Hope's Path

by Carrie Carr

  "Don't get me in the middle of this." Amanda walked up to Lex and looked at her. "Hmm." She rubbed her chin with one hand and studied her. "You do look a little, umm, dusty." And for some reason, the dirtier she is, the better she looks. Whew. Getting a little warm in here.

  "Dusty?" Lex reached out and grabbed Amanda and pulled her close. "I thought you liked it when I'm a little dusty," she murmured in Amanda's ear.

  Amanda wrapped her arms around Lex without any thought. "Umm." She tilted her head back as soft lips nibbled down her throat. "Oh, yeah." Definitely getting warm.

  "Lexie!" Martha barked from the doorway. "Upstairs. Now." She spun around and walked to the laundry room.

  Lex jumped away from Amanda. "Damn. I swear that woman has eyes in the back of her head."

  "I heard that." Martha's voice drifted down the hallway.

  "Ooh, she's good," Amanda chuckled. She grabbed Lex's hand and pulled her to the doorway. "Come on. I'll scrub your back for you."

  "Cool." Lex followed dutifully. "You know, I think that's where I'm the dustiest." She took a long look at her companion's backside. "As a matter of fact, you look a little dusty yourself." She swatted Amanda on the rear end.

  Amanda stopped in the hallway and spun around. "I'll tell you what." She released Lex's hand and took a couple of steps back. "If you catch me, you can dust me off personally." She poked Lex in the chest and took off up the stairs.

  Lex stood stunned at the foot of the stairs. "You little brat," she laughed, and raced up after the giggling woman.

  LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Lex and Amanda sat in the den watching an old movie. Martha had just left for the kitchen to get popcorn and sodas after winning a good-natured argument with the younger women. Lex wanted Martha to relax and let them go for refreshments, but she lost the argument when the housekeeper stood and tapped her on the nose.

  "You two look too comfortable to disturb. And I want to check on the chili I have simmering on the stove, anyway." She waltzed out of the room with all the energy in the world.

  Lex tightened her grip on her lover, who was sitting between her outstretched legs on the sofa. "Stubborn old woman," she muttered.

  Amanda turned her head so that she could look Lex in the eyes. "Must be where you get it," she teased.

  A knock at the front door interrupted whatever Lex was going to say. She touched the tip of Amanda's nose with her fingertip. "I'll get you later."

  "Promise?"

  "Lexie?" Martha yelled from the back of the house. "Could you get that? I'm busy in the kitchen!"

  "Jeez," Lex sighed. "I wish that she'd make up her mind. Stay put, get up." She waited until Amanda climbed off the sofa and extended a hand to her. "Thanks."

  "Any time." Amanda pulled Lex up and looked at her. "Do you want me to get it?"

  Lex shook her head. "Nah." She started to the front door. "But you're more than welcome to come with me." Another knock sounded, and she frowned. "Hold your horses, I'm coming." Lex opened the door and stood face to face with a handsome older man, although she had to look up to see his face. He seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him before. "Umm, can I help you?"

  "Lexington?" Tears filled his blue eyes as he studied the woman across from him. He ran a shaky hand through his thick silver hair in a familiar gesture.

  Amanda walked around Lex and looked at the flustered man. Ooh. I bet I know who he is. The resemblance is uncanny. And he runs his hand through his hair just like Lex does when she's nervous or upset. "Hi. My name's Amanda. Won't you come in?" She rubbed Lex on the back in a comforting manner.

  "Nice to meet you, Amanda. I'm Travis Edwards."

  "My grandfather?" Lex asked quietly, finally making the connection. I thought he looked familiar.

  "That's right." Travis held out his hand cautiously. "It's really good to see you, Lexington. My, my, you won't believe how much you look like your mother. Only taller."

  Lex took his hand in hers and bit her lower lip in concentration. "Grandpa. Wow." Sudden memories of this man rushed back to her from an earlier time in her life. Riding on his shoulders through a zoo, laughing at his antics. Eating ice cream cones by a quiet river as an elegant woman looked on fondly. And of waving goodbye to them both on the day that her mommy "went away."

  Upon reflection, she decided he hadn't changed much, even though at first she hadn't placed him. Lex let him pull her forward, and she gratefully lunged into his strong arms.

