Destiny's Bridge

by Carrie Carr

  "Promise." Lex flinched. "Damn it, Martha, I think you’re enjoying this a little too much." She gasped as the housekeeper taped a large square of gauze on the wound. "Easy, there. Hey!" Lex squirmed as she got her good side tickled.

  "Hush up, you. Now sit up and I’ll wrap these ribs again." Martha watched appreciatively as Amanda crawled over to help her patient into a sitting position. "If you would keep these wrapped for more than a day, they wouldn’t hurt as much, you know." She pulled the large elastic bandage from behind her back.

  "Where did you get that?" Lex asked, her face flushing slightly.

  "Honey, I do the laundry around here." Martha wrapped the wide bandage around Lex. "And I know about the last time you broke your ribs." She smirked at the look of surprise and embarrassment on Lex’s face. "Teach you to try to keep anything from me."

  Lex rolled her eyes, but stayed silent. Figures. Damn woman has eyes in the back of her head. She can read minds, too. She glanced over at Amanda, who had covered her mouth with one hand. "What?"

  Amanda shook her head, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away. She sputtered, then finally laughed out loud. "Sorry, Lex, but she’s right. You shouldn’t try to hide things like that."

  "There. All done." Martha tied off the bandage with safety pins. She picked up the nightshirt and slipped it on the injured woman’s body. "By the way, Roy called while you were out. He said he and the boys are bringing out a truck tomorrow, and they’re going to finish the work on the bridge. They had to wait until all the supplies came in; that’s why it has taken them so long." She began buttoning the shirt, much to Lex’s annoyance.

  "I can dress myself," Lex argued, but let Martha finish. "I’m glad they’re coming out tomorrow. The six of them can have it finished in no time." She sat back, exhausted.

  Amanda brushed the hair out of Lex’s eyes. "I was wondering, where do the hands stay? I’ve seen Martha’s house, the stables, and the hay barn, but—" she stopped when Lex squeezed her hand.

  "The hands stay at the bunkhouse, which is just up the road from here. It’s closer to the main cattle pens." She took a pained breath and closed her eyes. "It can hold up to fifteen, but there’s only six of them right now. We hire extra help when we start tagging in the spring."

  "Actually, there’s only five real hands. Lester is mainly the cook, right, Lexie?" Martha looked up when there was no answer, and saw that Lex had fallen asleep. Shaking her head, the housekeeper said to Amanda. "Let’s go get you something to eat. I still have some roast and potatoes left." She stood up and covered the sleeping woman with a blanket.

  Amanda let go of Lex’s hand reluctantly and climbed off the bed. "Okay, then I’ll come back and sit with her for a while." She followed the Martha from the room, glancing back at the doorway at the sleeping woman. She looks so fragile when she’s asleep. "I’ll be right back," she whispered.

  AFTER FINISHING AT the stables, Amanda ate a quick dinner. She raced back up the stairs after Martha chased her out of the kitchen. "Just see that she stays in bed tonight. Don’t let her take any more trips out to the stables," the housekeeper had commanded.

  Stopping at the doorway to the master bedroom, Amanda leaned against the doorframe and sighed. Lex was still sleeping peacefully, although she had kicked off the blanket and was now curled up on her good side, facing away from the door. Amanda tiptoed into the room, and went quietly to the bed. She picked up the blanket from the floor, and was about to cover the sleeping woman with it when Lex rolled over and sat straight up in bed, sweat dripping from her body.

  "Damn," she muttered, visibly trembling. "Amanda?" She looked at her friend in dazed surprise.

  Amanda placed the blanket around her shoulders and then felt her forehead. "You’re burning up, Lex. I’d better go—"

  Lex grabbed her hand. "Don’t leave me," she pleaded in a hoarse whisper. "I’ll be okay." She trembled again. "Could you just stay with me for a while, please?"

  "Of course I can. Just let me get you some aspirin for that fever, okay?" Amanda quickly stepped into the bathroom and brought a glass of water and two white tablets. She sat down on the edge of the bed and handed the pills to Lex. "Here. Take these, then I’ll get you tucked in. I seem to be doing that a lot, huh?" she said, teasingly.

