Beyond Always (Lex and Amanda Series)

by Carrie Carr

  Her face flushed, but she didn't look away. "I figured as much."

  "Yeah? Well, we've both noticed you coming in before dawn, and leaving after sundown just about every day." He straightened up and looked her in the eyes. "Is there really that much work to do around here? "˜Cause, while I know this ain't no nine-to-five job, I wasn't aware of enough things going on to warrant you working yourself to death."

  "I don't log any overtime. You can double-check my book, if you need to." Shelby carried around a small, spiral notebook in her shirt pocket, where she posted her work times as well as any notes or questions for Roy.

  "I'm well-aware of the time you clock. If anything, we owe you a lot of back pay, for the hours you haven't logged."

  Roy rested his elbows on the desk and sat forward in his chair. "Damn it, Shelby. Lex is just now getting back on her feet. I don't want to see you end up in the hospital, too."

  "What?"

  "Listen, I admire your dedication to the job. But you're going to run yourself into the ground at this rate, and then where will you be?"

  Shelby's anger flared, but quickly died when she realized she wasn't losing her job. "Wait. You're not firing me?"

  Roy's laughter echoed off the paneled walls of the small room. "Are you shittin' me? Good lord, no. Where on earth did you get that idea?"

  "Well, you've been gettin' around better, and with Lex feelin' up to snuff again, I figured." She shrugged. "I reckon I figured all wrong, huh?"

  He slapped the desk before he stood. "Hell, yeah. You figured totally wrong. I love this ranch as if it were my own. But I'm getting too damned old to ride all over the place. No, I'll leave that to you younguns."

  Shelby stood. "I don't know about the young'un's part, but I appreciate it, Roy. Some days I feel older than the hills."

  "And that's why you're going to start coming in after the rooster crows. As a matter of fact, why not take the rest of the day off? I'm sure Rebecca would like to see you before the moon comes out."

  "Thanks, I think I will." She shifted her hat to her left hand and extended her right. "I'll see you tomorrow, Boss."

  Roy shook her hand and slapped her on the shoulder. "Not too early, though. I don't want Lex chewing me out for overworking you."

  "Right." She laughed and settled her hat on her head. "I'll try to keep you out of trouble."

  "IT FEELS GREAT to be behind the wheel again." Lex navigated her truck through the residential streets of Somerville with ease.

  Amanda laughed at her. "Let's see how you feel about it around July. By then, you'll be begging for another break."

  "Probably. But for now, I'm going to enjoy it." As they rounded the corner, Lex slowed the truck. "What the hell is going on?"

  The long driveway of the Cauble house was overrun with vehicles. Two old pickup trucks, Anna Leigh's Cadillac, Jacob's Suburban, Jeannie's SUV and Michael's SUV crowded the drive. A flat-bed tow truck was on the street, but the driver was nowhere in sight.

  "Good lord. I bet poor Gramma is about ready to pull her hair out."

  Lex parked behind one of the pickups. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay? I can run interference."

  Amanda patted her thigh. "No, go on and get the girls from school. You deserve a fun afternoon."

  "I already had that." Lex took Amanda's hand and brought it to her lips. "But ice cream does sound like a nice way to top off the day."

  "You," Amanda declared, touching Lex's nose with the tip of her finger, "are dangerous." She stretched across the seat and kissed her. "Try to stay out of trouble." She hopped out of the truck and headed up the sidewalk, turning around once to wave.

  Lex returned the wave. "Stay out of trouble. Ha. She's the one who's walking into a war zone," she muttered. Once Amanda went inside, she backed the truck into the street. "It's not like I go out looking for stuff. It just happens."

  It wasn't long before she parked near the elementary school. Lex checked her watch before she left the truck. "Ten minutes early. Perfect." She needed to check in with the school office before getting the girls, so their teachers wouldn't try to put them on the bus.

  The single-story, putty-colored, brick building was the same elementary school that Lex had attended. Once inside, she tapped on the door frame to the office. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Clevens."

  At the main desk, an older woman raised her head from the paperwork in front of her. She was Martha's age, and kept her gray hair cut short and stylish. "Lexington, come in. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

  "I had to be in town today, and thought I'd pick up the girls." Lex scribbled her signature on the clipboard placed on the counter for that reason.

