Violence: There may be violence in this story, but not for a while, and not real graphic…I'm the squeamish type. So if you are into that sort of thing, go get your jollies elsewhere (sorry!).
Subtext: Yep. Nothing really graphic, probably PG-13 at the most, 'cause I ain't that talented. Two women meet and fall in love…if you can't handle it, get over it. If it's illegal where you live, I sympathize. If you're too young, grow up!
Quality Disclaimer: This is my first attempt at fanfic. If you don't like it, tell me why. If you do happen to like it, I'm glad I could amuse you for a while. Feedback is greatly appreciated. You can reach me at cb.zeer@worldnet.att.net
Chapter 18
There was a cheerful fire burning in the fireplace. Martha must be some sort of magical sprite…When does she find the time to do stuff like this? Amanda shook off her musings and sat down in the chair opposite Lex. Whatever it is she has to say, it can't be good - she looks like she's expecting to be hit.
Weary and resigned, Lex wiped a hand over her face. "I'm not sure where to start." She muttered, looking into the flames of the fire, studiously avoiding the sweet face across from her. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
Amanda cleared her throat. "You really don't have to tell me anything, if you don't want to. I mean, it's really none of my business."
The older woman took a deep breath and finally met the intense green gaze directed at her. "Yes, I do. It does pertain to you in a roundabout way."
Amanda's fair brow wrinkled. "But I just met you yesterday. And I don't even know your brother. What could he do that would have an effect on me or my family?"
Lex looked down at her own hands, clenched together in her lap. "He threatened to spread the word around town that you were staying out here with me."
"So?!? What's the big deal? For god's sake, Lex…you saved my life!!!" Amanda was beginning to realize where this conversation was heading, and she could almost feel the fear and pain radiating from the older woman.
"He would probably 'forget' to mention that you are stranded out here…" Lex paused for a moment, thinking. "I've got the supplies. I can start first thing in the morning, and probably get at least a walkway built across the bridge by the late afternoon. You can call your grandmother to come and pick you up."
Amanda slipped out of her chair and knelt at Lex's feet. "Tired of me already?" she gave the rancher a timid smile.
Lex looked down, and became lost in those twin pools of green. "No, of course not!" the denial came out sharply. "I just don't want your name dragged through the mud - my brother is quite good at that." This last statement was said much softer. Without her conscious permission, Lex's hand found it's way to Amanda's cheek.
The young blonde placed her hands on Lex's thigh. "I really don't think you should start to work on the bridge until your ribs have had more time to heal. I'm perfectly happy here."
Lex removed her hand. "Your reputation might be tarnished. Hell, if my brother has anything to do with it, it would be ruined!" She looked away, unwilling to show the young blonde too much.
"Why?"
"It's kind of a long story."
"So? I don't see us in any hurry to go anywhere. Unless you don't want to talk about it."
The older woman sighed. "A couple of years ago, when Hubert was still living here at the ranch, he had gone to Las Vegas on an alleged 'business trip.' A week later, he came home with a young woman he had met at the blackjack tables, who had given him some hard luck story about being dumped by her fiancé." A small smile crossed her lips. "They hit it off immediately, and Hubert invited her to come home with him to 'his' ranch." Here she laughed. "He must have really played it up - the ranch was only about half the size it is now, and we hadn't begun remodeling yet. Needless to say, it was a little…rustic." Lex slipped out of the chair and onto the floor next to Amanda. "I guess Linda felt a little betrayed by Hubert's exaggerations, because she started coming on to me." She looked over at Amanda, expecting shock or disgust, not the gentle smile she was receiving.
"Hmmm…go on."
"Well, she told me that she and Hubert had decided to break off their relationship, and were going to be just friends. I was young, I believed her. Shame she forgot to tell Hubert." A sad smile. "So, she stayed here at the ranch with me for about six months." Mentally bracing herself, Lex quietly added, "As my lover."
Total silence. Lex thought she could hear her heart pounding throughout the room.
"So, what happened? Why isn't she still here?" Amanda gave the strong leg under her hand a slight squeeze.
Lex blew out a breath. "Hubert had moved to the house in town, and Linda began asking me to take her on trips. I tried explaining to her that this was a working ranch, but she always cried about being bored, and tired of living out in the middle of nowhere." She shook her head sadly. "Later on, I realized that she was just a little gold-digger, and the luster wore off when she found out I really didn't have the kind of money that Hubert had hinted at." She ran her hand through her hair. "I came in from tagging the cattle one evening and found all of her stuff gone." She laughed bitterly. "The note said, 'Been a great ride, going to Atlantic City for a change of pace.' " It still hurt, all these years later. I thought it was love…what a joke I must have been to her. "Hubert was pretty vocal in town about what 'went on' here at the ranch. And now he's telling me that if you stay here, people may think the same of you." She felt her hand grasped, and looked into Amanda's eyes. "I don't want your grandparents to hear nasty rumors about you…I'm sure they've already heard all the stories about me."
Green eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I am so sorry you had to go through something like that." She squeezed Lex's hand. "I really don't care what anyone says about me. And my grandparents have never cared much for gossip." She longed to take Lex in her arms and hug the hurt away. "So, if you don't mind, I think I'd like to hang around here for a while…you need help with the chores, don't you?" she paused, letting her words sink in. "And I don't walk out on my friends just because someone 'may' say something derogatory about me."
Lex returned the squeeze. "Are you sure? My brother can get pretty nasty."
"Puleez! He's the very least of my worries." Her stomach growled. "See?"
Lex laughed and stood up, pulling the younger woman up with her. "So I hear. Let's go invade the kitchen…Martha probably has dinner cooked by now."
Amanda allowed Lex to help her to her feet. On impulse, she wrapped her arms around the tall woman and squeezed. She felt warm arms surround her as Lex returned the action.
"Thanks…friend." A whisper so quiet, Amanda thought she might have imagined it. Then she was released and led towards the door.
"C'mon. Let's go get underfoot…Martha just loves when I do that!!!"
