Finding Lexi

by AJ Attard

"Let's go!" Clyde said, pushing the gear lever into park and throwing open the truck door, letting Twinkie bound out before him. He seemed as excited as Jake and Lexi sent a sideways glance and giggle at Nora who just shook her head and stepped down from the truck while balancing her pies with expert ease.

  Luke came striding up, a warm, welcoming smile on his softly round face, "Welcome, Y'all," he said, sliding the pies from Nora's arms into his own graciously, "Nora, these look amazing," he told her, inhaling their rich scent deeply as their still warm heat radiated onto his arm.

  "Thank you," Nora grinned in return, "I hope they're okay."

  "I'm sure they're fantastic," Luke responded. His gaze, mischievous as always met Lexi's and she couldn't help but flash him a big grin, "Hey, Lexi," he said returning her grin with one of his own.

  "Hi, Luke," she returned suddenly feeling about sixteen again, "What can we do to help?" she asked in a vain attempt to hang on to any sort of control of her wildly beating heart.

  "Well," Luke said, with mock seriousness, "What else needs to be done? Let me see," he said surveying his ranch with one eyebrow raised in exaggerated inquisitiveness.

  Jake burst out laughing and Clyde tried to smother the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Nora's eyes too shone brightly with delight and Lexi found herself smiling again at the cowboy in front of her that was bringing joy to the people she loved most.

  "Ahhh," Luke finally answered, "I do have something very important for you to do," he said, reaching out with his free hand to take the pie she held too as if suddenly realizing she was holding it, "Go have some fun," he said, tossing his head in the direction of the house, "Everything's already done," he told Lexi as she opened her mouth to protest, "My sister came over with her family earlier and some of the guys helped out he said, "Go enjoy yourself," he said looking her in the eye, "That's all you have to do. Well," he amended with a hint of a smile, "that and get yourself some food before the rest of the crowd shows up," he winked at her and started toward the house, balancing the pies and expertly picking his way across the gravel driveway. Clyde and Jake started after him, falling into step beside him as easily as they did the conversation. Nora reached out and linked her arm through Lexi's for the second time that evening and gave her daughter a nudge, "You heard the man," she said, "Let's go have some fun."

  ***

  In what seemed like the blink of an eye the yard was filled with people and the spicy, thick scent of beef BBQ wafted tantalizingly through the warm evening air. George Strait's clear voice was flowing uninhibited through the big speakers that stood on either side of the porch and people were milling about everywhere, eating, chatting, dancing, and in short having a good time. Lexi took a sip of her margarita and smiled. Clyde was over by the horseshoe pits, encircled by older ranchers, most of whom he grew up with, laughing and playing horseshoes just as they did when they were younger. Jake had quickly made friends with some boys his own age and they were in the midst of a hearty game of football, whilst being watched by the girls through carefully demure glances. Nora was dancing a slow two-step with Bruce Walker, who owned a ranch not far from theirs. Everyone was having a good time, herself included, and she felt herself really relax for the first time in a very long time.

  Marci had arrived shortly after they had and had wasted no time coming over to wrap her friend in a hug. Her mother, Sandy, did the same, hugging Lexi so tightly she yelped.

  “Are you okay?” Sandy had demanded, looking Lexi over like she may be hiding something from her.

  “I’m fine,” Lexi assured the woman who was like a second mother to her, “A bit sore in spots but better than I was even this morning.”

  “Good,” Sandy said with a nod of her graying head, her eyes still diligently watching Lexi for any sign of something amiss.

  “Sandy,” Nora had called from the other side of the yard, motioning for her friend to join her.

  “Excuse me,” Sandy said with a grin, “My partner in crime is beckoning,” she said over her shoulder as she sauntered across the grass.

  “So,” Marci began, “Now that we have gotten rid of Abbott and Costello there want to tell me what you really think happened last night?”

  Lexi shrugged and fidgeted uncomfortably. What did she think really happened? She frowned and Marci gave her a nudge with her shoulder.

  “Spill it,” She commanded as the two began to stroll through the growing number of guests toward the tables laden heavy with food and drink.

  “I don’t know, Marci,” Lexi admitted, “Above and beyond what you already know there isn’t much else to tell.”

  “You seem hesitant,” Marci observed, handing Lexi a glass of wine and waiting patiently for her to go on.

  Lexi frowned, “I know,” she said, “I feel hesitant about the whole thing. I feel like I should know something I don’t,” she looked down at her glass, swirling the liquid against the walls of the cup, “I just feel very uneasy about the whole thing. Angry and uneasy,” she amended finally taking a drink.

  “Angry I like, at least in this situation,” Marci replied, “All right, we’ll just have to play this by ear then and very carefully at that.”

  “That’s what Mom and Grandpa and I thought too,” Lexi said taking another sip.

  “Well then let’s change the subject,” Marci said, carefully placing a chip piled high with dip in her mouth, “How was Monteque’s?” She asked when she had swallowed.