  Mrs. Clevens removed her reading glasses, but let them hang on the beaded chain around her neck. "It's good to see you up and around again, dear. You had more than a few people worried, that's for sure."

  "Thanks. I'll admit to being a little worried, myself." Lex tucked her hands in the front pockets of her jeans and tried to ignore the blush that covered her face. "And thank you again for the cornbread and chili you brought to the house. Everyone loved it."

  "My pleasure. I know Amanda had more than enough on her plate while you were sick, without having to worry about cooking all the time."

  Lex laughed. "We've still got a freezer full of food that Martha put up for us. I doubt she'll have to cook for at least another month." And that didn't include the meals that Martha had disposed of, including one woman's sardine meatballs, which Martha had threatened to bury in the adjoining county.

  "That's wonderful." Mrs. Clevens turned her chair and quickly entered something on the computer. "I've messaged the teachers that you're here, so Melanie and Lorrie won't get on the bus."

  "I appreciate that." The school bell cut off any other comment Lex might have made. "Guess I'd better get outside, before the stampede starts."

  The older woman left her desk and stepped around the counter. "Take good care of yourself, Lexington. Those little girls need you." She took Lex's hand and squeezed it. "Be good."

  Fighting off a blush, Lex nodded. "Yes, ma'am, I sure will.

  Thanks." She escaped outside, moments before a dozen little bodies descended from the first grade classroom.

  Lex ignored the looks of disdain she received from two women standing nearby. Her jeans and long-sleeved western shirt were clean, as were her boots. When one of the women kept staring, Lex winked, which caused her to turn away quickly. "Heh."

  "Momma!" Melanie dodged two boys who were playfully shoving one another.

  "Hey there, kiddo." Lex took the backpack from her daughter. "How was school?"

  Melanie latched onto Lex's hand and swung it back and forth. "Good! Are you not sick no more?"

  "Nope. I'm fine."

  "Yay! How come you're here? Is something wrong?"

  Lex noticed Lorrie walking slowly through the doors and waved to her. "No, nothing's wrong. I just thought I'd take you girls for some ice cream. How does that sound?"

  Melanie cheered again. "Hey, Lorrie! We're going for ice cream!"

  "Big whoop." Lorrie headed for the truck.

  "She's an old grump," Melanie observed.

  "Be nice," Lex warned, although she secretly agreed. "Come on. Let's go get that ice cream."

  FOR THE FIRST time in several weeks, Shelby drove down her driveway in broad daylight. She parked beside Rebecca's car and stretched after she got out of her truck. Her lower vertebrae popped which sent a muscle spasm along her spine. "Ugh. I hope Rebecca doesn't want to do anything tonight, I'm beat."

  She trudged up the steps and barely got the door open, before she was embraced by her lover. "Hey, darlin'."

  "I called the ranch and they told me you were already on your way home." Rebecca stepped back and gave her a long look. "Are you feeling okay?"

  "I'm fine." With her arm around Rebecca, Shelby led the way to the sofa and dropped gracelessly onto the worn cushions. "Just tired." She couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her lover's eyes. "
What?"

  Rebecca jumped up. "Wait right here." She raced to the bedroom and returned quickly with a dark green polo shirt. She held it up to her torso. "Well? What do you think?"

  "It's a good color for you, but," Shelby paused and noticed the print above the right breast. "McAlister's Feed Store? Really?"

  "Yes!" Rebecca tossed the shirt on the end of the sofa and sat beside Shelby. "I had gone to the diner to apply for the part-time waitress position, and the woman there told me about the feed store. Tom, the manager, recognized me from Carson's. I start work Monday.

  And it's full-time!"

  Shelby laughed as Rebecca crawled onto her lap facing her. "That's great, darlin'. Do you think you're gonna like it there?"

  Rebecca rested her arms on Shelby's shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Yes. And, I get a ten percent discount on everything. Isn't that great?"

  "It sure is."

  "How tired are you?" Rebecca softly traced the edge of her lover's ear.

  Shelby grinned and released the top button of Rebecca's blouse. "Funny you should ask. I don't feel a bit tired, at all."

  At her lover's gentle touch, a renewed energy had surged through Shelby. She continued to work the buttons, until the shirt was completely open. Her hands gently cupped the white, lacy bra. "Nice."

