Strength of the Heart

by Carrie Carr

  "WHAT'S TAKING SO damned long?" Lex paced back and forth in the den. "I'm here, Amanda's here. Why can'st we get this show on the road?"

  Travis watched his granddaughter in amusement. He had already chased everyone else out to the backyard until it was only the two of them. "Calm down. They have to make sure everyone is seated before the ceremony begins." A timid knock on the doorframe caused them both to turn around.

  "I'm sorry to disturb you," Ronnie stammered, "but the reverend says he needs the rings."

  Lex looked down at her hand, where her ring rested on her finger. "Oh, yeah. I forgot all about it." She took a deep breath and pulled the white gold adornment off. She vowed to herself that it would be the last time the ring left her finger. She handed it to her grandfather, who in turn gave it to the young man at the doorway. "Thanks, Ronnie."

  "Thanks for having me here, Lex. I understand how important today is to you." Ronnie turned to leave when his arm was grabbed from behind. "What?"

  "You're right. Today is probably the most important day of my life. That's why I wanted to be surrounded by my family." Lex put one arm around his shoulders. "You're a part of this family. I'm proud to have you here."

  "Thanks, Lex." He wrapped Lex in a bone-jarring hug. "Being a part of this family is the best thing that has ever happened to me." Pulling back, he held his fisted hand up near his face. "I'll get these out to the reverend." Ronnie quickly scurried from the room, leaving behind a much calmer Lex.

  Travis put his hand on his granddaughter's shoulder. "That was a nice thing you said to him."

  "I meant every word. He's a good kid."

  Another knock and Morris stood at the doorway. "They're ready for you." He headed back outside.

  Lex hugged her grandfather and took a deep breath. "Thanks for not giving up on me. I wish Grandma Lanie were here, too."

  "She is." He tapped her gently over her heart. "Right here. Let's go get you married."

  RONNIE STOOD AT the back door. He silently acknowledged Lex and Travis, and stuck his head outside and waved one hand. The signal given, the small quartet the Caubles had retained began to play a soft medley of classical music. Lex and Amanda had both decided they didn'st want the traditional wedding march played but instead agreed to a subtle string melody. Since neither wanted to play the male role, it had been decided each would be escorted separately to the minister by a member of her family.

  Lex held on to her grandfather's arm tightly, understanding what Martha had meant about nearly passing out. She couldn'st believe she was so nervous. She tipped her head at Martha as she made her way up to the front of the aisle. Travis kissed Lex on the cheek. "Be happy." He turned and sat next to Martha, while Charlie stood beside Lex as her best man.

  All eyes turned back to the door, as Michael began to escort Amanda down the steps. Lex felt her breath catch in her throat as she caught sight of her lover for the first time. She realized they had each picked out similar outfits, the only difference being hers were slacks while Amanda's was a knee-length dress.

  Michael stopped in front of Lex. "Take care of her." He gave Amanda's hand to Lex, kissed his daughter on her cheek and went to his seat.

  Amanda handed her bouquet of flowers to her sister, who stood off to her left as her matron of honor. She turned and smiled at Lex as they both turned to face the minister.

  "Friends and family, we are all gathered here today, in the sight of God, to celebrate the union of these two people." Reverend Hampton looked down on the couple. They had requested an abbreviated ceremony, and he was more than happy to oblige. "To make my job easier, they'sve decided to recite their own vows. Lexington Marie." He handed Lex her grandmother's ring.

  Lex cleared her throat nervously. Her mind went blank, and then she looked into Amanda's eyes. "Amanda. You're my best friend, and I love you with all that I am. I promise to cherish every moment we have together, to listen to and encourage you, to be there beside you in good times and in bad times. I promise to take care of you if you're sick, and laugh with you when you're happy. I promise to always put you before anyone else, and never take you for granted. These promises and more I give to you always, now and forever." With a shaky hand, Lex placed the ring on Amanda's finger, looking back up into her love's watery eyes. "I love you."

