Beyond Always (Lex and Amanda Series) Read online

  Beyond Always

  Copyright © 2014 by Carrie Carr

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  About the Author

  Visit Us On Line

  Also by Carrie Carr:

  Lex and Amanda Series

  Destiny's Bridge

  Faith's Crossing

  Hope's Path

  Love's Journey

  Strength of the Heart

  The Way Things Should Be

  To Hold Forever

  Trust Our Tomorrows

  Other Titles From Carrie Carr

  Something To Be Thankful For

  Diving Into The Turn

  Piperton

  Heart's Resolve

  Acknowledgments

  I've worked with a lot of editors over the years, and learn something new every time. This book was no different but Nat Burns (a terrific writer, as well) is a step above. Thanks, Natty--you're awesome!

  Great beta readers are hard to find, especially ones that will tell you the truth. I'm lucky to have found Kay and Kelly. They both helped in different ways, and I will always be in their debt.

  For many years, my covers were done by a great artist, Donna Pawlowski. She was an even better person, and will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to her partner and family.

  Dedication

  To the woman who holds my heart, my beautiful wife, Jan. We've been together fifteen years, and every day seems like a honeymoon. I love you, sweetheart. Always and forever.

  To Cher, our own little rat terrier. She rescued us when we found her at the animal shelter and her antics kept us laughing. Although we only spent ten years together, she'll always be in our hearts and live on forever in print as Freckles. Rest well, crazy dog. We'll miss you.

  Chapter One

  THE QUIET OF the master bedroom was interrupted by sudden music from a clock radio. Lex's bare arm snaked from beneath the covers and slapped near the offending object, which continued to blare. The song ended and a far too-cheerful voice took over.

  "Good morning! If you haven't looked outside, better jump out of bed. We're a day late for a white Christmas, but it's beautiful anyway!"

  A groan sounded and the blanket flipped back.

  "What the hell?" Lexington Walters sat up and rubbed her dark-blue eyes.

  "Did he say what I think he said?" asked her wife, Amanda. Short, reddish-blonde hair stuck out in every direction, and an attempt at brushing it with her hands didn't help.

  "I dunno." Lex adjusted her T-shirt. "Did we forget to turn up the furnace last night?"

  Amanda donned her slippers. "Sure feels like it." She stood and wrapped her thick, pink robe around her body as she shuffled toward the nearest window. "Holy crap."

  "What?" Lex padded around the bed, wincing as her bare feet met the cold, wooden floor. She stood behind Amanda and peered over her shoulder. "Geez. Where the hell did that come from?"

  The area between their ranch house and their housekeeper, Martha's, smaller home nearby was lit by a large guard light. In the predawn gloom, an even layer of white snow rested undisturbed, giving the yard an eerie appearance.

  "The weather forecast last night said we had a slight chance of precipitation," Amanda said as she snuggled into Lex's arms. She jumped when Lex's cold hands crept beneath her robe and nightgown. "Yeow!"

  "Heh." Lex kissed Amanda on the neck. "Did they mention how long this slight chance would last?"

  Amanda tilted her head as the kissing continued. "Mmm." She reached back to tangle her fingers in her wife's hair as the phone rang.

  Lex placed a final kiss on her shoulder then walked around the bed and picked up the phone. "Walters."

  The voice of Roy Wilson, her ranch foreman, crackled on the line. "Hey, Boss. I know it's early, but--"

  "It's snowing."

  "Uh, yeah." Roy sounded confused at the interruption. "I checked the forecast, and we could be in for some trouble."

  All humor gone from her voice, Lex sat on the edge of the bed. "What do you mean?"

  "They're talking about us getting at least a foot of snow today. Maybe more."

  "We never get more than an inch or two," Lex argued. "Are you sure?"

  "Yeah. The weather guy started spouting all sorts of gibberish about fronts and stalls, but from what I gathered, they're just as surprised as the rest of us."

  Lex scratched her head. "Damn it. And we've got a couple of hundred head in the south pasture. All right. How many guys do we have here?"