Chapter 19
Dinner was quite an animated affair. Amanda and Martha traded humorous stories back and forth, while Lex sat back and absorbed it all quietly. I can't believe she's still here. Lex had been about half-afraid that the younger woman was going to run off screaming into the night after hearing her story. She watched as the two women interacted. Should have known. Martha adores her…she was always a good judge of character. The heavyset housekeeper had disliked Linda immensely, although she always made sure to be sickeningly polite to Martha whenever Lex was around.
"Lexie?" the housekeeper tapped her arm. "You with us, honey?"
The rancher smiled. "Uh, yeah. Just thinking." She turned her attention to Amanda. "You gonna help Martha here in the kitchen tomorrow?"
"Uh-huh…after we feed in the morning, why? Do you have something planned that you need my help with?"
"No, not really…" Lex hedged, "I was going to ride one of the horses down and get the jeep."
Martha, knowing what else she was going to do, piped up. "You're not going to overdo it, are you? Those ribs aren't healed, you know."
Lex raised a dark eyebrow. "Of course not. I'm just going to take a leisurely ride down the road, attach the jeep's wench to a tree and then let it do all the work. If it hadn't been raining so damn hard last night, I would have done it then." She smiled at the housekeeper. "The road should be in good enough shape by tomorrow to bring it back to the house."
Martha looked less than convinced. "Promise me you will not put any undo stress on yourself, sweetheart. I have no desire to try and find a way to get you to the hospital."
Amanda spoke up. "Are you sure you don't need my help?"
"Nah…I was going to check part of the fence first…won't be back until late afternoon, at the least. You'd be bored to tears." Lex tried to appear nonchalant.
The housekeeper stepped in. "She's right, honey. When Lexie goes out on her horse, time has a tendency to slip away from her." To Lex, "Take your cell phone, just in case you happen to get into trouble, please?" When Lex rolled her eyes, Martha slapped her arm. "Watch it! Or we'll both go with you!"
The dark woman put up her hands in surrender. "Okay, you win…I remember the last time I got you up on a horse."
The gray-haired woman chuckled. "That wasn't a horse, it was a four-legged messenger from Hades!! I like transportation that doesn't bite, thank you very much!"
Lex started laughing. "She didn't bite you, she nuzzled your pocket looking for treats!"
Martha joined in. "If you didn't spoil those horses so bad, that would have never happened!" she got up and began clearing the table.
Amanda giggled. "Don't feel bad, Martha…I don't ride much either…horses are way too tall! It's a long way to the ground!"
Lex continued to laugh. "Maybe I'll find you a pony with a seatbelt!" Tears of mirth streaked down her cheeks. She could just imagine the small blonde on a shaggy Shetland pony, buckled into a saddle resembling a child's car seat. She clutched her ribs. "Ow…"
"Serves you right, making fun of me!" but Amanda was smiling also.
"I wasn't making fun of you…I was…uh…simply making a helpful suggestion!" Lex snorted, trying to curb her laughter.
"Oh, you!" Amanda threw her napkin into the laughing woman's face.
Lex stood up and carried her dishes to the sink, Amanda following right behind her. The taller woman gently bumped Martha with her hip. "Since we've goofed off all day, let us at least do the dishes." Seeing the housekeeper's resolve weakening, she added, "Please?" putting on her best pleading look.
Martha sighed, but backed away from the sink. "Okay, you win. You know I can't resist that look…"
Amanda took up her position next to the triumphantly grinning rancher. "Yeah…we'll take care of everything. Why don't you go relax?"
The housekeeper gave in gracefully. "Not a bad idea - I think I'll go home and take a long soak in a hot bubble bath." She pulled off her apron, slung it over her shoulder, and sashayed out of the room, swinging her hips with an exaggerated motion.
Lex and Amanda looked at each other and burst out laughing. They made quick work of the dishes, Lex washing while Amanda rinsed and dried.
The smaller woman placed her hands on her back and leaned into the counter with a groan. "I think Martha may have had the right idea. I think I've found some muscles that didn't exist before today."
Lex finished putting the dishes away. "No problem. You can use my tub. It even has jacuzzi jets in it." She draped a casual arm around the small shoulders. "I've got some bookwork that will keep me busy for an hour or so." She led Amanda up the stairs. Once inside the master bedroom, Lex released the younger woman and made her way to the large oak dresser. She pulled several sleep shirts and tee shirts from one of the drawers. "These should be more comfortable than those sweats." She handed the items to Amanda.
"Thanks. But I have no complaints with my other wardrobe." She took the clothes with a smile.
Lex raised an eyebrow at her, then turned her attention to digging through the massive walk-in closet. "Ah-ha! I knew it was in here somewhere." She pulled out a bright flowery terrycloth robe, which looked about two sizes too small for her, and handed it to Amanda with a flourish. "My great Aunt Loretta sent this to me for Christmas last year," a sheepish smile," and I couldn't throw it out." She eyed the smaller woman, "Now I'm glad I didn't…it looks more like you, anyway."
That much was certainly true. Amanda looked at Lex, and then at the robe. "Mmm…I don't know…" she giggled. "Thanks. I appreciate the loan."
Lex shook her head. "No problem…you keep it. That way when I write to Aunt Loretta telling her it's useful, I won't be lying." She smirked. "As it was, I told her on the phone after Christmas that I was enjoying it." She steered Amanda towards the bathroom. "And I was…everytime I pictured myself in it, I had a good laugh." Pulling a towel from a cabinet, Lex tossed it to the young woman then headed for the door. "there should be some bubble stuff by the tub." A shrug of her broad shoulders when the blonde looked at her questioningly. "I enjoy a good soak every now and then myself." She smiled and closed the door behind her.
Chapter 20
Steam quickly filled the bathroom as Amanda lounged gratefully in the huge tub. She leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the water cover her aching body up to her neck. Poor Lex…how could anyone treat her that way? At least that explained what my grandparents were trying to tell me. Amanda vowed to bring that exact subject up the next time she spoke to them on the phone. Letting her mind wander, she thought back to when she was in high school, and finally figured out she wasn't 'like the other girls'.
Amanda was sitting in the back row of the science lab, listening to her friends giggle and carry on about the Junior Class dance. It was going to be patterned after an old-fashioned sock-hop, and the girls had been actively planning their wardrobes, and placing bets on who would go with whom.