  "Oh." Rebecca leaned into the touch and closed her eyes. "M...maybe we should move into the bedroom." The clasp on her bra was unfastened and those same hands now covered her breasts. "Shelby, please."

  "I'm pretty comfortable where I am." Shelby lowered her head and placed a few tender kisses on her lover's skin. "Mmm."

  Rebecca moaned as she suddenly felt herself lowered to the couch. She tangled her fingers in Shelby's hair as the older woman kissed a trail down her stomach.

  LEX SAT ACROSS from the girls at the ice cream shop. She tried to feign interest in the rambling story being told by Melanie as she kept a covert eye on her oldest child.

  Lorrie used her plastic spoon to stir the strawberry topping around her half-eaten sundae. She ignored her sister's chatter, until Melanie tapped her on the arm. "What?"

  "Don't you like your ice cream? I thought strawberry was your favorite? How come you're not eating it?"

  "I'm full." Lorrie pushed the red plastic bowl away. She looked up at Lex. "Is Mom home with Eddie?"

  Lex rattled the ice in her cup to see if it was truly empty. "No, she's at Gramma's. Aunt Helen and Uncle Roy are watching Eddie."

  Lorrie perked up at the mention of Anna Leigh. "Can we go see Gramma, too?"

  "Uh, sure. Do you have any homework?" Lex gathered the assorted used napkins they had tossed on the table.

  "I don't." Melanie wriggled in her seat. "Mrs. Cooke said she wants to watch us do our work. I think it's "˜cause she thinks Robbie's mom does his."

  Lex tried to keep from smiling. "Why don't you go wash up before we go, sweetheart? You have chocolate on your face."

  Melanie licked around her lips. "Did I get it?"

  "No, dummy. On your face," Lorrie snapped.

  "That's enough, Lorrie." Lex lightened her tone. "Go on, Mel. We'll wait for you."

  "Okey-doke!" Melanie scrambled from her chair and skipped to the back of the shop, where the rest rooms were located.

  Lex stretched across the table and lowered her voice. "That was uncalled for. When she gets back, you owe your sister an apology."

  "She's not my real sister, and you're not my real mother!" Lorrie jumped up and stomped out of the shop.

  Ignoring the stares from the others in the room, Lex took their trash and dumped it. When Melanie came out of the rest room, Lex held out her hand. "Are you ready to go?"

  "Yep! Are we going to Gramma's?"

  "Sure." When they got outside, Lex noticed that Lorrie had lowered the tailgate and swung her legs from where she sat. She silently counted to twenty then Lex unlocked the doors. "Get buckled up, Mel."

  Melanie looked at her sister, who was staring at the ground. "Is Lorrie in trouble?"

  "Not yet. Go on, now." After Melanie was inside, Lex leaned against the truck. "Is there something you'd like to talk about, Lorrie?"

  Lorrie continued to swing her legs, but didn't answer.

  Lex's silent count continued to fifty. She moved to the back of the truck until she stood directly in front of her daughter. "Look, I don't know what burr got under your saddle blanket, but we're not going anywhere until you talk to me."

  Lorrie raised her head and wiped the tears from her face. "Can I talk to Mom, instead?"

  Although it broke her heart, Lex nodded. "Sure. Get in the truck and we'll head over." She squeezed the edge of the tailgate before she slammed it closed.

  THE MOMENT AMANDA stepped into her grandmother's home, she could hear her father's angry voice in the living room. She closed the door behind her and followed the noise.

  "Jeannie, I realize you're getting the deal of a lifetime, but have you really thought this through?"

  "Daddy, if you'd just listen to me for a second, you'd--"

  Michael threw his hands in the air and spun away. "Damn it!" He spun into his other daughter. "Oh. Amanda, hi."

  "Hi. I could hear you from outside. What's going on?" Amanda exchanged looks with her sister as she sat on the loveseat. "Where's Gramma?"

  Jeannie perched on the arm beside her. "She's upstairs, showing them the stuff to take."

  "How much stuff?" Amanda looked at Jeannie, whose red-rimmed eyes belied her flippant attitude. She put her hand on her sister's knee. "Daddy told me a little about it, but--"

  "If you wouldn't have brushed me off when I called, I'd have told you more," Michael muttered. "Amanda, you need to talk to Mother. Maybe she'll listen to you."

