Chapter Thirteen 10 страница

“Okay.” Melanie opened up her coloring book, already lost in her art.

Torn between waiting to see how her father was, and needing to know what was going on with Lex, Amanda went through the back door and jogged toward the barn. She had just closed the gate behind her when she heard Lorrie scream for Lex. Not needing any more incentive, Amanda broke into a full run.

Lorrie pulled Teddy through the fencing of the corral, and was about to climb inside to help Lex when Amanda arrived. “Mommy, the horse kicked Momma, ” she cried, unable to control her tears.

“It's okay, baby. I'll take care of your momma. You two run to the house, and go inside.” Once the children were safely away, Amanda unlocked the corral gate and opened it wide. Lex had fenced off the barns years ago, so the horse was in no danger of getting near the main road, but it would be hell to catch. She headed for Lex, who lay on her stomach, unmoving. When the horse started to get too close, Amanda waved her arms and started to yell. “Hyah! ”

Snorting, the horse raced around the corral until it saw the open gate. It kicked its heels and galloped away.

Amanda dropped to her knees beside Lex. Her hand shaking, she brushed the hair away from Lex's face. “Lex, honey. Can you hear me? ”

With a groan, Lex moved her arms. “Amanda? What are you doing here? ”

“Saving your ass, ” Amanda snapped.

“It's not safe, ” Lex got out. “Horse.”

Looking around the corral and surrounding area, Amanda shook her head. “That horse is probably halfway to the north pasture, by now.”

Lex opened her eye to look at her wife. “It got out? ”

“I let the damned thing out.” Amanda wiped dirt off of Lex's cheek. “Are you okay? ”

“I think so.” Lex cautiously stretched, grimacing at the pain in her back. “Ugh. Help me up? ”

Amanda didn't bother to argue with her. “You let me know if it gets to be too much. We've got a houseful of people—”

“Damn. What about your dad? How is he? ” With Amanda's help, Lex rolled into a sitting position.

“As far as I know, he's okay. After you left, he woke up, and told Rodney he had gotten dizzy. How about your legs? Are they tingling or anything? ”

Lex stretched them out and wiggled her feet. “No, I think they're okay. Why? ”

Amanda pulled Lex's shirt away from her back. “Because you've got a bloody spot on your back, where it looks like you were stepped on, or kicked.”

“Kicked, I think.” Lex tried to look over her shoulder. “How bad is it? ”

“Ruined your shirt.”

Once Amanda stood, Lex allowed herself to be tugged to her feet. “Ow. That stung.” She put her arm around Amanda's waist. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. I was having the damndest time catching my breath.”

“I bet.” Leading them toward the house, Amanda sighed. “Is Ronnie coming out today? ”

Lex shook her head. “Not until this evening. He's having lunch with his girlfriend's family.”

“Good.”

“Why? ”

Amanda kicked a pebble. “Because if he were here right now, I'd probably whack him on the head with something, for bringing that horse out here.” She opened the gate. “Wait a minute. Girlfriend? ”

“Yep.”

“Why didn't you tell me he has a girlfriend? ”

Lex grinned. “Because you didn't ask? ” She flinched as her stomach was poked. “Hey, watch it.”

“Teach you to keep secrets from me.”

“I didn't mean to. It slipped my mind.” Lex grunted as they slowly took the stairs. “Hey, Amanda? ”

“Hmm? ”

“Ronnie has a girlfriend. Ouch! ” Lex rubbed her stomach. “Think we can sneak in without anyone noticing? ”

The back door opened. “Momma! You're okay, ” Lorrie yelled.

“Probably not, ” Amanda answered, as they stepped into the house.

Chapter Eleven

Dressed in a pair of clean sweats, Lex was lying on her stomach across the bed. She flinched as Rodney finished his ministrations and lowered her shirt.

“That's a very nasty laceration and contusion, Lex. You don't need any stitches, but I'd like you to meet me at my office tomorrow for x-rays.”

