by Carrie Carr
"Well, I can guarantee if I find one of those assholes, he's going to wish he'd never heard of me." It took everything that Lex had to control her anger at the loss of such a promising young animal. "Why did they single her out? She was in one of the middle stalls." The rancher was just very thankful that her favorite horse, Thunder, had been at the vet's. An examination during the intended replacement of the thrown shoe had indicated a more serious problem with the hoof, and so she'd had one of her men load the horse in a trailer and take him in to be checked out.
Charlie slid his hat back on his head. "Why do these crazy fools do anything? Maybe they saw you riding her and thought she was yours."
"Maybe. But I haven't ridden her but the one time, when I went over to check--" The new property. Those bastards must have seen me! "Damn."
"What?"
Lex turned to face Charlie. "She's the one I was riding when I heard those explosions. Someone must have seen me riding her." Now she was really mad. "The sons of bitches knew I was hurt and just left me there."
The death of the horse took on an entirely different meaning for Charlie. It was more of a personal threat to Lex than a general warning. "Are you sure? You haven't had her out around the house at all?"
"No. Just the once." Lex came to the same conclusion the sheriff had reached and was immediately concerned for Amanda, Martha, Jeannie and the others. "Do you think we're in danger out here?"
As much as he hated to admit it, the sheriff thought they should prepare for the worst. "I think you ought to install a security system for the house, especially with Jeannie and the baby here." What Charlie really wanted to do was have several deputies stay around the clock, but he knew he couldn't justify the cost of that kind of manpower.
The thought of having someone intentionally inflicting harm that close to the house made Lex feel physically ill. "Hell, Charlie, we don't even lock our doors out here." She flinched as she considered what might have happened to Ronnie if he had walked in on the actual killing. "It's for a lousy piece of land, for God's sake. Do you think they'd actually hurt any of us?"
"I don't know. But I do know that I'm going about to go home and get into an argument with my wife."
"An argument?"
"Oh, yeah. Can you imagine what Martha's going to say when I tell her I don't want her walking back and forth alone until this is resolved? She's going to bend my ear, but good." Charlie patted Lex on the shoulder. "We'll get to the bottom of this. I'm not going to let these people get away with what they've done."
Lex pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingertips in an attempt to ward off an impending headache. "Thanks, Charlie. Now I get to do the same thing, but with Amanda." She tried to give him a smile. "I think you have the easier task."
IN JEANNIE'S ROOM, the baby was snuggled up against her mother while Amanda talked of inconsequential things. They both had heard the commotion down at the barn, but all that they'd been told was that the newest horse was dead. For the moment, Amanda could only imagine the anguish her partner was going through, and she wanted to be with her to lend support.
"Mandy?"
"Hmm?"
Jeannie took a deep breath, and pictured what she wanted to say, since it was a lot harder for her to be understood. "Go cho Wex. W'ill be ochay."
"That's not necessary," a tired voice responded from the doorway. "I'm right here." Lex entered and was soothed when Amanda jumped into her arms. I needed this so badly.
Amanda stepped back and looked into her lover's eyes. She could see weariness, but something else was there, too. "Are you all right? We heard about the horse down at the barn."
"Yeah, I'm fine. There are just a few things I need to tell you." Sitting on the bed, Lex waited until Amanda was next to her. "The new filly was killed."
Even though Jeannie's eyes widened, Amanda was the one to speak. "Killed? How?"
Lex took hold of one of her lover's hands, gaining strength from her grip. "They tried to make it look like she was strangled, but the vet thinks she was injected with a drug."
"Wait a minute." Amanda released her hold and stood up, shaking her head. "Why on earth would someone kill one of your horses? What's going on here, Lex?"
Rising, Lex nodded to Jeannie, then escorted Amanda out of the room before she woke Lorrie. "It's kind of a long story."
"So? I don't see us in any hurry here." Amanda put her hands on her hips and glared at her lover. "This isn't more of the 'let's protect Amanda' bullshit, is it?"
