by Carrie Carr
"Thank you." Lex folded the envelope and slipped it into the pocket of her shirt. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath to get her emotions back under control. "Contact me if there are any fees my father might have forgotten about." She righted the chair Hubert knocked over in his tantrum. "Come on, Amanda, let's go. We can have lunch and then go to the ranch to wait for the delivery people."
AS HE FRANTICALLY searched the parking lot, Hubert almost cried in relief when he saw the vehicle he was so desperately seeking. He parked near the front entrance of the building and rushed inside, hoping to find Rick. On the third aisle he searched, he found his target stocking the shelves with feminine products. "Hey."
Rick turned around and saw Hubert walk quickly toward him. "What the hell happened to you, guy? Your little sister finally kick your ass?"
"Shud ub," The angry man growled, grabbing Rick by the front of his apron. "Sdubid sdock boy."
Rick shoved Hubert's hands away from his body. "Back off, asshole. You shouldn'st be calling anyone names, considering the way you sound." He looked around to make certain no one had seen them, then crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the shelf. "I'm sure you didn'st come in here to show off your makeover, Hubert. What do you want?"
"I need do see dat guy, duh one you send do me, member?" Hubert was perspiring heavily. "I godda dalk do him. Duh number I ad for imb is disconnecded."
"Shut up, you idiot." Rick surged forward and grasped the other man's arm. "Come on. Let's go out back where we can talk." He led Hubert through the store and out through the back dock doors, then glanced around to make certain they were alone. "Why do you need to contact Bobby? I told you to pay him off and leave him the hell alone. The guy's a psycho."
"I vigured he was juzdt a ired idiod--didn'st know he was such a duff guy." Hubert rubbed at his injured ribs. " E was going to dake care of a broblem vor me. Bud dere's been a change in blans."
"Jeez. You treated Bobby like hired help, and he beat the shit out of you, right?" Realizing why the thug would beat Hubert, Rick shook his head at the other man's stupidity. "You stiffed him, didn'st you?"
"Id's nod like dad," Hubert whined. "He didn'd vinish duh job."
"You stupid fucker. He'll probably come after me, next!" Rick began to pace. "I'm the one who sent you to him. He's going to blame me."
"I need do zee him," Hubert almost begged. "Before he duz zomeding, and wandz more money."
"What would he be trying to do?"
"Umm."
Rick grabbed Hubert's shirt and pulled him close. "What?"
Hubert pushed him away. "Idz nod my vauld. I wad zuppozd do ged duh wanch."
"Ah, shit. You sent him after your sister? You stupid asshole." Rick put his hands in his pockets and began to pace again. "Lemme think. Because if he does something, and you don't have the money to pay him, he's going to come after me."
AMANDA STUDIED THE silent profile beside her as Lex pulled the truck out of the attorney's parking lot. She tried to think of a gentle way to ease into the question she wanted to ask. "You didn'st seem too surprised by the reading."
"I wasn'st."
"Umm, can I ask you something?"
Lex looked at Amanda. "Anything." She turned back at the road, waiting to see what the question would be.
"When he said your father had signed the ranch over to you years ago, were you aware of that? I thought you had only signed an agreement to manage the ranch until he returned."
"I didn'st learn of the other papers until recently," Lex admitted. "Mr. Benton called me the other day and said he had found a safe deposit box in my father's name at the bank. There was a notarized document in there that deeded the entire ranch over to me on my twenty-fifth birthday, as long as the ranch was prosperous. I'm sorry I didn'st tell you about it, but it was the day of the funeral. I had forgotten all about it until he mentioned it this morning."
Amanda squeezed Lex's forearm. "There's nothing to apologize for. You don't have to tell me every little thing that goes on in your life. You're allowed to have privacy."
A slight chuckle from the woman driving. "That's not true."
"What? Of course it is. I don't--"
"Shhh." Lex put her finger to her lips, keeping her eyes on the road in front of her. She looked in her rear-view mirror and flipped on her right turn signal, pulling the truck into a nearby parking lot. Once the vehicle had stopped, she unbuckled her seat belt and turned to face Amanda. "You are the most important person in my life, Amanda. I have no secrets from you." Lex looked at their hands, which were clasped together. "Even with everything that's happened, this has been the best eight months of my life. I never thought--" Her voice broke. Tears tracked down Lex's cheeks and she bowed her head.
