by Carrie Carr
"Lex? Hey, what's the matter?" Amanda didn't like the lost look on her lover's face. "Are you okay?"
Lex forced a smile. She cleared her throat and sniffled. "Yeah, I'm fine." She felt a strong hand on her good shoulder. "What?"
"I think you've been out of bed long enough, young lady. Don't make me pick you up and tuck you in." When Travis saw his granddaughter open her mouth to argue, he shook his head. "Nope. In bed. Now. Or I'll go get Martha."
Lex exchanged looks with her partner. "You would, wouldn't you? Okay, you win." Lex bent over and kissed Amanda gently on the lips. "I'll be back," she whispered.
"Not for a while you won't, young lady." Travis carefully helped Lex to her feet and into her own bed. "I'd hate for Martha to spend the night here, thinking you can't be trusted."
"Grandpa, don't you dare," Lex blustered, as he swung her legs back onto the bed and covered her with the blanket. "Martha worries enough as it is."
"My point exactly, Lexie."
She fought off a shiver and cleared her throat again. Damn. This is getting tiresome. Lex found out earlier from the doctor the reason she couldn't get rid of her symptoms was because, along with her viral infection, she had developed a bacterial infection in her upper respiratory system. They told her the antibiotics they put her on should clear it up within a day or two. I can't wait.
Travis became somber and lightly touched her head. "This could have been a lot more serious, I know. But, Lex, you've got a concussion and a fever, and you need to take it easy." He cleared his throat, and thought of what he'd almost lost. "Humor an old man, will you? Just for a little while?"
"I'm sorry. I've been selfish, haven't I?" Seeing the tears sparkle in his eyes, Lex nodded. "I will, I promise."
"Good. Thank you." Travis leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Charlie wants to come in a little later and ask you a few questions, but he thought he'd better wait until you were feeling stronger." He straightened and made his way back to the door. "You girls both get some rest. I'll be back later to check on you." With a wave and a smile, he was gone.
"He's certainly got your number," Amanda giggled. "Threatening you with Martha."
Lex pouted. "It's not like I'm afraid of her or anything," she huffed. "I just didn't want to worry him."
"Uh-huh. Bwawk, bwawk," Amanda teased. "Big chicken."
"Brat."
SHE SAT IN the back booth at the diner, reading the paper and not paying attention to anything around her. Hearing a body drop into the seat across from her, Janna looked over the paper at the intruder. "What in the hell do you want?"
"I wanted to apologize for the other day," Hubert answered contritely. His forehead sported a nasty bruise from where he'd banged it on the wall. "I'm afraid I was drunk and out of line. I'd like for us to be friends, if we could."
"Do you think that's possible, Hubert? Calling me a bitch and trying to take my head off isn't the best way to impress me." She folded the paper. Bad enough I had to get this lecture from Dad, but now I have to talk to SuperJerk, too?
He gave her a charming smile. "I know, and I'm sorry. Alcohol makes me do, and say, some stupid things." Hubert leaned forward slowly. "Your dad and I go back a long way. I don't want our differences to jeopardize a friendship I've come to depend on dearly. He's like a brother to me."
Uh-huh. He sends you business, and vice-versa. Why am I sitting here talking to a man who can't even treat his own sister with respect? What a complete asshole. Janna leaned back in her seat to get some space. "Right. Speaking of family, have you seen your sister? I hear she gets out of the hospital tomorrow." Let's see how he handles this one. Janna had gone to the hospital the day before to visit Lex and Amanda after their automobile accident. She called the ranch looking for Lex, and the young man who had answered the phone had given her the news.
"Umm, no, I haven't. My sister and I don't get along well, and I don't want to upset her unduly." His outside demeanor calm, Hubert fumed inwardly. He was tired of people asking how his sister was.
"I see. Well, she's looking good right now, all things considered." The more Janna was around this man, the more disgusted she became. "Anyway, I don't think it would be a good idea for us to be around each other, Hubert. There's just too much history, don't you think?"