  "Just the skeleton crew, Boss. Not enough to move the herd quickly. The rest of the hands aren't due back until Monday."

  "Damn, damn, damn." Lex stood and began to pace. "We've got to get those animals out of the low areas before they're buried up to their necks. Damned things aren't smart enough to do it themselves."

  "Yeah, I know. Listen, Helen volunteered to ride with us, so if we can get a couple more, we should be okay."

  Helen was Roy's wife, as well as the cook for the ranch hands. She had grown up around ranching and was an accomplished horsewoman.

  "A couple more people. On the day after Christmas? Who the hell is going to come all the way out here and ride in this crap?" Lex stopped short when Amanda stepped into her path. "What?"

  Amanda patted Lex on the hip. "We can ask Martha and Charlie to watch the kids and I'll go with you."

  Lex thought about it and realized it was the best solution. "I'd like that."

  When her foreman laughed, she returned her attention to the call. "Shut up, Roy. I don't see you telling your wife no."

  "Hell, no. I'm smarter than that. We'll saddle up and be at the main house in less than an hour."

  Lex slowly lowered the phone and looked into Amanda's eyes. "Are you sure about this? It's going to be cold and wet."

  Amanda took the phone away from her and tossed it on the bed. She wrapped her arms around Lex's waist and leaned into her embrace. "I'm positive. Will we be enough?"

  "I'd really like at least one or two more people, but we can make do." Lex kissed the top of Amanda's head. "I'd ask Charlie, but he's still fighting that nasty cold."

  "And Martha would kill both of you," Amanda replied.

  Their housekeeper, Martha, had been the mother figure for Lex as she grew up, and was now grandmother to their three children. Martha's husband, Charlie Bristol, had retired as sheriff of the county and now spent his days enjoying the grandchildren.

  "Why don't you call Shelby?"

  Shelby Fisher and her partner, Rebecca Starrett, were good friends of theirs. Shelby had been a bull rider on the rodeo circuit when she met Rebecca, but a shoulder injury caused her to retire. They had a small parcel of land on the other side of Somerville, where they boarded horses for a fee. Rebecca worked at a western wear store in town and Shelby took on odd jobs to help make ends meet.


  "She's got her own place to worry about, sweetheart. I'm sure she has her hands full right now."

  "Have you talked to her lately?" Amanda pulled back and looked at Lex. "I mean, really talked?"

  "We saw them day before yesterday, remember?"

  Amanda swatted her on the arm. "I know that, doofus. Did you actually talk to her?"

  "Yeah?" Lex shrugged. They had kept to their usual discussions about horses, cattle and their partners. But mostly about cattle.

  "Ow." She rubbed the place on her stomach her wife poked. "What?"

  "Rebecca told me that they haven't had any boarders for several months. She's been taking as much overtime as the store will allow her, but Shelby's going crazy trying to find work. She's even thinking about returning to the rodeo circuit, which scares Rebecca to death."

  Lex sat on the bed and tugged Amanda onto her lap. "Damn. Why didn't she say anything?"

  "Really? She's almost as stubborn as you are."

  "No, she isn't." It took her a moment, but Lex finally realized she had been dissed. "Hey!"

  Amanda laid her head on Lex's shoulder. "The point is, you need an extra rider and Shelby is looking for work. It's a win-win."

  "Yeah. Now I just have to figure out the best way to ask without hurting her pride."

  "I have faith in you." Amanda kissed Lex on the throat. Lex took a shaky breath. "Think you can dial the number?"

  Lex laughed as she was flipped onto the bed and covered by her wife's body.

  "In a minute." Lex trailed her lips along Amanda's throat. They had plenty of time.

  BY MID-MORNING, THE snow was already six inches deep. The fat, wet flakes fell heavily, making travel hazardous. Posted by a gate, Amanda, astride a paint mare, shivered and hunched lower in an attempt to get warm. Her task was to allow the straggling Angus into the next pasture, without letting any escape.