"I'll just die if Charlie doesn't ask me!" Francine whispered melodramatically. She had a crush on the lanky basketball player, and had been shamelessly flirting with him for months.
Karen, the sturdily built brunette sitting next to her grinned. "Bobby already asked me." She poked Francine in the ribs. "And I didn't have to practically fall on top of him in study hall to get his attention, like some people I could name, but won't."
Francine returned the poke. "I couldn't help it…my books were falling out of my hands, and I lost my balance." She whined, flipping her dark blonde hair over her shoulder. She was taller than Karen and Amanda, and her coordination was still trying to catch up with her body. Francine looked over at Amanda, who was just staring at the front of the class with a slightly dazed look on her face. "What about you, Mandy? Have you gotten anyone lined up for the dance?" She waved her hand in front of the smaller blonde's face. "Hellllooo? Earth to Amanda Cauble…."
Amanda jumped. "Sorry, guys…. What were you talking about?" She loved her friends, but sometimes they could be so… immature.
Karen nudged her with an elbow. "WE were talking about the dance…you know, that thing where everyone gets together and then moves around to music? Where were you just now?" She leaned in closer. "Who are you going with? Has Ronnie talked to you yet?"
Amanda sighed. "No, he hasn't. But I don't know if I even want to go…"she caught herself staring back at the front of the class, where Judith Patterson was sitting. She was fairly new to the school, and Amanda had taken it upon herself to show the new girl around. They were fast becoming friends, although Judith didn't care much for Karen and Francine, so they usually would just meet after school to study, or go to the local mall. Last night, Judith had held Amanda's hand, and told her she was gay, and that she'd understand if Amanda wanted to break off their friendship.
That had certainly opened Amanda's eyes. It made her sit back and think about her own feelings. She'd never really been interested in boys like her friends. Amanda thought that maybe she just wasn't as mature as they were, and that she'd grow into it after a while. She thought about asking her mother, but a discussion like that would probably send Elizabeth Cauble straight to the emergency room. Her mother had a problem discussing sensitive matters - and if her younger daughter were to ask about sexuality, she'd most certainly have a stroke.
"Mandy! You have to go…everyone's going to be there!" Francine saw where Amanda's eyes were pointed. "Is it because Judith can't get a date?" she lowered her voice, "She's weird, Mandy…I don't know why you're friends with someone like her."
"Don't say that!" Amanda snapped, turning her head and glaring at her. "She's not weird, she just doesn't like to sit around all day and giggle about guys." The bell rang, and the girls picked up their books and followed a large group into the hallway. "Look. I'll call you later, okay?" she quickly made her way through the crowd and caught up with Judith.
"Hey, Judith!" she pulled on the back of the girl's sweater. "Want to come over tonight and help me study for the chemistry exam? Mom and Dad have a banquet to go to, so the house will be quiet."
The redhead stopped and turned around. "Are you sure you want to be alone with me, Amanda?" She had a sad look on her face. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
The little blonde smiled. "How can I be uncomfortable around you? We're friends, aren't we?" she leaned in closer and whispered, "And you'd be surprised at how much I think we may have in common." Amanda stepped back again. "So…you coming over, or what?"
Judith smiled. "I'd love to. Somebody's got to get you past this semester of chemistry."
After that, the two girls developed a deep friendship. But it wasn't until the end of their junior year that they got more serious about their relationship. Hours were spent in each other's rooms, snuggling and kissing. But they had both agreed early on that they didn't want to just jump into bed.
"Just because we're girls, doesn't mean it won't count." Judith said, when Amanda asked her why they had never taken that final step. "You may find someone later on that you want to share that special moment with, and I care too much for you to ruin that."
"But Judith, I really care about you!" Amanda looked into the dark hazel eyes below her. She was sitting on Judith's lap in her bedroom, where they had just finished Judith's term paper. "Have you ever…umm…been with someone?" She was embarrassed to ask, but was curious as well.
"Yes, I have. Last year, at my other school." Judith traced a light pattern over Amanda's face with her finger.
"Did," she faltered, "did you love them?"
Judith wrapped her arms tightly around the smaller girl. "I thought I did. But now, I don't think so. I really cared for her, and she cared for me…but there were no 'fireworks', if you know what I mean."
Amanda snuggled into Judith's neck. "Yeah." Then she sat up, alarmed. "Summer's almost here!" she looked panicked.
"So? What's the big deal about the summer? We'll have more time to spend together." Judith was confused at the look on the blonde's face. "What's the matter?"
Large tears welled up in mist-green eyes. "I spend every summer with my grandparents in Texas." Several tears fell. "We'll be separated all summer…"
Judith gently brushed the tears from Amanda's face. "Okay…we'll just have to write back and forth like crazy, and maybe call each other once a week." She hated to see Amanda in pain. "It'll be okay, really."
Amanda wrapped her arms tightly around Judith, not wanting to let go. "We only have about a month before I leave…" she kissed the other girl's neck. "Please Jude, make love to me tonight. I want to be loved by you as much as possible before I have to leave."
Judith hesitated. "Amanda, there's nothing in the world I would rather do, but do you think it's wise?" She brushed the fair hair away from the bright green eyes. "I do care about you a lot, but this is a major step."
Amanda could only nod. "Yes…please." She kissed Judith tenderly. "Let's go to bed. I've already told Mom and Dad you were spending the night - they think we're watching movies." She stood up and pulled the other girl to her feet. "C'mon…I've got some serious studying to do." Amanda led Judith to the bed, then pulled her into an embrace. "And I intend to work at it all night."
Amanda smiled to herself. That was one heck of a study session. Looking back at that time in her life, she was so glad she had met someone like Judith, who had given her what she had so desperately been missing. They never called it love - but it sure was fun! Her grandparents were so cool about it, too.
Amanda had been at their house for over a week, and every day she seemed sadder and sadder. Anna Leigh figured it had to do with someone back in Los Angeles, because the young woman would spend hours a night writing letters, then mailing them off the next morning.
Anna Leigh took Jacob aside one morning, before Amanda had come downstairs. "Sweetheart, I'm terribly worried about Mandy. Something is definitely bothering her. Has she said anything to you?"
