Beyond Always (Lex and Amanda Series)

by Carrie Carr

  Amanda put her hands on her hips.

  Lex breathed a sigh of relief when her wife laughed. "I was going to call you, but the battery on my phone died."

  "And your charger is in your truck, not Roy's," Amanda added in an exasperated tone. She moved closer and touched Lex's arm. "Are you all right?"

  "I'm fine, I promise." Lex wrapped her arms around her wife and held her. "How did you know to come here?"

  "We were on our way to meet you at Shelby and Rebecca's, when Jeannie called."

  "Your sister is a damned gossip."

  "No kidding. But for once, I'm glad." Amanda stepped out of the embrace, but kept one arm around Lex's hip. "Rebecca's already been treated, but Rodney had to give her an extra something for the pain, and she's resting in one of the examination rooms. After her shot, Shelby went in to stay with her."

  They walked into the office together.

  Lorrie was seated in the waiting room and rose to her feet when she saw Lex. "Momma!" She crossed the room quickly and embraced both parents. "Aunt Jeannie said you might have rabies." She didn't bother trying to hide her fear as she huddled close to them.

  "There's a very slim chance of that." Lex kissed the top of her head. "I'm here to get a shot to prevent that from happening."

  "I'm sorry for being mean to you, Momma. I promise never to do it again."

  Lex closed her eyes for a moment to dispel the lump in her throat. "It's all right, sweetheart. We're okay."

  The interior door opened and Ellie appeared. "Lex, I'm glad you're here. Rodney is ready for you." When Lex broke away from her family and started past her, Ellie gave her a pat on the back. "You just can't stay out of trouble, can you, cuz?"

  "Nah. What fun would that be?" Lex turned to Amanda and Lorrie. "I'll be right back."

  Amanda didn't want to leave Lorrie alone, and three people were a crowd in the tiny exam rooms. "We'll be here."

  Chapter Twenty-one

  MONDAY MORNING, SHELBY stepped out of the bathroom as she towel-dried her hair. She was surprised to see Rebecca still in bed, since she needed to be at work not long after her. Although she wasn't a morning person, Rebecca was responsible enough to drag herself out when she needed to.

  "Hey, darlin'. You're gonna be late if you don't get up." She draped the towel on a chair and put on her underwear and jeans. "Rebecca?"

  "I can't."

  Shelby eased the blanket off Rebecca's face. "What's wrong?" She touched her flushed cheek. "You're running a fever."

  Rebecca closed her eyes at the gentle touch. "I feel like I have the flu." She shivered and wrapped up tighter in the covers.

  Shelby sat beside her. "Want me to call the feed store for you?"

  "No, I'll get up. I can't afford to miss work. I've only been there a week." Rebecca sat up. "Oh, God." Her flushed cheeks paled and she covered her mouth. She flung the covers off and raced for the bathroom, barely reaching the toilet before she retched.

  "Damn." Shelby followed her and dampened a washcloth. She knelt beside her lover and held her hair away from her face as her free hand dabbed the cloth along Rebecca's neck. Rodney had warned her of the side effects of the shot, but when Shelby was the only one that had been nauseous the day before, she thought they had gotten lucky.

  Rebecca coughed and spit into the toilet before flushing it, then leaned back against Shelby. "Ugh."

  "Let's get you off the floor." Shelby stood and carefully helped Rebecca up. She kept her arm around her waist as Rebecca shakily brushed her teeth. "You can't go to work like this. Let me give them a call, I know they'll understand."

  "No, just give me a minute. I'll--" The toothpaste didn't set well with her queasy stomach. Rebecca shoved away from Shelby and ended up in front of the toilet, gasping for breath between dry heaves.

  Once she was through, Rebecca felt as weak as a kitten. She didn't even argue when Shelby undressed them both and got into the shower with her. Shelby even surprised her by braiding her wet hair once they were in the bedroom.

  "When did you learn to braid hair?" she asked as she fell back against the pillows.

  Shelby grinned and tucked the blanket up around her chin. "No offense, darlin', but a woman's hair ain't all that different from a horse's tail, you know."

  Rebecca gave her a weak glare. "Remind me to swat you when I'm feeling better. That was bad."

  "I'll sure enough do that. But for now, I'm gonna call the store for you, and then give my boss a holler. I'm sure she won't mind me hanging around here today "˜til you're feelin' better."

