever felt so…loved before. She sighed. That’s what this is, I think. She looked down fondly at the sleeping woman in her arms. No. I know that’s what this is. She felt a strong surge of emotion hit her deeply. I wonder how Lex feels about it?
The object of her affection stirred and tightened her hold slightly. Lex nuzzled the smooth skin under her cheek and opened one eye to focus on the shining eyes above her. She reached up with one hand to wipe away a single tear trickling dow
n Amanda’s cheek. "What’s wrong?" she asked, attempting to sit up.
Amanda held her down gently with an arm. "Nothing. I’m just being stupid." She took a deep breath to try and get her roiling emotions under control.
Lex kissed the flat abdomen her head rested on. "Are you regretting—" her voice broke.
"Oh God, no." Amanda guided Lex’s face upward until they were inches apart. Placing a trembling kiss on her lover’s lips, she whispered, "No regrets. I’m just a little overwhelmed." She added another kiss and touched her forehead to Lex’s. "Okay, a lot overwhelmed. I’ve never felt anything like this before."
Lex completely understood. Her own feelings were all over the place. "I never thought I’d feel anything like this. Ever." She swallowed hard and cupped Amanda’s cheek, wiping away another stray tear with her thumb. "I—" she paused, trying to find words to express the incredible feelings coursing through her body. Unable to find any, Lex gave Amanda a soft kiss. The young woman promptly deepened it, conscious of the unspoken words and adding her own.
Their bodies were able to articulate what their voices couldn’t. Amanda pulled back just far enough to gaze into Lex’s eyes. Swearing to herself that she could see directly into the other woman’s soul, Amanda matched her intensity, while her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I love you." The words were spoken so softly, she barely heard them leave her mouth.
But Lex heard them. Her eyes widened and she stopped breathing. Then her eyes closed, silent tears tracking over her features. She opened her mouth to speak, but was unable to utter a sound. Finally taking a large gulp of air, Lex opened her eyes again.
Amanda placed concerned hands on the other woman’s face, searching her eyes intently. "Lex? Honey, what’s the matter?" She used her thumbs to brush the tears from Lex’s face. "Please, talk to me." She could feel her lover tremble, still not able to speak.
Lex pulled Amanda tightly to her, burying her face in her hair. "No one has ever said that to me before," she rasped, her throat thick with emotion. "And," she pulled back until she could look Amanda directly in the eyes, "just so there’s no confusion— " She placed a light kiss on Amanda’s lips. "I love you, too." Lex pulled her into her arms then rolled over to lean back against the headboard.
Amanda snuggled happily into Lex’s embrace, content to just lie there and absorb the warm feeling bubbling up between the two of them. Even now, the increasingly loud rumbling of thunder couldn’t ruin the euphoria she was feeling. She felt a kiss on the top of her head, and the arms holding her tightened.
"I hate to disturb you," the familiar voice whispered in her ear, "but if we don’t get downstairs pretty soon, Martha’s gonna come looking for us."
In no hurry to move, Amanda took a small bite out of the shoulder conveniently located nearby. "And this would be a bad thing?" She nibbled her way over to Lex’s throat. "Would it bother you, her seeing us like this?"
"Of course not. I just didn’t want you to get embarrassed, that’s all."
"Well, I don’t think she’s going to pick on me much, at least for a little while anyway. We sort of called a truce this morning."
Lex pulled up Amanda’s face so that she could see into her eyes. "Truce? Did you two have an argument?" She didn’t want any bad feelings between the two women in her life, and the last thing she wanted was for Martha to dislike her new lover.
"No. Nothing like that." Amanda patted Lex on the stomach in order to calm her. "I caught her in the kitchen with her boyfriend."
"Charlie was here?"
"Yeah, early this morning." Amanda went on to explain everything he had told them, and how he refused to stop looking until the thieves were caught.
Lex released a heavy sigh. "Damn, I was afraid of something like that." She kissed the top of Amanda’s head. "Come on. Let’s get cleaned up and go downstairs. I’m starving."
Amanda climbed off Lex. "And I thought that noise was thunder. I didn’t know it was your stomach growling." She smirked and held out her hand, which was taken immediately. "Want to conserve some water?"
"Sure." Lex allowed herself to be pulled off the bed and led into the bathroom. "Although I don’t know how much we’ll conserve. This could take a while."
MARTHA STOOD AT the kitchen window, staring silently out at the darkened sky. Amanda was about to call out a greeting when Lex covered her mouth with her hand. Giving her companion a devilish look, she sneaked up behind the housekeeper and wrapped her arms around the ample waist.
"Evenin’ Martha," she boomed, squeezing her quarry tight.
"Aah!" Martha screamed and then spun around. Quickly recovering from her fright, she slapped Lex on the arm. "Blast it, I swear I’m going to keel over dead one of these days!"
