by Carrie Carr
“No, ma’am, not at all. I’m just saying that most folks don’t take a real vacation every year. But when they do, they have as much right to relax and enjoy themselves as the people whose biggest concern is where they’ll go, not how much it will cost.”
Sensing that his mother-in-law was preparing herself to attack, Frank jumped into the conversation. “Have you ever been on a cruise, Lex?”
“No. I’ve never really had the time. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I’ve been away from the ranch in several years.” Lex gave Amanda a meaningful look. “But I wouldn’t mind going on one, someday.”
“Frank and I are taking an Alaskan Cruise as a second honeymoon next spring,” Jeannie shared. “Maybe you should consider going on one, too. It’s certainly a great way to beat the summer heat. I didn’t visit as often as Amanda did, but the Texas summers stand out as extremely wicked in my mind. I don’t know how you’re able to handle it.”
Lex shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to the heat. It doesn’t really bother me any.”
Elizabeth saw her opportunity. “I suppose it’s like the migrant workers in the Valley. They don’t know any better than to stay in the hot sun all day. They’re quite used to it as well, I suppose.”
Amanda glared at her mother. “I can’t believe your attitude.”
“It’s okay, Amanda.” Lex placed a hand on her lover’s arm, trying to calm her down.
“No, it’s not,” the furious woman snapped, then saw the hurt in Lex’s eyes and immediately dropped her voice. “I’m getting tired of listening to my parents take potshots at you.”
Lex slipped her hand beneath the table and took a firm grasp of Amanda’s fingers. “We’ll talk about this later, okay?” She gave the hand in hers a squeeze. Looking up at Elizabeth, she cleared her throat. “And I have to agree with you, Mrs. Cauble. If a person works all day, every day in the heat, it’s much easier for them to handle it.” Then, with a slight twinkle in her eye, she continued, “Unlike the poor folks that have to sit in an office all day long. They break out into a sweat just walking to their cars at the end of the day.”
Touché, Mother. Amanda winked at Lex, then noticed the partially eaten plate of food in front of her lover. “Are you full?”
“Yeah. I’m just not real hungry, I guess.” The truth of the matter was that Lex’s stomach was still in knots over what happened earlier in the day.
“Do you two have any plans for tonight?” Frank asked, after a not-so-subtle poke in the ribs from his wife.
Amanda looked at Lex, who shrugged. “Not really. What do you have in mind?”
“Lex, you can’t come to LA without going out at least for one evening. Isn’t that right, Amanda?”
“Umm, that’s really nice of you, but I didn’t bring anything to wear for a night out on the town.” Lex hadn’t gone out much since she was younger, and the thought of doing so in a strange town made her extremely uncomfortable.
Frank could see the worried look on Lex’s face. If he knew his wife, they’d hit a few less crowded, certainly more relaxed, clubs. “Actually, you’ll be more suitably dressed for where we’re going than Jeannie or I will.”
“Okay, then, why not?” Lex turned to check with Amanda. “Do you feel up to it?” The tone in her voice made it clear that Amanda could just say no.
Amanda patted Lex on the arm. “Sure.” She touched her bruised jaw with her fingertips. “I know this looks bad, but it really doesn’t hurt.”
Elizabeth Cauble sighed heavily, drawing everyone’s attention back to her. She gave Amanda a pitiful look. “I guess it’s too much to ask that you actually spend some time with your father and me before you leave us.”
“Now, now,” Amanda’s father said. “I’m sure Amanda will be glad to spend some quality time with us in the morning.” Michael gave Lex an unreadable look. “And you too, Lex. I’d really like the opportunity to get to know you a little better.” The smile on his face sent chills down Lex’s spine.
Why do I suddenly feel like a man at the gallows being told to jump? Lex wondered. “Sure, Mr. Cauble, if you really want to.” She gave Amanda’s hand a firm squeeze. “But I’m sure I can find something to occupy myself if you need to spend a little time alone with Amanda.”
“That won’t be necessary, Lex.” He smiled, and again, Lex felt a warning bell ringing in the back of her mind. “If my daughter is determined to be with you, I’d really like for us to become better acquainted.”