  "You don't have to do that. I can probably take care of myself."

  Shelby lightly touched the end of her lover's nose. "Too damned bad. I'm also gonna call the doc and see if there's anythin' I should do for you." She kissed Rebecca on the forehead. "You just lay there and rest. I'll run check on the horses after I make my calls."

  "Better watch out, Shelby."

  "What?"

  "Someone might think you're getting soft, for being so sweet to me."

  Shelby leaned close and whispered, "Only for you, darlin'." She gave her another light kiss on the head. "And I don't care who knows it."

  "MELANIE, FINISH YOUR breakfast so you can wash up. Momma will be back from the barn soon to take you to the bus." Amanda wiped Eddie's face, causing him to fuss.

  "No!" Eddie swatted the tray of his high chair and tried to squirm away from Amanda.

  Amanda continued to clean his face. "Stop fidgeting. I'm not trying to kill you."

  Lorrie, who had finished her breakfast earlier, came into the kitchen. "Can I go help Momma? My backpack is by the door."

  "Sure. Could you please remind her that she's taking you to the bus? I have to get Eddie bathed and ready for his checkup at the pediatrician this morning."

  "Yes, ma'am. Come on, Freckles."

  The dog that was camped underneath Eddie's high chair, raised her head but didn't move.

  "Greedy." Lorrie hurried out before Amanda changed her mind. Once she was off the porch, she glanced at the kitchen window before taking off toward the three-foot picket fence at a run. When she reached the gate, she placed her hands on top and vaulted over. As she landed on her feet, Lorrie raised her hands in the air to the imaginary cheers. "Thank you, thank you," she exclaimed as she trotted to the barn.

  She stepped into the barn and looked around. The horses had all been fed, but her mother seemed to be absent. She was about to call out when she heard an unusual sound in the tack room. Lorrie followed the noise. She peeked around the open door and panicked. "Momma!"

  LEX SAT ON a bale of hay, throwing up in a bucket. Her hair was matted against her forehead with sweat and her face was unusually pale. She raised her head. "Go back to the house, Lorrie. I'll be up there in a minute." Her voice was low and rough. "Please."

  "Can..." Lorrie moved closer. "Can I help you?"

  Lex swallowed as she shakily placed the bucket to the side. She took a clean handkerchief from her back pocket and handed it to Lorrie. "Could you wet this for me, please? I don't think I can get up just yet."

  "Sure. Don't move." Lorrie hurried to the sink in the front of the barn. She returned and handed the wet cloth to Lex, who wiped her face and mouth.

  "Thanks."

  Lorrie stood close. "Momma?"

  "Hmm?"

  "Are you dying?"

  Lex almost snapped off a snarky answer, but caught herself. Although Lorrie had grown up in the past year, she was still young. "No, sweetheart. I'm not." She cleared her throat. "Your uncle Rodney warned me that I might get a little sick from the shot he had to give me. I'll be fine in a day or two."

  She closed her eyes and focused all her energy on not throwing up again.

  "Maybe I should go get Mom."

  "No!" Lex softened her tone. "She's got enough going on this morning. Run up to the house and make sure your sister is ready to go. I'll meet y'all at the truck, okay?"

  Lorrie stared at her, as if she were about to argue.

&nbs
p; "Go on. I'm fine, now."

  Once she heard the outer barn door close, Lex slowly stood and took the bucket to the sink to wash it out. She cleaned her hands and splashed water on her face.

  AMANDA GATHERED EDDIE'S diaper bag and two small toys for the trip to his pediatrician. She carried him and his bag down the stairs in time to hear the back door open. "Sounds like Momma's back from the bus stop."

  "Momma, go." Eddie kicked his legs.

  "Why am I not surprised? You always want your momma." Amanda pulled up short when she saw Lex. Her wife was pale and covered with sweat, although the March morning was cool. "Honey?"

  Lex brushed her hair out of her eyes and sat on the bench by the door. "Hey. Kids are off to school."

  "Momma!" Eddie squirmed until Amanda let him down. He toddled to Lex and tried to climb in her lap. "Up!"

  "Easy, buddy." Lex slowly raised him to her knee, facing her. "Are you ready to go?"

  He bounced a few times and giggled. "Momma, go."

  Amanda sat beside them. "You don't look very well, honey. What's the matter?"

  "Just a little queasy this morning. Rodney said it was possible with the shot. I just didn't expect to be losing my breakfast in the barn."