  “Creepy,” Lexi said without hesitation, “That guy is an octopus, his hands are everywhere. You should have seen the place too,” Lexi added, “it looked like something out of a magazine. It was all lit up and not a thing out of place,” her shoulders shook involuntarily, “It was weird and uncomfortable. I was glad to leave,” she told her friend.

  “I bet,” Marci snorted contemptuously, “Monteque isn’t just an octopus he’s like a giant squid and whether you like it or not you are the new prey in town. Lucky for you,” Marci said pausing for another nacho, “I happen to be a deep sea hunter,” she said almost darkly, “Monteque had better watch his step,” she smiled abruptly though and took a big swig of her drink, “I don’t think I’m the only one that feels that way either,” she said mischievously, “Now if you will excuse me for a bit, I had better go make the rounds,” she gave Lexi a wink and moved away, weaving her way in between tables of content guests and the bustling dance floor.

  Lexi watched her go, wondering what in the world Marci was talking about and lost in her own thoughts.

  "Need another drink?" Luke asked ambling up behind her, breaking her reverie, his voice quiet amidst the laughter, his soft Southern drawl like a warm blanket on a cool night.

  Lexi, looked over her shoulder at him as he came to stand next to her, a half smile playing about her mouth as she shook her head, "No thank you," she answered, her gaze still holding his. He was standing so close now that their shoulders brushed against one another when they took a breath.

  "How about a walk then?" he inquired, his eyes swinging out to encompass the lively group on his lawn, "They look like they can take care of themselves," he said nodding his head in their direction, "At least for a bit," he amended with a grin.

  Lexi took a deep breath and nodded, "Sounds good to me," she said turning to drop her cup in a trashcan before falling into step beside him. They walked together naturally; as if they had always done so. Their steps measured and rhythmic, in complete sync with one another, crunched over the gravel and then fell silent as they stepped from the driveway onto a blanket of grass. The grass was thick and pungent; it's smell a crisp reminder of the spring rains they had experienced. It’s blades strong and tangled, clung to their feet and more than once Lexi threw a hand out to Luke to steady herself, slowly and bashfully removing it when she had regained her balance.

  "Sorry," Luke apologized when she tripped again, "With all the new calves I haven't had much time to mow," he told her looking a bit embarrassed as she found her feet again and matched his step, “
Are you okay?” He asked, concern in his voice.

  "I’m fine,” she told him, “No worries about the grass either," she said, "The only place I'm graceful is on a horse," she joked, " You know me,” she added with a laugh.

  He paused, stopping in the grass, the setting sun illuminating the world with a mystical golden glow, and looked at her. Lexi suddenly felt a heat rising up her cheeks as she caught the intensity in his stare.

  "I thought I did," he answered tentatively, his eyes flashing with unspoken meaning, gleaming in the last, sacred fingers of sunlight before the day receded and night reclaimed its hold on the world.

  "You still do," Lexi answered, the words tumbling out before she knew what she was saying. Her eyes, soft and round, in the fading light, looked as surprised as Luke felt at their sound.

  He smiled slowly, "Do I?" he probed, moving just a bit closer, enough to make Lexi's heart hammer ridiculously in her chest, "Do I still know you?" He asked, "How about a ride then?" he said, "The girl I knew never turned down a ride," his smile was a full-fledged grin now as he watched, challenging her all the while gauging her response.

  Lexi bit her bottom lip knowing full well what he was talking about. He meant a bareback ride out across the hills, just them and the horses. When they were younger it had usually been out to the lake or down to the creek, the further the better. She flicked a glance toward the house, raucous laughter rising like steam from the circle of light that was beginning to really shine in the descending darkness. She knew Jake was fine, Nora had given her a nod as she had turned to walk with Luke and she knew the butterflies fluttering a storm in her stomach had less to do with leaving Jake than being alone with Luke.

  "I have a new buckskin that I think you'll like," he said quietly through the darkness, remembering that buckskins were here favorite color of horse, his words suddenly the only thing she could hear. She nodded and he rocked back on his heels clearly pleased she had agreed. They started toward the barn, neither needing lights as they had walked this way many times before. The whole homestead was just how Lexi remembered it; Luke had not changed anything since his parents had died. Inside the old barn, he handed her a bridle, hitching his over one broad shoulder as they stepped out the back door into the pasture. Luke held two fingers to his mouth and whistled a short, sharp blast into the air. The sound was greeted with welcoming whinnies and soon the sound of hoof beats reverberated around them and two big forms took shape in the darkness.

  "Hey, Buddy," Luke greeted the first horse, a massive palomino whose flaxen mane and tail shimmered pearly white in the moonlight. The horse nuzzled him happily, nickering in greeting and accepting the sugar cube Luke pulled from his pocket, "This is McLintock," he told Lexi, "Mickey for short," he said, giving what was clearly his favorite horse another sugar cube.

  A small, light laugh escaped over Lexi’s lips, “I should have known,” she giggled, “That always was your favorite movie,” she said, reaching out to stroke the big palomino.

  “Still is,” he affirmed, “One of The Duke’s best,” he stated matter of factly. Lexi grinned in the oncoming darkness; again thankful some things didn’t change in life.