Amanda was only a few steps behind Lex, bent over laughing. She finally stopped long enough to catch her breath. "Good one, Lex." She missed the fond look bestowed on her by the housekeeper, who finished blustering and was now all business.
Martha aimed Lex at the table. "Sit down and I’ll get you something to eat." When she saw that they both had damp hair, a wicked thought crossed her mind. "You, too, Amanda. I’m sure you both worked up quite an appetite." She enjoyed the dark blushes that spread over both women’s faces.
Despite her red face, Lex looked up impishly. "As a matter of fact," she raised an eyebrow at Martha, "better give me double helpings." She winked at Amanda, who just covered her face with her hands. "Right, Amanda?"
Amanda uncovered her face and stuck her tongue out at her lover. "I’ll get you for that."
"I certainly hope so. I’ll be looking forward to it."
Martha walked up to the table and lightly slapped Lex on the back of the head. "Behave yourself, Lexie." She then gently ran her hand through the damp hair. "You look like you’re feeling better."
Lex leaned back into the caress, guiltily enjoying the attention. "I am, Martha. Guess all that sleep did the trick. I feel almost as good as new." She looked tenderly at Amanda. "And I had a really good nurse."
Martha touched Lex’s forehead, relieved to find it cool. "How’s your side? Do you want me to change the bandage?"
"It’s great. Amanda took care of it earlier."
Amanda met Martha’s gaze and nodded. "Yep. It had bled some during the night, but other than that it looked pretty good. I just re-bandaged it a few minutes ago. There doesn’t seem to be any infection."
Lex reached across the table for Amanda’s hand. "Must be all the good care I’ve been getting."
"How’s your ribs?" Martha asked, setting the platters of food on the table, then sitting down to join them.
"Good as new," Lex bragged, then looked up when a loud crash of thunder rumbled outside.
"Teach you to try and fib to me."
"Yeah, right." Although she was enjoying the banter, Lex knew it was time to get serious. "Not to try and change the subject, but have you heard anything else from Charlie?"
Martha’s smile faded. "He radioed in a couple of hours ago. No luck so far, but a couple of deputies rode in by horseback and said they were going to take over while he and Joseph went up to the bunkhouse for a rest."
"Good. I didn’t want him to stay out there indefinitely. He’s begging for pneumonia as it is." Lex thought for a moment, then asked, "Any word on how the work on the bridge is coming along? Have you heard from the boys?" She started eating, her appetite coming alive when she swallowed the first bite.
"They called right after lunch and said the bridge should be finished by sometime tomorrow." She turned her attention to Amanda. "I’m sure Lexie will give you a ride back into town."
Amanda looked up from her plate with a surprised look on her face. She saw the mischief in Martha’s eyes and decided to play along. "Well, I really do need to check on my grandparents." When Lex’s face fell, she didn’t have the heart to go on. "But, I’d like to just go and pick up some clothes and things and come back here to help out. At least until someone is completely healed." She squeezed Lex’s hand and r
eceived a look of relief in return.
Lex picked up her glass of ice tea, trying to appear nonchalant. Amanda’s teasing comment scared her more than she cared to admit. With her previous track record, Lex feared that her new love would leave at the first available opportunity. She lifted the glass to her lips. "You don’t have to work. You know you’re welcome to stay here as a guest for as long as you want."
"I know, it’s just that—" Amanda paused, seeing the glass shake slightly in her friend’s hand. Why is her hand trembling like that? She looked into Lex’s eyes and saw a thinly veiled fear. She thought I’d leave? After today? Amanda felt a sharp jab of pain in her chest with this realization. We’re going to have a nice long chat later, my friend.
"Amanda?" Lex called her out of her reverie. "You with us?"
Amanda blinked, then shook her head. "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that." She stood up, taking her empty plate to the sink. She looked at Lex, whose face was impassive. "I need to go call my grandmother, if that’s okay with you."
"Sure, go ahead. I was going to go out and check on the horses." Lex stood up as well, leaving her hand on the empty chair back.
Amanda crossed the kitchen to place her hand on Lex’s. "Martha and I fed them pretty late last night, so they should be okay." She pulled the hand to her lips and kissed it. "Don’t be gone too long, all right?"
Lex finally allowed a smile to cross her face. "Right. Give your grandparents my best." She gave Amanda’s hand a squeeze, then made her way to the door. "Martha, lock the door behind me just in case, okay?"
The housekeeper was running water into the sink. She gave them both an innocent look. "Amanda, honey, could you do that for me? I’ve already gotten my hands stuck in this dishwater."
Amanda walked over and placed a light kiss on the round cheek. "Okay, but I think you should work on your subtlety." She followed Lex out of the kitchen.
They walked silently down the hallway, hand in hand, until they reached the back door. "Do you need any help? I could wait to call my grandmother." Amanda watched as Lex put on her heavy duster and placed her black hat on her head. "Do you ever leave the house without that hat?" She reached up and pushed it back off Lex’s head and tousled her hair.
