by Carrie Carr
Amanda dropped to her knees weakly. "Oh, no," she cried as she leaned her body near the edge. "Roy, look."
The foreman rushed to her side to peer down the side of the overhang. "Jesus. How in the hell--?" Due to the quantity of branches and limbs that covered it, he could barely make out the sprawled figure below.
"Lex!" Amanda yelled, searching frantically for some way to reach the bottom. "Can you hear me?" She turned sideways to grab Roy's arm. "She must be seriously hurt. We've got to get down there."
"Hang on just a minute, Miss Amanda. Let me go get some rope, all right?" Roy jumped to his feet and raced back to the horses.
Amanda continued to look for a way to reach her lover. "Lex! Come on, honey. Let me know you're okay, please?"
A FAMILIAR VOICE called to Lex and nudged her from unconsciousness. Amanda? Lex slowly opened her eyes. I must be hallucinating. She struggled to take a deep breath, then gasped as the movement brought her extreme pain. Ah, jeez. Not good, you dummy. Lex listened carefully, hoping to hear the voice again.
"Lex? Please, answer me. Or move, or something!" Amanda half-shouted, half-cried. "Dammit! Listen to me!" she pleaded as she wiped tears from her face.
"Amanda?" Lex murmured quietly. It really is her. "Can you hear me?" she choked out as the pain became more intense. Got to do something so she'll know I'm okay. Lex took a quick inventory of what her physical condition was. Not much I can do, but maybe--
AMANDA LAY AT the edge of the overhang, looking for any sign that her partner was alive. Roy returned carrying a long coil of rope. "Okay. If I can find something to tie this off on, I can drop over the edge and check her out. We're going to have to get back to the house and get the Jeep, though." He looked around frantically for an anchor for the rope.
"The Jeep? But I thought we couldn't get it up here?" Amanda kept an eye on the unmoving rancher below.
Roy tied one end of the rope to a small tree stump. "We can't. But if we take the east road from the bunkhouse, we'll end up on that path down there." He pointed to what looked like parallel indentions in the grass below, not far from the plateau where Lex was lying. "It'll take about and hour and a half to get to the ranch house and then drive back here. But we really need to check her out first." He pulled on the rope to check its sturdiness. "I sure hope this damned thing will hold me."
Amanda grasped his hand with a fierce strength. "It probably won't hold you, but I know it will hold me." Her eyes blazed with determination. "You can hold it until I get down there, and then hurry back to the house for the Jeep." When she saw him about to argue, Amanda held up a hand. "Wait. Listen to me, please." She nodded to the still figure below them. "I'm lighter, younger, and would be able to keep her calmer than you would. Besides," she flashed him a tired smile, "you know the way to that trail. I don't." They both looked down at Lex.
"Wait. Did you see that?" Roy pointed with excitement. "I think I saw her hand move."
Amanda bit her lip and stared at the unmoving form. "Are you sure? I don't--" Then she saw it. The fingers on Lex's left hand wiggled slowly. "Yes!" She wrapped her arms around the startled man and laughed. "She moved."
Roy blushed and pulled away slightly. "Umm. Okay. Let's get you down there so I can get back to the house." He tied the rope around Amanda quickly, creating a make-shift harness. "Once you get down there, I'll lower the supplies to you, okay?" He unloaded the rifle and handed her the cartridges.
"What are these for?" Amanda gave him a funny look.
"However the boss got down there, it wasn't an accident. I want you to have the rifle with you, just in case." He handed over the weapon and helped Amanda drape it over her shoulder using the attached leather strap.
Amanda took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. I don't like it, but you're right." She shifted the gun around until it was somewhat comfortable on her back. "Be sure you get in touch with Sheriff Bristol before you leave, okay? He needs to know about this."
Roy nodded. "Right. Come on. Let's get you down there, Miss Amanda." He stood and coiled the rope behind him, using his right arm and back to brace the strands.
"Okay." Amanda slowly worked her way over the edge, sliding down until only her head was visible to the foreman. "See you in a bit, right?" She gave Roy a halfhearted smile.
"You sure will, miss. Just sit tight, and I'll be back in no time." Roy winked at Amanda as he lowered her from sight.