Jeannie stood up. “Great. We’ll get ready and meet you two in the sitting room in an hour.” She grabbed her husband by the hand and hurried from the room.
Amanda released Lex’s hand and stood up as well. “I guess we’d better go get ready, huh?” she asked her lover. “We’ll see you both in the morning,” she assured her parents as Lex joined her by the door. “Goodnight.”
Halfway up the stairs, Lex pulled Amanda to a stop. “Do you have any idea where we’re going tonight?”
“Sure. But I’m not telling.” Amanda continued up the stairs, with a laughing woman at her heels.
LEX STOOD AWAY from the pool table, watching as Amanda lined up her shot. She couldn’t help but smile as her lover’s tongue slightly poked from her mouth, in the perfect picture of intense concentration.
“Don’t let that innocent look fool you,” Frank whispered. “She’s a shark. The first time we played, she beat me so badly I had to carry her books to class for a solid week. Do you know how demeaning it is for a high school senior to be enslaved by a freshman?”
“Amanda said you were her best friend.” Lex took a sip of her beer, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the bar, and the camaraderie of the people she was with. “How long have you known each other, if you don’t mind me asking?” She shook her head as Amanda sunk her shot, dancing around and waving her hand in front of her sister’s face. “Uh-oh.”
Frank watched, as his wife good-naturedly threatened her sister with her cue stick. “Don’t worry. Amanda can take her.” He laughed out loud at the look of shock on Lex’s face. “I’m kidding. Well, not completely. Mandy can take her, but they don’t actually fight anymore.” He took a strong swallow of his third scotch and water. Lex was still nursing her first beer, which she surprised them all by ordering. She told them she didn’t drink much anymore, which was okay by him and Jeannie, since the last time they were out they got carried away and had to call a cab. “Mandy literally ran me over on my first day at her school.” He shook his head in remembrance. “I had just transferred from a small school south of Sacramento and was completely and totally awed by this huge school. I had run myself ragged trying to find my classes and had bent down in the hallway to tie my shoe. Then this little whirlwind came flying around the corner and knocked me flat on my face.”
The mental picture that Frank painted caused Lex to crack up. “I’ll bet that was a sight. But it’s nice to know she’s always been like that, running from place to place.” She felt a hand on her arm.
“What’s so funny?” Amanda asked, reaching across Lex to grab her vodka Collins.
“Frank was just telling me how you two met.”
Amanda rubbed her face. “Umm, it’s your shot, Lex.” She really didn’t want to get into what a brat she was back in high school, and knew that her brother-in-law had a lot of tales he could tell.
“You look really happy, Mandy.” The big man studied his sister-in-law closely. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile so much.” He nodded toward the pool table, where his wife was trying to ruin Lex’s shot by making faces and slinging silly comments at her.
“I’m very happy.” Amanda saw what Jeannie was doing and tossed a pretzel at her. “Stop cheating,” she yelled, getting a nasty look from her sibling. Turning her attention back to Frank, she smiled warmly. “She’s the one, Frank.”
“I kinda figured that by the look on your face, kiddo.” Frank couldn’t help but remember the long talks the two of them used to have. Amanda had sworn she would
find her one true love and not settle for anything less. Frank was the only person she had shared that with. Not even her sister knew the high standards she had set for a mate. He had understood, since he had fallen completely in love with her sister the moment he met her. “Even I can see she’s special, Mandy. Don’t ever let her go.” Frank spoke quietly, and his eyes suspiciously sparkled in the smoky light of the bar.
Amanda wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a light kiss on the lips. “Thanks, Frank. I knew you’d understand.”
“I guess this means I get to take Slim here home with me.” Jeannie walked up from the pool table, wrapping an arm around Lex’s waist. “No offense, Frank, but I think I got the better end of the deal.” She wriggled happily as a long arm draped across her shoulder.
Lex drawled, “I’ve heard about some of the wild things that go on here in California.” Her eyebrow rose as Amanda spun and Frank placed his chin on her head, wrapping his arms about her protectively with an innocent look on his face. “You think you can handle her?”