  Travis wrapped his arms around his granddaughter in relief. "I've missed you so, little one," he said into her ear. "I'm sorry I've been away for so long, but I was told that you hated me."

  She pulled back reluctantly from the embrace. "Hated you?" Lex took a deep breath and smiled. "Up until a few days ago, I thought you were dead. And when I found out you were alive, I figured you didn't want to have anything to do with me, like my father." She looked around sheepishly. "Why don't you come inside before we all freeze to death?" Lex wrapped an arm around her grandfather, slammed the door shut, and led him into the house. Amanda stood smiling in the foyer. "Amanda, this is my grandfather," she said with a silly smile on her face.

  "Ah, yes. We've met." Amanda smiled at the older man. "Mr. Edwards, come on in, and I'll get you some coffee." She was charmed by the childlike excitement exhibited by her partner. "Honey? Why don't you take your grandfather into the den while I go check on Martha?"

  Honey? Travis looked at both young women carefully. The love between them was easy to see. Ahh, so that's it. Hmm, Lester was right.

  Amanda cringed as Lex's grandfather studied them both. Oh, rats. Guess I should have let him get to know her again, before announcing our relationship like that. Lex is probably going to kill me. "Damn."

  When she saw Amanda's discomfort, Lex put her free arm around Amanda's shoulder. "I think Martha is doing just fine. I have a hunch that sneaky old Martha had something to do with this. Why don't we all three go into the den?"

  "Okay." Amanda allowed Lex to lead them all into the room. She leaned close to her lover and whispered, "But if you want some time alone to talk, just give me a sign."

  "Not going to happen," Lex whispered back. She looked up into her grandfather's face. "Are you okay with this? With us?" She thought that she'd better know now if he couldn't handle their relationship.

  Travis inspected the two women carefully. "I won't lie to you, Lexington." He saw his granddaughter stiffen in reaction. "It's going to take some getting used to, because I still see you as an adorable four-year-old. Anyone who you're involved with is going to have to get used to me, as well." He held a hand out to Amanda. "I'd really like for you to consider me a part of your family too, Amanda."

  Amanda took his hand and smiled warmly at him. "I'd like that, Mr. Edwards."

  "You'd better call me either Grandpa, or Travis, young lady." He winked at Amanda.

  "Okay, Grandpa," Amanda returned impishly. "I hope you don't have plans for Christmas, because Lex and I expect our families to join us." She went forward and wrapped her arms around his waist in a big hug.

  Lex laughed. "Give it up, Grandpa. She never loses an argument." She shook her head and led them both into the den.

  "HE'S SO SWEET," Amanda commented later to Lex as they got ready for bed. "Did you get him settled all right in the back guestroom?"

  "Yup. Thanks for talking him into staying the night. I really didn't want him to drive back into town this late." Lex stood in the middle of the room taking off her shirt. "I can't believe that I have a living relative who actually wants something to do with me."

  Amanda rose from where she was perched on the end of the bed and crossed the room. "You're kidding, right?" She wrapped her arms around Lex and snuggled close. "Any relative of yours would probably jump through hoops to be near you. You're just too darned adorable."

  Lex sighed. "Yeah, right." She moved Amanda's hair off her neck and nibbled the smooth flesh. "Mmm."

  "Don't change the subject, Lex. You've just go
t to--ahhh." Amanda squirmed in Lex's embrace when Lex found a sensitive spot. "Oooh."

  "You were saying?" Lex whispered in Amanda's ear. She slipped her hands inside Amanda's nightshirt and up the smooth back. Small hands worked into the back of Lex's jeans and slid the denim down her hips.

  "You really smell good," Amanda informed her lover. She ran her hands over Lex's chest and down her sides as she inhaled deeply.

  "Uh-huh." Lex slipped the nightshirt over Amanda's head. "I've never quite figured out your fascination with how I smell." She reached down and grasped Amanda's rear and pulled her closer.

  Amanda automatically raised her arms and locked her hands behind Lex's neck. She tilted her head upward and felt her lips covered immediately. "Mmm." She leaned into the kiss and almost squealed out loud when Lex tightened her grip and picked her up. "Lex. Put me down before you hurt yourself!"

