The Way Things Should Be Read online

  "Oh, yes. That's right. We were shopping, and poor Wanda's water broke, right in the middle of the maternity store. I felt so bad for her, poor dear. She was terribly embarrassed. But the salesclerk assured us that it had happened more often than she could count and calmly called an ambulance."

  "Her water broke? But I thought she wasn't due for another few weeks."

  "Exactly. But you know how Mother Nature can be. Remember, Michael? We thought that our little Mandy would never come into this world. She was determined to stay right where she was, wasn't she?"

  Michael smiled at the memory. He remembered how Elizabeth threatened to sue the doctor, the hospital, and finally her husband, when she went several weeks past her due date. "I remember, Mom. But if Wanda's sister was with you, why are you still in San Antonio?"

  "Rita had to take my car back to Somerville to get her children from school and find a baby sitter for them. So, I volunteered to stay here with Wanda until she gets back."

  "Damn," Amanda muttered. She had hoped Anna Leigh could go with her and Lex to California.

  "What's wrong, Mandy?"

  "Oh, nothing." Amanda looked at Michael, who shook his head. Telling Anna Leigh about Jeannie right now would only upset her, and there wasn't any use in that. She thought quickly. "I just lost the office pool on when Wanda would have the baby, that's all."

  Anna Leigh laughed. "You girls are something else. Well, I see the doctor coming this way, so I'd better go see what's going on. Michael, please let your father know I may not be home until tomorrow, all right?"

  "I sure will, Mom. He's going to help me with that big wedding in the morning, so maybe I'll just go over and stay with him tonight."

  "That sounds great. You boys try to stay out of trouble, and I'll see you when I get back. Mandy, I'll talk to you later, too." Anna Leigh hung up the phone abruptly.

  Amanda traded looks with her father. "When it rains, it pours, huh?" She picked up her purse and briefcase again. "Can this day get any worse?"

  SHARP BRANCHES AND twigs flayed Lex's head and shoulders as the horse raced through the heavy brush. She tried to reach up and work her boot free from the stirrup but couldn't quite reach. Just as she thought the filly was tiring and slowing down, there was another blast, this one closer. The animal spun and changed direction. Lex used the movement to finally slip out of her boot. She dropped to the ground in a heap, wheezing and gasping for breath.

  Still dazed, Lex lay amongst the leaves and brush, trying to figure out whether or not she had any serious injuries. Although her entire body ached, miraculously nothing seemed broken. She sat up and looked around, completely lost. "Damned horse," she muttered, rubbing her forehead. She knew she'd have a definite knot where she'd made contact with the initial tree branch.

  It took some time, but Lex finally got her thoughts together. She couldn't stay where she was, and even if she could, her pride wouldn't let her. She tried to get to her feet, only to have her left leg collapse under her. Falling back to the turf, Lex cursed and grabbed her knee. "Shit!" She sat still until the pain was at least a bit more manageable. Some part of the leg that had been stuck in the stirrup was definitely sprained, at the very least. There was no way she'd be able to walk on it without some help.

  Disgusted and hurting, Lex lay back on the ground and looked up at the canopy of golden leaves above her. It would be getting dark soon and the cool air would turn much colder. She wished for her coat, which was probably halfway across the property by now, tied to the saddle on the spooked horse. She had no idea where her cell phone was, or if it even worked anymore. "This day just keeps getting worse."

  Chapter Eight

  TRAVIS HUNG UP the office phone and walked back into the den. He met Ellie halfway and scooped her up in his arms and swung her around.

  "Good news, Grandpa?" Ellie asked once her feet were touching the ground again.

  "The best. Someone wants to buy my house in Dallas. I've got to go up tomorrow and take care of the paperwork."

  Ellie hugged him again, this time more vigorously. "That's great."

  "Thank you, sweetheart. Do you want to stay here, or go with me?" Travis hoped that she'd stay and try to get to know her cousin better, but he had a feeling that any friendship between them was a lost cause.

  "Well, since Lex doesn't seem to want me around anyway, if you'd like, I could always stay at your house in town and help Nancy unpack things." Ellie leaned against the back of the leather sofa, enjoying the look of excitement on her grandfather's face. She had come to care for Travis very quickly and was glad that she'd made the trip from California, if only to meet him.

  The front door opened and quickly slammed shut. From the hallway, Amanda saw Ellie and Travis. She hurried into the den to join them. "Have you seen Lex?"

  Ellie could see that Amanda was upset, appearing almost frantic. "Why? What has she done now?" She was hoping it was something bad because in her eyes, Lex didn't deserve a woman as sweet as Amanda.

  "She hasn't done anything." Amanda tossed her briefcase onto a nearby chair and ran her hands through her hair. "I was just hoping that she'd come back early from her ride." She walked over to Travis and surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. "I'm glad you're here, though. This has already been one heck of a day."

  Travis was glad to hold Amanda and felt her arms tighten around him. "Is there something that I can do to help?"

  She sighed before stepping away. "Go with me to California tonight?"

  "Tonight?"