Frank appeared thoughtful. “I dunno. Since you met her, Lex, you nearly drowned, got your ribs banged up, were shot, and attacked by rustlers.” He stepped back and pushed Amanda forward. “Give me back my wife. Please!”
Lex impulsively caught Amanda who nestled happily into her arms, much to Frank and Jeannie’s amusement. “Fickle, ain’t she?” Lex muttered to the other couple, only to receive a slap on the arm. “What’d I say?”
Jeannie watched, an approving look on her face. The more I’m around her, the better I like this mysterious woman who has stolen my little sister’s heart. She watched them for a moment longer, then said, “Okay, gang. Now that I whipped Slim at pool—”
“What?” Amanda leaned back so that she could look Lex in the eye. “How could you lose? We only had to make one shot.” She turned back around and glared at her sister. “What did you do?” The strong arms that wrapped tightly around her calmed Amanda, if only for a moment.
Lex shook her head. “I didn’t think she could actually do it.” She propped her chin on Amanda’s shoulder. “I said she couldn’t distract me into blowing my shot.”
Amanda frowned. “I’ll ask again. What did she do?”
Jeannie laughed. “I tried dancing around the table like a fool, which didn’t work. I even blew in her ear.” She saw Amanda’s eyes widen. “Nothing. So, while she was bent over about to shoot, I pinched her on the butt.” At this startling confession, everyone burst out laughing.
With and embarrassed grin, Lex admitted, “Damn near knocked the guy at the next table out with the cue ball, too.”
Amanda pulled the arms around her tighter. “I’m sorry I missed that. Are you ready for our next stop?”
Lex released a heavy sigh. “Do I want to know where we’re going?”
Jeannie reached over, grabbed Lex by the hand, and dragged her toward the door. “Dancing,” she explained, as Amanda and Frank followed closely behind.
A short time later, Lex found herself in a new club quite different from the first. “What in the hell is that supposed to be?” Lex grumbled as a young person walked by. Bright purple spiked hair and multiple face piercings shocked the more conservative rancher.
Amanda pulled Lex through the crowd of people, right behind Frank and Jeannie. “I think it was a he, but don’t quote me on that.”
They found a table near the crowded dance floor where loud music with a strong beat made Lex’s teeth hurt. The lights flicked and flashed all around them in time to the beat of the music. She ordered another beer and then focused her attention on the dozens of people dancing. Men dancing with women, men dancing with men, and women dancing with women, all having a good time. There were even a few wildly dressed people dancing alone, which caused a smile to cross Lex’s face.
“See anything you like?” Amanda asked, her lips close to her lover’s ear. She could tell Lex was a little overwhelmed by a lot of things she would never come across in a small town. Lex looked particularly entranced by a young woman wearing white makeup with black across her eyes and lips and studs and hoops adorning her eyebrows and nose. “Maybe I should get my nose pierced,” Amanda whispered, then playfully licked Lex’s ear.
“Huh?” Lex jumped, then smiled. She knew she wouldn’t get another chance like this for a while. “Come on,” she grabbed Amanda’s hand. “Let’s go join the crowd.” Lex stood and pulled Amanda along with her, just as a slow song began. She quickly claimed a piece of the dance floor with her partner. “Perfect.”
Amanda linked her hands behind her lover’s neck, snuggling her face into Lex’s chest. I really like this, she thought blissfully, as Lex pulled her even closer.
Closing her eyes, Lex gently swayed to the music, enjoying the feeling of holding Amanda in her arms. Her peaceful thoughts were interrupted by a strong hand on her shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in?” yelled a short, pudgy woman. She was clad in leather pants and a leather vest, with slicked back hair and more attitude than good sense.
“No, thanks.” Lex gripped Amanda tighter and turned away, not wanting her evening spoiled.
“Hey.” The woman, grabbed the taller woman’s arm and swung Lex to face her. She took in Lex’s jeans and denim shirt, glaring at the obvious tourist. “Look, cowboy,” she hollered over the music, “I’d like to dance with the cute one there.” She looked Lex in the eye. “Why don’t you go feed your horse, and I’ll show the lady a good time.”