A few minutes later, Amanda had descended about thirty feet and was near the bottom of what appeared to be a ravine. She quickly untied the rope and allowed Roy to pull it back up. The small woman stumbled over to the flat area jutting out from the steep hill where Lex lay unmoving. "Lex?" She removed some of the lighter debris from her lover. "Can you hear me?"
"Amanda?" Lex gasped as she felt a light touch to her hair. "Are you really here?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm here, love. Let me try to get some of this stuff off you." Amanda carefully cleared away the smaller limbs and brush. "What happened to you?" She leaned down to hear what Lex tried to say.
Lex almost cried in relief when she realized that Amanda was actually with her. "I thought you were a dream." She felt a gentle hand on her face. "I--I don't remember much." She felt another large limb being removed from her body and groaned in appreciation.
Amanda heard the groan and stopped. "Oh, no. Did I hurt you?" She had removed enough to get a close look at Lex's face and see that her eyes were closed. There were several still-bleeding scratches on her cheek and forehead. She knew Lex had fallen almost thirty feet and was afraid to move her since there was no way to tell the extent of her injuries.
"No--didn't hurt." Lex mumbled, fighting off another bout of unconsciousness. "Relief--"
A shout from above got Amanda's attention. "Miss Amanda! I'm sending down all the supplies now. How is she?" Roy had tied the saddlebags to the rope and was cautiously lowering them over the side.
Amanda shouted up at the foreman. "She's out again, but she seemed pretty coherent when she was awake." She untied the bags and carried them over to where Lex lay. "Please hurry, Roy. I don't know what kind of injuries she has."
The foreman waved at her. "On my way. I left the radio in one of the bags, in case hers is broken." He disappeared from sight.
""Manda?" Lex's voice was a hoarse croak.
Amanda dropped to her knees beside the still-pinned rancher. "I'm right here, sweetheart." She brushed dark bangs away from Lex's scratched and muddy face. "Roy's gone for help. He'll be back really soon." She felt tears burn her eyes.
"Cold." Lex could feel the pain take over again. "Can't feel--" Her eyes closed slowly before she could say anything more.
Chapter Three
AMANDA SPENT THE next half-hour trying to make her partner more comfortable. She had the majority of the debris cleared away from Lex's body, but there were still several limbs that were just too heavy for her to move without risking more injury to Lex. Inside one of the bags Roy had left was an emergency kit containing several shiny thermal blankets. Although Amanda was more than a little concerned about how well they actually worked since they were so thin, she covered Lex with the flimsy material the best she could.
Once Lex was protected from the elements, Amanda radioed ahead so that Martha was prepared and would have everything organized and Roy could return immediately. She gave the housekeeper a quick update, and Martha also agreed to contact Lester and have him load up Lex's truck with supplies. As soon as that was done, she set down the radio, leaving it on just in case Martha needed to summon her.
"Lex? Can you hear me?" Amanda cleaned off Lex's face with a damp cloth. "Wake up for me, okay?" The rain had stopped for the moment, and it looked as if the afternoon sun was trying to make an appearance. "I wish I knew what happened. And if you fell, how did all this stuff end up on top of you? It doesn't make any sense." She ran her fingers through Lex's hair.
One blue eye blinked partially open. "I'm not real sure myself. I remember a calf--" Lex's voic
e was hoarse, but stronger than before. She was able to look at her partner without having to move, since Amanda was kneeling to Lex's right. "How long have I been out?" When she saw the tears falling from Amanda's eyes, Lex almost cried herself. "Hey, baby. Please, don't cry. Everything's going to be okay."
"Sorry." Amanda sniffed and wiped her face with the back of one hand. "It's just that you were unconscious, and I didn't know how badly you were hurt, and I can't get all of this stuff off you, and--" She knew she was babbling, but couldn't stop.
"Amanda." Lex stopped her in midstream. "I'm fine. Just pinned down and sore. It doesn't feel like anything is broken."
Although I can't feel my legs--but that may be due to the cold more than anything else. No sense in scaring her. "And even though I'm really glad you're here, how did you find me?"
Amanda took a deep breath. "Are you sure you're okay? You keep fading out on me." She stroked the tangled, dark hair.
Lex closed her eyes tightly, then reopened them. "Yeah. Just got one hell of a headache. Now tell me how you got here, sweetheart."