  "I m...mu...must be out of m...m...my mind," Amanda griped as her teeth chattered. She blinked the snow off her eyelashes and lowered her face. "S...st...stupid."

  She hadn't seen any of the black cattle for quite some time, making her wonder if she needed to stay by the gate. She considered taking her radio from her coat pocket, but didn't want to remove a glove to do so. She closed her eyes and decided to wait a while longer. The brightness of the snow was beginning to give her a headache.

  The arrival of a large, black stallion and its rider caused her horse, Stormy, to dance sideways. Amanda tugged on the reins to control her. "W...wh...whoa."

  "Amanda?" Lex held her powerful horse in place, although he snorted his displeasure.

  "I'm f...f...fine."

  Lex edged Thunder closer. "No, you're not. Why don't you head for the house? I'll take on the gate duties."

  "I can d...d...do it," Amanda forced out between clenched teeth.

  "I know you can, sweetheart. But sitting still makes it worse. Chet was supposed to relieve you half an hour ago. Have you seen him?"

  Amanda shook her head. Her entire body started to tremble.

  "Damn it." Lex hurriedly dismounted. She waded through the snow and pulled Amanda off the mare. Amanda remained rigid as Lex unbuttoned her own duster and wrapped it around her. "I told you we should buy you something heavier for winter."

  "W...wa...waste of money." Amanda snuggled as close as she could. "I'm n...n...not usually out...side for l...long, an...and it's rar...rare...rarely th...thi...this c...c...cold."

  Lex growled and briskly rubbed Amanda's back. "Stubborn."

  The echo of a gunshot startled them as well as both horses. Thunder stood wide-eyed as Stormy took off. Lex tossed Amanda to the ground and covered her with her own body. She raised her head and carefully searched the area before she rolled off her. "Are you all right?"

  Amanda got to her knees and dusted the snow off her chest. "I was warming up. Was th...that a gunshot?"

  "Yeah." Lex stood and helped Amanda to her feet. "Rifle. Not too far, either." She climbed into the saddle. "Come on. It was probably one of the guys, trying to move a stubborn heifer. But we can check it out. While we're at it, maybe we can catch your ride before she makes it back to the barn."

  She held out her hand and tugged Amanda up behind her.

  Amanda snuggled close and wrapped her arms tightly around Lex.

  They rode in silence as Lex headed to where she thought the shot had originated. Within ten minutes, Lex pulled Thunder to a stop.

  Amanda raised her head and tried to look around Lex. "What is it?"

  "Tracks. Heading down into that gully."

  Lex pointed to the single set of tracks being quickly covered by falling snow. She swung her right leg across Thunder's neck to climb down.

  "Stay here while I check it out."

  When Amanda refused the reins, she sighed. "Amanda, please."

  "I think you've been kicked in the head by a horse too many times."

  Amanda dropped to the ground beside her. "That's the only logical explanation for this bout of brain damage you seem to have acquired."

  She patted Thunder's shoulder and moved closer to Lex. "Lead on."

  Lex looked into the sky. "Give me strength." Amanda patted her on the back to let her know she'd heard her. "All right. Then at least stay behind me."

  "Sure. It's easier to walk in your steps, anyway." Amanda dropped the reins to the ground, secure in the knowledge that Thunder was trained to stay in place. "Extra goodies for you when we get home, buddy," she told him.

  "You've spoiled my horse. He's going to get fat and lazy."

  "Yeah, right."

  Two more shots rang out, this time from the direction of the gully.

  Lex immediately squatted and pulled Amanda down with her. "We're getting close. I don't suppose you'll let me go first?"

  "Hell, no." Amanda tangled her fingers in the back of Lex's coat. "You're not getting out of my sight."

  "I was afraid you'd say that. All right. Stick close."

  Amanda tightened her grip. "Like glue."

  They waded through the snow-covered brush, Lex doing her best to keep them upright. Their descent became more of a struggle as they went, the deepening snow making the walk more difficult. Lex stumbled and would have fallen if Amanda hadn't grabbed the back of her coat.