Thinking fast, Amanda stepped between the two women. “Lex, honey,” she said loudly, putting her arm about her partner’s waist. “You remember what your parole officer said. The next person you hospitalize can get you sent back to prison.” She almost laughed out loud at the look on the pushy woman’s suddenly pale face.
Lex leered at the intruder, then glanced down at her lover. “Aw, come on, baby. Just this once?” She took a menacing step toward Amanda’s would-be suitor. “Please?”
Deciding to find someplace else to be, the leather-clad woman whirled off, hastily making her way back through the crowd, all the while muttering under her breath.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Lex wrapped Amanda into a hug, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “I really didn’t want to ruin tonight by getting into an argument with Motorcycle Mama.”
Amanda chuckled. “I was tempted to just smack her one, but I was afraid she’d scream lawsuit.” She wrapped her arms back around Lex’s neck. “Don’t we have a dance to finish?”
Lex kissed her lightly on the lips and rested her hands on Amanda’s waist. “Yeah.” She pulled Amanda to her and closed her eyes, slowly rocking once again to the music.
Later, at the table, Frank gestured to the crowd. “I thought for sure we were going to have a brawl on our hands. We saw that woman try to cut in.”
Jeannie nodded. “Why didn’t you just slug her, Lex?” she asked the smiling woman. “I know I probably would have, the rude little turd.”
“Nah. I really couldn’t blame her any.” Lex put her arm on the back of Amanda’s chair. “She has great taste in women.” She enjoyed seeing her lover blush. “Besides, I knew Amanda would be coming home with me.”
For the second time that night, Jeannie found herself smiling. Mother and Father are so wrong about her. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Mandy. “You guys about ready to leave? I think Frank has had about all the fun he can stand for one night.” She gestured to her husband, whose eyes were beginning to droop.
Frank stifled a yawn. “I’m sorry about that. I guess I’m not used to all this excitement.”
“I’m pretty pooped too,” Amanda admitted, leaning back against Lex’s arm. “How about you, honey?” She turned her head and gazed into her lover’s eyes. “Ready to go home and go to bed?”
Lex couldn’t help but grin. “Is that an offer from the cute one?” She stood up, offering her hand to Amanda and pulling her to her feet. “I thought maybe I was just getting old. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“You? Old? Yeah, right.” Frank took Jeannie’s hand, and they followed Lex and Amanda through the still raucous crowd to the front door. “If she’s old, then I’m ancient,” he grumbled to his wife.
Jeannie patted him on the rear lovingly. “Whatever you say, grandpa.”
LEX DIDN’T NOTICE when Amanda borrowed Frank’s cell phone on the drive back to the house and was confused when she was escorted around the back, while the other couple went in the front door. “Where are we going?”
“Trust me,” Amanda whispered. She took them along a cobbled path past the fountain until they came upon a white wooden gazebo, which was fenced in by decorative garden trellises. Opening the gate slowly, Amanda looked over her shoulder and grinned. “I thought it would be fun to relax a bit before we went to bed, so all that dancing wouldn’t make us sore.” She loved the look on Lex’s face when she realized where they were.
“So this is the infamous hot tub, huh?” Lex moved closer to Amanda and circled her arms about Amanda's waist, propping her chin on her shoulder. “I hate to break this to you sweetheart, but we don’t have any swimsuits.”
Amanda reclined into the embrace. “What makes you think we need suits? It’s not like there’s a lot of people here.” The silence from her partner almost made Amanda laugh out loud. “Honey, really. I called Beverly while we were on the way home, and everything we need is in the cabana over there.” She pointed to a small building a few yards away. “Towels, robes, and suits, I promise.”
“Ah.” For all her attempts at appearing worldly and uncaring, Lex knew she would always be a conservative country girl at heart. I’ve got to remember that Amanda was raised in California. She’s probably laughing to herself right now. That thought didn’t make her feel any better, and Lex wished, for the first time in her life, that she had grown up somewhere besides a ranch.
“Lex?”
“Hmm?”
Turning so she could face her, Amanda tried to see why Lex had suddenly gotten so quiet. “Are you all right?” The dim light around the gazebo made it hard to read the expression on Lex’s face.