Amanda pulled on their hands to get Lex's attention. "Hey," She searched the troubled face. "I wouldn'st change a thing since I've met you. Well, maybe having my mother locked up sooner, so we'd have a house."
"The house isn'st important," Lex argued. "Everything in it can be replaced."
"But you grew up there. I feel so bad about that."
"Don't. There aren'st many special memories of the place. At least until you came along." Lex captured the hand, which stroked her cheek. "I would have never made it through all of this without you. Every time I felt like giving up, I could look into your eyes and find the strength to go on. Thank you, my love, for being my anchor." Lex covered Amanda's lips with her own for a long, sweet moment. Feeling Amanda's fingers tangle in her hair, Lex deepened the kiss.
They pulled apart a few moments later, both breathing heavily. Foreheads touching, both women were loath to break the contact. "Wow." Amanda could feel the tingles racing through her body. "If that's a thank you, remind me to keep doing things for you."
"Oh, yeah," Lex agreed. "Wait til later, then I'll show you my gratitude." She was surprised when Amanda quickly pulled away. "What?"
"What are we waiting for? Let's go," Amanda ordered, fastening her seat belt and fluffing her hair with her fingers.
"Your wish is my command, milady." Lex buckled up and started the truck.
After they had driven a few minutes, Amanda pointed to a parking lot. "Do you mind pulling in there? I almost forgot. We need a couple of things."
"Sure. Is it something we absolutely need? I thought you were in a hurry to get home." She remembered the envelope in her pocket, but decided it could wait until later. She didn'st want anything to ruin the rest of their day.
"I am. But I also remember how you get if you don't get your morning coffee, Slim. And I have this urge for whipped cream and strawberries. But, if you'd rather wait--"
"Uh, no. We're definitely stopping." Lex parked the truck and quickly jumped from the vehicle. She raced around and opened the passenger door, practically dragging Amanda out. "Well? Come on. We'sve got a hot date for lunch."
Amanda allowed her lover to lead her into the supermarket. "Slow down. Not all of us have long legs."
They walked through the store hand-in-hand, stopped periodically by people they knew. After fending off the well-intentioned condolences of yet another person, Lex shook her head. "Maybe I should have stayed in the truck." When Amanda stopped to stare down the aisle of feminine products, Lex frowned. "I thought your period wasn'st due for another week or so."
"Oh, my God. I can'st believe it."
Alarmed, Lex quickly put her hands on Amanda's shoulders. "What's the matter?"
Not hearing her lover's question, Amanda pointed down the aisle and began to giggle. "This is just too good."
At the end of the aisle, a large man dressed in faded jeans and the signature red apron of the supermarket was placing boxes of feminine hygiene products on the shelf. Only his profile was visible, but Lex would have recognized him anywhere. "Ooh." She brushed by Amanda and proceeded quietly down the aisle. "Looks like you'sve finally found your true calling," Lex directed to the man.
He didn'st think his day could get any worse. Rick just hoped they didn
'st see Hubert leave. "Piss off, Kentucky," Rick growled, not even bothering to turn around.
"Is that any way to talk to a customer?" she asked, reaching around him and grabbing a box. "You had this upside down," Lex commented, righting the box of douche. "The big print goes on the top."
Rick spun around and jabbed his finger in her chest. "Back off, bitch, or I won'st be held responsible for what happens."
"Rick, what a surprise." Amanda eased between the two of them. "I didn'st realize you were working here." She backed up a few steps, using her body to push Lex away from him.
"Uh, yeah. My nephew works here, and asked if I'd give them a hand until I decide which job offer to accept." He crossed his arms over his chest and glared over Amanda's shoulder. "You should keep your dog on a leash, sweet thing. No telling who she might bite."
