Chapter 7 2 страница

Elizabeth turned her attention to the man behind the counter. He was perspiring heavily, and she noticed with distaste that his jacket had sweat stains under the armpits as well. "Of course there’s a problem! She told me that I would have to wait several days for another flight. Let me assure you, this is NOT acceptable. I have a family emergency that must be handled immediately back in the United States!"

"I understand that you want to return home for the holidays, madam. But all of our flights to the United States are completely booked up – you should have made arrangements sooner." He didn’t see the flush of anger cross the expensively dressed woman’s face.

"You don’t understand a damn thing! People like me pay your salary, you buffoon! I WILL be on the next flight! There is no room for argument!" Elizabeth slapped the counter hard to make her point. "I don’t care who you bump, or how you do it – I have connections with this airline, and I will have your job!"

Lady, you don’t want my job. I have to put up with bitches like you! "Please, madam. I’m sure we can come to some sort of agreement…"

She waved her finger in front of his face. "The only agreement that is acceptable to me is to get me ON THAT FLIGHT!" She turned around to look at the people in line behind her. "I will be at that bar," Elizabeth pointed across the way. "And will pay five thousand dollars cash for anyone's ticket on the next flight out to the United States!" She smiled sweetly at the man behind the counter. "Thank you."

He watched as she calmly walked through the airport towards the bar. Oh, boy.

***************

"Good morning, Mandy." Morris noticed an even brighter glow to his niece’s normally cheerful countenance. From the look on the face behind her, whatever it was affected them both. Lex practically floated behind the smaller woman. Looks like sleeping in did both of them a world of good.

Amanda kissed her uncle on the cheek and sat down across from him at the table. "Good morning to you, too. Where’s Kevin?" She grabbed two mugs from the tray on the center of the table and poured her and Lex each a cup of coffee.

"Morning, indeed! Some people laze around until almost lunchtime, and then have the nerve to say it’s still morning!" Martha grumbled from the stove. She jumped slightly when long arms snaked around her waist and squeezed.

"Aw, c’mon, Mada…it’s only ten-thirty. And it’s Christmas Eve." Lex kissed the top of the graying head. "Have you seen Grandpa yet? He wasn’t in his room when we checked."

Martha turned around to look at the woman behind her. She looks okay, but… "Honey? ONLY ten-thirty? Are you feeling all right?"

Lex grinned broadly. "I’ve never felt better in my life!" She looked over at the blonde sitting at the table, and smiled even bigger. "I’ve got to go tend to the stock, but I’ll be back shortly."

"No you don’t, Lexie. That’s where Kevin and Travis have gone. They should be back any time now." Martha patted the tall woman on the hip and turned back to her cooking.

"Really?" Lex walked over and peered out the kitchen window.

Morris nodded at his niece. "Yup. They thought it would be a nice surprise for you, and I think both of them were going a little stir crazy."

"I can understand that. I’m a little antsy myself," Amanda agreed. She kept playing with the necklace resting against her throat. A light touch on her shoulder caused her to jump.

The rancher leaned down to whisper into her lover’s ear. "Antsy, huh? I thought we took care of that last night." Lex kissed Amanda’s ear and sat down beside her. "I really need to do a quick check of the west fence. Do you want to ride in the jeep with me?"

Amanda nodded. "Definitely! How long will we be gone?"

"No more than a couple of hours. The guys usually do it, but most of them won’t be back until the day after tomorrow." Lex looked down at the plate Martha had sat in front of her. "Thanks, Mada…but isn’t this a little much?" Three pancakes, two eggs over easy, several slices of bacon, and two large biscuits filled the plate. "You don’t honestly think that I’ll be able to eat all of this, do you?"

Martha patted her gently on top of the head. "You most certainly will, Lexie. I let you get away with skipping dinner last night, so the least I can do is make sure you get a good breakfast. Knowing you, you’ll probably be late for lunch, too."

"She’s got your number, honey," Amanda giggled, but was quickly silenced when a similarly laden plate was placed in front of her. "Mmm…thank you, Martha."

