by Carrie Carr
At their SUV, Michael stopped pacing and glared at his wife. "I don't appreciate you dressing me down in front of everyone, Lois. This is a family matter."
Lois stopped and tilted her head. "Wait a minute. Dressing you down? A family matter? We've been married for years, Michael. Do you not consider me part of your family?"
"Don't twist my words. That's not what I meant."
Amanda left the stroller beside Lex and stood next to Lois. "Daddy, this isn't doing anyone any good. Let's all calm down. You know as well as I do that Lois was only trying to help."
Michael's face turned red. "So, you're turning against me, too? That's just fine." He loosened his tie. "I have to take care of her now. My father would expect nothing less."
When Amanda began to move toward him, Lex stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "Dad."
At his angry look, she softened her voice. "Michael, come on. I know you're hurting. We all are. But let's not say anything we might regret later, all right?"
"Excuse me? Don't you dare talk to me that way." He pointed a shaky finger at Lex. "You have no idea what I'm feeling."
"I lost my father a few years ago, D--Michael." Lex stepped around the car and lowered her voice. "So I think I do."
His laugh was bitter. "Oh, yes. A man you barely knew, who only came home when he was dying." He turned away from her. "You know nothing."
"That's quite enough, Michael." Anna Leigh tightly gripped the handkerchief she held. "I'll ride with the girls. Why don't you go home and get some rest?"
Michael spun around. "No. I--" He noticed the no-nonsense look in his mother's eyes. "You're right."
Turning to Lex, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lex. I didn't mean what I said."
She nodded. "I know. It's all right. We'll get through this," she promised softly.
"Yeah." Michael stepped away. "Mom, I'll call you later?"
"Of course, dearest." Anna Leigh climbed into Amanda's Expedition and closed the door.
Jeannie exhaled heavily. "Are you okay, Slim? Daddy's upset, but you know he loves you."
"I know." Lex hugged her. "I guess we'll see you at the house."
Rodney awkwardly patted Lex on the back. "Actually, we've decided to pick up our kids and go home."
"I don't blame you. Hopefully we'll be able to do the same, soon."
TWO HOURS LATER, Lex thought the well-meaning crowd would never thin out. She wandered through the house, feeling out of sorts after telling Martha and Charlie goodbye. Her arm was caught by a claw-like hand that pulled her to a stop near the kitchen.
A wizened old woman peered up through thick, black-rimmed glasses. "Lexington Walters! It's so nice that you're here for Anna Leigh. She and Jacob have always said nice things about you."
"Um, thank you, ma'am." Although familiar, Lex couldn't remember the elderly lady's name. She tried gently to remove the woman's grip, to no avail. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for Anna Leigh."
"Good, good." The old woman grinned, showing nothing but gums. "Have you seen Chester?"
Lex glanced around. "Chester?"
"My great-nephew. He was supposed to rinse my teeth and bring "˜em back. I can't find the little turd anywhere."
She released Lex's arm and slapped her hard on the back. "Bet you wouldn't have runned off and left me hangin', would ya?"
"No, ma'am. Of course not. Would you like me to find him for you?"
The old lady laughed and tucked her arm around Lex's. "What I'd like is a nip from my purse, but Chester took that, too. But I'd be mighty beholden to you if you'd help me find a place to rest my weary old bones."
"Of course." Moving slow in deference to the smaller woman, Lex escorted her toward the living room. "There's an empty chair by the fireplace, ma'am. Would that be all right?"
"I suppose." The old woman groaned as she sat. "Thanks, honey. Now, if you see Chester, tell him to move his lazy arse. I may be ninety-two, but that doesn't mean I'm senile. I can't eat half the stuff here without my choppers."
Lex coughed to cover up her laugh. "Yes, ma'am. I sure will." She hurried out of the room and had to stop to keep from running down the slender woman in front of her. "Oh! Hi, Gramma."
"Lexington. Are you all right?"
"Yes, ma'am. I just..." Lex pointed to the room she had just vacated, "I mean, well, she--"
Anna Leigh peeked around Lex. "I saw you helping Nellie Fowler. She's something else, isn't she?"