Hubert stood up. "Your loss, babe. Just don't go messing up what I have with your old man, and I'll be happy." He straightened his tie and stomped from the diner, leaving a trail of curious glances in his wake.
Asshole. Janna shook her head and opened her paper again. She heard someone clear their throat discreetly. "What?" Standing beside her table was Barbara, the woman she had 'rescued' on New Year's Eve. "Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like to sit?"
"Thank you." Barbara slid into the booth across from Janna. "I saw Hubert leave, and he didn't look happy." She privately enjoyed the angry look on his face as the livid man stormed from the building. He had almost run into the light post outside, and Barbara had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
"Yeah, well, he's a jackass." Janna noted the other woman's blush. "I'm sorry. You'll have to excuse my language; he just brings out the worst in me." She studied Barbara for a moment and decided to try to make amends for her rude greeting. "Would you like something to eat?" she asked, as she waved for the waitress.
"Sure." She glanced up as the server appeared by the booth. "I'd like a chef's salad and a glass of tea."
"Salad? That can't fill you up. Why not a hamburger instead? My treat."
Barbara shook her head. "Oh, no. I couldn't let you do that."
"Come on, please?" At the other woman's reluctant nod, Janna gave the waitress a triumphant smile. "Bring the lady your burger platter, and a large glass of tea." Once the server had left with the order, she glanced at her watch and turned her attention back to her tablemate. "So, what brings you here this late in the day? I thought the bank gave you folks a decent lunch hour."
After the incident with Hubert on New Year's Eve, Janna had driven the other woman home. Over coffee at Barbara's house, they found they surprisingly had a lot in common, and quickly became friends. Several hours and a pot of coffee later, Janna had learned all about Barbara's life in the small town, and how she had been tricked by Hubert into helping him get his hands on some of the ranch's money.
The buxom waitress brought over Barbara's lunch, and left the check with Janna. "Here you go." She winked at Janna and went back behind the counter. Janna watched her go with a confused look.
"Did she just--?" Janna asked her friend, unable to believe the woman had been flirting with her.
Barbara laughed. "Oh, yeah. Francine likes 'em tall--and female. She's harmless enough, though. Does it bother you?"
"Umm, no. It just caught me off guard." Janna shrugged her shoulders. "Does it bother you?"
"Nope. You'll find, in this town anyway, most people have grown tolerant over the years. Especially since several of the more upstanding citizens are gay." She leaned across the table with a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. "The mayor's son, for one. And," she whispered, "one of your biggest clients, Lexington Walters. She's funded more social programs around here than several community leaders put together. Lex is also on the Historical Committee. They've saved three old homes in as many years, thanks in large part to her influence."
"She's a great person, and so is her partner, Amanda. I've become fond of them in a short amount of time. They were the first people here to make me feel welcome."
"I know. Beneath all her bluster and bravado, Lexington is just the sweetest person I've ever met. But don't tell her I said so." Barbara checked around the diner to see if anyone was paying attention to her. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Sure. It'll go no further than this table, I promise."
"I've had a crush on Lex since high school," she said, looking at her plate. "I think it's the reason I put up with her brother for as long as I did, because I was hoping he would be like her." She shook her head. "Sad, isn't it?"
"Well, I've certainly learned my lesson." Barbara touched her cheek. "I'm just glad you were there the other night, or there's no telling what Hubert might have done."
Squeezing the hand she was holding, Janna smiled. "I'm glad too, Barbara. I got to thump a jerk and make a good friend, all in one night." Her grin widened when she felt Barbara's other hand cover their joined ones. "Very glad."
"YOU CAN'T STAY, Ms. Walters. We released you from the hospital this morning, and it's past visiting hours," the doctor argued. They were standing in the hallway outside of Amanda's room. The doctor had been on his rounds when he caught her sitting by Amanda's bed. He had pulled her out into the hall so his patient wouldn't be disturbed.