  Lex chuckled and trailed kisses down Amanda's throat. "Nope. Can't let you get away." She walked slowly to the bed, her lips never ceasing exploration of Amanda's neck.

  "As if I'd want to." Amanda tilted her head back to allow Lex better access. "I'm not going any--" She yelped when Lex tossed her onto the bed. "You scared me."

  "Did I?" Lex stood beside the bed with a devilish grin.

  "What are you thinking?" Amanda scooted back slightly. She almost screamed again as the tall form leapt at her, arms outstretched.

  Lex laughed as she jumped onto the bed and covered Amanda's body with her own. "Got you."

  Amanda swatted ineffectually at the warm body over hers. "You are such a brat." She thought for a moment and then blushed. "Oh, God. What if your grandfather heard us?" She covered her face with her hand.

  "Let's give him something worth hearing," Lex murmured as she worked her way down Amanda's body with kisses.

  "I can't believe that you'd--" Amanda paused when Lex found a sensitive spot and sucked lightly. "Ooh--umm." She arched her back in response.

  Lex continued her exploration. "You were saying?" She bit down gently with her teeth.

  Amanda tangled her fingers in Lex's hair. "Uh. I, oooh--" She closed her eyes and settled into the bed to enjoy the sensations coursing through her body. "Oh, yeah--"

  EARLY THE NEXT morning, Lex climbed out of bed and slipped on a pair of colorful boxers and a dark tee shirt. She looked down and smiled at Amanda who was still asleep. As soon as Lex had gotten out of bed, Amanda rolled over and wrapped her arms around Lex's pillow. She looks so cute when she does that. Lex shook her head and left the room quietly.

  Maybe today will be the day that I find that damned box. She opened the storage room door and moved inside. She flipped on the light switch, then frowned. "I really need to clear more of this junk out of here." She waded through several stacks of boxes until she was in the back corner of the room. Lex opened up a large box and sorted through it. Even with her height, she had to practically stand on her head to reach the bottom.

  Travis appeared directly behind the jackknifed woman. "Anything I can help you with, little one?"

  "Aaaah!" Startled, Lex fell headfirst into the box, splitting it down one side as she landed face down.

  Travis quickly bent over and grabbed the prone woman's hips. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" He helped Lex to her feet and tried to dust her off.

  "I'm fine, Grandpa." Lex gently fought off his helping hands. "What are you doing up so early?" She realized how she must have looked to him and blushed.

  "Early? It's after six. I actually slept in." He noticed her discomfort. "What are you doing here in your jammies?" Travis couldn't help but tease his granddaughter. "You look just like you did when you were four. Always into something."

  She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Umm. I'm looking for something."

  He looked at the disarray around them. "I can see that, Lexington. What exactly are you looking for?"

  "A small box that I packed away around eight years ago," Lex sighed. "But even if I find it, I'm afraid that it won't be what I'm expecting." She sat on the dusty floor in disgust.

  "Oookay." Travis drew out the word and sat next to his granddaughter. "What's so important about this box anyway?" He patted her on the leg. "If you describe it to me, I'll be more than happy to help you look for it."

  Lex looked up at the older man's sincere face. "Well, it was a small wooden jewelry box that belonged to my mother." She saw a brief flash of pain cross Travis' features. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. I know this has got to be hard for you." She reached over and grasped his hand. "You don't have to help. I'll find it soon enough."

  Travis shook his head. "No, I'd really like to help you. Is there something special that's supposed to be in the box?"

  "If I remember correctly, it had her wedding ring in it," Lex explained.

  He thought for a moment. "Oh. Amanda means a lot to you, doesn't she? Ah, I can see she is just by the way you blush."

  Damn. He's a pretty sharp old guy. "She means everything to me, Grandpa. Although I took her for granted until I almost lost her last week." Lex studied their joined hands. "I want to give her something to let her know how special she is to me." She glanced up into his eyes. "Hell, I can buy her anything, Grandpa. But something that I've learned about Amanda is how sentimental she is. Money means nothing to her. She'd probably treasure a rusted bottle cap if I gave it to her. That's why I was thinking about mother's ring."

  "I don't think giving her your mother's ring is such a good idea," Travis uttered quietly.

  Lex sat up and tried to pull her hand away from his. "Why? I thought that you liked Amanda, too."