  "Oh, no." Amanda rubbed Lex's back. "I'll call and reschedule Eddie's appointment."

  "Why?"

  "Because you're sick, and I'd like to be here to help you, goofball."

  "That's ridiculous. I'll be fine." Lex couldn't stop the shiver that came upon her. "I'm going to go upstairs and take a shower, and you and this little guy here..." She bounced him on her knee. "Can go into town. If I need anything, I can always call Martha."

  "Oh, yes. I can see that happening." Amanda held out her hands to Eddie. "Come on, cutie. Are you ready to go?"

  Eddie laughed and bounced harder. "Go!" He grabbed Lex's shirt. "Momma, go?"

  "No, Eddie, you go with Mommy. I'll see you when you get back."

  "Momma." Eddie leaned against her and held on tightly. "Go, Momma."

  Amanda picked him up. "Would you like to drop by and see Hunter?"

  Jeannie's son was an endless fascination for Eddie.

  "Baby!" he cheered, happy once again.

  Lex stood. "You heard the young man."

  "All right." Amanda touched Lex's cheek. "Promise me something, please?"

  "Sure."

  "Call Martha if you need anything?"

  Lex rolled her eyes. "Well played, sweetheart. All right. I promise. Eddie, be good for Mommy, okay?"

  He laughed. "Ha! Good."

  Amanda patted Lex gently on the stomach. "He's definitely your kid."

  "Ha." Lex poked her tongue out.

  BY LUNCHTIME, LEX no longer felt sick to her stomach. She sat at Martha's table and finished the last of her roast beef sandwich. "That was great, Martha. Thanks."

  "You're quite welcome, honey. I'm glad you liked it." Martha refilled both their tea glasses. "Have I thanked you lately for giving Charlie something to do? The man was driving me crazy around here." Her husband, a retired county sheriff, had become increasingly bored. Once Roy was given a walking cast, Lex had asked Charlie to drive him around the ranch, much to everyone's relief.

  Lex wiped her mouth and sat back in her chair. "It was actually Amanda's idea. Once Shelby got a feel for things, it didn't make sense for Roy to keep riding with her. Besides, I think Helen was getting ready to bury him behind the barn."

  "I wouldn't be surprised. Are you sure you're feeling okay? You still look a mite peaked."

  "I'm okay." When she received the familiar glare, Lex held up her hands. "Okay, so I feel like I've been run over by a truck, and my arm hurts like hell where he gave me that blasted shot. Happy?"

  Martha took a sip of tea. "Of course not, Lexie. Why don't you go lie down in the guest room?"

  "No, that's not necessary. Shelby's at home with Rebecca today, so I really should--"

  "You really should take care of yourself," Martha finished for her. When Lex rolled her eyes, Martha waggled a finger at her. "Did you happen to consider that your body is still getting past having pneumonia? That horrible shot couldn't have helped any. And you have to get another one, when?"

  "Tomorrow."

  "Exactly. So, you've got a choice. Either my guest room, or your own bedroom. Take your pick."

  Lex was about to argue more, but a wave of lethargy rolled across her. "I think I'll head on home, while I can." She got to her feet and pushed the chair in. "Thanks."

  Martha gave her a hug and escorted her to the front door. "That's what I'm here for, sweetie. To keep you in line when Amanda's not around." She rubbed Lex's back before giving her a gentle push onto the porch. "Go home, Lexie. And get some rest."

  "Yes, ma'am." Lex saluted her. "I'm only agreeing because I had already decided to do it, you know."

  "Of course."

  REBECCA TIGHTENED THE blanket around herself and closed her eyes. She no longer felt nauseous, but the wound on her arm ached so badly it made her dizzy. Shelby had propped her on the couch with the television remote before she left to pick up a few things in town. "I should have never mentioned chicken noodle soup."

  Her eyes slowly closed and she relaxed, until her cell phone rang. "Hello?"

  "Becca? Honey, your father called me and said you weren't at work today. What's wrong?"

  "Mom?" Rebecca sat up. "How did Dad know?"

  Kathy Starrett clicked her tongue. It was a habit she had when talking about her spouse. "I haven't a clue. But don't try to change the subject. Are you ill?"

  Rebecca bit her lip to keep from blurting the first thing that came to her mind. No, Mom. I called out sick on my second week of work for the hell of it. "I woke up sick this morning, but I'm feeling better, thanks."