  Taking the aspirin, Lex finished the water and sat the glass on the side table. "Yeah." She leaned back into her pillow. "Does that bother you?"

  "No. In fact, it makes me feel really good that you let me." Amanda pulled the covers over the trembling woman. She ran her hand gently through the damp hair.

  Lex partially closed her eyes and relaxed. "Thanks." The feel of Amanda’s fingers combing through her hair was very soothing. "Mmm." She closed her eyes the rest of the way and drifted off to sleep.

  Amanda sat by her side for a long while, running her fingers through Lex’s hair. She knew she needed to go to bed, too, but really had no interest in leaving the sleeping woman’s side. She laid her hand along Lex’s jaw line, noticing with relief that the fever seemed to be easing. Standing up, Amanda was about to walk out the door when she heard Lex moan slightly in her sleep. I really don’t want to leave her. She compromised with herself by crossing to the other side of the bed and crawling under the covers. Much better. Lex moaned again, and Amanda turned on her side and took a hand in hers. "Shh, it’s okay. I’m here," she whispered, which calmed Lex down immediately. Pulling the hand up to her face, Amanda tucked it carefully under her own cheek as she lay there, just watching her friend sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  MARTHA WALKED INTO the master bedroom with a tray in her hand, humming softly to herself. She looked at the bed and stopped dead in her tracks. The sight that greeted her warmed her heart.

  Lex was sound asleep, although it was almost eight o’clock in the morning. She lay flat on her back, her left arm uncovered and wrapped securely across Amanda's back.

  Amanda was curled up beside her with her head tucked under Lex’s chin. Her arm was outside the covers and across Lex's chest.

  The housekeeper walked to the bed and set the tray down on the side table. Seeing that both women were deeply asleep, she placed her hand on Lex’s forehead. Thank the good Lord that she’s not running any fever this morning. I was a little concerned about that bullet wound, but I guess I cleaned it up okay. Not wanting the sleeping women to be disturbed, she turned off the ringer to the telephone. Satisfied that her job was complete, Martha quietly exited the room and closed the door behind her.

  She was lying on her back in a field of wildflowers, the sun soaking into her body. The silence would normally be alarming, but it filled her with a contented peace she rarely felt. She enjoyed the gentle fragrance of the flowers around her as a warm breeze passed through her hair, bringing with it another heavy dose of the flowery scent. Knowing she should get up, her body rebelled, embracing the warmth of the quiet spring day with decadent pleasure.

  Lex took a deep breath and inhaled another lungful of the fragrant bouquet. She opened her eyes, somewhat surprised that she was indoors, and even more surprised to find that she was in bed. But I could swear that I smelled flowers. Her brow creased in confusion, and then she noticed the source of the delightful fragrance. A tousled head was tucked directly under her chin. Lex decided she needed to compliment Martha on her choice of shampoo for the guestroom. She also decided that the dream was nice, but reality was much better. Although she didn’t want to disturb Amanda, her body reminded her that it was well past her normal wake up time. Lex carefully rolled Amanda off her, which got her a small sigh in return. She was finally able to maneuver herself into a sitting position, and was charmed when Amanda rolled back over and snuggled into her pillow. Lex eased herself off the bed, biting her lower lip to stifle a groan. Getting too old to play all day in the rain, Lexington, she admonished herself, stepping slowly into the bathroom.

  A nearby smell woke Amanda, and she became aware that she was lying in the big bed alone, hugging Lex’s pillow. She turned her e
yes to the bedside table, which had a large tray sitting on it. "So that’s where that wonderful smell is coming from," she mumbled, taking another deep breath, closing her eyes in bliss.

  "Gee, thanks," Lex drawled, stepping out of the bathroom.

  Amanda blushed then pulled the pillow over her head. "I can’t believe you heard that."

  Lex walked over to the bed and sat down. "Good morning to you, too."

  One eye peeked out from under the pillow. "Morning," Amanda grumbled, then sat up. "How are you feeling?" She reached out to the other woman. "You look a lot better this morning."

  Lex accepted the hand and pulled it to her lips for a little kiss. "Must be the company I’m keeping."

  Amanda's blush deepened. "Umm," she pointed to the tray trying desperately to change the subject, "isn’t that breakfast?"