  Travis smiled gently and held her hand more tightly. "I do. Very much, as a matter of fact."

  "Then why--"

  "She deserves better than a cheap stainless steel band," he said angrily.

  Lex's jaw dropped. "What? Stainless steel? I thought that they wore gold? I mean, I know my Dad was cheap, but--" Her voice trailed off.

  He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Your father bought stainless steel bands and had them dipped in a gold-tone alloy. It turned Victoria's finger green after the first year when most of the gold wore off. She finally took it off and put it away right before you were born because she was afraid that it might hurt you when you were a baby."

  "Damn." Lex fell back against the wall in defeat. "There goes that idea, then." She propped her chin on her bent knee. "Guess I'll just try to find something nice for her in town."

  "Funny you should talk about rings, little one." He released her hand and reached into his pocket. Travis pulled out a small black velvet box and handed it to Lex. "Your grandmother's greatest wish was that I'd be able to reconcile with you." He wiped at a tear that escaped from his eye. "It was one of the last things she said to me before she passed away."

  Travis sat gingerly on the edge of the large antique bed and picked up the small hand that was so pale, it was nearly translucent. "Hello there, beautiful."

  The woman lying propped up on the bed opened her eyes slowly, then smiled. "My love," she whispered. With a concentrated effort, she lifted her other hand and gestured at her prone body. "I'm anything but beautiful, now." Her once long and luxurious dark hair had been cut very short to make it easier to care for when she became bedridden. Melanie Edwards had always been a small woman, but since she had been stricken with a debilitating illness earlier in the year, the weight loss had left her frail and weak. She could barely hold her head up and most days did not have the strength to open her eyes.

  "That's not true, sweetheart." Travis leaned over until she could see the sincerity in his eyes. "You're as beautiful as the day I first saw you, over fifty years ago." He pulled her hand to his cheek and held it there. He had brought her home from the hospital the week before so that she would be more comfortable. The doctors had told him there was nothing left to do for her, and it was only a matter of days before she passed away. "I got another letter from Lester today."

  "Really?" Melanie eyes brightened. "Read i
t to me, please?" A tinge of color returned to her cheeks from the anticipation.

  Her husband chuckled. "I'm beginning to think you have a thing for my childhood friend, the way you perk up at the mention of his name." Travis searched his pockets with his free hand. "Now where did I put that darned thing?"

  Melanie slapped at his arm. "Don't tease me like that, Tray." She used the pet name she had given him over half a century ago. Her hand dropped back to the bed, the effort tiring her.

  "Just relax, Lainie. It's right here." Travis pulled an envelope from his inside coat pocket and tore it open. "There are quite a few pages here." He tried to scan the letter before he had to read it aloud.

  "Stop trying to edit it. I'm a big girl," Melanie chastised. When she saw the frown on her husband's normally cheerful face, she reached up with her hand again. "What is it, love?"

  Travis blinked, then successfully removed the worried look. "Nothing. You know how Lester likes to exaggerate." His hand shook slightly as he looked back down on the paper.

  She tapped his elbow. "Don't give me that, Tray. Is our Lexie all right?"

  "She's fine. Just had a bit of excitement at the ranch recently." He continued to scan the letter.

  "Ahem. I can hear it much better when you read out loud, Travis Lee Edwards." Melanie pulled on his suit jacket sleeve. "My body's weak, not my hearing."

  He looked properly chastised. "I'm sorry, sweet. I guess I got carried away reading it." He cleared his throat.

  Travis,

  Hope this letter finds you and your beautiful wife well. Give her my best, and tell her that the next time I see her, I'll whip up a fresh bowl of my special chili.

  We've had a bit of excitement here at the ranch. The bridge that crosses the creek was washed out last week during a nasty thunderstorm. Young Lex dove right into the creek that day, after she saw a car get tossed in. She pulled out this sweet young thing, goes by the name of Amanda Cauble, and brought her to the house. Your granddaughter busted her ribs doing it, but didn't seem too bad off. It gets even better, though. Seems there were rustlers on the back side of the ranch, and Lex and her new friend saw them trying to haul off more stock. I don't know all the particulars, but a party of them followed the girls back to the house and broke in. Lex was shot sometime during the mess, but it wasn't serious. Flesh wound only.