"No." Lex looked down at the floor. The conversation wasn't going as she had planned, but the way things had gone lately, she shouldn't have expected anything less. Her partner had been so engrossed in taking care of Lorrie that she had neglected just about everything else, including their relationship. Lex took part of the blame for that, since she was also busy with the ranch. We've got to make more time for each other. I'm not letting this get away from us. She rubbed her face with her hands, unable to articulate what was necessary to make Amanda understand her.
Ashamed of her outburst, Amanda saw how her words had affected Lex. She doesn't deserve this. I'm beginning to sound like my mother.
"I'm sorry." Both spoke at once, and each smiled bashfully at the other.
"Let's get a bit more comfortable, and you can tell me what's going on," Amanda offered, leading Lex to the sofa.
Gladly accepting the extended olive branch, Lex followed. She was happily surprised when Amanda not only sat next to her, but also wrapped both arms around one of hers and snuggled close. Lex leaned over and kissed her lover's temple. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Amanda kissed the shoulder she was nestled against, feeling better already. "Now, you said that the filly was poisoned? Do you know who, or why?"
"I have a pretty good idea of both. I've been getting 'offers' from a couple of men to sell the property that I just bought, and they won't take no for an answer."
Amanda nodded. "Okay. So is Charlie going to arrest them?" She turned her head so that she could see Lex's face. She was confused by the expression she saw there. "What?"
"I'm sure he would, if I had any proof. But right now, it's just my word against theirs." The hard part came next. "While I was over at Charlie's, I called an alarm company. They're sending someone out in a little bit to see about installing a security system."
"Why?"
Lex glanced down into her wife's eyes, hoping that she'd never lose the trust she saw there. "Because if they were able to get into the stable that easily, I don't want to take a chance on them doing that in either of the houses."
"You're scared, aren't you?" Amanda had seen Lex worried, mad, upset, happy, and a lot of other things, but never like she was now. "This thing really has you rattled."
"Of course I'm scared!" Lex pulled away and stood, then whirled to face the sofa and her partner. "I may be the primary target, but anyone here could be injured. I have a house full of people to take care of, and if I thought it would do any good, I'd ask you to take Jeannie to town and stay with your grandparents until this thing is resolved." She held up her hand when Amanda opened her mouth to speak. "But since I know you won't do that, then I'd feel better about taking a few extra precautions to keep us safe. All of us."
Amanda bit her tongue to prevent herself from going off on Lex. She understood exactly what Lex meant and wanted to support her, not be sidetracked by her own concerns. Holding out her arms, she beckoned her lover to her. "Come back and sit down, honey. Let's work this out together."
WHEN THE LIMOUSINE approached the outskirts of Somerville, Ellie recognized some of the landmarks. "We're not too far from the ranch, are we?"
"No, I don't think so. Would you rather go there first?" Travis was pleased. He had hoped that his two grandchildren would be able to get along, if not be actual friends.
"I think so. I have a few things to clear up there, and I'd feel better getting it done as soon as possible."
Travis nodded. He picked up the phone and told Thomas abo
ut the detour, and then sat back to enjoy the ride. It wasn't long before the long white car pulled up in front of the ranch house, near two vans bearing the logo of a well-known alarm company. Travis accepted Thomas's help from the limousine. Puzzled, he looked around. "I wonder what's going on here?" He waited until Ellie was beside him before making his way up the steps to the front porch. Before he reached the door, it opened, and Martha greeted them both.
"Welcome back, Ellie," she said warmly, enveloping the surprised woman in a fierce hug. "It's good to have you home."
Home? I wonder where that came from? Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she returned the embrace. "Thank you."
Waiting until the two women broke apart, Travis gestured to the trucks. "What's with the security? Has something happened?"
The housekeeper led them inside and closed the door. "When does something not happen around here? Why don't you let me pour you both a cup of coffee, and I'll bring you up to speed."