"She sure is. Um, have you seen a fella by the name of Chester? She said he has her teeth."
Anna Leigh laughed. "I'm glad I caught you. That's one of her favorite things to do at a gathering." At Lex's confused expression, she explained. "Nellie doesn't have a great-nephew. As a matter of fact, she doesn't have any family left at all. I think one of the ladies from the auxiliary brought her today."
"What about her, umm, you know?" Lex pointed to her mouth.
"They're probably in her purse. She loves the attention."
Anna Leigh's face slowly lost the smile, replaced by a weary resignation. "How horrible would I be if I started chasing people out? All I want to do is spend some time alone."
Lex put her arm around her. "Why don't you let me help you upstairs, and I'll take care of everything."
"Oh, Lexington. I couldn't ask that of you. No, these people were kind enough to come over, the least I could do is be a better hostess."
"Pardon my language, Gramma. But...bullshit."
Anna Leigh's eyebrows rose, but she didn't argue as Lex led her toward the stairs.
"Most of these folks are just here to gossip and eat. They can do that anywhere."
"Well, I suppose. Where's Mandy and Eddie? I haven't seen them for a while."
Lex kept her arm around Anna Leigh as they ascended the staircase. "In the back guest room. Eddie's napping and Amanda's fighting off a migraine. I sent them up about an hour ago."
"Poor thing. You should take them both home."
Anna Leigh stood in front of her bedroom door and touched Lex's cheek with the palm of her hand. "I know I don't say this often enough, but you are a beautiful gift to our family, Lexington."
Her emotions getting the best of her, Lex felt tears burn her eyes. "This family has been the gift, Gramma." She had to clear her throat. "I'm so damned sorry about Grandpa Jake. If I can do anything for you--"
"Thank you, dearest. The best thing you can do for me is to take care of my granddaughter and my great-grandchildren. Which I know you will."
"Yes, ma'am. I surely will." Lex kissed her on the cheek. "Are you sure you don't want to come out to the ranch with us?"
"I'll be fine, here." Anna Leigh bit her lip. "I have to be. It's something I need to become accustomed to."
She stepped into her room and turned around. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"All right." As the door closed, the bleak expression on the older woman's face broke her heart. Unable to hold them back any longer, Lex finally allowed the tears to fall.
Chapter Seven
ONCE THEY PICKED up the girls at Shelby and Rebecca's, Lex talked Amanda into letting her drive them home. She knew Amanda's migraine was most likely caused by the stress of the past week. While the worst had abated, the hangover left Amanda feeling exhausted.
"And then, Miz Rebecca showed us a picture of Miz Shelby bull riding! It looked so scary," Melanie related, her eyes wide. "Momma, did you ever ride a bull?"
Lex glanced in the rear view mirror to make eye contact with her youngest daughter. "Uh, no. Can't say that I have."
"Your momma did face off against a bull once, though. Remember that, honey?" Amanda asked Lex.
"Faced off? Oh, crap. That wasn't a face off."
Not long after they had gotten together, Lex and Amanda had come across a large Brahman bull. Lex had tried to get their jeep out of the mud, and the bull walked up to her and bumped her with its nose. They found out later that it was their neighbor's pet, and had a good laugh about the situation --once they were safely ho
me.
Amanda quickly related the story. "But I don't want you girls to ever think about getting that close to a bull, all right?"
She looked back at Lorrie, who was staring moodily out the side window. "Lorrie? Did you have a nice time this afternoon?"
Lorrie shrugged. "I guess."
"She sat on the couch and read magazines," Melanie said. "She wouldn't even play Monopoly with us."
"I didn't feel like playing a stupid old game. Miss Rebecca said I could read her horse magazines, so I did."
Melanie wrinkled her nose. "You're just an old grump."
"Am not."
"Are too."
Lex had heard enough. "Girls, stop arguing. Melanie, leave your sister alone. Lorrie, you should--" She slammed on the brakes and caused the vehicle to slide to a stop. "Damn it!"
Amanda released her grip on the dash and turned to the kids. "Is everyone all right?"
"Haaa!" Eddie shook a fist. "Go!"
Melanie held her nose. "Mommy, Eddie pooted."