  Amanda could barely contain the tears of happiness which threatening to cascade down her cheeks. As Lex withdrew her fingertips after the wedding ring was in place, Amanda began to speak. "If someone had told me a year ago I'd be standing here, feeling what I do, I'd never have believed it. But here I am, and I feel wonderful. When I look at you, I see every dream I've ever had come true. You are the love of my life, Lex." Amanda lifted Lex's hand to her mouth and kissed her ring finger, then slowly began to place the wedding ring there. "I promise you," Amanda began, nearly too choked up to continue, "I promise you my heart, my love, and my life--because you are all those things to me." The tears she'd been holding back ran freely down her face. Lex was overcome as well, and Amanda concluded her vows in the comfort of her partner's arms. "Forever, Lex. I will love you forever."

  "Forever." Lex's whispered promise caused Amanda to cling to her even more tightly. After a moment, Amanda allowed Lex to wipe at the tears on her face. Lex took Amanda's hand again, and they both turned to face the minister.

  Reverend Hampton smiled broadly at the couple. "That was beautiful, ladies. Here's the fun part," he whispered. "Go on, seal it with a kiss."

  Lex cradled Amanda's face in her hands. "I love you," she whispered, leaning forward and gently touching their lips together. She pulled back after a moment, and laughed when Amanda captured her face and pulled her back for another kiss.

  "I love you, too, Lex," Amanda murmured after they broke apart. Both cut their eyes to the minister.

  He glanced at the small gathering and held his arms open wide. "You have all witnessed the beginning of their lives together. May I present the happy couple, Lexington and Amanda."

  The string quartet broke into song, playing their version of the Corrs's Runaway. Their families immediately surrounded both women, as everyone began to talk at once. Congratulations and celebratory hugs were shared amid laughter and happy tears.

  Morris tapped Amanda on the shoulder. When she turned around, her eyes grew big. "Aunt Christina?" She embraced the woman next to her uncle. "I can'st believe you're here."

  "You can thank Morris." Christina told her niece. Her once plump figure had been replaced by an almost athletic build, and her light brown hair had been colored and was short and neatly styled. She reached beside her and grasped another woman's hand. "I'd like for you to meet my partner, Samantha Moore."

  "Congratulations, Amanda. It's nice to meet you." Samantha held out her hand. She was a few inches taller than Christina, and her shoulder-length blonde hair was streaked with gray. "I've heard a lot about you from your uncle."

  Amanda focused in on the implication. She accepted Sam's hand, then pulled her into a hug. "Welcome to our family, Samantha. I hope we'll get to know you a lot better."

  A few feet away, Janna shook Lex's hand. "Congratulations, my friend. I hope you both enjoy the best life has to offer, for many years to come."

  "Thanks, Janna." Lex smirked. "So, when are we going to be invited to your wedding?"

  "W...w...what?" Pale eyes widened in alarm. "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Uh-huh. Remember, I want an invite." Lex was about to torment her further, when Michael interrupted.

  "I'm sorry, Lex, but Mom wants to go ahead and get all the pictures out of the way before you two go and change."

  "Me? Change? Nah. You're stuck with me just the way I am, Dad." She wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Remember what I said, Janna," she said as Michael led her away.

  Barbara walked up beside Janna and grasped her hand. "What was that all about?"

  "Huh?" Janna turned her head. "Um, nothing. She's giddy with relief, I think. Want to go watch them cut the cake?"

 
; "Sure."

  After all of the pictures had been taken, Jacob stood next to a large table and waved his hands over his head. "Excuse me, everyone! If I can have your attention, please." Once the guests had gathered around, he brought Lex and Amanda forward. "We thought you could cut the cake here at the house, so it would leave you free to socialize more at the reception." He handed them a large knife, and placed both women behind a large, three-tiered white cake.

  "It looks almost too pretty to cut." Lex looked at her partner. "You ready?"

  "I'm always ready." Amanda's hands were entangled with Lex's on the handle of the knife, and together they brought the blade down in slow motion.

  Cheers and catcalls were heard from the people watching, as the couple was encouraged to feed each other a piece of cake. Amanda took a slice first, raising it slowly to Lex's mouth. With an evil grin, as she was about to place the cake on Lex's lips, she smeared it all over the bottom portion of her face, instead.