Lex struggled to a sitting position. “Come on, Rodney. I've been kicked more times than I can remember. It's fine.”

He shook his head and wiped his hands on a towel, before turning to Amanda, who sat on the bed behind her. “It's near her spine, and I don't want to take any chances. Watch for unusual swelling, tingling, or numbness in her extremities. And try to get her to take it easy for a few days.” Pointing at Lex, he shook his finger at her. “I mean it.”

Jeannie came into the bedroom and sat next to Lex. She brushed her hand along the other woman's leg in a light caress. “Thank you for what you did today, Slim.”

“How's Teddy? I didn't really think, just tossed him as far away as I could.” When Jeannie's fingers twined with hers, Lex gave a sad little smile. “I'm so sorry about that damned horse.”

“It's not your fault. Teddy knows better. When we get home, he's going to be losing some privileges.” Jeannie leaned into Lex. “I asked him why he climbed in the corral like that. He said he was tired of being teased about his fear of horses.”

Amanda walked on her knees across the bed and rubbed her sister's back. “Our girls are going to learn the consequences of teasing, trust me. But first, we've got another problem to think about.”

“Frank's parents, ” Jeannie added. “I know.” She exhaled heavily. “What should we do? We can't expect Gramma and Grandpa to keep them occupied forever.”

Rodney stood. “I know it's not really my place to say, but I think you should tell Lorrie the truth. She's very smart, and probably has some of it figured out.”

“You're a part of the family, so of course you have a say.” Jeannie stood and went to her husband. “I just don't want her to think that I'm a horrible person, because of all of this. It almost broke my heart to give her up. I don't think I could handle her hating me, too.”

He pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I'm going to check on Mike. Do you want me to find Lorrie and send her in? ” They had coerced Michael into lying down in the guestroom down the hall, hoping to lower his stress. Lois was also there, keeping an eye on him.

Lex hated having these types of talks. “We might as well get it over with, I guess. She's most likely in her room, listening to music.”

“Good luck.” Rodney kissed his wife again before leaving.

A few moments later, Lorrie stepped slowly into the room. “I'm sorry.”

Amanda slid off the bed and came toward her, while Jeannie sat next to Lex. “Why are you sorry? ”

“'cause I was s'posed to watch Teddy, and I didn't.” She stood in front of Lex and stared at the floor.

Lex lifted Lorrie's chin with her fingers so that she could look her in the eye. “And why didn't you? ”

With a heavy sigh, Lorrie fought back the tears that threatened to fall at the disappointed tone in her mother's voice. “Mel was wanting me to push her in the swing, and Teddy wanted to play cowboy on the saddles. But Mel kept whining, so I told Teddy to stay in the tack room, while I got Mel started on the swing. But I was gonna go right back. He must have followed us out of the barn, ‘cause Mel had just started to swing when Momma saw Teddy in the corral.”

“Did you tease him about being afraid? ” Lex asked.

“Nuh-uh, I didn't.” When her mother's eyes narrowed, Lorrie rushed out, “I swear! He's just a little kid. I wouldn't make fun of him, honest.”

Amanda knelt next to Lorrie. “We believe you, honey. But something made him decide to go into the corral. Do you know what it could have been? ”

Lorrie was silent for a moment. Tattling usually carried a worse punishment than the original deed, but her parents were expecting an answer. “Mel kinda said something when we were leaving the tack room, but I didn't know Teddy heard.”

“All right. We'll talk to Melanie in a little while, ” Lex promised. “Come here, sweetheart.” She held out her arms, ignoring the glare from her wife. The discomfort was worth holding her daughter. Once Lorrie was comfortably ensconced in her lap, Lex cleared her throat. “You know we have company downstairs, besides family, don't you? ”

“Yep. Melanie told me they have a granddaughter with my name, ” Lorrie supplied.