"Melanie, you don't have to tell us every time he passes gas." Amanda squinted through the windshield. "What kind of idiot dumps a box that size on the road?"
Lex put the SUV in park. "I dunno. But I might as well put it in the back. We can get rid of it when we get home."
She removed her seat belt and opened the door. "Be right back."
She walked in front of the truck and knelt to get the box. She suddenly jumped back and almost fell.
Amanda rolled down her window and stuck her head out. "Lex? Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Hold on." Lex opened the box and looked inside. "What the hell?"
Amanda's curiosity got the best of her, so she turned to the girls. "Stay in here and keep an eye on your brother."
She hopped out of the Expedition and hurried to her wife's side. "What's going on?"
Lex straightened and pointed. "See for yourself."
"What?" Amanda cautiously lifted the edge of the box and peered inside. "Is it alive?"
"Yep."
Amanda put her hands on her hips. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"We can't just leave it here."
Lex shook her head. "Oh, no. Uh-uh. There's no way in hell I'm taking that thing back to our ranch. Ain't happenin'."
"Lex."
"No."
Amanda cocked her head and frowned. "Pick up the box, Lexington."
Seriously considering her options, Lex paused. "Amanda--"
"Don't." Amanda held up her hand. "Get the box and put it in the back of the truck, Lex. We'll argue about it later."
Like a petulant child, Lex lifted the box and carried it to the Expedition.
Once they were both buckled in, Amanda noticed the look on her wife's face. "Don't say it."
"What was it, Momma?" Melanie asked. "That box looked heavy. Was it heavy? Why did you put it in the back?"
A sound emanated from the rear of the vehicle as they began moving forward.
"Maaaaaaa."
Melanie tried to twist in her seat to see behind her. "What is that?"
"The bane of every cattleman's existence," Lex muttered darkly.
"Maaaaa."
Lorrie, for the first time since they'd picked her up, appeared interested. "A lamb?"
"Almost as bad," Lex answered. "A freakin' kid."
Melanie's eyes almost popped out of her head. "A boy or a girl? And why is it in a box, and not buckled up like us?"
"A baby goat," Lorrie said. She laughed at her sister's lack of knowledge. "They're called kids."
"That's silly." Melanie leaned forward as far as she could and tapped Lex's headrest. "Momma, is she making that up?"
Lex shook her head. "Unfortunately, no."
"Maaaaaa."
LORRIE HELD THE back door open for Amanda. "Why does Momma hate goats? I think they're kind of cute."
Freckles raced down the hall, yipping. She bounced around Lorrie, who absentmindedly scratched the dog's head.
"Thanks, honey." Amanda carried Eddie inside and struggled to take off his puffy jacket. "Stay still, mister."
"Mommy, no!" Eddie twisted and fussed. "Noooo!"
Amanda laughed as she hung up his coat. "See? You survived."
He always threw a fit when she tried to put his coat on, or take it off. She removed hers and hung it beside Eddie's. "Lorrie, your poor, disillusioned momma seems to think that mixing cattle and goats are bad luck. Why, I don't know."
"Because the little devils ruin the grazing land," Lex grouched as she brought the box into the house. She raised the box higher as Freckles tried to see what was inside.
"Freckles, down! As for goats, they pull up the grass, roots and all, so nothing is left to grow back. I wish Ron wasn't sunning himself on a beach in Mexico. I'd take the damned thing to the vet's office."
Ron Bristol was their vet. He had been adopted by Martha and Charlie as a teen. While in college, he met his future wife, Nora Haden. They were married before Christmas and were on their honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta.
"Watch it, rancher," Amanda warned. "Lorrie, lock Freckles in the bathroom until we get the goat settled, please. Lex, honey, let's put the poor thing in the laundry room. Ron will be back in a few days, we can survive for that long."
Lex grumbled but did as she was told. "Where the hell would a baby goat come from, anyway? I don't know of any goat farms nearby."
"Me, either." Amanda handed Eddie to Lex before she opened a cabinet and took out a towel that was usually reserved for Freckles' bath. She folded the top of the box open. "It's so tiny."
She turned to her wife. "How old do you think it is?"