After their "debriefing," Travis couldn't help but shake his head. "That nurse sounds like a complete nutcase."
"I feel responsible," Martha lamented. "After all, I was the one who did the initial interview. She never once let on she was a bigot."
Ellie spoke up. "Then you certainly can't take the blame, Martha. I'm sure neither Lex nor Amanda feels that way." Even though she and her cousin hadn't gotten along, Ellie knew deep down inside that Lex was a decent person. It was the only way she could reconcile the fact that Amanda had fallen in love with her.
"She's right. Don't beat yourself up over what's already past." For a moment Travis was quiet, then he chuckled. "Although I would have paid good money to see the woman on top of poor Lex, lying at the foot of the stairs."
Not speaking out loud, Ellie had thought the same thing.
Seeing anyone whacking Lex would be entertaining.
"It was pretty funny," a new voice piped in. Amanda stood in the doorway, holding Lorrie. "I think the best part was when the nurse realized where she was and couldn't get off Lex fast enough." She headed to the table and sat down between Travis and Martha.
Travis reached out and was rewarded by Amanda handing the infant to him. He said, "She's already grown so much." He took his eyes off Lorrie momentarily. "How's Jeannie?" Not wanting to be a bother, Travis had only been out once to visit, but resolved to rectify that.
"She seems to be doing better, although she's still having a rough time." Amanda was impressed with how her sister was coping. She didn't think she'd be able to go on at all if she lost Lex, no matter how much support her family was willing to give her.
Understanding completely, Travis handed the baby back to Amanda and stood up. "Do you think it would be all right if I went in to see her? I may have some insight." Since his wife had just recently passed away, Travis knew all too well the pain of losing someone so dear.
"I think she'd like that." Amanda watched as he and Martha left the room, then turned to smile at Ellie, who had been quiet since she came into the room. "Welcome back."
For her part, Ellie couldn't get over the vision Amanda was with the infant in her arms. Already a perfect woman in her eyes, seeing her as a maternal figure only enhanced her view of Amanda as ideal. "Thanks." She was even more surprised when Amanda leaned forward and pulled her into a one-armed hug. The sunshine fresh smell of woman and child caused Ellie to close her eyes and dream for a moment that they were a family, and her arms went around Amanda's neck to return the embrace
"I'd like a panic button in each bedroom and one in the kitchen," Lex said from the hall by the back door. She had given the four men with her a quick tour of the houses and barns and had been told that they'd have the installation done in record time. Just missing her grandfather's exit, she turned to walk into the kitchen--and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Amanda and Ellie in each other's arms. "Ahem."
Ellie pulled away and hurried to her feet. "Lex." She watched Amanda's face, but didn't see anything but a friendly smile. Her own guilty thoughts made her nervous, as did the unreadable expression on her cousin's face. "I was just, um, well--"
Lex turned to the men with her. "Do you need anything else to get started?" When she was assured they didn't, Lex brought her attention back to the women in the kitchen. She walked slowly past Amanda and the baby until she was within an arm's length of her cousin. "So, what was it that I was seeing here?"
"We, I mean, I--" Ellie continued to stammer as Lex towered over her. Oh, God, she's figured it all out and is going to kick my ass. I knew I should have stayed in California. She closed her eyes as Lex drew nearer. What happened next was something she never would have predicted.
"Welcome back, cousin." Lex put her arms around Ellie's trembling body and pulled her close. Frank's death had given her a certain sense of her own mortality, and she was determined to try to make a go of her family, no matter how hard it might be. "I hope you stay longer this time," she whispered.
Opening her eyes, Ellie saw something she had never seen before: Lex's face in a smile. The expression made the serious woman look younger and more beautiful, and suddenly Ellie saw what Amanda must have seen in her cousin to fall in love with her. "Thanks." She pulled away and took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you, when you have a chance."
"Sure."
Amanda stood up. "I need to take Lorrie upstairs and change her anyway." She kissed Lex on the cheek before leaving the kitchen.