"Good grief, but it’s cold out there!" Kevin stomped into the kitchen, followed by a smiling Travis. "How do you do that every morning, Lex?"

Morris quickly stood up and refilled the coffee carafe. "You certainly made good time this morning."

"We had help," Travis admitted, taking the chair on the other side of Lex. "It felt good to get out for a bit." He gratefully accepted the coffee from the younger man. "Thank you, Morris."

"Martha, I…oops!" Ronnie Sterling rushed in from the mudroom, but stopped when he saw the kitchen full of people. "I didn’t realize everyone would still be in here."

The housekeeper hurried over and put an arm around the young man’s shoulders. "I’m glad you came in, honey. Sit down at the table and I’ll fix you a plate."

He sat down across from Lex, but had trouble keeping eye contact with the dark-haired woman. "Thank you, ma’am. Umm…Lester said to tell you that he’s about done, and to let him know when you’re ready." Ronnie quickly began eating the food Martha had given him.

"You help with the stock this morning, Ronnie?" Lex asked the young man, as she worked on clearing her plate. "Not that I don’t appreciate it, ‘cause I do. But what made you think about doing it?"

"Lester told me to," he answered between mouthfuls of food. "Said that I should at least take care of the horses in the barn, and maybe hang around afterwards to help with the hay." Ronnie looked up at Martha with adoration. "He also told me that Martha would appreciate it, so here I am." The housekeeper had filled the void in his life left behind when he mother left him and his brother years ago. He would do anything she asked of him, and could usually be found around the main house looking for chores to do.

Lex watched the way Martha treated Ronnie. Guess she misses having someone to mother. An idea was forming in her mind, but she wanted to run it by Amanda before telling anyone else. "Well, I’m glad you did, Ronnie." She caught the look on the housekeeper’s face. "You’ll be here tomorrow, won’t you?"

Ronnie hastily swallowed. "Tomorrow? Sure…I’ll be glad to take care of the horses again."

"No…not for that." Lex drained her coffee cup and sat it back down. "Well…I mean, you can take care of the horses, too." She looked over at Amanda for help.

"I think that Lex means for you to be here for Christmas dinner. We’re going to have lots of snacks all day, and I believe she’ll have the football games going in the den." Amanda smiled at her lover. "My family will be here too, so you can hear all of Frank’s old football stories." She remembered how the teenager had followed her brother-in-law around at Thanksgiving, hero worship in his eyes. She knew that Frank was bringing Ronnie an autographed jersey for Christmas, but was sworn to secrecy. Not even Lex knew about it. She’s going to love what he’s giving her – I can’t wait to see the look on her face!

The rancher stood and carried her plate to the sink, grinning at Martha the entire time. "That’s right. You’ve got to help me cheer for the Cowboys – I think that Frank is rooting for the other team just to aggravate me." Lex saw the young man smile. "Meet me here for breakfast, and the two of us will take care of the stock afterwards, okay?"

"Sure!" Ronnie used to be intimidated by the tall woman, until he got to know her better.

They had been working together on cleaning the horse barn; Lex putting in fresh hay while Ronnie groomed the horses. "Ms. Walters, I really do appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. Especially after what my brother almost did to you." Ronnie had been afraid that when they learned about Matt’s involvement with the problems around the ranch, including almost killing Lex, that the rancher would send him back to the detention center without another thought.

Lex tossed more clean hay into the empty stall. "You’re not responsible for the things that your brother’s done, Ronnie. Believe me, I understand completely." She grabbed another bale and cut the wire away from it. "And call me Lex…Ms. Walters makes me sound old," she teased.

He continued to brush the paint pony. "Sorry…I keep forgetting. Umm…can I ask you a question?" Ronnie was still in awe of this woman who took him in, even after he was involved with the breaking in of her house.

"Sure. Can’t guarantee you’ll like the answer, though." She stopped and leaned against the pitchfork she had been using.