Amanda sat on the other side of Lex. “I should have known, ” she mumbled. In a louder voice, she added, “That's what we wanted to talk to you about. Do you remember when we told you about your father, Frank? ”

“Sorta. You said he died when I was a little baby.” Lorrie noticed the tears in Jeannie's eyes. “Why are you sad, Aunt Jeannie? Did you know him? ”

Lex shifted so she could put her arm around her sister-in-law in silent support.

“Um, ” Jeannie tried to think of a good way to start. She took a deep breath. “Yes, I did. Frank was my first husband.” At the confusion on Lorrie's face, she began to rub the little girl's leg. “You see, when you were born, there were complications. I became very ill, and couldn't take care of myself, move or even talk.”

Lorrie frowned. “You were my mommy? But, how come, ” she looked up into Lex's face. “I don't understand.”

Amanda stood and once again knelt in front of Lorrie. “Jeannie was so sick, we didn't even know if she was going to be all right. Frank was driving you home from the hospital, and there was an accident. You weren't hurt, but your daddy, ” here her voice broke, “died.”

“But, why are you my mommy, if Aunt Jeannie was? ” Lorrie looked at Jeannie and started to cry. “Didn't you want me? ”

“Oh, baby. Of course I did.” Jeannie was surprised when Lorrie climbed into her lap. She held her close. “I wasn't able to do anything for myself, for so long. Amanda and Lex took care of both of us, until I decided to move into a rehabilitation center so I could get well, faster. It took almost three years before I was healthy again.”

Lorrie's eyes widened. “Three years? That's forever.”

The adults laughed, and Jeannie brushed the hair out of Lorrie's face. “It certainly seemed like it.” She sobered. “But, when I came back, you didn't know me. Your moms were the only parents you knew. And, as much as it hurt me to do so, I signed papers that made you their little girl.” Jeannie shook her head and started to cry again. “It was the hardest thing in the world to do, you have to believe me. But, you were so happy here.”

Quiet for a moment, Lorrie considered everything that she had been told. “Do I have to come and live with you, now? ”

Amanda looked at Lex, who appeared to be on the verge of panicking. “Do you want to live with Jeannie? ”

Lorrie shook her head. “No. I like it here.” She hurriedly added, “That's okay, isn't it? I don't want you to cry no more, Aunt Jeannie.”

Jeannie squeezed her tightly. “I'm glad you're happy, honey. And it's very okay with me. I'm your aunt, now. Lex and Amanda are your moms, okay? ” She kissed Lorrie on the head and allowed her to slip into Amanda's arms. With her heart breaking, she watched as her daughter once again became her niece. She wiped at her eyes. “I need to take a little break, okay? ” She went into the adjoining bathroom and closed the door.

“Are you all right, lil' bit? ” Lex asked her daughter.

“Uh-huh.” Lorrie snuggled closer into Amanda's embrace. “You're still my mommy? ” she asked quietly.

With Lorrie in her arms, Amanda stood so she could sit next to Lex. “We'll always be your parents, honey.”

“Momma? ”

“Yes? ”

“You promise you won't give me away? ”

Lex had to clench her teeth together to keep from crying at the plaintive question. “Never, sweetheart. I will fight to my last breath for you, always.” She wrapped her arms around Amanda and Lorrie, and tucked her head next to theirs. “I swear it.”

#

Downstairs in the den, Harrison was fit to be tied. He took out a cigar and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing on the end. “I don't see why it's so hard for you people to understand. We came all the way from Los Angeles, to see our granddaughter. Why are you putting us off? ”

Anna Leigh set her coffee cup down on the table in front of her. “Mr. Rivers, please. There are dynamics at work that even I don't fully comprehend.” She looked to her husband for help. She and Jacob were left with the task of keeping the Rivers' placated, while Martha and Charlie took over cooking the meal.

Jacob had his hand on Anna Leigh's shoulder. “My wife's right. I can see where you're coming from, but—”

“No, you can't, ” Harrison snarled. “You've never been denied the right to see your grandchildren, have you? ” He stood and paced toward the fireplace. Across the mantle were family photos, and he picked up a group shot of Lex, Amanda, and the girls. “This is her, isn't it? ” He took the framed print to his wife, who touched the glass with a shaky finger.

