Destiny's Bridge

by Carrie Carr

  The housekeeper glanced at her companion. Amanda’s face mirrored her relief. "You need to get to the house, pronto. We’ve got some unexpected visitors."

  "Roger that." After a short pause, the sheriff continued, "Where are you? Are you okay?"

  Martha thought a moment before replying. She didn’t want to give away too much, just in case the thieves were monitoring the radio. "Amanda and I are weathering it out just fine. Lexie said for you to come in the back way. The electricity is off, so be careful."

  There was a short pause, then Charlie spoke. "Roger that. I’m on my way now." He understood the need for caution. "Sit tight, sweetheart."

  Light thumping from above caught both women’s attention. Martha bit her lip as she looked up at the ceiling. "Sounds like they’re in the hallway now." She glanced over at Amanda, whose shadowed face held a look of alarm.

  "I hate just sitting here," the young woman exclaimed, standing and pacing the length of the small room. "There’s got to be something we can do."

  Martha stood and took a firm grasp on Amanda’s shoulders. "I don’t like it much either, but we are helping in a way." Seeing Amanda take a breath to argue, she continued, "With us down here safe, Lexie can concentrate on those men and not have to worry about us." She pulled the young woman back over to the bench to sit down. "The best thing we can do is stay calm, in case she needs our help."

  Amanda took a deep breath and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know that what you’re saying makes sense, but I can’t help but feel that I should be doing more." Another loud thump from above made her look up at the ceiling. She was about to say more when a sharp bang was heard. "Oh, God, no. Lex!"

  WHILE SHE WAITED next to the doorway, Lex listened as the three men continued to argue.

  "Okay, listen. If we split up, it won’t take as long to search."

  "Matt," a younger voice interrupted, "I don’t want do this. It ain’t right."

  "Shut up, Ronnie." Matt sounded as if he was walking a fine line, and the smallest thing would set him off. "Fine. You stick with me, and we’ll check upstairs. Darrell, you look around down here. Shoot anything that moves, got it?"

  A resigned sigh was his answer. "Yeah, yeah. I got it." He watched as the other two headed up the stairs. Flashes of lightning through the windows and the broken back door were the only illumination in the silent house.

  Lex hugged the wall tighter. She heard two of the men move past the door and down to the darkened stairway, as the third stood in the hallway, grumbling to himself.

  "Check the downstairs," he mumbled, "shoot anything." He peered into the kitchen.

  The rancher raised the frying pan over her head, preparing to swing downwards as soon as the thief stepped into the room.

  Darrell stood in the doorway, holding his breath and listening carefully. A close lightning strike lit up the entire room, and he could see that it was empty. Shaking his head, the thief continued down the hallway to the front of the house.

  Lex exhaled, a little angry that the man didn’t walk into the kitchen. Guess I’ll just have to follow him. She spun into the doorway, slowly looking around the doorframe with one eye. She could barely make out the dark form, which was going into the den. Time to play hide-and-seek, she said to herself as she sneaked down the long hallway.

  Darrell stepped into the den, waving the rifle back and forth, peeking around the heavy furniture. As he approached the office, Lex slowly crept up behind him, and raised the frying pan over her head. Sensing another presence in the room, the nervous man started to turn around when another flash of lightning lit up the room, highlighting a tall form barely two feet away from him. He raised his rifle to fire at the apparition, which suddenly appeared to be swinging something at his head.

  Crack!

  The gunshot echoed throughout the silent house, leaving a deathly still quiet behind it.

  AMANDA JUMPED TO her feet, prepared to race up the stairs when a strong hand on her arm stopped her. "Let go of me," she cried, struggling to break free.

  Martha held the squirming young woman. "No, honey. We’ve got to stay here." She wrapped Amanda in a tight hug. "We don’t know what’s going on up there."

  Realizing she wouldn’t be able to break out of the strong grasp, Amanda finally relented. "But she may need me. She could be hurt." A shudder ran through her body. "Or—" She couldn’t even finish the horrible thought.

  "Honey, you can’t think like that." Martha continued her strong hold. "Our Lexie is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. Now come over here with me and sit." She pulled Amanda back over to the bench and pulled her down beside her.