Lex could feel her control slipping, and wanted nothing more than to pound the obnoxious man into the tile floor. Only Amanda's hand on her chest kept her from following through on her urge. Lex tried to reach him, but Amanda held her back. "Shut your damned mouth."
He smirked at Lex's temper, which only infuriated the woman more. "What's the matter, Kentucky? Killing your old man not enough for you? You got to go after innocent people?" Hoping to goad Lex into doing something stupid, he was surprised at the reaction he got...from Amanda.
Amanda turned around and poked him in the chest with one finger, her eyes blazing. "You listen to me, you pathetic excuse for a man. I kicked your ass once, and I'll gladly do it again, if you don't shut up." Amanda continued to poke him, forcing Rick against the shelves. "So," Poke. "back," Poke. "off," Poke. "or," Poke. "else!"
"Get out of here." He told himself he wasn'st afraid of her, even though he stepped away. "I don't have time to mess with the two of you." Rick turned his back and began to stock the shelves again, his hands shaking.
Amanda turned and grinned at her partner, who just shook her head. "What?" She linked her arm through Lex's and directed Lex to the coffee aisle.
CHARLIE OPENED THE door and ushered his guests into the house. "It's good to see all of you. Come on in." Once everyone was comfortably seated in the living room, he helped Martha bring in a tray with coffee and cookies. "Sorry about the short notice, folks."
Anna Leigh accepted a steaming mug of coffee. "It's quite all right, Charlie. We wanted to be out here when the furniture arrives, anyway. But you sounded so mysterious on the phone. What exactly is this all about?"
Martha helped pass out the coffee, and then placed the plates of cookies on several small tables within easy reach. "Charlie told me Travis was worried about the girls, especially Lexie. And to tell you the truth, I am, too. I agree the best thing for them would to get away from everything for a few days. But, it would have to be close by, because neither one of them would leave their commitments here for very long."
"You're right," Travis agreed. "I was hoping someone might have an idea, because frankly, I'm stumped."
"Does Amanda like to fish?" Martha asked Jacob and Anna Leigh.
Jacob turned a questioning glance at his wife, who shrugged. "I'm not sure. She's never mentioned it." He looked at Martha. "Why?"
"A friend of mine in town owns a little cabin on the lake. She had actually offered the use of it to Charlie and me after we were married, but we went on our cruise instead. It was a tough choice, cruise or drive out to the lake, but I think we made the right decision. Anyway, Betty said she never uses the place since her husband died a few years ago. It's rather secluded off one of the coves. I called her last night, and she said the girls were more than welcome to it."
Travis agreed it was a wonderful idea. "Do we need to get out there first and do some cleaning up? Is it stocked with provisions? Is there--" He stopped when Martha held up her hand.
"Hold on there, Travis. I've already got folks volunteering, if we decide to do this."
Travis felt sheepish. "But how on earth are we going to get Lexington to agree to it? It's not going to be easy."
"My girl's stubborn, that's for sure. But, there is one weakness she has, and I'm not above exploiting it to take care of her."
"Amanda!" Five voices called out at once. The room erupted into laughter.
"WHAT?" AMANDA TURNED away from the window, her eyes slightly unfocused.
"I've called your name a couple of times. Is anything wrong?" Lex touched her on the arm. "You seem preoccupied." They had finished a nice quiet lunch at the house and were driving out to the ranch.
"Not preoccupied, exactly. Just," She raised her other hand and then dropped it back onto her lap. "I don't know. Guess I'm trying to reconcile to the idea my parents are no longer married."
Lex didn'st release her hold on Amanda's arm as she turned the truck off the main pavement and onto their private road. "How's your dad taking the whole thing?"
"He's thrilled. I can'st blame him, but it's a weird feeling. I always thought they were meant to be together, like us. Well, nothing like us. But I never thought about one without the other."
"I understand." Lex was unsure of how to help Amanda express what she was feeling and was glad when she continued to talk.
"Once I thought about it, I don't think I ever saw them touch each other." Amanda looked down at her arm, where Lex's hand was gently stroking the skin. "How can a person survive without touching, without love? I don't know how my father did it for all those years."