“Yes. That was taken by our son, only a few months ago.” Anna Leigh's voice was soft.

Veronica shook her head. “If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she was Miss Walter's daughter.”

“She is, in so many ways, ” Jacob asserted. “When we brought Jeannie home, none of us knew if she'd ever be able to take care of herself, much less a newborn. And when she realized that she needed more help than any of us could give, Jeannie did the only thing she could, and that was sign over Lorrie's care to her godparents.”

Harrison sat beside his wife, looking over her shoulder at the picture. “What idiot gave them that title? ”

“Your son, ” Anna Leigh said, a little too gleefully. “Along with our granddaughter, of course.”

“But Frank had plenty of friends, normal friends, which could have held that honor.” Harrison was truly confused. “Why on earth would he allow his own flesh and blood to be anywhere near people like that? ”

Jacob felt his wife tense beside him. He had to squeeze Anna Leigh's arm to keep her from going off on the man. “Did you know your son at all? ” he asked. “Do you have any idea how close he was to not only Amanda, but Lex, too? He loved Amanda like a sister, you know.”

“I'd heard him mention her, ” Veronica added quietly. She raised her head to look at the other couple. “I remember not long after they met. He talked about her so much, I just knew he'd bring her home to meet us, one day.”

Anna Leigh laughed. “We thought the same thing. All Mandy ever talked about was ‘Frank this, ' and ‘Frank did that, ' when she'd call or visit. I was completely surprised with Jeannie announced her engagement to him. We were afraid she had stolen him from Mandy, and were quite concerned about the consequences.”

“Not long after that, Amanda came for a visit. She was certainly not the heartbroken girl we had been expecting, ” Jacob continued. “I think I said something like, ‘Aren't you upset at losing Frank? '. She told me that she was looking forward to having him as a brother.”

Harrison sagely nodded. “So, it was losing my son to her sister that made her that way. I see.”

“You're an idiot, ” Anna Leigh said, her temper flaring. “Did you know that you son was the first person that Amanda came out to? Not us, not her sister, but Frank. He'd always been a brother to her.”

“Now, see here, ” Harrison blustered. “You have no right—”

Anna Leigh had heard enough. “I have more right than you, mister. I'm sick and tired of listening to your bigotry. Either grow up, or shut up.”

The room became quiet, as Anna Leigh seethed and Harrison regrouped.

Veronica was the first one to break the ice. “Could you tell us about Lorraine, growing up? We've missed so much time.”

“She's always been quite a handful. Not in a bad way, ” Anna Leigh corrected. “Just very rambunctious.”

“Sounds a lot like Frank, as a child.” Veronica turned to her husband. “Wouldn't you agree, dear? ”

He grumbled something, but didn't elaborate.

Jeannie came into the den. “Hi, everyone. Sorry it's taken so long.” She sat next to her grandfather, who immediately put his arm around her.

“How are you doing, Pumpkin? ” he asked. In a lower voice, he added, “Are you all right? ”

She leaned into him. “It was rough, but we got through it.”

Harrison perked up at seeing Jeannie. “Does this mean we'll actually get to see our granddaughter? ”

“Damn it, man. Can't you see Jeannie's been through a rough time? Give it a rest, ” Jacob chastised.

“It's okay, Grandpa.” Jeannie sat up and ran her hand through her hair. “Lex and Amanda will be bringing her down a few minutes.”

Anna Leigh turned to her. “How is Lexington? ”

“I'm fine, ” Lex answered from the doorway, where Lorrie stood in front of her. Beside her stood Amanda, who had her arm around Lex's waist.

“That's up for debate.” Amanda allowed Lex to go in front of her. But the look on her face wasn't a pleasant one. It was obvious they had disagreed on Lex coming downstairs.