  "Thanks," she muttered.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yep." Lex struggled past a large cedar and stopped. "What the hell?"

  Chet Burns, one of the four regular ranch hands, stood at the foot of the gully. He turned toward her voice. "Boss! I was hoping someone would hear the shots."

  Amanda looked around Lex. "Chet?"

  He waded through the snow and met them halfway. "Hi, ma'am. I didn't know what else to do, Boss."

  Lex looked around him. Amanda did as well. They saw the body of his horse. "What happened?" Lex asked.

  "Found a hole and poor Shadow broke his leg. He was in such agony, I shot him." The chapped and moist skin around Chet's eyes showed how hard he took the horse's death. "I didn't know how long it would take help to get here, and I couldn't stand to see him suffer."

  Lex patted his shoulder. "I'd have done the same. Why didn't you call out on your radio?"

  Chet held up what was left of the device. "It broke when we fell."

  "Damn. All right. Gather as much of your gear as you can, and follow us. We'll have someone meet us up there." Lex pointed in the direction they came from. "Thunder can carry Amanda and me, but I think he'd balk at hauling you, Chet."

  He wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "Yeah." He took a few minutes to get what he could from the fallen animal. "I feel bad leaving him like this." Chet said as he straightened up with his hands full.

  "Can't be helped." Lex flinched as Amanda prodded her in the ribs. "Uh, right. As soon as the snow lets up, you can come back with a couple of guys and a trailer." She turned to Amanda. "Okay?"

  "Better. Chet, give me your saddle bags, at least."

  Chet blushed as he glanced at Amanda. "No, ma'am, I can handle it."


  He dropped the bags when he tried to pick up the saddle he had struggled to remove. When he bent to pick up the bags, his rifle scabbard landed in the snow.

  "Not a good way to treat a gun," Lex deadpanned.

  "No, ma'am. I know." Chet flipped the saddlebags onto one shoulder and tried to dig the scabbard out of the snow. He shook the scabbard clean, which caused the saddlebags to drop from his shoulder. Again.

  Lex held out her hand. "Chet, we're gonna turn into ice sculptures at this rate. Give me the gun, hand Amanda the bags and you carry the saddle."

  "Right." He did as she suggested, and soon they were slogging uphill.

  When they reached the crest, they were greeted by two riders, Shelby and Roy. The latter casually leaned on one arm against his saddle horn. He tipped his black Stetson. "Hey, Boss Lady."

  His gray mustache had pieces of ice along the edges and his heavy green coat was covered with snow.

  Lex laughed. "Hey, yourself. Comfy?"

  She handed him the scabbard.

  "Been worse. We heard the shots. What happened?" Lex looked significantly at Chet with the saddle and it seemed the only answer Roy needed. "Damn."

  He raised his voice and spoke to Chet. "Just leave your saddle here and you can double up with me."

  Shelby spoke up. "I'll take the saddle, if you want."

  Her thin frame was bulked up by the heavy jacket she wore and her brown western hat drooped from precipitation. Small strands of her shoulder-length brown hair peeked from beneath the hat.

  Chet looked relieved. "Thanks, ma'am."

  With a laugh, Shelby accepted the saddle. "I've been called a lot of things, but never that." Shelby nodded to Lex. "All the cattle have been moved and everyone else is on their way back."

  "Careful, Shelby. We'll make a ranch hand out of you, yet." Lex tried to shake the snow from the bottom of her duster, with little success. She ended up using her hands to break up the clumps.

  "Had worse jobs."

  Roy helped Chet climb up behind him. "We'll see what you say in the summer when we have to clean the cattle pens."

  "Is that a job offer?" Shelby asked, looking from Roy to Lex.

  "Would you take it, if it was?" Lex said. "Shelby?"

  "Yeah?"

  Amanda had heard enough. "Really? Have you all lost your minds? I'm freezing my ass off out here, and you're playing word games." She patted Shelby's leg as she passed. "I'm sure if you show up Monday morning, Lex will have all the paperwork ready. Go home and get warm. That's what I'm going to do."