Her handsome husband scooped her into a hug. "No love, she hasn't. I think she's missing someone back home." He knew the signs of lovesickness. He himself was nearly incapacitated with it when Anna Leigh had gone overseas with her parents, back when they were just dating. He leaned down and gave his wife a sweet kiss. "Do you want me to talk to her?"
Anna Leigh returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. "No. I think this should be one of those 'woman-to-woman' chats…I'm sure that it would be easier." She pulled his head down for one more kiss. "And if we keep this up, she'll get quite a show…I hear her coming down the stairs."But she didn't release him, just turned around in his arms. "Good morning, sweetheart." She directed her greeting towards the staircase, where a sleepy-eyed young woman appeared.
Amanda rubbed her eyes and smiled. "Good morning." Seeing her grandparents all snuggled together reminded her of Judith, and she felt a wave of sadness wash over her.
Jacob noticed the change and squeezed Anna Leigh a little tighter. "Well, ladies…I'm off to the shop. Got to finish that table for Mrs. Wilcox." He released his wife, and kissed his granddaughter on the head, as he walked through the kitchen.
Anna Leigh opened her arms, and Amanda stumbled into her embrace. "What's the matter, Mandy? You seem so sad. Is there something Jacob or I can do?" She kissed the blonde head.
"Oh, Gramma…"she cried, her head tucked under her grandmother's chin. "There's nothing you can do…it's something I have to handle myself." She backed up and wiped her face.
"Oh, honey…we love you. If there's something we can do to help, even if it's just to listen, we're here for you." She gently guided the sniffling young woman to the kitchen table. "Would you like some breakfast? We had donuts…Jacob had a yen for Apple Fritters."
"No thank you, Gramma. I'm really not very hungry." She sat down at the table and sighed.
Now Anna Leigh KNEW something was wrong. Her granddaughter could out-eat the football team on a good day… "Okay, that's it." She sat down at the table next to the young woman, taking one of her hands and squeezing it. "You can't go on like this any longer…please talk to me…"
Amanda began crying again. "I really don't think you want to hear this."
Anna Leigh lifted Amanda's chin with her hand. "Honey, there is nothing you can say that I don't want to hear. Nothing will change the fact that we both love you dearly."
Amanda looked into her grandmother's eyes, and saw nothing but truth and love. Maybe it was time to tell someone. "I've met someone, Gramma." She felt the older woman squeeze her hand. "And I care for them very much… we've only been together for a little more than a month…and I miss her so…" Not exactly the best way to tell someone, but she already felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her chest.
Anna Leigh was not too surprised. She knew that love had no boundaries… Look at her and Jacob. He was from poor, but loving home. She was raised by nannies in mansions all over the world. 'Poor child…I know she could never speak of this with her own parents.' She and Jacob raised their son Michael with all the love and support they could, but somehow it wasn't enough. He was so unlike the both of them, business came first, family second. His wife, lovely woman that she was, would rather be shopping in Paris than raising a family. 'How this dear girl turned out so well, I'll never know.' But part of her did know… she and Jacob practically raised Amanda… they tried with her older sister Jeannie, but she was more her mother's child. "Would you like to tell me about her, sweetheart? If she has your heart, then I'm sure she's a wonderful person."
Amanda took a deep cleansing breath and smiled. "She is wonderful, Gramma… and I know she would love both of you. They had continued their letter writing throughout the summer… during that time, they had become much better friends, and decided that while the affection they had for each other was deep, it certainly wasn't love. When school started again in the fall, they still spent most of their free time together. Judith met a girl at the local college, and fell deeply in love, but she still remained her close tie with Amanda. They still went places together, determined to keep their friendship.
Wasn't that long ago that I got her last letter, either…Judith and Emily had two children, with one on the way…and Amanda had been present at each christening. She looked back on her first love fondly, and with a great deal of appreciation.
Chapter 21
Lex stared at the computer screen and then rubbed her reddened eyes. I've got to be missing something somewhere. She had been searching her accounting program for over an hour, trying to find missing funds - almost ten thousand dollars worth of missing funds. She flipped over to her Internet account and sent an email to her bank, requesting that they send her the bank statements for the last several months, since Hubert usually handled the paperwork end of the ranch. She also vowed to do a personal head count of the stock, since it appeared they were losing more than normal. And she was not about to confront her older sibling until she had something to go on. Maybe I'm just tired - She looked at the clock and blinked. "Amanda's probably upstairs bored to death by now…" she mumbled, as she shut down the computer and left the office.
After navigating the stairs, Lex stopped at Amanda's room. Empty. She shrugged her shoulders and went into her own room. Strange…she's not in here either. Confused, Lex knocked gently on the bathroom door. "Amanda?" No answer. Now getting concerned, Lex slowly opened the door. Total silence. She walked towards the tub area, where she spied a damp blonde head poking out of the bubbles. She could see that the young woman was sound asleep, the only sound in the room was the gurgling of the jacuzzi. "Amanda?" quietly spoken, she tried not to scare the poor woman to death.
No response. "Amanda."
The young blonde's eyes popped open, as she sank under the water, startled. She whooshed up out of the water immediately, gasping and sputtering. "Wha…???"
Lex hurried over to the tub and knelt down. "Hey, careful there." She grasped Amanda's shoulders without a second thought. "Didn't mean to startle you like that." The dark woman eased Amanda into a sitting position.
Amanda coughed a couple of more times, then stilled. "Sorry about that. Didn't realize I had dozed off." She enjoyed the closeness of the other woman. "How long have I been in here?"
Suddenly realizing where her hands were, Lex pulled back and stood up. "Umm…almost two hours." She put her hands in her back pockets, trying to calm her pounding heart. "I'll just let you get dried off then…you're probably feeling pretty waterlogged." She began backing up towards the door.
Amanda smiled and brushed bubbles off of her own forehead. "Thanks…I'll be out in a minute." She watched with some amusement as the usually sure-footed and composed rancher backed directly into the doorframe, a slight flush to her dark features.
"Yeah…" she beat a hasty retreat into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Amanda giggled slightly as she let the water run out of the tub. So…I guess I'm not the only one who can feel this…electricity…between us. She quickly dried off and then looked at her sleepwear options. Hmmm…do I go modest, or do I tease her a little more? She picked an oversized nightshirt that would hang a little past her knees. Modest. She's looking a little too shook up…maybe tomorrow night. With a smile, she pulled the shirt over her head.