"Well…you keep telling me that you don’t hold me responsible for the things that Matt has done and that you can relate to what I’m going through. I guess I’m just wondering how you understand." Ronnie finished with Stormy and left the stall, walking over to where the bales were stacked and sat down. He studied his boots as he tried to avoid Lex’s gaze.

The rancher sighed. Guess we were gonna have this chat sooner or later. She sat down beside him and took off her gloves, dusting the knees of her faded jeans with them. "It’s easy for me to understand, because I have an older brother, too."

Ronnie’s head jerked up. "Really? Does he live around here? I’ve never heard anyone talk about him."

It was Lex’s turn to stare at her boots. "Yeah, he lives in town. We…umm, don’t get along." Now THAT’S an understatement, Lexington. Kinda like saying Elvis was just a singer.

"That’s hard to believe. You’re such a nice person." Ronnie blushed when he realized what he had said.

"I think that there are a lot of folks that would disagree with you," Lex laughed. "My brother being number one on the list." She patted him on the shoulder. "But I know from experience that just because you’re related to someone, it doesn’t make you the same as them."

He smiled shyly. "Thanks, Lex." Ronnie paused for a moment, then looked back at the ground. "I know that you were expecting me to work full time during the summer, but…" he stopped, unable to continue.

"What is it, Ronnie? Aren’t you happy here?" Lex never thought about anyone NOT liking ranch work. Maybe he’d rather be in town with his friends. I’m sure I could always find someone there to…

"No! I mean, yes! Aw, shoot." Ronnie took a deep breath and wiped a hand down his face. "I’d still like to live out here and work, too. It’s just that I want to go to summer school."

Summer school? "I thought that you were making good grades." Lex remembered her conversation with Ronnie’s counselor. The young man’s grades had improved drastically in the past month, mostly due to the close attention that he was given by Lester and Martha.

Ronnie nodded. "I am…better than I ever have before, as a matter of fact," he stated proudly. "But before we were released for the holidays, Mr. Hardin told the that I had improved enough to take some pre-college classes over the summer. All I have to do is get your permission."

Eric Hardin was one of the three school guidance counselors at Somerville High School, and he seemed genuinely concerned for the welfare of the students in his care. When Lex had met with him to re-enroll Ronnie in school, she had been impressed with how he had acted towards the young man. He continually involved Ronnie in the conversations, and even gave him his card with his pager number in case he was needed outside of school hours.

"And this is something that you want to do? Go to school all summer, too?" The longer Lex knew this boy, the more her admiration for him grew.

"Yes, ma’am. If I keep my grades up, I can graduate early, and maybe even get a scholarship." His eyes sparkled with excitement. "But I already gave you my word that I would work during the summer – so I can understand if you say no. You probably think that I’m just trying to get out of work, anyway," he finished quietly. "That’s what Matt always thought."

Lex put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I don’t think that at all." When he didn’t look up at her, she continued. "Do you remember our agreement, Ronnie?"

Brown eyes slowly raised and met hers. "Yes, ma’am." I’d go to school, then work full time to earn my keep during the summer. I guess she really needs the help.

"Then what’s the problem? Your studies come first, that’s the bottom line. Besides," she nudged him with her shoulder. "Martha enjoys when you sit in the kitchen and do your homework in the evenings. Guess it reminds her of when I used to do the same thing."

Lex had been surprised at the housekeeper’s knowledge, until Martha had revealed to her years ago that she had gone to college to become a teacher. When her own mother had become seriously ill, Martha quit school and returned to Somerville. Since it was just the two of them, she needed a job to help pay the escalating medical bills. A nurse at the hospital where her mother was being treated told her about Rawson Walter’s need for a housekeeper and nanny for his children. His wife had become bedridden with a high-risk pregnancy and he was unable to take care of his home by himself. A month after taking the job, her mother passed away, but she continued on at the ranch. She had become so attached to the family, young Lexington in particular, that she never returned to finish school.

"Really? I can go?" Ronnie jumped to his feet. "That’s great!" He wrapped his arms around a startled Lex and squeezed. "Thanks!" The young man pulled back, embarrassed. "Umm…sorry ‘bout that."