Lex stared after her lover. When Ellie cleared her throat, she tried to keep a blush from her face. "Sorry about that. You said that you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yeah. Is there someplace that we can go where we won't be interrupted?" As much as Ellie enjoyed the rest of the family, she wanted to get some things out in the open between them, without any interference. "If you've got the time, that is."
"How about we take a walk? There's less chance of anyone interrupting us that way." Lex smiled at Ellie. "If you're not afraid to be alone with me."
Ellie shook her head. "I think we're past that."
"I think so, too." Lex led the way out of the kitchen and through the back door, wondering what revelations the rest of the day might bring.
THE QUIET TAPPING of the keyboard was the only sound that could be heard in the room, and the noise Terence was making was beginning to get on Elizabeth's nerves. "Do you have to make that infernal racket?" Citing a headache, she had lain down on the bed earlier with a damp cloth covering her eyes and the lights dimmed.
"I'm sorry, but you wanted me to finish this research for you, and I can't do that without typing." Sitting at a desk on the other side of the room, Terence wasn't really sorry. But the last thing he wanted to do was antagonize Liz, who had become increasingly unstable since they'd returned to Austin.
"Very well. But at least try to make less noise. My head is splitting."
Mine would be too if I'd drunk as much Scotch as she did on the
plane. She's probably got a hangover that would fell a moose. With an evil glint in his eye, Terence purposely thumped harder on the keys on his laptop. Take that, you hateful bitch. He was still upset over their earlier conversation, where Liz demanded that he find a way to get her youngest daughter and grandchild away from "that woman." When he'd asked about her oldest, she'd sneered and told him in no uncertain terms that Jeannie was worthless to her, and that he was to forget about her.
Liz moaned and waved one hand in the air. "Terence, be a dear and order some room service. I'm not going to feel like going out for dinner tonight."
"All right. What would you like? Some soup, maybe?"
She sat up and removed the washcloth from her face. "Are you out of your mind? I can't eat that paltry fare. Have them bring up something decent--perhaps a filet mignon. I'm not well." She was about to lie back again when a thought struck her. "Oh, and don't forget the champagne. That should help with the headache." Her order given, Liz reclined and covered her eyes again.
No shit. If I'd had any idea just how "not well" she w
as, I'd have never helped the crazy bitch get out of the hospital. Terence reached for the phone and placed the order, adding a sandwich and coffee for himself. His stomach had been upset for several days as well, but for entirely different reasons. Meeting Jeannie had given him insight into what was really happening and had put a face on the innocent people Liz was trying to hurt. On the plane ride back, he decided that he'd do what he could to change things and try to make amends. He just hoped that he could finish what he wanted to do and get away before Liz found out.
Elizabeth peeked from underneath the cloth on her eyes. She wasn't stupid. Terence's attitude had undergone a complete turnaround right before they left California, and she was almost certain she knew what had caused it. Even though he wasn't aware, she'd noticed the look of distaste he gave her whenever they spoke about Jeannie. I don't know what his problem is. That girl is completely worthless to me now. She also knew that "research" alone couldn't explain the amount of typing he was doing.
Feeling as if he were being watched, Terence paused and looked over his shoulder. Liz hadn't moved, and the cloth was still covering her eyes. He remonstrated himself over his paranoia and went back to his work.
That's right, little man. Keep your eyes on your back. There's no telling when you might find a knife there. Elizabeth closed her eyes once again, making a mental note to call her local "friend" as
soon as she was alone.
THE AUTUMN AFTERNOON sun beat down on them both, and Ellie wished she'd left her denim jacket inside. Part of her realized that her discomfort stemmed not only from the weather, but from the amount of alcohol she had consumed the evening before. Ellie had never been much of a drinker, although the thought of something cold to drink before she faced her cousin sounded pretty good to her at the moment. Looking around, she couldn't help but notice the new concrete walkways that linked the main house with Martha's, as well as with the stables. "What's up with all this?"