Stepping out into the bedroom, the small blonde saw Lex sitting in the light of the fireplace, slouched down in one of the overstuffed chairs.
"All yours." She moved to the other chair and sat down, toweling her hair dry. "Thanks for the loan of the tub…I'm most definitely relaxed now."
"I'm glad. You're welcome to use it anytime you want." Lex shifted slightly in her chair. "I'm sorry I barged in like that, but when you didn't answer me, I got a little concerned." A little concerned? Try scared to death!
Amanda looked over at the older woman. Her face was bathed in shadow, and the firelight turned her usually bright eyes almost black. "You look pretty worn out yourself."
Lex sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah. Been a long day." She twisted her head to one side, and her neck popped. "Think I'll take a quick shower and then jump into bed." She stood up slowly.
Amanda stood up with her. "Do you need any help?" At Lex's raised eyebrow, she blushed. "Ummm… I mean, with taking off your bandage?" Lex's other eyebrow shot up into her bangs. "Oh, damn! You know what I mean!" the young woman didn't think she could get any more embarrassed.
Lex took pity on her. "Nah…I can get if off okay, and I'll probably just leave it off for the night."
"I don't think that's a very good idea. What if you roll around in your sleep?" Martha's horror stories about punctured lungs and internal bleeding had scared her. Being concerned for her hostess while she had been out riding, Amanda had quizzed the housekeeper about Lex's health. "I really don't think you should go to bed unprotected."
Lex chuckled. "I don't think I am in any danger that I would need 'protection' in bed, am I?"
Amanda covered her face with her hands. "Ah, probably not…" she looked at her bare wrist. "Would you look at the time?" Fake yawn and stretch. "Mmmm….guess I'll let you get your shower… I'll be across the hall if you need me to help you wrap your ribs." She started for the door. "Goodnight." And she hurried out of the room, still red as a beet.
Lex watched her go with an amused look on her face. I really should be ashamed of myself, teasing the poor woman like that. But somehow, the camaraderie they shared seemed right, like they had done it for years. Strange. She shook her head and walked into the bathroom, shedding clothes as she went.
Amanda had just finished brushing her teeth, and was brushing her hair when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she yelled, sticking her head out of the bathroom.
A sheepish Lex walked in, wearing a robe and carrying a large elastic bandage. "Hey. Your offer still open?" she smiled slightly, looking like a lost child. "I can't seem to get this damn thing on straight."
Amanda sat the hairbrush down and moved into the bedroom. "What's the matter? A torn sheet not good enough for you?" she teased, trying to get the older woman to relax.
"No, it's not that. I just remembered that I had this from the last time I broke a rib. But don't tell Martha. I've kinda kept that little accident a secret from her."
"Really?" Amanda quizzed. "I'll help you, but you've got to tell me what happened." She hitched an eyebrow at the dark woman.
Lex shrugged. "Nothing, much. It happened last year. She told me not to try and ride a certain horse, but I didn't listen. He threw me into the fence, and I broke a rib. No big deal." She looked a little worried. "Promise not to tell?"
Amanda laughed at the look on the rancher's face. "Oh, Lex. You look like a little kid who got caught stealing from the cookie jar." She moved towards the tall woman and took the bandage from her hands. "Okay, I promise. Now get over here and I'll get you fixed up."
Lex turned her back slowly to the younger woman, then silently removed her robe and laid it on the bed, leaving her in just a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. She took a deep breath and then released it slowly.
She's beautiful…Amanda heard her mind whisper. She willed her shaking hands to steady, as she began to wrap the bandage around Lex's body. Such broad shoulders, and her skin is so soft. She had to lean into the strong back to wind the bandage around Lex's ribs. The younger woman bit her lower lip, trying to control her feelings. Once she finished the wrapping, she gently draped the robe back over Lex's shoulders. "All done." She said, hoping her voice didn't betray her.
Lex was having control problems of her own. She could almost feel the heat coming off of the smaller woman, she was standing so close. "Thanks." She turned around, barely missing the longing in Amanda's eyes. "Guess I'll let you get to bed now." As she made her way to the door, Lex turned to look at her guest. "See you in the morning." She walked out and closed the door behind her.
Amanda stood at the bed and stared at the closed door. Oh, boy…Lex, my friend, I think we're gonna have to have a little talk, real soon.
Chapter 22
The next morning, Lex and Amanda finished feeding the horses, and made their way into the hay barn. After Lex had backed the truck up to a tall stack of baled hay, she climbed out and looked around for Amanda. There was no sign of the small blonde anywhere. Now where in the hell did she go? She was about to put the tailgate down on the truck when she felt something dropping on her hat and shoulders. "Hey!" Lex looked up and brushed the straw from her body.
A slight giggle was the response. "Yep! It's hay," Amanda cheerfully admitted, readying herself for another throw. She had climbed up to the top bale, mainly because she had always wanted to, and couldn't resist.
"I thought you didn't like heights." Lex took off her hat and shook the hay free. "Now climb down from there before you get hurt." She put her hands on her hips and mock glowered at the young woman.
"No, I don't like moving heights. I get motion sickness." Amanda plopped down on the bale, her legs swinging back and forth. "Besides, this isn't that high - maybe twelve to fifteen feet, at the most." She was about to make her way down, when the bale suddenly shifted, and the young woman began to fall.
Lex saw the movement, and dropping her hat, rushed to position herself under the falling woman. "Ooof! " she grunted, catching Amanda in her arms, cradling her as if she were a child. "Are you okay?"
Amanda looked up into frightened eyes, and felt the woman holding her tremble. "Yeah." Then realized where she was, and how she got there. "Oh, god…are you okay??"
Lex looked into Amanda's eyes, barely breathing. "Uh-huh." She couldn't seem to take her gaze away from the younger woman's face. Words failed her, as she felt Amanda's arms wrap around her neck.
Amanda didn't think. She gave into her gut feelings, wrapped her arms around the taller woman's neck, and pulled Lex's head down to meet hers. When their lips met, the blonde was amazed at how soft the rancher's lips were. As she deepened the kiss, Amanda felt a strong feeling of belonging, and her heart raced.