Lex laughed and stood up. "Don’t be. I’m glad you enjoy school so much." She wrapped her arms around him in a strong hug. "I’m really proud of you, Ronnie."

He returned the hug, then stepped back. "Thanks. That means a lot to me." The smile faded from his face. "Darn! I forgot."

"What’s wrong?"

"The bus won’t be running in the summer – I won’t have a way to school." He sighed. "Oh, well. It was a good thought, anyway."

The tall woman thought for a moment then snapped her fingers. "Hold on…I’ve got an idea." Lex draped an arm across his shoulders and began to lead him from the barn. "I know a certain lady who drives to and from town every day. Bet we could talk her into giving you a ride."

"You think so? Can I ask her now?" he asked excitedly. "I’ll help her around the office in the afternoons until she’s ready to go."

"I think she’d love the company for the drive in, my friend."

Ronnie looked down at his plate with a secret smile as Lex and Amanda left the kitchen. Matt was so wrong – she’s a wonderful person, and so’s her girlfriend. They’re not perverts, at all. He took in the kitchen atmosphere happily. For the first time in my life, I’ve finally got a home.

***************

Sometime later, Martha was busily rolling out pie crust when the phone rang. She looked over at the young man that was busily writing a book report at the kitchen table. "Ronnie? Could you…?"

He jumped out of his chair and grabbed the phone before she could finish her sentence. "Rocking W Ranch, Ronnie speaking."

"Who is this? Let me speak to Lex, right NOW!" the voice on the other end of the phone demanded.

"Umm…I’m sorry, but she’s out checking the fence right now. Can I take a message?" He reached for a notepad and pen.

"NO!" The man paused for a moment, then reconsidered. "Yeah. You can tell her that she can’t hide from me forever, and I WILL get what’s mine!" The connection was lost when he slammed down the phone in anger.

"Who was that, dear?" Martha wiped her hands clean and stepped over to where the teenager was standing. "What’s wrong?"

Ronnie hung up the phone and shook his head. "I’m not sure. It was some really nasty guy. He said something about telling Lex that she couldn’t hide from him, and he’d get what’s his. Strange."

Martha rubbed her hand over his shoulder in a comforting manner. "That must have been her brother, Hubert. I’m afraid he’s not a very nice person."

"THAT was Hubert? Lex has told me about him – he even makes MY brother look good." Ronnie turned around to face the older woman. "Why doesn’t he like her? She’s a really good person." He knew why his brother hated the rancher. Lex had not only foiled Matt’s attempt to steal her cattle, but had also helped capture him after he broke into the ranch house. Not to mention when he jumped her in the barn last month. She really kicked his butt!

"I don’t know, honey. He’s been like that for as long as I’ve known him. I’m afraid it’s just his nature." She rubbed her hands together. "Why don’t you let me fix you some milk and cookies? You’ve been working on that report nonstop ever since the girls left."

"That sounds like a great idea." He went over to the refrigerator and pulled out the milk. "Can I ask you a question, Martha?"

The housekeeper turned from where she was filling a plate with sweets. "Sure, honey. Ask away."

He carried his milk to the table and sat down. "I was kinda hoping, if someone wouldn’t mind…" Ronnie picked up a cookie from the plate Martha sat in front of him. "It is Christmas, after all, and…"

"What is it, dear?"

"It’s just that…well, no matter what he’s done, he’s still my brother." Ronnie looked up into Martha’s concerned eyes. "And I’d really like to see him."

The request was something that Martha had been expecting. She had become quite fond of the teenager in the short amount of time he had been living at the ranch. Family was important to him, even though he hadn’t had much of a family life. Up until now, anyway. "You want to visit your brother, don’t you?" He reminds me of Louis, sometimes. Lex’s younger brother was Ronnie’s age when he had been killed in a boating accident, and the housekeeper still harbored guilt over the fact that she hadn’t been at the ranch when it happened.