"Well, when you didn't radio back like you said you would, Martha and I got concerned." Try scared to death, but she doesn't really need to hear that right now. "So she called Roy, and he saddled up a couple of horses. We found a calf tied to some bushes up there." She pointed with her free hand, the other still stroking her lover's hair. "And then I saw a lot of footprints near the edge. When I looked down, I could see you lying here." Amanda stopped as her throat closed with tears. "I couldn't tell if you were--" She wasn't even able to say the word.
"Sshhh." Lex struggled to pull her right arm out from under her body. She wanted to try and calm Amanda somehow. The weight of the branch still lying across her back prevented her from freeing herself. "Damn."
Amanda halted her quiet stroking and placed a gentle hand on Lex's shoulder. "Please stay still, Lex. Roy should be back soon with help."
Lex ceased struggling and allowed her head to fall forward slightly until her forehead was resting against a sturdy limb. She had landed on top of a small patch of cedar, and the overwhelming fragrance of the tree was getting to her. Dammit. I hate feeling helpless like this. The fuzzy feeling was returning, but Lex was determined to fight it. I keep going out like that, and Amanda's going to be scared to death. "Amanda?" Lex whispered as she turned her head slightly sideways, "how long has Roy been gone?"
"A little over an hour, I think." Amanda glanced at her watch. She studied the glassy-eyed look on her companion's face. "You're not looking too well, love. How are you feeling?" She played with Lex's hair again.
When her hand grazed the base of Lex's skull, the older woman gasped and flinched. "Ow. Think you found a sore spot, sweetheart," Lex tried to joke, but she could feel the sharp pain radiate all over her head.
Amanda moved in close so she could look right into Lex's eyes. "Oh, Lex. I'm so sorry." She leaned forward and studied the damp scalp. "Wait. You're bleeding."
As Amanda gently probed the back of her skull, Lex closed her eyes. "It's not that bad. Just a little tender."
"Yeah, right." Amanda pulled a square of gauze from the medical kit, placed it over the wound, and applied light pressure. "This certainly explains the reason you keep nodding off. You've probably got a concussion." One-handed, she emptied one of the bags, then placed it gently under Lex's face. "Here. This should make you a little more comfortable." Amanda wiped Lex's face with a damp cloth.
"Thanks." Lex tried to swallow back the pain coursing through her body. She opened her eyes and gave Amanda a grateful look. "I'm really glad you're here."
Amanda stopped what she was doing and gave Lex what she hoped was a smile. "I'm really glad I'm here, too. Just wish I could do more." The honking of a horn cut off what she was about to say. Turning around slightly, Amanda could make out the form of Lex's truck heading toward them. "Thank God. Roy's here."
The dark green Ram pickup pulled to a stop just a few yards below where Lex was lying. Amanda almost cried with relief when the ranch foreman jumped from the vehicle and an older, bearded man climbed from the passenger side and followed him. "Lester?" She turned back around and leaned down closer to Lex. "You're not going to believe this. Roy actually got Lester to leave the bunkhouse."
Lex chuckled, then winced. "You're kidding me. The only time that old man ever gets out is to go to town and buy groceries. Martha can't even get him up to the main house very often." Her headache was worsening, and Lex knew she didn't have much time. "Amanda," she whispered, "I'm going to have to rest for a bit, okay?" Lex closed her eyes and allowed sleep to claim her once again.
"Lex?" Amanda leaned down and whispered into Lex's ear, "Hang in there, sweetheart. We'll get you out of here in no time." She left a trembling kiss on Lex's scratched brow.
"How's she doing, Miss Amanda?" Roy asked as Lester helped him carry a six-foot long plank of compressed wood. They put the door-sized piece down close to where Amanda was kneeling, and Lester went back to the truck to gather more supplies. The foreman dropped to one knee next to Amanda and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Martha said that she was conscious for a bit?"
Amanda covered his hand with her own. "Yeah. She's been in and out for the last half-hour. I think she has a concussion, Roy. There's a nasty gash on the back of her head, and her eyes look really out of focus." She looked back down at the unconscious woman. "Aren't we going to wait for an ambulance?"