For once, Harrison Rivers was speechless, as he saw his granddaughter for the first time. His eyes never left her as Lex led Lorrie around the sofa, finally taking a seat on the second loveseat.

In an unusual bout of shyness, Lorrie climbed into Lex's lap and had her head tucked against Lex's shoulder.

Veronica leaned forward, and in a soft voice, said, “ Lorraine? ” When she didn't get any response, she tried again. “Lorrie? ”

Lorrie turned around and faced the two strangers. “Hi.” She looked at the well-dressed older couple. “Are you here for Thanksgiving? ”

“Actually, ” Harrison finally found his voice, “we're here to see you.”

Unaware of the tension in the room, Lorrie slid from Lex's lap and moved to sit closer to them. She sat on the oak coffee table, not far from Veronica. “Really? Where do you live? ”

“We have a house in Los Angeles. Have you ever been there? ” Veronica's voice shook and she clinched her fingers together to keep from grabbing the little girl.

“I don't think so.” Lorrie turned back to Lex. “Have I, Momma? ”

Lex shook her head. “Not since you were born.”

Seeing that things were under control, Anna Leigh took her husband by the hand. “I think we'll go see about helping Martha and Charlie in the kitchen.”

Lorrie scooted closer to Veronica and Harrison. “You're really my grandma and grandpa? ”

“We are.” Harrison took the soggy cigar from his mouth and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

“How come I've never seen you before? ” Lorrie was still trying to wrap her mind around everything. “Did you not want me? ”

Veronica could no longer stop herself from taking Lorrie's hands. “That's not it at all, darling. We want you very much.”

“Then, how come you're just now here? ”

Harrison took over. “It's quite complicated, young lady. My work took us out of the country for many years, until recently.” Now that he was faced with the reality of Lorrie, he wasn't certain how to interact with her. “You do understand the concept of work, don't you? ”

“Yep. Momma works here at the ranch, and Mommy used to work in town.” Lorrie turned to her parents. “Right? ”

“Very well.” Harrison straightened his tie. “My work was much more complex, but I'm glad you get the idea.”

Lorrie frowned at his words. “Do you not work anymore? ”

“No, I've retired.”

“Does that mean you're going to come here to live? My Grandpa Travis moved here after he retired.” Lorrie's face saddened. “He died.”

Veronica rubbed Lorrie's hands. “We're sorry to hear that, honey. But we can't live here, because we have a home in Los Angeles. Would you like to come and visit, sometime? ”

“I dunno.” Lorrie turned to her parents. “Can I? ”

Amanda squeezed Lex's hand before answering. “We'll see, sweetie.”

“Perhaps you all would like to come, ” Veronica offered. She ignored the sudden gasp from her husband. “Jeanne, that means you and your family, as well.”

Jeannie gave her a sad smile. “I think we'd like that, Veronica.”

Everyone turned toward the doorway when they heard Charlie announce, “Come on, folks. Lunch is ready.”

Lorrie gave Veronica a hug. “Come on. Mada's the best cook, ever! ” She smiled at Harrison, and hurried across the room to take Charlie's hand. “Right, Grandpa? ”

“You betcha, ” Charlie agreed, leading her across the hall to the dining room.

Veronica watched her leave. “She's a lovely girl, ” she addressed Lex and Amanda.

Lex slowly got to her feet, trying not to groan at the aches that made themselves known. “Thank you, Mrs. Rivers. We've very proud of her.”

“Please, call me Veronica.” The older woman stood and held out her hand. “After all, we're family, aren't we? ”

Harrison had heard enough. “Now, hold on. I don't think—”

Veronica turned to her husband. “Hush. I'm not going to let you ruin this.” Her smile was genuine as she shook Lex's hand. “Right, Lexington? ”

“Yes, ma'am.” Lex saw a glint of Frank in his mother's eyes. She held out her arm. “Ready for lunch? ”

“I am, thank you.” Veronica took Lex's arm, leaving her husband behind.