  Suddenly she felt a gentle nudge from behind and she turned to find herself face to face with the loveliest little buckskin she had ever had the privilege to meet. The horse had deep, dark eyes and long, thick lashes, that blinked slowly in the waning rays of the sun. It was not tall, barely a horse Lexi would guess, but broad and sturdy, the kind of horse that was hearty and built to last. The horse’s coat was a rich buttermilk color and shone brightly despite the poor light, while the mane, tail, and up to its knees were an unyielding, beautiful black.

  “Well, hello,” Lexi crooned rubbing the outstretched muzzle softly, “and who might you be?” She asked the horse, reaching up to straighten the black forelock that had fallen absently into the dark eyes.

  “That’s Mae,” Luke told her, grinning from ear to ear at Lexi and the mare.

  “As in Mae West?” Lexi smiled back mischievously, raising one eyebrow at him in amusement.

  “You got it,” He said, his voice rich and comfortable in the oncoming night, as familiar as coming home, “I knew you would like her,” he added, clearly pleased with himself.

  “I do,” Lexi agreed, stroking the mare’s silky neck. Mae pressed her face into Lexi’s chest and sighed contentedly, “She’s a wonderful,” Lexi murmured.

  “I thought you might think that,” Luke answered with a satisfied tone to his voice, while he slipped the bridle up and over Mickey’s head.

  “Men,” Lexi whispered to Mae as she did the same thing, careful to smooth out the mare’s mane under the straps, “They think they know it all.”

  The mare flipped her head up and down and sighed as if she couldn’t agree more.

  ***

  He frowned watching them mount up. He wouldn’t be able to follow them on horseback, not without being seen at least. This fact disconcerted him greatly. He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events for the evening. He shifted from foot to foot in his displeasure, unable to ascertain if it was the pair leaving his supervision or his failure to anticipate this that bothered him most. He frowned again, narrowing his eyes in the pale moon light as the horses started toward the first rise in the land. In a barely a couple of moments they would be gone from his sight over the other side as if swallowed up whole by the Earth. His anger began to simmer inside him, quickly reaching a boiling point as the silhouettes vanished before his eyes. Reaching for his phone he stabbed at the screen viciously, waiting impatiently for the other person to answer.

  “Hello?” The other person responded in a muffled voice.

  “What in the hell took you so long?” He snarled into the phone, his jaw clenching and unclenching in his fury, “You were supposed to be watching them,” He informed them irately.

  “Just a minute,” The other person said. He waited, listening to the sound of a band playing a brisk two step and people chatting happily. His fury was stirred further as a burst of laughter echoed in his ear. How dare this happen? How dare Lexi? He was about to yell into the phone when the voice on the other end of the line returned, the background sound considerably reduced.

  “What are you doing calling me here?” It asked more in surprise than anything, “You could have blown the whole thing, which on second thought is probably better,” it said slowly, contemplating the possible outcome of such a situation.

  “Would it?” He demanded, “Would it be better? Would you like everyone to know?” He asked his rage causing his voice to shake as he struggled to hang onto it.

  “No,” the other voice answered now quiet and submissive again.

  “I didn’t think so,” he answered sharply, somewhat appeased by the other’s quick submission to his will, “You were supposed to be watching them,” he accused again his discontent no longer raging hot but now dangerously cold and detached, “I am not happy.”

  He could hear the other person shifting uncomfortably their voice coming out pathetic and weak. He fed off it, feeling more powerful and satisfied by the moment despite having lost sight of Lexi and Luke.

  “I’m sorry,” the other person answered, “I didn’t realize they had gone. One moment they were talking by the tree and the next they were nowhere to be found. I can’t very well follow them around can I?” It asked, hoping to have made a solid enough point that he would let them go unpunished for their mistake.

  He paused for a moment, weighing what the other had said, pleased by their obvious fear of him, “No,” he answered, “No you could not.”

  The other person exhaled, relieved he understood, their eyes closing against the night sky, silent tears streaking their face.

  “However,” he said ominously, “I am not pleased. Not pleased at all.”

  Chapter 12

  They rode out across the folds of the softly rolling hills in companionable silence, listening to the sounds of the night as it nestled about the land, along with th
e rhythmic footfalls of their horses’ feet as they moved through the thick prairie grass. Even from a distance, the smell of rich, spicy BBQ was carried on the breeze and mingled with that of the bluebells, giving the air a sweet scent that could almost be tasted on the tongue. The horses strode with easy, swinging strides and Mae’s broad, round back provided Lexi with the perfect seat.

  They had been riding for sometime, the moon now risen and shining brightly down upon them when Luke gently bumped Lexi’s leg with his own.

  “So,” he said, once he had her attention, “When are you going to tell me what happened?” He asked, studying her face carefully in the iridescent light, trusting Mickey to cover the ground safely.

  “What happened with what?” Lexi asked, “With Colton?”

  Luke nodded and Lexi could see those blue eyes almost glowing in the darkness one-horse width away. She had known this would come, eventually. She hadn’t wanted to think about it or talk about it, not with anyone, not even her mother, but she was here now, on a horse, and suddenly she found herself overcome with the need to talk.