  Lex licked her lips. "Not bad," she smacked, reaching down for her own piece. With cake falling from her face, she raised a portion up to Amanda's face and gently fed her. When the crowd booed, Lex smirked and leaned down to kiss her wife, making certain her face rubbed Amanda's thoroughly.

  "Cheater." Chunks of frosting and cake fell from Amanda's chin. She swiped at Lex's face. Then, using her most sultry voice, she teased, "We'll finish this later," and gave Lex a lascivious grin and a wink, much to the crowd's delight and Lex's embarrassment.

  WHEN STRONG HANDS grabbed her from behind, Amanda almost screamed as she was pulled into the darkened kitchen at the Ladies Auxiliary Hall and pinned against the wall. Warm lips covered hers, and she raised her hands to run them through her captor's hair.

  "I've wanted to do this for hours." Lex nipped at her lips once more. "If one more guy tries to dance with you, I'm going to start breaking legs!"

  Amanda dropped her head to rest on her lover's chest. "I understand. Nobody said half the town would show up." Her eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness, and she caressed Lex's cheek. "What do you say we tell our family goodbye and go home? I want to get our honeymoon started."

  "That's the best idea I've heard all day. But first--" She leaned down and once again covered Amanda's mouth with her own.

  Ten minutes later, both women stepped out of the kitchen, their faces flushed and their clothes in partial disarray. Lex tucked her blue cotton shirt back into her jeans, while Amanda ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it. They spied the majority of their family at a nearby table and headed toward them.

  "I bet I can guess what you two have been up to," Jeannie teased.

  Amanda glared at her sister. "Grow up, Jean Louise. You're jealous." She looked at Frank. "No offense."

  "None taken."

  His wife tossed her hair over one shoulder in disgust. "Why would I be jealous?" Lex leaned down and whispered something in her ear, causing Jeannie to blush furiously. After Lex pulled away, the auburn-haired woman fanned her face with one hand. "Never mind."

  "What did you tell her?"

  Lex winked. "I'll tell you later." She stood behind Travis and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Folks, as much fun as we'sve had today and this evening, I think Amanda and I are about to leave."

  Jacob exchanged a sneaky smile with Travis and looked up at the happy couple. "So soon? But it's only six o'clock. The party has just begun."

  Amanda stood next to Lex with her arm around her waist. "Maybe for you, but we want to be alone for a while."

  Anna Leigh stood, as did the rest of the table. "We can certainly understand, can'st we?" She waved to get Martha and Charlie's attention from across the room. The other couple made their excuses and headed to the table.

  "Don't tell me." Martha stood next to Lex. "You two newlyweds are ready for the honeymoon."

  Lex blushed. "Martha, please."

  Travis decided to save Lex from any further embarrassment. "Well, if you girls are set on leaving, at least let us walk you out."

  Amanda was almost as antsy as her partner. "Sure."

  As the group stepped outside, the long white limousine stood by. The driver held the rear door open. Lex turned to her grandfather. "Thanks. I kind of forgot how we got here. It's a long walk back to the ranch."

  "About that." Travis had been elected earlier to being the group's spokesman. "We all got together and decided you girls needed a proper honeymoon."

  "Grandpa--"

  "It's not completely his fault. After such a beautiful wedding, don't you think the two of you deserve a week to yourselves?" Anna Leigh prodded her husband, who pulled something out of his jacket pocket.

  Amanda accepted the envelope tentatively. "What's this?"

  "It's your confirmation page I printed off the computer," Martha added proudly. "You shouldn'st need it, but we wanted you to have it just in case."

  "Confirmation?" Lex looked at her grandfather. "We're not flying, are we?"

  "No. We wouldn'st do that to you. Or Amanda."

  Jacob stepped in. "You're staying a week in the honeymoon suite at The Columns on Alamo, in San Antonio. It's a bed and breakfast inn, within walking distance to the River Walk. It's all taken care of."

  The newlyweds looked at each other in shock. Lex was the first to find her voice. "San Antonio?"

  "That's right. You'll have the limo for the week, and the driver's cellular number has already been programmed into your phone." Travis handed the phone to Amanda. "You'd better keep up with this. We all know how Lexie is."

  "But," Lex stammered, "what about our clothes?"

