To Hold Forever

by Carrie Carr

  "But her poor little arm." Elizabeth hid her face with her hand as if to disguise her tears.

  "Well, I happen to think it could have been so much worse. And Lex certainly didn't mean to dislocate her arm."

  The front door opened and they were interrupted by Michael's accusing voice. "Elizabeth? What the hell are you doing in our house?" He stormed over to where his ex-wife sat and reached for her arm.

  "Michael, wait." Lois stood and stopped him. "It's not what you think."

  "I seriously doubt that." He shook off Lois' touch and yanked Elizabeth to her feet. "I don't know what scheme you've cooked up this time, but you leave Lois out of it."

  Elizabeth struggled helplessly against his grip. "Please, Michael. I only--"

  "Shut up. I'm not going to fall for any of your games." He opened the door and shoved her out onto the steps. "Stay away from my family, Elizabeth. Your bullshit isn't going to work around here anymore." Not waiting for her to respond, Michael slammed the door closed.

  After one last look at the door, Elizabeth straightened her jacket and readjusted her gloves. "We'll see about that, Michael. I haven't even gotten started yet." She picked up her dignity and left as regally as she came.

  Once in her car, she made another decision. "Perhaps I've gone about this all wrong." She started the vehicle and drove across town, another idea blooming. It took her less than ten minutes to find her goal. Another house, even smaller than the previous one, appeared Spartan but neat. Had she not followed Jeannie earlier in the week Elizabeth would have thought she had the wrong address. The driveway was empty, but she could see lights on inside. With a satisfied smile, Elizabeth climbed out of her car and headed up the walk.

  JEANNIE LIGHTLY RUBBED her son's back. He had been fussing ever since her mother arrived and she couldn't help but wonder if he could sense something was wrong. "Mother, please. You don't know what you're talking about."

  "And you do? Jeanne Louise, you're the one who gave her baby away. I don't think you should have an opinion one way or another. Whatever made you do such a thing?"

  "I had no choice!" When her son began to cry, Jeannie lowered her voice. "I had lost my husband and I couldn't do anything for myself. Lex and Amanda were there for me when you weren't."

  Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I wasn't given a chance. That woman has poisoned my whole family against me. Because of her--"

  Jeannie quickly cut her off in mid-tirade. "Because of Lex, Amanda is happier than she's ever been. Lorrie is thriving and I couldn't ask for a better person to raise her." Another quick dig popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. "And, if anything happens to me and Rodney, we've made arrangements for them to take care of Teddy, too."

  "What?" Elizabeth jumped to her feet, her purse hitting the floor with a loud thump. "Have you lost your mind? That pervert has no right to be near my grandchildren!" She took several steps toward Jeannie, who stood and tucked her son even closer to her chest.

  "That's enough, Mother."

  "No, I don't think so. You have no right to make any kind of decisions where my grandchildren are concerned. I should take them both and raise them properly." Elizabeth held out her hands. "Give him to me. You obviously can't be trusted."

  Jeannie turned away slightly to keep Teddy away from her mother. "Get out of my house." When her mother came closer, Jeannie reached for the telephone. "Don't make me call the police."

  "You wouldn't dare."

  "Try me."

  It was obvious that Elizabeth wasn't going to get her way. She picked up her handbag and stiffened her spine proudly. "There's no need to be nasty, Jeanne Louise. I was only trying to help you. It's quite apparent you have no intention of listening to reason. Perhaps I've wasted my time."

  "That's the first thing you've gotten right today." Jeannie strode purposely toward the front door and opened it. "Please don't come back, Mother. I have nothing else to say to you."

  Elizabeth breezed by Jeannie, her head held high. "We'll see about that." She sniffed haughtily as she left the house.

  THE DISCUSSION HAD been going on for over an hour and yet nothing had been resolved. Lex and Amanda were alone in the kitchen, since Lorrie was spending the day with Martha at the cottage. Lex had been unsuccessful in getting Amanda to regain her composure. The phone call from Jeannie, telling them about Elizabeth's visit, had sent Amanda into a rage, which turned into tears soon after. She sat at the table with her head resting on her arms. Nothing Lex said could allay Amanda's fears.