Lex was having some strong feelings of her own. When their lips met, she felt a gentle tickle in the pit of her stomach, and when the smaller woman deepened the kiss, a jolt of electricity shot throughout her body, causing her legs to give out. Lex collapsed back into a soft pile of hay, never releasing the woman in her arms.
They spent a few moments just enjoying the kiss, until Lex pulled away slightly to breathe. "Wow." She gasped, still trying to catch her breath.
Amanda laid her head on Lex's chest and took a deep breath. "Sorry…I'm not sure what came over me." She looked into sparkling blue eyes. "I can't believe I did that."
"Are you sorry that you did?" Lex held her breath, afraid of the answer.
"God, no!!" Amanda reached up to caress a tan cheek, trying to calm the erratic beating of the older woman's heart. "It's just that I don't usually make it a habit to throw myself, this time quite literally, at someone I've only know a couple of days." She could feel the rancher struggling to pull air into her lungs. "Are you sure you're alright? What about your ribs?"
A relieved Lex turned her head slightly and kissed the small palm cupping her face. "Never been better." Seeing several things crossing Amanda's face, Lex kissed her forehead and gave her a gentle hug. "If that's how you're going to react after falling from a stack of hay, remind me to bring you in here more often."
"Works for me…I've always wanted to roll around in the hay." Amanda gave her an embarrassed smile. "Ummm…I mean…"
Lex understood. "Relax. Let's just take things slow and easy, okay? No need to rush."
Amanda's answering smile lit up her entire face. "Yeah…I guess we'd better finish up the chores, huh?" She felt Lex's breathing return to normal. "And Martha is expecting me pretty soon."
She's right…got to be responsible. "True. But first…" Lex leaned down and captured Amanda's lips again, feeling small hands tangle themselves into her hair. This feels waaay too good…better stop now while I still can. She ended the kiss slowly, trying without much success to back off. "Whew…I, ummm…."
Amanda brushed the dark hair out of Lex's eyes. "Yeah, that goes for me, double." She climbed off the rancher's lap, and offered her hand to the still seated woman. "Here, since I got you down there, might as well be the one to help you back up."
Lex smiled, but accepted the hand and allowed the younger woman to pull her to her feet.
Not releasing the large hand that swallowed hers, Amanda pulled the older woman into a very gentle hug. "Thanks." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed the strong chin.
"For what?" Lex returned the hug, enjoying the feeling of the smaller woman in her arms.
Amanda pulled back a little, so she could see the rancher's face, partially bathed in shadow. "For working on your fence in a thunderstorm….for pulling a complete stranger out of a raging creek, and for catching me when I fall."
Lex kissed the top of her head. "Anytime." Her voice broke on the word. She released the younger woman, but kept one arm draped casually over her shoulders. "C'mon. I imagine the cows are about to mutiny."
Sometime later, Amanda was standing in the stable, watching as Lex saddled up the powerfully built Thunder. "Are you sure you don't need any help? I mean, Martha would probably understand if I was a little late today." She reached up and rubbed the large horse's head, as he butted her gently in the chest.
"Nah. Not that I wouldn't enjoy the company, but I really don't want Martha to try and reach some of those higher cabinets by herself." She tightened the cinch and looked over at the younger woman. "Her and stepladders don't always get along." She finished with the saddle and patted the horse on his flank. "Last time she fell and twisted her ankle…I thought she had broken it, and it scared the hell out of me." She smiled. "And she's a worse patient than I am." Lex led the huge horse out of the stall. "I'd really appreciate it if you could kinda keep an eye on her, if you don't mind." She turned and reached for the saddlehorn, but a hand on her arm stopped her.
"I don't mind at all…but you have to do me a favor in return." Amanda grasped her coat with both hands, pulling the taller woman close.
"Yeah?"
"Try to stay out of trouble, and please be careful." She saw Lex open her mouth to argue, and covered it with her hand. "Please? Don't hurt yourself trying to get that old jeep out of the mud - it's not like we can go very far anyway."
Lex pulled her into a quick hug. "You're starting to sound a lot like Martha," she stepped back and gently chucked the blonde under the chin. "I promise, I'll behave." She climbed into the saddle, causing Thunder to dance sideways. "I'll also be checking some of the fence line by the creek, so I may not be back until dark." It all depends on how easy it is to get her car out of the creek and into the maintenance shed.
Amanda patted her leg. "Okay. Just give us a call on your cell phone if you have any problems." She walked beside the huge horse as Lex moved him out of the stable.
"Yes ma'am." Lex tipped her hat with a smirk. "Do you want a ride to the house?"
Amanda looked up at Lex and then to the house, which was only about twenty yards away. An unexpected thrill raced down her spine, as Lex held an arm out to her. "Sure." She allowed the dark woman to pull her up behind her, in an eerily familiar manner. Wrapping her arms around the tapered waist, Amanda leaned into the strong back with a small sigh. "Now this is the way to ride horses."
Lex chuckled, and kneed the stallion forward. "Really? Are you sure you don't want a seatbelt?" She felt the small arms around her waist tighten slightly.
"Nope…this is perfect."
They rode the rest of the way to the house in companionable silence - the only sounds being Thunder's heavy hooves falling to the ground.
Lex pulled the massive horse to a stop by the back porch, and gently gave Amanda a hand down. "There ya go, ma'am. Door to door service, as promised." She joked, feeling a light slap against her leg.
"Thanks," Amanda curtsied, "that terribly long walk would have worn me out!"
Lex laughed as she backed Thunder away from the porch. "Anytime," tipping her hat again, this time giving the younger woman a wink before turning the big horse away.
"Be careful!" Amanda called after her, wincing as Lex sent Thunder into a strong gallop.
Chapter 23
Lex charged Thunder through the fields, leaning over his neck with a smile. Feeling only a slight ache in her ribs due to the activity, she laughed out loud to the wind blowing into her face. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it boy?" The racing horse snorted in disagreement. Low dark clouds had begun to cover the sky, threatening to erupt at any moment, and the cool breeze blowing through the surrounding trees brought a damp chill to the air. To Lex, the day had never been more beautiful. I must be doing something right…'cause someone up there has certainly dropped a wonderful gift right into my lap. "Yaaaaa!!!" She urged the horse on, both of them absorbing the brisk air around them with joy.