Although the woman standing before him was battered and bruised, he couldn't help but feel a little intimidated. She had stubbornly removed the splint and tape from her nose the day before, and her eyes seemed to be highlighted by the dark bruises beneath them. Once they had her fever under control, he could see no reason for her to stay, so he'd signed her release papers. "You need to go home and get some rest. Although the antibiotics we gave you have cleared up your respiratory infection, without proper rest you could have a relapse. I can assure you we'll take excellent care of Miss Cauble."
"I know you'll take good care of her injuries, Doctor, but she needs to have me here, too, and I'm not leaving," Lex growled as she took a step toward the frustrated man. Realizing she was scaring the doctor with her aggressive attitude, she leaned back against the wall and slowly crossed her arms over her chest, having conveniently lost the sling for her shoulder the moment she had been discharged.
At a loss for any additional arguments, the doctor reiterated hospital policy. "I'm sorry, but you have no authority to stay after hours."
"Like I told you before, she's my partner, my lover, my better half. Whatever you want to call it, she's the most important person in the world to me. And there's no way in hell I'm going to leave her here alone, you got that?"
"This is a Christian hospital, young woman. Don't make me have security throw you out."
Lex pushed herself off the wall. "Now you listen to me, you little pissant. I'm not in the mood to put up with your bullshit, but I'll be glad to--"
"Lexington Marie!" Martha had approached unnoticed and quickly stepped between the two agitated people. "What's going on here?"
Lex glared at the doctor over Martha's head. "This damned quack is telling me I have to leave Amanda."
Martha swatted Lex on the hip. "Watch your language, young lady. Now go and cool off."
"But--"
"No buts. Now git!" Martha glared at her charge and pointed down the hallway. "Go grab yourself something to drink, and come back in a few minutes."
"Yes, ma'am." Lex gave the physician one final dirty look and walked dejectedly away.
Martha turned her attention back to the doctor. "Now, what's this nonsense about my daughter not being able to stay here?"
"Your daughter?" He looked at the tall form now at the end of the hallway and back to the sweet woman in front of him. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Walters--"
"Rollins," Martha corrected. "You can call me Martha." She enjoyed the look of confusion on his pinched face. "You were saying?"
He straightened his lab coat. "As I was telling your daughter, since she was discharged this morning, she has no reason to be here after visiting hours."
"I see." Martha studied him for a long moment. "Are you married, Doctor?"
"Yes, I am. Although I don't see how it relates--"
She waved a hand to silence him. "Do you love your wife?"
The doctor felt insulted. "Of course I do. What kind of ridiculous question is that?"
"What if your wife had been injured in a car wreck? Would you want to stay with her and make sure she was all right? Or would you simply stay around only during visiting hours, and run home as soon as you could?" She placed a hand on his arm. "Just because my daughter loves another woman, it doesn't make their love any less real." Martha patted him on the shoulder and turned to walk down the hallway.
He watched her stroll away, a thoughtful look on his face. "I never thought of it that way," he admitted to himself. Shaking his head, the doctor allowed Martha's words to sink in and continued his rounds.
Martha found Lex in the main foyer, staring out through the glass into the gloomy night. A light rain had begun to fall, and the chill caused Lex to tremble slightly. "Where's your coat?" Martha asked, placing one hand on the small of Lex's back and rubbing gently.
"I don't know." Lex turned around. "Why does everything have to be so damned complicated?" she asked, tears in her eyes. "I just want to stay and keep Amanda company. It's not like I was in the way, or anything."
"I know, baby. Some people are just a little denser than others," Martha commiserated. "But you should go over to the hotel and get some rest. It won't do Amanda any good if you collapse the same day you were released."