  "Sweetheart, please. You need to calm down." Lex touched Amanda's back in an effort to comfort her.

  Amanda raised her head and glared at her. "Don't tell me what I need to do. You obviously aren't taking this very seriously." She stood as quickly as her bulky body would allow and left the room in a huff.

  "Damn." Lex followed her to the den, where she saw Amanda staring out the front window. "Hey."

  Not bothering to turn around, Amanda continued to look across the front lawn, not actually seeing anything. "How do we know she's not up to something?"

  Lex walked up behind her and put her hands on Amanda's shoulders. "I'm not going to let her near you, I promise."

  "You can't stop her." Amanda rested her cheek on one of Lex's hands. She felt defeated, as if nothing they did would matter. "No one can. She's always done whatever she wants to and we haven't been able to do a damned thing."

  There weren't any words Lex could find to refute that statement. Instead she stepped closer and put her arms around Amanda. They stood quietly for several minutes, until the phone rang. Lex kissed Amanda's cheek. "Guess I'd better get that."

  "Don't." Amanda nestled against her. It was the only place she felt safe. "Please hold me."

  "I'll never stop," Lex whispered in her ear. She rocked Amanda in her arms, determined to keep Elizabeth away from her family, no matter what it took.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  FOR OVER TWO weeks, everyone in the family had made a point of staying vigilant and keeping an eye on Elizabeth. Charlie had his deputies watch for her while they were out on their rounds, but she went about her business as if nothing was wrong.

  He sat in his office, reading over the latest reports from his men. The woman was maddening. She knew she was being watched but didn't seem to be bothered by it. In fact, Elizabeth waved or spoke to whichever officer came upon her. Charlie closed the folder and threw it across his desk. "Damn woman!"

  "Everything okay, boss?" Jeremy came in and sat in the chair across from Charlie. He knew from his own experience while watching her how aggravating Elizabeth could be.

  "No." Charlie scratched his head. "Are you absolutely positive she hasn't done anything wrong? Jaywalked, littered, picked her nose in public?" When he had first become sheriff, Charlie had been amazed at the inane laws that were still on the books. Picking your nose in public was one of his favorites, as was the law that forbade anyone to serve a drink to a horse in a saloon. On Sunday.

  Jeremy laughed at the mental picture of Elizabeth Cauble being caught for something so ridiculous. "No, I'm afraid not. And believe me, we watched her for any infraction."

  "I know. Thanks, Jeremy." Charlie leaned back in his chair and rested his hands across his stomach. "I'm getting too old for this crap. You know, you'd make a great sheriff."

  "Uh-uh. I'm perfectly happy letting you have all the glory." Although he did aspire to go higher in the department, Jeremy was in no hurry to see Charlie leave.

  With a heavy sigh, the sheriff scooted his chair away from his desk and stood. He was feeling too old. It was time to retire while he could still enjoy his family. "You might want to reconsider. I'd be glad to put in a good word for you with the city council."

  "You're not serious?"

  "Damn right I am." Charlie took his hat from the hook near the door and placed it on his head. "Hold down the fort. I'm going to take a quick drive around and then head on home."

  Jeremy stood. "No problem, Char
lie. I'll see you tomorrow." He watched the sheriff leave, thinking about their brief conversation.

  AMANDA WAS COMFORTABLY ensconced on the sofa in the den, watching a television program Lex had recorded for her earlier. Several loud thumps overhead caused her to close her eyes and grumble. Lorrie had been rambunctious all day. It was the biggest reason she was now upstairs playing with Freckles.

  Another heavy thump and then a high-pitched squeal, made Amanda regret sending Lex to Martha's after lunch. She had been hovering nearby for the last couple of weeks and Amanda finally got to her breaking point. When Martha decided it was time to clean out her kitchen cabinets, Amanda didn't have to think twice about volunteering Lex to help.

  Freckles' barking caused Amanda to close her eyes and count to twenty. It didn't help. The sudden silence from upstairs worried her. She was about to get up to check on them when she heard careful footsteps coming down the stairs.

  Five minutes later, Lorrie and Freckles burst into the room. "Mommy, look. Fleckles is funny."