Coming within sight of the jeep, Lex reigned in the large horse, walking him around to cool him off. "Doesn't look like we'll have much trouble here, huh big fella?" she aimed him towards the still running creek. "Let's take a walk down to the creek before get started, okay?" she patted his neck and they walked slowly towards the loud roar.
Amanda walked into the kitchen, her cheeks slightly flushed and a big smile on her face. Martha turned around from the pantry and grinned. "Well, well…you must have had a good time feeding the stock. That's an interesting look on your face, honey." She watched at the younger woman blushed.
"Oh, yeah…I had a great time." Amanda realized what she said too late, and lowered her head trying to control her heated face.
Martha walked over to her and pulled a few errant stalks of hay from her hair. "Mmm…looks like it."
Amanda covered her face with her hands. "Oh, god…"
The housekeeper felt pity for her and relented. "Sweetheart, calm down. There's nothing to be ashamed of…I'm glad you two have hit it off so well." She wrapped her hand around Amanda's arm and pulled her towards the table. "Sit down while I get you some coffee." She grabbed a couple of mugs from the cabinet, filled the carafe and then sat down at the table beside Amanda. "Did Lexie get off to the creek okay?" she asked, pouring them each a cup.
"Umm…yeah, she did. She told me that she would be checking the fence also, and not to expect her back before it got dark." The young blonde took a small sip of her coffee.
Martha appeared surprised. "She told you she'd be late?" she gave a slight shake of her graying head. "She never actually tells anyone when she'll be back. I usually just fix her a big breakfast, and plan dinner for dusk on days when I know she'll be riding fence patrol."
Amanda just stared into her mug. "Well, maybe she just said that because she we'd be worried, since she's still hurt."
"Honey, that's never bothered her before." The housekeeper patted her hand, "Not that she's unfeeling, it's just that she normally doesn't think about little things like that." She took a deep breath. "Not like she can, having to run this place all alone."
Amanda looked up. "But I thought her brother helped her." Her brows furrowed in confusion.
The heavyset woman scoffed. "Hubert? Help? Not in this lifetime, sweetheart. Sometimes I think his sole purpose in life is to aggravate poor Lexie, and of course to mooch money off of her." She took a sip of coffee and sighed. "He's seven years older than her, and never done an honest days work in his life. Oh sure, Lexie lets him keep the ranch's books, and he has that accounting office he runs in town, but he's no good." A quirk of her lips. "He's hated Lexie ever since her daddy signed the ranch over to her, not to mention he's just plain mean." She took another sip of coffee. "I normally wouldn't be telling anyone this, but I trust you, and I want you to be aware of just how nasty that man can be." She paused, studying the young woman across from her.
Amanda had a pretty good idea where Martha was heading with this conversation. She met the wise brown eyes across from her. "Lex told me about Linda." She saw the housekeeper's posture relax somewhat. "Hubert threatened Lex last night - about my staying here. So she decided to tell me why he was so…hostile." A sad look crossed her face. "Did Linda actually dump Hubert for Lex?"
Martha took a deep breath. "Oh yes. You see, Hubert is quite handsome - tall, dark, with blue eyes like Lexie's…only his are crueler. Women just seem to throw themselves at his feet, until they get to know him - then the smart ones run like all get out." She finished her coffee and began wiping the table with a damp dishcloth. "He's also got Lexie's temper - they both got that from their daddy, but he never learned to control it like she did." Took her until she was almost twenty-five, but she finally got it under control. "I think Linda finally got tired of Hubert taking his mad out on her, and so to get back at him she latched onto Lexie."
Amanda frowned. "She didn't love Lex, did she Martha?"
"Oh, I think she did, in her own little way…she just wanted a little fancier lifestyle than what Lexie could give her." Martha remembered grimly the month long bender that Linda's desertion had wrought with the impressionable young woman.
Lex would get up before dawn - feeding the livestock and handling the general ranch business before the rest of the hands even stirred. Martha could sometimes coax the sullen woman to eat breakfast, but not often. Then Lex would lock herself in the office, drinking until late afternoon, when usually a carload of 'friends' would pick her up and take her into town. They'd spend the rest of the afternoon and all of the evening, bouncing from bar to bar, generally raising hell, and even once or twice having the law called on them. After the bars would close, these so-called friends would bring Lex home, and Martha would usually find her passed out on the porch swing the next morning.
After this had gone on for nearly a month, Martha quit pleading for Lex to come to her senses, and took direct action. One morning after finding Lex once again sprawled unconscious on the front porch, the angry housekeeper mixed up a large bucket of extremely muddy water, and dumped it on the unsuspecting rancher.
"Whoa!" Lex sputtered, "What the hell did you do that for?" her head was spinning, and she imagined she was about to toss the contents of her stomach all over the porch.
"If you plan on letting this ranch run itself into the ground and sit out here smelling worse than a pig farm, I thought that maybe you'd want some mud to wallow around in." She dusted off her hands and walked towards the door, turning around, continuing her tirade. "So either clean yourself up, or find a new babysitter - 'cause I'm not gonna tolerate one more minute of your self-pitying garbage, you hear me?!" She shook a finger at Lex.
"Yes ma'am." A chagrined Lex mumbled to the housekeeper, mud dripping down her face.
Martha almost laughed out loud at the figure before her. Blue, bloodshot eyes stood out starkly in the mud-covered face, which was puffy from the alcohol abuse. The tall frame, which had lost too much weight, stood quietly on trembling legs.
"I'm sorry, Martha." Lex took a couple of steps forward, until she was standing less than a foot away. "Please don't leave me." She whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "I'll get my act together, I promise."
She looked like a beaten child, so Martha wrapped her arms around the younger woman and pulled her into her ample bosom. "Oh sweetheart…I was just so angry, watching you throw your life away like that." She rocked the now sobbing woman gently, then pulled back and used her ever-present dishtowel to wipe her charge's face. "Now get this porch cleaned up, go upstairs and take a long hot shower, and come into the kitchen for a big breakfast. I'll tell the boys to handle the chores for the next couple of days, 'cause you're gonna eat and then go straight to bed." She wiped a spot clean on Lex's forehead, and gave her a gentle kiss. "Now go on, and be quick about it." She turned and moved back into the house, grumbling under her breath about crazy kids and how she had to go and change into a clean apron.