  Amanda calmed, thinking about what the woman who had raised Lex had said. She is very capable – I’m not giving Lex enough credit. Looking at Martha, Amanda could read the fear in her eyes as well. I never thought about what this is doing to her. Lex is practically her daughter. I’ve been pretty selfish here. She linked their hands and squeezed. "You’re right, as usual. I can’t help but be on edge. It’s been a pretty wild week."

  Martha was about to reply when the radio crackled.

  "Martha? You there?"

  She hurriedly pulled the device once again from her apron. "We’re here, Charlie."

  "I’m right outside. Did I hear a gunshot just now?" Nervousness was quite evident in the sheriff’s tone. "Are y’all okay?"

  Martha took a trembling breath then looked over at Amanda, who was chewing on her lower lip. "Amanda and I are fine. We’re still hidden. I’m not sure about Lexie, though." She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder in support.

  "She’s fine, I’m sure of it," Charlie assured her. "I’ve got reinforcements on the way. We caught one group of those damn thieves hiding near the stolen vehicles. Damn fools."

  Relieved at the news, Amanda pulled Martha close. "That means there’s only three left." She gave a forced little laugh. "No contest."

  THE SILENCE HUNG heavily in the air over the crumpled body sprawled in the center of the office floor. The tall figure stood over the still form for a moment, then squatted down beside him to check for a pulse. Still breathing. Guess that’s a good sign. Lex tossed the frying pan off to one side, then removed the laces from the unconscious man’s workboots. She made quick work,using the laces to tie his hands and feet, in case he came to. She picked up the rifle and was about to leave the room when she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. Goody. One down, and two to go. Lex crossed stealthily across the den, until she was just inside the doorway. A quick peek around the corner showed two forms: one at the foot of the stairs, and the other standing in the kitchen door.

  "Matt, I’m scared," the younger man whined as Matt stepped into the kitchen. A moment later he returned, then walked over to the back door, which was still partially open, and stepped through it.

  "Shut up! I swear to God, if you don’t quit whining, I’ll shoot you myself." Matt opened the door to the utility room and quickly checked inside.

  The smaller man sat down on the bottom step, with his arms around his knees, rocking back and forth. A large clap of thunder startled him, and he began to cry. "Matt, I want to go home."

  Lex watched as Matt walked back over to the stairs.

  Slap!

  "Ssh! Quit being such a damn baby. You’re fifteen years old, so grow up for Christ’s sake." Matt shook the younger man’s shoulder. "Now come on. Stay behind me and keep your mouth shut." He walked down the hallway, heading straight for the den where Lex stood waiting.

  Come on, you bastard. Just a little closer, Lex silently urged him on. Dragging a poor kid into this mess. I’m gonna enjoy this. She turned the rifle around in her hands, so that she held it like a club.

  Another rumble of thunder shook the house, then the back door swung open as lightning lit up the sky once again.

  "Hold it," a man’s voice yelled, as a beam of light flashed down the hallway. "Sheriff’s department!"

  Matt whirled, careful to keep the young man between him and the deputy, wh
o had raised his gun.

  "No!" Lex screamed, not wanting to see the boy shot. She jumped out of the den brandishing her rifle like a club. "Hold your fire," she yelled at the deputy, while she swung the gun downward.

  Crack!

  Crack!

  The lights came on just as the shots rang out.

  Chapter Sixteen

  "OKAY, I’VE GOT men at all of the doors, and I’ve found the outdoor breaker box where they threw the electrical switch. As soon as my men are in position, I’ll turn the lights back on, and we’ll go in."

  Amanda quickly took the radio from Martha’s shaking hands. "Do you really think that’s wise? We don’t know where Lex is, or what the situation is up there."

  "Normally I’d agree with you, but I don’t want my men to be shooting at shadows. Someone could get hurt." He paused, trying to get his point across without unduly upsetting either woman. "And, if Lex is hurt, it’ll be easier to find her if the lights are on."

  Before Amanda could reply to that dark thought, two more gunshots rang out upstairs just as the electricity came on, illuminating the cellar with the dull, weak light of a dusty old bulb.

  "Charlie? What’s going on?" She screamed into the radio. "Charlie?" Amanda handed the radio to Martha, and started up the stairs. "That’s it! I’m not spending a single second longer down here!"