  Amanda turned to him. "I didn't brush you off. But you were ranting and not making much sense."

  He lurched to his feet. "I was not ranting! I was asking for your help but you had more important things to do. And now, my mother is upstairs, giving away everything that's not nailed down! The woman has totally lost her mind."

  "That's enough, Michael." Anna Leigh stood in the doorway. Her hands were on her hips and her tired eyes sparked with anger. The navy blue track suit she wore had spots of dust on the knees and belly, but she still held herself with grace. "I thought we finished this discussion this morning. If you have nothing useful to say, you're welcome to leave. I'll need you to move your vehicle so that the tow driver can get to the Suburban."

  "Now, look. I'm just trying--"

  "To run my life," Anna Leigh finished for him. "Which I don't need you to do. We've talked about this too many times already. I'm tired of discussing it." She smiled at her granddaughters. "Girls, would you like to join me in the kitchen? I made a fresh pitcher of tea, earlier."

  Michael sputtered and shook his head. "All right."

  He stopped in front of his mother. "I only want what's best for you, you know."

  Her anger faded. "I know, dearest." She held out her hands, which he took. "It's quite all right. As long as you remember, I am a fully functional adult. Your father's truck is worth more as a donation than anything else. It will help the church in so many ways." She kissed his cheek and whispered into his ear. "It's going to be fine, Michael."

  "Uh, yeah." He held her tightly to him for a moment. "I love you, Mom. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

  "I will."

  Michael murmured his apologies to both daughters before leaving.

  Once the front door closed, Jeannie exhaled heavily. "Thank God."

  She looked at Amanda, then to Anna Leigh. "Gramma, are you sure you won't stay here with us? There's plenty of room."

  Anna Leigh put her arm around Jeannie's shoulders. "I truly appreciate the offer, but no. As much as I love this house, I cannot live here without Jacob. It's too difficult."

  Amanda moved to her other side. "I understand, Gramma. I couldn't stay at the ranch without Lex."

  The front door opened and closed, followed by two sets of feet.


  "Mommy!" Melanie called.

  "In here," Amanda answered.

  Melanie came into the room and hugged each woman. "Mommy, we had ice cream! Guess what I had?"

  Amanda wiped at a smudge on her daughter's cheek. "Chocolate?"

  "How did you know?"

  Jeannie laughed at the earnest question. "Moms have secret powers, Mel."

  From the doorway, Lorrie scoffed. "Yeah, right." She walked into the room. "If you'd learn to wash your face better, no one would have known."

  She stared at Jeannie before turning to Amanda. "Can I talk to you?"

  "Lorrie! You're being very rude." Amanda put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You owe everyone an apology."

  Looking as if she'd argue, Lorrie took a deep breath. "Sorry." She raised her head and tried to keep her voice from cracking. There were tears in her eyes. "Please, can we go somewhere and talk?"

  Amanda nodded. "Sure. Let's go upstairs." On her way out of the room, she stopped beside Melanie. "Where's Momma? Didn't she bring you?"

  "Momma said she had to pick up some stuff, but would be back later," Melanie answered. "I was supposed to tell you."

  "Okay, thanks, sweetie." Amanda followed Lorrie into the hallway, but stopped as two people carried a queen-sized oak headboard down the stairs. She waited until they had fully descended before speaking. "Hi, guys. I see Gramma's kept you busy today."

  Kyle took a handkerchief from her back pocket and wiped her face. "All for a good cause." To Anna Leigh she said, "I heard from Ellie a few minutes ago. She'd like to come after work and help you with the sorting of the linen closets, if that's okay."

  "That would be wonderful, thank you." Anna Leigh stepped around them. "I'll pour you some fresh tea. Please join us in the kitchen when you two come back."

  Tony, a friend of Kyle's who had been enlisted to help, exhaled heavily. "Thank you, Mrs. Cauble. Kyle seems to forget I'm a chef, not a moving man. An iced tea sounds fantastic."

  "I'm saving you a trip to the gym. Come on, muscles. Let's get this thing out to the truck." Kyle ruffled Lorrie's hair before she picked up her end of the headboard. "Good to see ya, kid."