Ronnie looked down at the table and nodded. "Yes, ma’am. I just want to let Matt know that he’s not alone for the holiday." He looked back up and smiled slightly. "It doesn’t have to be on Christmas day. Maybe on Sunday?"

"I’m sure Lexie will be glad to drive you in. We’ll ask her when she gets back, okay?" Martha walked over to look out the large window over the sink. I hope they get back soon – it looks like it could get nasty out there.

***************

Amanda studied the strong profile across from her. They had been driving around for almost two hours, yet the rancher hadn’t uttered more than a sentence or two. She turned her attention through the windshield at the gathering clouds. The forecast for the evening called for a chance of rain, possibly mixed with sleet by tomorrow. Not a white Christmas, but at least it’s cold. That’s more than I can say for the holidays I spent in California. "Hey…" She reached over and grasped Lex’s arm.

"Hmm?"

"What’s up? Is there anything I can do to help?" Amanda waited until the rancher’s eyes locked with hers. "You seem really preoccupied."

Lex smiled, then looked back to the road, which ran next to the fence. "Sorry about that. I was just going over some stuff in my head. But I would like to talk to you about it." She raised her hand from where it rested on the gearshift and dropped it to squeeze Amanda’s leg. "Martha seems pretty attached to Ronnie, doesn’t she?"

What’s going on in that head of hers? Amanda covered the strong hand on her leg with her own and nodded. "Sure seems like it. Does that bother you?"

"Nah. I was just thinking out loud, that’s all." She slowed the jeep in order to navigate several deep ruts in the road. I thought I told those guys to get this damn thing graded after the big rains we’ve had recently. Gonna have to kick some butts when they get back Sunday. Lex sighed and shook her head. Back to the conversation at hand. "Martha’s a lot better with him than some of those guys down at the bunkhouse, don’t you think?"

"Well…yes. Although they’ve all been really nice to me. But I think that Ronnie needs a woman’s influence right now." Amanda had to release Lex’s hand to brace herself against the dash after the jeep suddenly lurched. "Are you sure this is supposed to be a road?"

"I’m sure." Lex downshifted and used all of her strength to fight the steering wheel. "Hang on…I’m going to take a little detour, and try to find an easier way around this mess." The road ahead was nothing more than deep muddy ruts, and even the jeep would be hard-pressed to navigate it safely. She steered the old jeep through a break in the roadside brush. Several low-lying branches slapped at the windshield, and Lex barely avoided an overturned tree as she guided the vehicle along. "Aw, shit!" She slammed on the brakes as a large, angry-looking animal glared back at them from a short distance away.

Amanda leaned forward and peered through the windshield. "That looks like a…" The animal was almost as large as the jeep, it’s dark hide shining menacingly in the afternoon gloom.

"Brahman bull," the rancher helpfully supplied. "And he’s not one of ours, either. Which means we’ve got a broken fence somewhere." Probably belongs to old man Braxton. His farm is next to ours, and he never takes care of his damn fence. Lex put the jeep in reverse and tried to back away. The tires spun ineffectually in the slick mud, and the whining noise caused the bull to lower his massive head and shake it from side to side. She turned in her seat and looked through the back window, trying to see what was holding the vehicle in place.

"Umm…honey?" Amanda’s eyes widened as the animal pawed the ground. She unconsciously leaned back in her seat. "Lex?"

The jeep continued to rock back and forth, as Lex held down, then released the accelerator. "Damn! I might have to put something under the tires before we can…" A strong grip on her arm stopped her in mid sentence. "What?" She turned around and saw what was causing her friend’s nervousness.

"He looks like he’s about to come after us," the blonde observed fearfully. "He could hurt himself, couldn’t he?" Amanda worried about what would happen to the animal if he tried to ram the jeep. She didn’t realize that because of the way the vehicle was parked, it would most likely hit her side first.

"If he’s stupid enough to charge, then he deserves to…Shit!" Lex looked at where the bull was standing. "Amanda…unbuckle your seatbelt."

Picking up on her lover’s concern, Amanda did as she was asked. "What are you doing?"