Lex bit her lip. "I know. But I can't stand the fact she's here and I'm not." She turned to look back outside, unable to meet Martha's gaze. "It's my fault she's here. If I was a better driver, or--"
"Now you wait just a damned minute." Martha grabbed Lex by her good shoulder and spun her around. "Don't start with the 'whatifs'. If you weren't such a good driver, you both could be dead right now." Her voice cracked on the last part of the sentence. "And that is completely unacceptable to me, so just hush!" She pulled Lex into her arms and hugged her fiercely. Pulling back slightly, Martha smiled. "Now, go back into the room and tell Amanda goodnight. You're coming back to the hotel with me and going straight to bed."
Lex knew it was pointless to argue with Martha once her mind was made up. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be back in a few minutes." She kissed the graying head. "I love you." Her eyes held a few unshed tears.
Martha fought back her own tears. "I love you too, sweetie." She pushed Lex toward the hallway. "Now go say goodnight, so I can tuck you into bed."
Lex had started to leave, but turned back around. "You wouldn't." Seeing the ingenuous smile on Martha's face, she shook her head in resignation. "You would." She turned and started down the hallway. "I should know better by now."
Chapter Eighteen
THE DRIVE TO the ranch was too quiet, Anna Leigh decided. She turned around in her seat. Lex sat on the right side of the Suburban, with Amanda's injured leg propped across her lap. "My offer stands, Lexington. It's not like I use it much, anyway." Anna Leigh had offered the use of her Cadillac until Lex could find a new vehicle.
"That's nice of you, but I wouldn't feel right." Even as she voiced her refusal, she knew she was being ridiculous. The truth was she was nervous about getting back behind the wheel. Maybe if I start with my old jeep, it won't be so bad. While Amanda was in the hospital, Lex had allowed everyone else to ferry her to and from the hotel. She hadn't even been back to the ranch yet. I hope they didn't have any trouble getting everything set up.
Jacob drove slowly on the winding road, mindful of his cargo. The day had turned out cold but sunny. Ahead, they could see where the truck had been forced from the road. Dark tire marks zigzagged across the two-lane blacktop, clearly showing just how the struggle had taken place.
Amanda had watched as different emotions cross her partner's face. She decided the sooner they got past this, the better off they both would be. "Could you stop for a moment, please?" She took her lover's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Looks a lot different in the daylight, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it sure does." Lex struggled to keep herself from trembling. This is where I almost got you killed, Amanda. How can you be so calm? She cleared her throat and closed her eyes momentarily. The viral infection she had been fighting was better, but she struggled with the after effects and tried to contain a sneeze.
"My goodness," Anna Leigh exclaimed, seeing the e
arth torn along the side of the road. She could see where the truck had begun to spin in the mud, and where it slid down the embankment and into the trees. Other tracks were also evident, presumably from the emergency vehicles that arrived later. Anna Leigh peered back at her granddaughter. "You must have been terrified."
Amanda appeared thoughtful for a long moment. "It was frightening. But I had faith Lex would get us through it, and she did."
Lex's eyes opened and her head snapped around to face her lover. "Like hell I did. You were almost killed, Amanda. Don't make me out to be some sort of hero." Her eyes lowered to the leg in her lap. "Look what I did to you."
"No." Amanda put her hand under Lex's chin, and forced eye contact. "If it wasn't for your driving skills, we'd probably both be dead. Don't do this to yourself, Lex. Life is too short for us to go around beating ourselves up over everything." Amanda leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. "I love you. Let it go, please?"
"I'll try," Lex agreed, clearing her throat again. She ran her fingertips across the soft cheek inches from her own. In a voice hoarse with emotion, she vowed, "I love you too, Amanda." Tearing her eyes away from Amanda's, Lex looked toward the front seats. "Well? Are we going to go on to the house, or sit here all day and watch the mud dry?" She sat back in her seat.
"You got it, kiddo." Jacob exchanged looks with his wife and continued on to the ranch.
When the Suburban pulled up to the front of the house, Amanda noticed that a ramp had been built over the front steps. It was made of wood, and a fresh coat of paint made it stand out. "Lex? What did--"
"I made a few phone calls," Lex explained as she climbed out of the vehicle. She ran around to the back of the Suburban and pulled out the wheelchair she had rented.