"I haven't a clue. Few weeks, I'd guess." The disgusted look never left Lex's face as she watched Amanda carefully wrap the small, white Nubian in the blue towel and cradle it close to her.
Melanie edged closer to her mother and pinched her nose with her fingers. "It smells."
"Well, duh." Lorrie stood beside her. "It's dirty. Once we clean it up--"
Lex shifted Eddie so he was on her hip. "Oh, no. I'm taking it to town first thing tomorrow. We aren't going to bathe it."
"Her," Amanda corrected.
"What?"
Amanda giggled as the kid nibbled on the collar of her dress. "It's a girl. And I think she's hungry."
"Momma, Momma, Momma," Eddie chanted as he rocked back and forth. "Down."
Lex turned to their oldest. "Lorrie, would you mind taking your brother to the living room? Mel, please go with them while your Mom and I figure out what to do with..." She pointed to the bundle in Amanda's arms. "That."
"Lex," Amanda warned.
Lorrie looked from one parent to the other. "Are you going to fight?"
"No, sweetheart, we're not," Lex assured her. She lowered Eddie until his feet touched the floor. "Your mother just has to remind me sometimes that I need help in making the right decisions."
She winked at her wife. "If you'll let your brother walk to the living room, I'll go out to the barn and see about getting something to feed the little critter."
Melanie held out her hands. "Can I walk Eddie? I'll go slow."
"All right." Lex chuckled as Melanie chattered to her little brother as they left the laundry room.
"We'll play with your trucks and my dolls, Eddie. If you're really nice, maybe we can have a tea party later. You like to play tea party, don't you?"
"Ha!"
Lorrie put her hands in her front pockets. "Since Mel's with Eddie, can I help you?"
She got as close to Amanda as she could, her eyes rarely leaving the little animal. "Please?"
"Sure, honey." Amanda's face took on a wicked grin. "Sit here beside me and you can hold her while your momma and I get some supplies."
"Cool." Lorrie sat cross-legged near the dryer, a genuine smile on her face as she was handed the kid. "It's a lot tinier than the calves I've seen."
She stroked the small, white head and giggled when the goat sucked on her fingers. "That tickles!"
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Amanda stood and brushed off the back of her dress. She patted Lex on the rear as they stepped out of the laundry room. "I'll see if I can find an old baby bottle while you get some hay."
"Very sneaky, Amanda," Lex whispered. "But we're still not keeping that thing."
"Of course we're not." Amanda turned and pointed toward their daughter. "But it's good to see something pull Lorrie out of her depression, isn't it?"
Lex shook her head. "Amanda--"
"No, no. You're right. A cattle ranch is no place for a goat." Amanda kissed Lex on the cheek.
As her wife walked away, Lex knew that she had lost the battle. But the war had only begun.
AFTER AMANDA DID a quick Internet search, she sent Lex to the barn for a bucket of high-protein horse feed. While her wife was gone, she found one of Eddie's old bottles and cut a larger hole in the nipple. "This should do until we get a better bottle at the feed store."
She filled the bottle with milk and warmed it.
Lorrie looked up when Amanda brought in the baby bottle. "Do I do it just like a calf?"
"Try and see." Amanda squatted beside her.
The goat instinctively knew what to do when the bottle was presented to her and greedily attacked it.
"Mom, look!" Lorrie laughed, even as the warm milk dripped down the kid's chin and onto her shirt.
As she came in the back door, Lex heard her daughter's laugh. She quietly stood in the doorway of the laundry room and watched. Unable to stop herself, Lex smiled tenderly as the sullen girl transformed into the sunny child she remembered. She brought the bucket into the room. "We'll put a bit of this in the box, in case she gets hungry."
"Momma?" Lorrie raised her head. "Remember that project I'm supposed to start in February?"
She was a member of the Junior Farm Club at school. Their spring project was to take care of an animal and write reports on their progress.
One look at the hopeful face and Lex's reservation's vanished. She had lost the battle, and the war. "Decided against a calf, huh?"
"Is it okay?" Lorrie looked at the bundle in her lap. "I'll do all the research tonight, so I'll know exactly what to do. And you won't have to do a thing, I promise."