  Charlie put his arm around his wife. "All packed, in the trunk."

  Amanda began hugging everyone individually. "Thank you so much! I don't know what to say," she sniffled, while Lex followed behind her and also gave everyone a goodbye hug.

  "Say goodbye." Jeannie pushed her sister toward the car. "I want to go back inside and dance."

  "Goodbye, brat," Amanda yelled good-naturedly from the doorway of the car, dragging Lex behind her.

  The driver closed the door and saluted the family, hurrying around and climbing in behind the wheel.

  Once they were on the road, Amanda leaned back in Lex's arms as they snuggled together on the back seat. She had her eyes closed, but wasn'st sleeping. "Whatcha doing?" she asked, since her lover had been quiet for several miles.

  "Just thinking." Lex watched the passing scenery through the window. The sun was beginning to set, and the red and orange sky was soothing.

  "About what?"

  Lex tightened her hold on Amanda, rubbing her cheek against her hair. "I was thinking how much I wish Dad could have lived to see today."

  Amanda shifted slightly, so she could look up into Lex's troubled eyes. "I'd like to think he did."

  "What do you mean?"

  "These past few months, you two had gotten closer. He knew how important this day was to you. I'll bet you anything he was looking down on us today, probably with your mom and grandmother."

  Wanting to believe, Lex swallowed the lump in her throat. "Do you think so?"

  "I certainly do." Amanda brushed the dark hair off Lex's face. "Why don't you close your eyes and think about your dad? It'll make you feel closer to him."

  Lex placed a light kiss on her wife's lips. "I will. Thank you." She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, picturing her father as he was when she was younger. Tan, fit, and riding the old dun gelding he was so fond of.

  They had ridden for a while in silence, Amanda dozing lightly on Lex's chest. Lex opened her eyes and gazed out at the sunset, blinking when she saw a rider in the distance. The man was riding a dun-colored horse, the way he sat achingly familiar to her eyes. As she watched, he raised one hand to her and spurred the horse on over the horizon. "Thanks, Dad," Lex whispered, feeling herself at peace at last. She buried her face in Amanda's hair and fell asleep, as the limousine drove them to their future.

  About the Author

  Carrie Carr is a true Texan,
having lived in the state her entire life. She makes her home in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex with her wife, Jan. She'ss done just about everything, including a summer of wrangling longhorn cattle and buffalo and building her share of fences. Her time is spent writing, traveling, and trying to corral their two dogs - a Chihuahua-mix named Nugget, and a Rat Terrier named Cher. Carrie'ss website is www.carrielcarr.com. She can be reached at cbzeer@yahoo.com.

  Other Carrie Carr titles published by Yellow Rose Press

  LEX AND AMANDA SERIES

  Destiny's Bridge -Rancher Lexington (Lex) Walters pulls young Amanda Cauble from a raging creek and the two women quickly develop a strong bond of friendship. Overcoming severe weather, cattle thieves, and their own fears, their friendship deepens into a strong and lasting love.

  Faith's Crossing -Lexington Walters and Amanda Cauble withstood raging floods, cattle rustlers and other obstacles to be together...but can they handle Amanda's parents? When Amanda decides to move to Texas for good, she goes back to her parents's home in California to get the rest of her things, taking the rancher with her.

  Hope's Path -Someone is determined to ruin Lex. Efforts to destroy her ranch lead to attempts on her life. Lex and Amanda desperately try to find out who hates Lex so much that they are willing to ruin the lives of everyone in their path. Can they survive long enough to find out who'ss responsible? And will their love survive when they find out who it is?

  Love's Journey -Lex and Amanda embark on a new journey as Lexington rediscovers the love her mother'ss family has for her, and Amanda begins to build her relationship with her father. Meanwhile, attacks on the two young women grow more violent and deadly as someone tries to tear apart the love they share.

  The Way Things Should Be - In this, the sixth novel, Amanda begins to feel her own biological clock ticking while her sister prepares for the birth of her first child. Lex is busy with trying to keep her hands on some newly acquired land, as well trying to get along with a new member of her family. Everything comes to a head, and a tragedy brings pain - and hope - to them all.