Lex had released her seatbelt and slowly opened her door. "I’m going to try and push us out of this damn mud…and I need you to scoot over here to drive."That’s one way to get her away from that side of the jeep, in case he charges.

"Excuse me? Do you see that angry beast out there?" The younger woman pointed towards the bull, which was still shaking its head and pawing the ground. "Are you out of your mind?" She moved over to the driver’s side. "I don’t think that those horns are ornamental." Each bony protrusion looked to be about twelve inches long, but still dangerous enough to cause damage.

"No, really?" Lex tapped the top of the jeep. "This thing is covered with canvas – do you really think that we’d be safe if our friend decides to play?" She bent down to check the condition of the rear tire. "Damn…" The wheel was buried almost halfway in red mud. "This is gonna take some digging."

Amanda grabbed the arm of the heavy coat that Lex was wearing. "Wait a minute! Why don’t we just sit tight for a bit, and see if he goes away?" The bull had quit stomping, and now stretched his head forward to sniff towards the jeep.

The rancher shrugged out of her coat and tossed it in the back of the vehicle. "I don’t trust those animals. Saw one climb the stands at a rodeo once, just for the hell of it." She grabbed the shovel she kept in the jeep for rebuilding fences. "Let me dig some of the mud out of the way, then you pull the jeep forward when I say, all right?"

"I don’t like this, Lex." Amanda put the old vehicle in gear while keeping her eye on the bull. "He’s looking at me kind of funny."

"Maybe he thinks you’re cute," the rancher grunted, as she scraped the clay-like mud away from the wheel.

The blonde rolled her eyes. "Very funny." She turned her head and leaned outside to watch the tall woman work, only to notice with alarm that Lex was no where to be seen. "LEX!"

"What?" A dark head peeked out from behind the jeep. "Are you okay?"

"Don’t scare me like that!" Amanda chastised then leaned back into the jeep shakily.

Lex edged her way back around to the driver side door. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was just gathering up some loose wood to put under the tire." She started to put her hand on her partner’s shoulder, but the mud caked around her fingers changed her mind. "I’m gonna go to the front of the jeep. When I give the word, I want you to drop it into reverse and step on the gas, okay?"

Amanda sat up. "What? Why the front of the jeep?" She had just assumed that Lex would push from behind or maybe even from the left side door.

"Do you want to drive TOWARDS that?" Lex pointed at the bull, which was still glaring from his position some twenty feet away. "If he starts heading this way, blow the horn to warn me. Then we’ll think of something else."

"Okay." Amanda put the jeep in reverse, and watched as Lex slowly moved around to the front of the jeep. "I don’t like this," she mumbled. "Stubborn, pig-headed lunatic – playing hide and seek with El Diablo out there."

The rancher stood in front of the jeep and smiled. "You ready?" she mouthed to the woman behind the wheel. At Amanda’s nod, Lex braced her hands against the hood and winked. "Now!"

Amanda stepped hard on the accelerator, which caused the tires to spin momentarily then take hold. The jeep lurched suddenly, racing back several yards before ramming into a tree and coming to a stop. "Oh, no."

The force of the retreating vehicle caused Lex to fall face first onto the muddy ground. She slowly raised herself to her knees and shook her head to clear it. "Well…that worked." The sudden blare of the jeep’s horn caused her to climb to her feet rapidly. She turned around and came almost nose to nose with the bull. "Oh, shit."

"Oh, shit!" After the uncharacteristic words spilled from her mouth, Amanda jumped out of the jeep, brandishing the shovel that Lex had used earlier. "I’m coming, Lex…hold on!"

"No!" Lex raised one arm behind her in warning to keep her friend away. She kept eye contact with the animal, which was continuing to edge closer to her. "Stay back, Amanda. Please," she finished in a near whisper. "Get back to the jeep."

Amanda dropped the shovel and against her better judgement, did as she was asked. She then watched in horror as the huge beast lowered his head and stepped right up to where her partner stood. "God…no."