  Before she could reach the top, the trapdoor opened. The bright light from the kitchen temporarily blinded the two women. Amanda had to shade her eyes from the glare, since the light in the storm cellar was so dim. "Lex?" she whispered, begging in her heart for it to be true. Not waiting for an answer, she charged up the stairway, Martha quickly at her heels.

  Lex was practically bowled over by the excited women, finding herself almost flat on the floor. "Hey, take it easy."

  Charlie stood in the doorway, beaming at the sight before him. "Damn, Lex. I’ve been meaning to ask you how you’re able to attract the most beautiful women."

  Martha got off her knees and took a near-leap at the lawman. "Oh, Charlie, you’ve always been such a sweet-talker." She forgot where they were and gave him a passionate kiss.

  Lex looked up at Amanda, who was leaning over her prone body. "I guess this means you missed me?"

  Amanda leaned down and gave her a long kiss. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." She sat up, looking Lex’s body over carefully. "Are you okay? We heard several gunshots." She ran her shaking hands across the beautiful body beneath her.

  Lex sat up and wrapped her arms around her lover. "Not a scratch. How are you holding up?"

  Amanda enjoyed the strong arms holding her close. "Just great, now." She placed a kiss on Lex’s neck. "But I guess I should let you get off the kitchen floor." She stood up, hauling the rancher with her. Amanda pulled Lex close, then wrapped her arms around her and squeezed. "I really don’t want to go through anything like that ever again."

  Lex kissed the top of Amanda’s head. "Come on. Let’s see if they need any help with the clean up." She walked them both out of the kitchen.

  Charlie and Martha were already in the hallway; the housekeeper maintained the grasp she had on the sheriff’s weathered hand as he watched his men finish up their business.

  Amanda’s eyes popped open wide. There were deputies everywhere. One was at the back door, another was speaking to a young teenager who was seated on the stairway, and several more were leading away two men in handcuffs. One of the men bled from a head injury, and he scowled at Lex as he was led out through the front door. The other man complained about a headache and gunshot wound to his leg. He glared at Lex and questioned her parentage under his breath as he was led outside.

  One deputy, with his hat in his hands, walked up to Lex. "Uh." He looked down at his feet, embarrassed. "Lex, I want to apologize again for shooting at you." The big man looked like he was about to cry.

  Amanda stiffened, and would have probably attacked the poor man had Lex not tightened her hold on her shoulders. "Jeremy, I don’t blame you. All you could see was a person with a gun." She winked at him. "I’m just glad you can’t shoot worth a damn."

  He shook his head and beamed. "Yeah. Me, too." They all looked to the front of the house as a loud rumble assaulted their ears. "That would probably be your men. It took two of our guys with riot gear to keep them away after they finished the bridge." He was about to say more when the six muddy men stomped into the house.

  The man in the lead was older, with a scraggly dark beard liberally sprinkled with gray. The evident leader of the group, he limped up to Lex with worry in his eyes. "Miz Lexington." He looked her over carefully, seeming not to even notice the beautiful woman tucked up against her side. "You look like you’re still in one piece. We’d heard on the radio there’d been some shooting." After he finished his careful perusal, his eyes lit on Amanda standing next to his boss, and he blushed slightly.

  Yanking his hat off his head, the older man mumbled, "’Scuse me. I, umm—"

  Lex took pity on the grizzled man. "Lester, I’d like you to meet Amanda Cauble. Amanda, this is Lester. He takes care of the boys down at the bunkhouse."

  Amanda held out a hand, giving him a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, Lester. Martha has spoken highly of you." She smiled brightly, ignoring the mud liberally covering his bent form.

  This caused his blush to darken. "Ah, now I know you’re pullin’ my leg." He gave the housekeeper a shy nod. "I’m just glad y’all are all right. Me and the boys are gonna go on up to the bunkhouse and get cleaned up." He nodded at Lex, put his hat on, and shuffled to the door. Turning, he tipped his hat at Amanda. "Real pleasure to meet you, miss. Hope we’ll be seeing more of you around." He started back to the door again, ushering the other men outside. "Come on, you damn fools, let’s get out of these folks’ way."