  "Yeah. Martha must have just brought it up a few minutes ago. The food is still steaming."

  "She was in here when we were asleep?" Amanda stammered.

  Lex winked at her. "Yep. And now she probably knows that I didn’t need any extra blankets last night." Ooh…you're bad, Lexington, very bad. But look at her blush!

  To her surprise, Amanda just stretched and said, "That’s funny. Neither did I." She crawled over to Lex, wrapping her arms around her neck. "Good morning," Amanda whispered, leaning in and planting a sensuous kiss on Lex’s mouth.

  Lex moaned and deepened the kiss almost instantly. She put her hands on the small of Amanda’s back to pull her closer, so that their bodies melded together.

  Amanda buried her hands in Lex's thick hair. She gasped when Lex finally broke away, her heart pounding so hard she just knew the other woman could hear it.

  "Goo…" Lex had to clear her throat before she could continue. "Good morning." She pulled back slightly. "Certainly makes waking up worthwhile."

  Amanda leaned forward until her forehead was on Lex’s chest. "Oh yeah. I think I’ve just become a morning person."

  Lex pulled Amanda close again. She nibbled on the nearest ear, then whispered suggestively, "I’m more of a night person, myself." The body in her arms trembled in response. "You cold?"

  "N…n…no. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty darned warm right now." Amanda tilted her head back as Lex's lips worked down the slim neck. "Ahh…oh." She couldn’t seem to put together a coherent thought with Lex taking tender bites of her throat. "Oh, God." Amanda found that she couldn’t sit up any longer, so she fell back onto the bed.

  Lex followed her, never giving up on her quest to know every inch of the young woman's throat. "So sweet," she mumbled, then turned on her side to get more comfortable. Her injured ribs complained at the motion, and she let out a gasp.

  Amanda turned to get a look at her companion’s face. "Lex? What’s the matter?" She could see the pain in Lex's eyes as she stroked the pallid face with gentle hands.

  Lex felt herself guided onto her back against the bed. "Sorry. Guess I turned wrong or something. Just give me a minute to catch my breath." Closing her eyes, she concentrated on trying to will the pain away.

  Brushing her hands slowly across the strained face, Amanda leaned down and kissed Lex on the forehead. "Shh. Just lie still for a little while. Let me go get Martha." She started to get off the bed, but was stopped by Lex’s hand on her arm.

  "No. Stay, please." The barely spoken plea slipped through Lex’s lips before she could stop it.

  "Okay, I’ll stay." Amanda positioned herself with Lex’s head in her lap, gently stroking the pale face and running her hands through Lex’s hair. The caring touch caused Lex’s eyes to close and allowed her to relax somewhat.

  A quiet knock at the door made Amanda look up. "Come in."

  Martha opened the door slowly, uncertain if she had interrupted a private moment between the two women. She saw the look on Amanda’s face and Lex apparently asleep in her lap. A few steps later, she was next to the bed and could see worry in Amanda’s eyes. "What’s going on? How’s Lexie this morning?"

  "She was doing pretty good earlier." Amanda flushed at the double meaning. "I mean, she was feeling better than she was last night." Embarrassed, she looked down at the still face in her lap.

  Martha sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand under Amanda’s chin, forcing the young woman to look at her. "And?"

  "We were, uh…just," Amanda bit her lower lip to contain her tears. "She turned wrong and I think it hurt her ribs, or maybe pulled at the bullet wound." Her hands, though shaky, kept up their gentle tracing.

  "Oh, honey." Martha wiped a stray tear from Amanda’s cheek. "Everything’s going to be just fine." She looked down at Lex, who now looked completely relaxed in sleep. "Darn fool kid. Why don’t you come downstairs with me, and we’ll let Lexie get some rest?"

  "No, I can’t. I promised her I would stay with her, and I don’t want her to wake up alone."

  Martha was about to argue with her when she heard the phone ring downstairs. She leaned over to the bedside table and plucked the cordless phone off the base. "Walters’ residence, Martha speaking."

  "Martha, this is Charlie. Is Lex around?"

  "I’m sorry, but she’s resting right now. Is there something I can do?"

  "Sweetheart, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we’ve lost track of those damn thieves. The last trail we had, looked like they were headed up to the main house."