Amanda grinned at Harrison. “Guess that leaves you and me, doesn't it? ”

His panicked look said it all, as Amanda took one arm and Jeannie took the other. “I, ah, well—”

“Might as well give up, Harrison, ” Jeannie teased. “I think you're outnumbered.”

#

After lunch, Lorrie was given permission to show her new grandparents around the ranch. She took Veronica by the hand and led them through the back door. “This is where we play most of the time, ” she told them, sounding like a seasoned tour-guide. “Over there's the sandbox where I used to play, when I was a little kid. My sister still plays in it, sometimes, with my Momma and Mommy.”

Harrison looked around the fence-in yard. Besides the sandbox, there was an expansive swing set, all surrounded by a three-foot white picket fence. “Do you like it here, Lorraine? ”

“Sure.” She seemed confused by the question. “Don't you like it? ”

“Well, um, of course. It's very, ah, nice.”

Lorrie expertly opened the gate. “You've got to hurry. If Freckles sees us leave, she'll want to come.” Once they were all through, she closed and latched it. “She's not allowed, because the horses don't like her very much.”

Almost as if hearing Lorrie, Freckles suddenly bounded out of the pet door and into the yard. She stopped at the gate and barked.

“Hush, Freckles. We'll be back in a little while.” Lorrie stuck her hand through the fence and brushed the rat terrier's head. “Be a good girl and go back in the house.”

The dog barked again, then sat by the gate.

Lorrie looked up at the adults. “She'll get tired of waiting and go back inside in a little while. She always does.” Once again she took Veronica's hand. “Can I call you Grandma? ”

“I think I'd like that a lot, darling.” Veronica allowed herself to be led toward an impressive looking barn. “Goodness, that's large.”

“Momma says the horses have it better than she did, when she was a little kid, ” Lorrie shared, as she opened the barn door. “Mommy says she's full of bull.”

Even Harrison snorted at that comment. When they stepped inside, he nodded his head. “Very nicely done, ” he said under his breath. “How many horses do you have, Lorraine? ”

She turned to look at him. “You can call me Lorrie, if you want. I only get called Lorraine when I get into trouble.”

“Very well. And you may call me grandfather, if you'd like, ” he offered.

“Okay.” Lorrie tugged on Veronica's hand until they were in front of one of the stalls. “This is Mine.” She climbed the wooden slats of the gate and rubbed the horse's nose.

Veronica took a step back. “What's its name? ”

“Mine.” When Lorrie noticed the confusion on Veronica's face, she laughed. “Momma says when I was little, I thought everything was mine, so I sorta named her.” Lorrie sat on the top rung of the stall and faced her grandparents. “Do you have horses where you live? ”

Harrison laughed. “Of course not! We live in a city with millions of people.”

“Oh.” Lorrie seriously considered his answer. “Do you like it? ”

“Of course, we do.” Harrison turned to his wife. “Don't we, Veronica? ”

His wife stepped closer to the stall and cautiously glanced at Mine. “It has its perks, I suppose. We haven't stayed there long enough for me to know. I'm sure you'd enjoy it. With your parents, of course.”

“Hrumph. Parents, indeed, ” Harrison grumbled.

“Not another word, Harrison.” Veronica glared at her husband.

He cleared his throat. “Are we about finished, Lorraine? We really should be getting back to our hotel.”

“Sure, Grandpa, I mean, Grandfather.” Lorrie jumped from the top of the stall. “Will you be back tomorrow? ”

“We'll see, ” he hedged. Now that he had gotten his wish to see his granddaughter, Harrison was ready to move on. “We have things to attend to at home, I'm sure.”

Veronica ignored him. “I'm sure we'll see you again real soon, Lorrie.” She gave her husband another dirty look. “At least one of us will.”

#

Rodney folded the blood pressure cuff and placed it in his bag. He gave Michael and Lois a reassuring smile. “You seem to be doing better, Mike. Your blood pressure is down. But I'd still feel a lot better if we'd take a trip to the office for a more thorough checkup.”