"I'm not sure, but I think he may have just shut out his emotions. He sure seemed to be all business when we went out to get your stuff last year."
"It's not that I don't understand, it's just a little difficult to wrap my mind around. I'll be fine." She was amazed when they pulled up to the house. "Wow. It looks great."
"Yeah. I had them keep the design basically the same, just added brick to the bottom floor. We should be able to move back in this next week, if you want." Lex stopped the truck. "It has to have been easier for you, staying in town, and--" Her mouth was covered by a hand.
"Hush. This is our home, Lex. I'd move back in this instant if we could." She opened her door. "You ready to give me a quick tour before the furniture arrives? I'd like to see the inside while it's only the two of us."
Lex hurried out of the truck and helped her partner from the vehicle. "I was going to put all the furniture in first, but I wanted you to tell them where everything goes." Lex led Amanda up the steps to the front door. "Hold on."
"What?" Amanda almost squealed when she was picked up and cradled like a baby. "Lex, you nut. Put me down!" She struggled halfheartedly, then gave up and wrapped her arms around Lex's neck. "You are so sweet."
"Nah." Lex pushed the door open with her foot and carried Amanda across the threshold. "Just didn'st want you to trip and sue me." Once inside, Lex placed her back on her feet.
Amanda slapped Lex on the arm. "You are such a brat. Good thing I love you so much." She wrapped one arm around Lex's waist. "Well? You going to show off this place, or what? I'd like to see what all the paint samples and wallpaper swatches we picked out look like." She hadn'st been too surprised when Lex had left the decorating ideas to her and Martha. Lex hired Mrs. Compton to handle all the work and steadfastly refused to become involved in choosing any of the interior colors or patterns. She told the woman to speak to Amanda or Martha about it all, and to not bother asking her for any input.
"Sure. Want to start upstairs?" Lex took Amanda's hand and led her up the staircase. "It's going to be weird," she commented halfway up, tapping one step with her booted foot, "not having this board squeak." A sudden thought amused her. "I wonder what Grandpa's room looks like. Mrs. Compton had two different patterns picked out; I hope she didn'st go with the fru-fruey one."
"Think he'll mind daffodils?" Amanda asked as they walked to the end of the hall. "Maybe we can use it as an excuse to get him into the large guest room."
"Good luck. He says he's happier in the back of the house." Lex opened the door to the rear guestroom and peeked cautiously around it. "Oh
, good. We're safe." She stepped into the room and held out her arms. "Well, what do you think?"
The room was larger than before and had light ash paneling covering the lower half of the walls. The upper half was covered with cream-colored wallpaper, which held a very faint, geometrical design. There were two other doors, and Lex walked over and opened one. "Thought he should have a private bathroom," she mentioned nonchalantly. "Think we'll be able to get him out of your grandparents's house?" She closed the bathroom door and looked into the walk in closet.
"I'm not sure. They seem to have become best buddies. But maybe if we promise to bring him back to play, he'll go for it." Amanda was eyeing the room, already deciding where the furniture would go. "Shall we go check out the rest of the house?"
"Sure. But let me warn you, the mud room is no more." Lex started to leave the room, when she was stopped by a hand grabbing her belt. "Hey."
Amanda turned Lex around to look her in the eyes. "What do you mean, the mud room is no more? What happened to it?"
"It wasn'st necessary, since we have the wraparound porch, now. Why?" Lex could tell Amanda was upset at the revelation and couldn'st understand the reason behind it.
"I have fond memories of that room. It was the first place I got a good look at you," Amanda admitted sheepishly.
Lex took her hand and led her down the hallway. "Well, it makes a much better dining room. But, if you're real nice, we can make some memories in there, too."
Chapter Fifteen
AFTER A SHORT discussion with the driver of the delivery truck, Lex found herself on the front porch of the ranch house, waiting patiently while the men unloaded the van. The first piece of furniture was a long oak dresser, which was partially covered with a quilted blanket to protect it during the trip. Lex eyed the piece suspiciously and tapped one of the men on the shoulder. "Hold up there. We didn'st order anything shaped like that." Although she liked the size better. It was longer, and seemed to be sturdier.