  The happy dog bounced to where Amanda sat and jumped on the couch next to her. She reeked of Lex's cologne and was wearing what appeared to be a necklace.

  "Lorrie, what is Freckles wearing?" Amanda tried to catch her, but the dog bounded out of reach.

  "She gots pretty." Lorrie came around the sofa. "Smells pretty, too."

  Even though Amanda had always loved the perfume Lex wore, having it reek from their dog was almost more than she could handle. There was no way she'd be able to give Freckles a bath without help. She picked up the cordless phone and hit the speed dial for Martha's house. "Martha, is Lex real busy?"

  "No, honey. We're finished. I've been keeping her over here to give you some peace. Is everything all right?"

  "Not exactly. Lorrie covered Freckles in Lex's cologne and I need her to come home and give her a bath. Obsession and dog do not go together, believe me." Amanda rubbed her nose in a feeble attempt to relieve her sinuses.

  The humor in the situation didn't escape Martha, who covered the mouthpiece with her hand and spoke to Lex. Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of her front door slamming could be made out. "She's on her way."

  "So I gathered." Amanda heard their back door open and close. Her wife apparently ran the entire way. "She's here. Thanks, Martha."

  "Anytime, sweetie."

  Freckles heard Lex come in the house and jumped from the sofa to race from the room. Lorrie was fast on her heels. "Fleckles, wait for me." In her excitement to greet her momma, Lorrie accidentally ran into an end table and knocked the lamp off onto the floor. The glass base broke, causing shards of glass to go everywhere. "Mommy!"

  Lex ran the rest of the way down the hall until she was in the living room. "Lorrie, stay still." She scooped up Freckles, tucked her under one arm, and walked cautiously to where her daughter stood. Squatting carefully, Lex opened her free arm and waited for Lorrie to climb up. She stood slowly, carried Freckles to the office, and closed the door. Then she took Lorrie to the couch where Amanda sat. "Stay here with Mommy, while I clean up the broken glass."

  Lorrie trembled as she snuggled into the comfort of her mother's arms. "Otay."

  It didn't take long for Lex to clean up the mess. Giving Freckles a bath was a more difficult chore. Not because the dog didn't want to get wet, but because she thought it was playtime as soon as her feet hit the water. By the time Freckles was clean, Lex's shirt and jeans were completely drenched. She went upstairs, changed her clothes, then joined her family in the den.

  Lorrie was lying beside Amanda, sound asleep. Lex sat on the floor in front of them and rested her head against Amanda's legs. "Freckles is clean, finally. I left her in our room until she's completely dry."

  "Good." Amanda ran her fingers through Lex's hair. The motion relaxed them both. "I'm sorry I was so grumpy this morning."

  "You have nothing to apologize for. I know I've been a little overprotective lately." Lex closed her eyes as Amanda's fingers began a deep scalp massage. "Damn, that feels good."

  They sat quietly for several minutes, both enjoying the peace. Finally, Lex turned slightly and removed Amanda's slippers. She began to rub her feet, smiling at the low moans of pleasure from her lover. "I was thinking."

  "Mmm?" At the moment, Amanda would have agreed to anything, as long as the massage continued.

  "Why don't I take Lorrie to daycare tomorrow? Give you a chance to kick back and take it easy."

  "That's all I do now, is take it easy. I'm not allowed to do a damned thing." Amanda stretched her legs out as Lex's hands began to caress her calves. "Oh, yeah. I'll give you exactly ten years to quit doing that."

  Lex raised her head and winked. "If you'll go upstairs, I'll do even better than that."

  "Don't tease."

  "I'm not." Lex stood and hefted Lorrie into her arms. "I'll put this one down for her nap, then I'll give you an even better massage." She left the room, smiling as she heard Amanda following close behind.

  THE NEXT DAY, Elizabeth left the motel where she was staying and decided to drive around to become more familiar with the town. She'd spent the last couple of weeks keeping a low profile, although it had been fun to tease the local law enforcement. She was parked at a light when she recognized the large, green truck which lumbered by. "What is that woman doing? I thought for certain she would be at her ranch at this time of day." Her curiosity getting the best of her, Elizabeth turned at the light and followed at a discreet distance.