  Suddenly very afraid, Martha’s face lost some of its color. "What exactly does that mean?"

  Charlie was sounding tired, but resolute. "It means that you need to get everything locked up tight. I had to send most of my men back to town because of some trouble there. But don’t you worry. Joseph and I will keep looking until we find them. I’m sorry to be calling with this right now, but I really wanted to let you know what was going on."

  "No, I appreciate you calling. I’ll tell Lexie."

  "Are you sure you’ll be okay? I really wish I could be there with you, but I think I’ll have better luck out here searching, instead of sitting around the house waiting." He paused. "Besides, I know Lex is more than able to handle whatever comes her way."

  Martha took a moment to think about what Charlie had just said, hoping that it was true, given Lex’s condition. "We’ll be just fine. The boys should be back by late this evening, hopefully."

  "Okay, then. You take care, and call me if you need anything. I’ll still have the radio on the same channel."

  Martha looked down at Lex’s face, still sleeping peacefully in Amanda’s lap. "Yes, we will, Charlie. Thank you." Her hand shook as she hung up the phone.

  "What was that all about, Martha?" Amanda noticed the slight tremble to the older woman’s actions. "Was that the sheriff?"

  "Yes, that was Charlie. He wanted us to know they haven’t been able to find those thieves yet. They lost their trail earlier this morning."

  Amanda’s brows knit in confusion. She couldn’t understand why Martha was so shook up, just because the men hadn’t been apprehended. "Well, that’s rotten luck and all, but why do you look so upset? I mean, he’s going to keep looking, isn’t he? And they weren’t able to get away with anything, right?"

  "Before they lost the trail, the thieves were headed this way." Martha’s normally calm voice shook slightly. "And, unfortunately, something’s going on in town, so Charlie had to send some of his men back. Now, he and one deputy are the only ones still searching."

  "But, these men have guns. Why doesn’t the sheriff just come to the house?"

  "He can’t be sure they’re still headed this way. Charlie won’t give up until he finds them, I promise you that."

  Amanda felt a little better at Martha’s confidence in the local law enforcement. She was quiet for a moment, and then a thought suddenly occurred to her. "What if they found out that Lex was the one who sabotaged their truck? Do you think they would be stupid enough to come up here looking for her?"

  "I don’t know. That’s why Charlie wanted me to tell Lexie. He said she’s more capable of defending this house
than most of his deputies are. He tried for several years to get Lexie to join his department, said she was stronger, smarter, and a heck of a lot better shot than those college boys who work for him." She reached down and brushed the tangled bangs from the sleeping woman’s face. "Let’s give her some time to rest, and I’ll tell her about Charlie’s phone call when she wakes up." She was about to stand when the sound of thunder caught her attention. "That’s just dandy. Just what we need, more rain." Martha stood up and spotted the untouched tray. "Next time you two get involved in something, eat your breakfast first."

  Amanda closed her eyes in embarrassment. "Oh, good Lord."

  When Martha reached the doorway, she turned back. "Might as well get started on it. Breakfast, I mean. You can feed Lexie when she wakes up." She sauntered out of the room and started down the stairs.

  Amanda scowled down at the sleeping face in her lap. "You are in so much trouble when you wake up." She kissed Lex on the lips, then eased out from under her, covering the still form with a blanket. "She’s not going to let us live this one down, and you made me face her alone. Not to mention I think we’re about to have more trouble around here."

  Another deep chord of thunder rattled the windows, punctuating her observation.

  Chapter Fourteen

  MARTHA SPENT THE remainder of the morning doing her housework and smiling from time to time over her parting shot when leaving the master bedroom. She was almost back to the kitchen when there was a knock on the back door. "Now who could that be?" She grabbed the nearest weapon, which happened to be a mop out of the utility room, and went to the back door. After a peek through the curtains covering the small glass windows in the door, she sighed in relief. "Charlie! Get yourself in here before you catch your death." Martha swung open the door and pulled the tall man inside.

  "Thanks, Martha. I just wanted to stop by and give you a report." He removed his drenched hat and shook it outside before closing the door. Happy to be in out of the rain, Charlie followed her into the kitchen.