“What do you think caused it? ” Lois asked.

“I really can't say, without more tests.”

Michael sat up and rubbed his jaw with one hand. “It's my heart, isn't it? ”

“That's one possibility, ” Rodney agreed. “Perhaps a blocked artery. If that's what we have, we may be able to treat it with medication. But, I'll have to run some tests to be certain.”

Lois stood. “Then that's what we'll do. Should we go to the hospital? ”

“I can do most of them at my office. Let me go tell Jeannie, and we'll leave as soon as we can.”

Michael started to argue, but the look on Lois' face kept him quiet. “Thank you, Rodney. Looks like we'll owe you one.”

“You can pay me back by getting better.” Rodney put his stethoscope in the bag. “And maybe a night of babysitting.”

“It's a deal.” Lois hugged him and kissed his cheek. Once Rodney had left the room, she lightly slapped her husband on the shoulder. “Next time, maybe you'll listen to me.”

Michael pulled her into his arms. “Where's the fun in that? ” He cupped her face with his hands. “I'm sorry I worried you, Lois. I promise to do better.”

“See that you do, ” she said, before kissing him. “We've got grandkids to spoil, and I don't want to do it alone.”

“You won't, I promise.” Michael kissed her again, enjoying the feel of her in his arms.

#

Amanda closed the front door and let out a heavy breath. She looked at her wife, who was casually leaning on the doorway to the den. “Why do we always have holidays like this? ”

“Like what, sweetheart? ” When Amanda came even with her, Lex put her arm around her waist.

“Non-stop chaos.”

Lex laughed. “It was pretty wild, wasn't it? ” She bit off a groan when Amanda's arm came too close to her injured back.

“I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? ” Amanda asked, leading the way toward the stairs.

“Nah.”

“Liar.”

As they trudged up toward their bedroom, they could hear the sound of their children's laughter. “I wonder which room they're destroying, ” Amanda asked. She noticed Melanie's door was closed, which answered her question.

“Do you think we should put them to bed? ” Lex stopped at their bedroom.

Amanda shook her head. “Not yet. They've had a pretty stressful day. Let them play for a while. There's no school tomorrow.”

“Sounds good to me.” Lex took Amanda's hand and led her into their bedroom. “That was nice of Lois to call after your dad's tests. Although plaque in the arteries is nothing to sneeze at, I'm glad they can control it with medication. I was really worried about him today.”

Carefully peeling Lex's sweatshirt off, Amanda tossed it in a nearby chair. “Turn around.” She checked the bandage for any seepage, and was relieved to find it clean. “I was pretty worried about you, too, ” she whispered.

Lex turned and looked into her wife's eyes. “Hey, everything turned out okay. And once we catch the horse, it'll go into the corral up by the bunkhouse. Let the guys take care if it. How's that sound? ”

“So much could have gone wrong. Teddy. You, even Lorrie.” Blinking the tears from her eyes, Amanda leaned into Lex's chest.

“I know, sweetheart. But it didn't. And we were finally able to tell Lorrie the entire truth about everything. That's got to count for something, right? ”

Amanda nodded. “I was terrified. What if she wanted to go back to Jeannie? ”

At this, Lex laughed. “You're kidding, right? Lorrie is so much our kid, I don't think there's anything that can tear her away.”

“Don't sound so smug. I saw the look on your face, too.”

Lex cleared her throat. “Uh, well—” her stammering was cut short by the feel of Amanda's lips on hers. All thought left her head, as she felt herself being tugged toward the bed.

Chapter Twelve

The silver-haired man hummed along to the music that came from the office supply store's overhead speakers, as he dusted the display of computer paper. He seemed perfectly content at his job and nearly dropped the feather duster when he heard a throat clear behind him. He turned around and smiled at the well-endowed blonde who stood a few feet away. “Hi. Is there something I can help you with? ”