Lester moved to the other side and looked down at the remaining limbs that pinned Lex. "Only have the one in town, and it would take forever to get here. Besides, I don't think it could make the trip over that so-called road." He rubbed his thin gray beard with one hand. "But Martha sweet-talked Doc Anderson into making a house call. I think she promised him pork chops for dinner. He should be there by the time we get back to the house."
"Let's hurry! We have to get the rest of this stuff off her and get out of here." Amanda was about to stand when Roy stopped her. "What?"
"Miss Amanda, I think Lester and I can handle the heavy stuff. But we're going to need you to keep her as still as possible, just in case her back or neck is hurt."
Amanda nodded. "Okay." She wriggled in between some of the branches until she was sitting above and in front of Lex, then placed a hand on each shoulder of the still woman. "How's this?"
Roy smiled. "Perfect." He got a strong grip on one end of the branch that was lying across Lex's back. "Let's get this one first, Lester. It looks to be the biggest." The older man nodded and the two of them slowly lifted the large limb. "Damn," Roy groaned. "This thing weighs a ton." When he saw the upset look on Amanda's face, the foreman could have slapped himself. "I'm sure she's okay. The brush she landed on helped a lot."
Amanda looked up fearfully as Lex moaned and stirred a bit. "Sshh. Stay still." She leaned forward and whispered softly into Lex's ear, "Lester and Roy are here to help, but you have to stop moving."
Lex tried to wriggle free from Amanda's grasp. "Hurts," she mumbled as she attempted to turn her head.
"Lex, please." Amanda released Lex's shoulders and gently held her head immobile. She bent down until she could look into Lex's face. "Listen to me. We're going to get you out of here, but you have got to keep still."
"Damn," Lex muttered as she slowly opened her eyes. With the large limb removed, she was able to slowly raise her left hand and lay it on Amanda's arm. "I'm okay, sweetheart. Just really sore." She started to turn her head, but Amanda's firm grip held her immobile.
"Dammit, Lex. I said to stay still," Amanda snapped, her nerves raw and on edge.
The one eye of Lex's that was visible opened wider at the sharp tone. "Sorry." She stopped trying to move her head and sighed.
Amanda's eyes widened also. "No, I'm the one who's sorry."
She leaned forward and dropped a light kiss on Lex's forehead. "Guess I'm still a little rattled. I didn't mean to jump down your throat like that, love."
"Well, I can't say that I blame you. I should have
listened to you the first time. I'm sorry you've had such a--aahhh!" The last piece of wood was removed from her lower legs and made a sharp pain shoot across Lex's back.
"What is it?" Amanda felt a surge of panic rise in her chest. She looked up at Roy fearfully. "What did you do?"
The foreman tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Just got the last of this mess removed, Miss Amanda." He approached until he could kneel down and meet Lex's gaze. "Boss, do you have any feeling in your legs?" He hated to ask that question in front of Amanda, but Roy wanted to know just how careful they needed to be. He had seen enough serious injuries over the years to know when to be cautious.
"Oh, yeah. Hurts like hell." Lex flashed him a pained smile. "Never felt anything hurt so good, though." She moved both feet slightly with a grimace. "Don't think anything's broken, but I bet I'll be a solid bruise for a week or so."
"How about your neck?" Amanda asked in a shaky voice. She had released her hold on the older woman's shoulders, and one hand stroked Lex's cheek gently.
Lex turned her head slightly and kissed the small palm. "My neck is fine. I just have a headache--everything else seems to be intact." She looked at Roy. "But I could sure use a little help getting off this damned brush. Never did care for the smell of cedar."
Roy grinned. Oh, yeah. She's just fine. "Sure thing, boss. Just let us know if we start to hurt you any." He motioned to the still quiet Lester, who reached over and gave a gentle squeeze to Lex's right leg. "Miss Amanda, if you'll support her head, we'll try to do this as easy as possible."
Amanda smiled down at Lex. "Let us do all the work, okay?" Her partner looked as if she were about to argue. "Please?"
Lex looked into the worried eyes of her lover and sighed. "Yes, dear."
"Thank you." Amanda braced Lex's head with her hands and nodded to Roy. "Now, just relax."
The foreman looked at Lester as they slowly slid the board beneath Lex's body. When they were almost finished, the injured woman bit off a pained groan. All movement stopped as Lex fought the urge to scream.