  Amanda waited until he closed the door, then burst out laughing. "He’s cute." She looked up at Lex, who looked exhausted. Hmm, how should I handle this? Subtle? Yeah. Why not? Amanda turned her attention to the sheriff. "Do you think anyone would mind if we went upstairs?" She gave the rancher a pleading look. "I really need to go sit down. My legs won’t stop shaking." Although the statement was true, she knew this was the only way to get Lexington to take a break. "Could you give me a hand up the stairs?"

  Lex worriedly scanned her lover’s face. "Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?" She felt a hand pat her stomach.

  "No. I’m just tired, and more than a little shook up, I guess. I’m not used to so much excitement." Amanda looked at Charlie and Martha, hoping that they wouldn’t ruin her attempt to get Lex to relax. "Well?"

  "Uh, yeah. You go ahead and get some rest, we’ll get this all straightened out down here." Charlie felt Martha’s hand tighten around his, and his heart swelled.

  Amanda pulled Lex up the stairs. "Thanks. We’ll see you both in the morning." She gave a little wave, then tightened her grip as she felt Lex lean against her slightly. "Come on, honey. Let’s get you into bed."

  Lex pulled her closer. "Now that’s the best offer I’ve had all day." She leaned down and gave Amanda’s ear a light nip. "Or at least all evening."

  Once into the master bedroom, Lex went directly to the bed and sat. "Damn. I feel like I could sleep for days." She ran a hand through her tangled dark hair.

  Amanda knelt at her feet and pulled off Lex’s boots. "Sounds like a great idea to me." She stood up, unbuttoned her lover’s shirt, then pulled it off and touched the bandage wrapped around her ribs. "Let me go get something to—" She didn’t finish, as she found herself sprawled across Lex’s body. She returned Lex’s attention kiss for kiss and caress for caress.

  "I thought you were tired," Lex whispered in her ear, then started to nibble across her throat.

  Amanda sat up, and moved back slightly. "Well, I, umm—" She lost her train of thought as Lex’s eyes captured hers.

  Lex ran a hand down her lover’s cheek. "Sorry. I really shouldn’t tease you like that, but you’re so cute when you get flustered."

  Ama
nda leaned into the touch, then turned and placed a kiss on the callused palm. "Yeah? Well, normally I don’t like it when people tease me, but with you it’s different, somehow." She reached down to unbutton Lex’s jeans. Seeing Lex raise an eyebrow, she blushed. "Now don’t be getting any ideas. I just want you to be comfortable before we go to sleep."

  Lex gave her another look, but didn’t argue as Amanda slid the jeans off and then raised the sheet and comforter over her prone form. She fought to keep her eyes open as she watched as Amanda removed her own clothes, then crawled into bed. "Damn, but you’re beautiful," she mumbled, eyes closing against her will.

  Amanda continued to blush, then rolled over on her side and propped her head up with one hand. The compliment embarassed her since she never really considered herself attractive before. "Obviously you are so tired that your eyesight has been affected." She brushed dark bangs off the resting woman’s forehead. "Lex?" When there was no answer. Amanda sighed. "Sleep well, my love." She edged over and snuggled up against the rancher, kissed the tan cheek, and joined her in sleep.

  LEX SLOWLY OPENED her eyes, unsure why she was awake. It was still dark outside, and a glance at the bedside alarm clock showed it was just a little after five o’clock in the morning. She started to get up, but she had been effectively pinned to the bed by Amanda’s body. Her left arm was numb, and she realized that the lack of feeling was what caused her to awaken. Using her free hand, Lex slowly pulled the covers back, exposing their upper bodies to the cool air in the room. Amanda moaned slightly, then snuggled even closer, allowing Lex to free her arm. She was quite proud of herself until the extremity began to tingle painfully.

  Amanda woke up, feeling a definite cool draft. Opening her eyes, she saw that somehow the comforter and sheet had been pushed down around her waist, leaving her upper body bare to the room. Glancing up at her companion, she saw that Lex was awake as well, biting her lower lip with a pained expression on her face. Shivering slightly, Amanda pulled the covers up over them both, and ran her hand along her lover’s clenched jaw. "Lex? What’s the matter? Is it your side?"