  It wasn't hard to keep Lex in sight. Even in a town as rural as Somerville, where every other vehicle was a truck, Lex's was easy to spot, due to the ranch brand on the doors. When she parked in the lot of the Methodist church, Elizabeth couldn't have been more surprised. She watched as Lex took Lorrie inside. It was only then she noticed the sign which told of the daycare facilities at the church. "I see."

  After a few minutes, Lex returned alone. She got into her truck and left, never noticing Elizabeth's car parked close by.

  Elizabeth tapped the steering wheel as she considered her options. An idea came to her, so simple she didn't know why she hadn't thought of it before. A quick shopping trip was in order. She had things to do, and plans to make.

  BARELY TWO HOURS later, Elizabeth parked her car as close to the church entrance as possible. She went inside and smiled at the heavyset young woman sitting behind the desk. "Good afternoon."

  The woman looked up from the magazine she was reading and pursed her lips. "Yes? May I help you?"

  "Of course." Elizabeth removed a paper from her purse and handed it to the woman, whose nametag showed her name was Katie. "My name is Elizabeth Cauble. I'm Lorrie's grandmother."

  Katie took the folded sheet of paper and looked it over. "Lorrie?" She'd only been at the church for a week, and had no idea which child Elizabeth was talking about. "Oh. Lorrie Walters."

  Walters? Dear Lord, how dare they change my granddaughter's name! Well, that will be remedied soon enough. "Yes, right. Something has come up, and they've asked me to take little Lorrie to her doctor's appointment this afternoon. I'm sure the note speaks for itself."

  "I suppose." Katie pushed her glasses up on her nose and read the paper again, this time more carefully. "I'll have to see some identification, to be safe."

  "Oh, I understand completely. I wouldn't expect anything less, as far as my granddaughter's safety is concerned." Elizabeth removed her wallet from her purse and showed her driver's license to Katie.

  After assuring herself that Elizabeth was who she claimed to be, Katie stood. "If you'll wait right here, I'll go get her."

  Elizabeth couldn't keep a smile of triumph from her face. "You do that." She crossed her arms and waited until Katie returned, with Lorrie in tow. "There's my girl."

  Lorrie took one look at Elizabeth and balked. "No! Bad!"

  "No, dear. It will be fine." Elizabeth reached for Lorrie, but Katie paused.

  "I don't think she wants to go with you." Katie wasn't so certain letting Elizabe
th take the child was such a good idea. "Maybe I should call her mother, to make sure."

  Elizabeth took another step forward. "You can, if you like. But my granddaughter is only throwing a tantrum because she doesn't like to go to the doctor, and I'm usually the one who takes her. She'll be fine." She took Lorrie by the arm. "Come along, Lorrie. We have an appointment to keep."

  "No!" Lorrie tried to squirm out of her grasp. "Don't wanna."

  "See here, young lady. I won't tolerate that sort of behavior." Elizabeth jerked her forward. "Let's go."

  "Mrs. Cauble, wait." Katie picked up the phone. "Let me call Ms. Walters. I'm sure she can calm her daughter."

  "No, don't! You can't reach her right now." Elizabeth struggled to come up with something. "She's in a very important meeting at the moment. That's the reason I have to take my granddaughter." She pulled Lorrie closer to the door. "Trust me, this happens a lot. Once we're in the car, she'll settle down."

  Katie shrugged her shoulders. It's not like she got paid much for this job. Certainly not enough to go to so much trouble. And if the girl's mother was in a meeting, she didn't want to be the one to disturb her. "Well, all right." She knelt by Lorrie. "You be a good girl for your grandmother."

  "No!" Lorrie struggled to break free.

  Elizabeth practically dragged her from the church. "Behave. I'll most definitely have to teach you better manners."

  Lorrie continued to scream and balk as she was taken to the car. "I want momma!"

  "Too bad. You'll do much better with me." Elizabeth buckled her into the car seat she had purchased earlier. "Once we're at the motel, we'll see about getting the next flight to California. Private school will do you a world of good." She started the car and left the parking lot, pleased with her plans.

  Inside the church, worried about her decision, Katie watched through the front door. She became even more concerned when she saw how Elizabeth struggled to get Lorrie into the car.