After that, Lex rarely drank, except for the occasional beer or two with the hands on poker night. But she never touched hard alcohol again. Martha knew the young woman had scared herself, and she herself was glad that Lex had promised her to stay clean. Hubert had teased her, saying she was too weak, not being able to handle her alcohol. He constantly belittled her, trying to knock Lex off the wagon. But Lex just put up with his taunts, saying she had given her word, and that he wouldn't know anything about keeping a pledge to someone.
"Martha?" Amanda became concerned at the look on the older woman's face. "Are you alright?" she grasped the hand that had been absently wiping the table.
The housekeeper shook her head and gave Amanda a small smile. "Sorry 'bout that, dear…I got a little lost in my memories." She placed her other hand on Amanda's. "C'mon. Let's get to work on those cabinets."
Lex stood at the edge of the creek, mesmerized by the still rapidly flowing water. She shifted her gaze slightly downstream, happy to note the little Mustang was still in the same place, It's rear bumper just barely visible above the water line. Lex looked behind her, mentally calculating the path she would use to pull the car from the water. How to get it from there to here… that's the sticking point. One of the chains from the jeep should be long enough, but how in the hell do I get the chain on the car? She looked at the water, and then down at herself. Well, I could just tell them I fell into the creek. She smirked, imagining the looks on their faces. Ah…no… not a good thing to do…Martha would use a spoon on me then! She relegated that problem to the back of her mind, deciding to worry more about it when she got the jeep out of it's muddy nest. Turning away from the churning waters, Lex walked back over to the patiently waiting Thunder, and rode back towards priority number one.
An hour later, an angry and mud-covered Lex finally drove the jeep towards the creek. Even with using the wench attached to the front of the vehicle, Lex still had to dig and push to extricate the buried jeep. She had removed her ever-present black cowboy hat and duster to save them, but she was almost solid mud from the tip of her head to the sole of her boots - and she was mad enough to spit nails.
The tall rancher backed the equally mud-coated jeep to a large tree ten yards from the bank of the creek, until it was almost touching the heavy oak. Lex wound a length of chain around the trunk of the tree, and the other end around the back axle. She then pulled a longer stretch of chain from the jeep, and attached it to the steel cable that she unwound from the wench. Lex then tied one end of rope to the chain, and the other around her waist. That's it…I've got to be certifiable - jumping into this damn creek not once, but twice in one week. Martha is gonna have me committed. She looked down at her clothes, barely distinguishable under the mud. At least I can use the excuse that I needed to get the mud off of me, so I rinsed off my clothes - don't have to tell them it was in the creek.
Lex slowly waded into the creek, noticing how much the current had slowed down since Friday. "Damn, but that's cold!" she grumbled, as the water slowly made it's way to her shoulders. Once again, she let the current do most of the work, moving her downstream. When she got near the partially submerged car, she took over, her strong stroke cutting through the water easily. Gently bumping the car, she grimaced. Easy, Lex…don't put anymore dents in than it already has. She pulled herself up on the trunk, and began dragging the rope across the creek, finally getting the chain into her hands. Great…now I get to play Jacques Cousteau, and try to find the damn axle. Taking a deep breath, Lex slid off the rear of the car and slipped under water. Being familiar with cars, it only took her a minute to wrap the chain around her target and return to the surface. All right…now to get back to the jeep. The rancher pulled herself back across the creek, a strange sense of déjà vu invading her senses.
It took Lex over two hours to pull the small car from the creek. At times she feared the old oak would fall and crush both vehicles, as well as her. And although the huge tree creaked and complained, in the end it stood strong. Her jeep didn't fare much better, and once the little Mustang was safely ashore, she patted the bedraggled jeep on the hood and promised it a nice cleaning. The old vehicle was Lex's pride and joy, having rebuilt it herself while in high school.
After securing the waterlogged Mustang to the jeep, Lex walked over to the patiently waiting Thunder, and removed his saddle and bridle. "Okay, old buddy, I'll race ya home!" He snorted and started towards the trees, content to take the shortcut back to the barn. The rancher returned to the jeep and fished her cell phone out of the pocket of her coat. She dialed the number for the ranch hoping Martha, and not Amanda would answer.
On the third ring, her wish was answered. "Walters residence."
"Martha, it's me." Lex smiled into the phone, imagining the shock on the older woman's face. She rarely used the cell phone, saying she'd rather speak to someone face to face.
"Lexie? Honey, is everything okay?" the housekeeper sounded a little nervous.
"Everything's wonderful, Martha. I got the jeep, and I'll be making a stop at the maintenance shed before I get back to the house." A not so subtle hint.
"Good lord, sweetheart. Don't scare me like that - I thought for sure something was wrong when you called." Martha sighed heavily.
"Sorry - wasn't trying to scare you. It's just that I sent Thunder on ahead, and I didn't want you to worry when you saw him and not me. The road's still pretty muddy, and I thought it would be too dangerous for him to be led behind the jeep." Lex tossed the saddle, blanket, and bridle in the back of the jeep. "I should be in sight of the house in about an hour or so." She hinted, hoping Martha could keep a certain blonde away from the windows.
"That sounds great, Lexie. I thought Amanda and I would go over to my place for a while…I've got some pictures she might be interested in seeing." She laughed, knowing that Lex knew exactly what pictures she had in mind. Also knowing that the road to the maintenance shed was not viewable from her house. "We'll be back in a couple of hours, that should give you time to take care of your horse and get yourself cleaned up too."
Lex laughed too. "Uh…well, I was pretty muddy, but it's mostly cleaned off now." She climbed into the jeep. "I'll see you at the house later, then. Bye, Martha." She disconnected the call before the older woman figured out what she had said. I'm gonna be in so much trouble for that. She grinned to herself. It was one of her favorite past times, teasing the housekeeper to keep her on her toes. But she gives as good as she gets, that's for damn sure.