  "Are you running a fever? I hear there's a nasty virus going around."

  "No, it's not a virus."

  Kathy could not be dissuaded. "How do you know? Have you seen a doctor?"

  "Mom."

  "Honestly, Becca. I hate you living out there in the middle of nowhere. You need someone to take care of you."

  Six years. For six long years, Rebecca had been hearing this refrain. She had a great relationship with both parents as she grew up. Even after she had moved in with Shelby, they had tried very hard to be supportive. But, as the years passed, they realized Rebecca wasn't going through a phase, and that she planned on staying with Shelby. During the past couple of years, their tolerance had begun to wane. "Mom, Shelby takes very good care of me."

  "I'm sure she tries, dear. But she's not family."

  As Rebecca's blood pressure continued to rise, the throbbing in her arm intensified. "She's as much family to me as Daddy is to you."

  "There's no need to take that tone with me. I'm only worried about you." Kathy paused a moment. "While I'm sure you feel strongly about--" she almost choked on the name. "Shelby, you have no real commitment like your father and I do. What's to keep her from taking off and leaving you?" She sniffed in disdain. "Enough about her. You never answered me. Have you seen a doctor? You may need antibiotics."

  "Yes, Mom. I've seen a doctor. That's why I'm sick."

  Dead silence on the other end of the line.

  "Mom?"

  Kathy's voice was subdued. "Are you...pregnant? I know that most of your peers are married with children, but have you thought this through?"

  "What? Mom! No!" Rebecca gathered her thoughts. "Um, Saturday, we found three abandoned horses. I was trying to get a halter on one of them and it bit me."

  "Bit you? Becca, you should be more careful. There's no telling--"

  "Yeah, I know. I went to the emergency room to have my arm looked at, then Amanda's brother-in-law gave me a shot--"

  "Wait. Your friend, Amanda? The one that lives on a ranch? Her brother-in-law gave you a shot, for what? And is that even legal?"

  Rebecca gritted her teeth. "If you would let me finish, Mom, I'd tell you."

  Kathy didn't bother to hide her hurt feeli
ngs. "Fine."

  "Okay, where was I? Oh. Amanda's brother-in-law is Dr. Crews. He has an office on Willow Street. Anyway, since we don't know anything about the horses, Dr. Crews started me on the rabies vaccine. That's what made me sick this morning. Shelby and Lex had to get shots, too. But Shelby was just a little achy today. Not throwing up like me. I'm not sure how Lex is feeling."

  When her mother didn't say anything, Rebecca was afraid she'd hung up. "Mom?"

  "Oh, I can talk now?"

  "Mom, don't be like that. I'm sorry, but you kept asking me questions without giving me time to answer." Rebecca decided to play the pity card in the hopes of getting out of trouble. "And I'm not feeling good." She let a slight whine slip into her voice. "I'm sorry, Mom."

  It worked.

  "Oh, honey. That's all right. Do you need me to bring you anything?"

  "No. Thanks, anyway. Shelby should be back soon. She went in to town to get a few things."

  "She left you alone?"

  "I'm not dying, or an invalid. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about going out and checking on our horses." Which, of course, was a lie. Rebecca had no urge to move from the couch.

  "Don't go near those beasts! What if they attack you again?"

  Rebecca couldn't help but laugh. "Horses don't attack people. Besides, the sheriff quarantined the horses. He's hoping to find the owner, or see if the one who bit me gets sick."

  "Oh."

  "Anyway, thanks for calling to check on me, Mom. I promise to call you soon, okay? Love you." Rebecca disconnected the call and turned off her cell, in case her mother called back.

  "My father is as bad a gossip as an old woman!"

  SHELBY WAS ON her way out of town when she took a wrong turn and ended up at the sheriff's department.

  "Well, since I'm here," she told herself. "I might as well have a quick chat with Sheriff Richards."

  She went inside and signed the visitor's log, then studied a bulletin board covered with information as she waited.

  "Good afternoon, Ms. Fisher," Sheriff Jeremy Richards greeted her. He was around Shelby's age, with dark blond hair and brown eyes. At a little more than six and a half feet tall, Sheriff Richards cut an imposing figure in his uniform of dark brown pants and khaki shirt. He had been Charlie's second-in-command, and the obvious choice to succeed him. He shook her hand and gestured to the open interior door. "Let's go into my office."