  "Jeannie's having complications, and I need to get out there as soon as possible."

  Put on the spot, Travis didn't say anything right away. "Well, sure, Amanda, but--"

  Ellie said, "But Grandpa was going to Dallas tomorrow to sign the papers on his house. Someone wants to buy it. Is that why you're looking for Lex?"

  Travis put his hand on Amanda's shoulder. "Don't worry about the house. They can just wait until I get back."

  Amanda shook her head. "I couldn't ask that of you." Being in the real estate business, she knew how important time was to a buyer. If Travis hesitated in the slightest, he'd probably lose the opportunity. And considering how the market was, he might not find another one for months. "Besides, I'm sure Lex will be back any time now. It's getting close to dinner time, and she knows how Martha feels about that."

  "If you need me to, I'll be glad to go with you," Ellie offered. It's just like my selfish cousin to not be here when Amanda needs her. Someone ought to knock some sense into that arrogant bitch. "I've still got the money that I was going to use to get back home." What she really had was the return flight ticket, which she hoped she could trade in at some point since she didn't have much left for her in San Diego, anyway.

  Amanda wasn't sure if she wanted to have Ellie along, but she could see that was the only way she could keep Travis from canceling his plans. She hoped that Lex would be home soon, and it would be a moot point. "Thank you, Ellie. But if you go, I'd be glad to pay your way."

  "Actually," Travis said, "I'd feel better if you'd let me pay for all the tickets. Once you're in Los Angeles, Ellie can fly down to see her family." Since he couldn't get Ellie to call her mother very often, he wanted to somehow make sure she touched base with her. "Then, if you'd like," he told Ellie, "you can fly back here and spend some more time with us."

  Ellie hid her shock. These people talked about money like it was nothing to worry about. She had had to sell her car and most of her belongings just to be able to travel to Texas. But she wasn't so proud as to turn down a free flight--and with Amanda, too. "That's very kind of you, Grandpa. I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

  He raised his hand to forestall any objections. "Oh, no, you won't, young lady. What good is money if you can't spend it on your grandkids?"

  Amanda hugged Travis again. "Thank you, Grandpa Travis. You're just too sweet. Now if Lex would just get home, I'd feel a lot better." Suddenly remembering her brother-in-law, Amanda covered her mouth with one hand. "Fra
nk! I need to call him." She rushed to the office to use the phone, leaving Travis and Ellie looking at each other in confusion.

  She sat at the desk and picked up the phone. Flipping through the Rolodex nearby, Amanda found the phone number for Frank and dialed. While she waited for him to pick up, she noticed the day's mail stacked in the inbox. Rifling through it, she found a letter addressed to her, and was about to open it when Frank answered.

  "Frank? This is Amanda."

  "Oh, God, Mandy, It's so good to hear your voice." His own voice shaky, Frank did his best to stay calm. "They want to take the baby early. And poor Jeannie is so weak."

  Amanda took the envelope that was addressed to her and slipped it in her jacket pocket. "Is she doing any better, Frank? Daddy told me that the doctor's were trying to stabilize her."

  "I don't know. They keep rushing around, but no one's telling me much. I can't lose her, Mandy, I can't."

  "You're not going to. We all know how tough Jeannie is. She's put up with you all these years, hasn't she?" Amanda joked, trying to soothe him.

  Frank's laugh evolved into a sob. "I hope so."

  "Look, we'll be there as soon as we can, okay?" Amanda was already flipping through the Rolodex again, this time searching for the number of the airline they liked to use. "I'm going to make our reservations as soon as I hang up with you, Frank. Just hold on, and when you see that sister of mine, tell her I said for her to quit scaring you like this."

  Still sounding overwhelmed, Frank said, "All right. I will." He hung up.

  Amanda held the receiver in her hands, trying to get herself under control. For all her brave talk, she was terrified, not knowing how serious her sister's condition was. It pained her to be so far away at a time like this. She quickly called the airline, and found out that the only flight out that day was in less than three hours. They'd barely have time to pack before they'd have to race for the airport. She made reservations for three and checked her watch, hoping that Lex would be home soon.

  DEEP IN THE woods, Lex looked at her watch. It was close to dinnertime, and she knew it would soon be dark. She tried again to move her leg, almost crying out at the pain in her knee. The joint was severely swollen, causing the denim material of her jeans to tighten uncomfortably. As it was, she realized that the cloth would have to be cut away, and she wasn't looking forward to that chore or the pain it would cause.

  She rubbed at the small knot on her head. "Sitting here feeling sorry for myself isn't helping. I need to find a way to get out of here." Lex looked around for something to use as a crutch or a cane. Nothing nearby looked useful, and she resigned herself to having to search for a suitable piece of wood. She rolled over onto her right side, careful to not jostle her injured leg too much.

  Slow going, Lex pulled herself along the trail where the horse had dragged her. Although her leather gloves protected her hands, she had to pause frequently to catch her breath. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she found a sturdy piece of deadwood and used it to rise to her feet.

  Every step on her left leg was agony. "Damned horse, bolting like that." The thought of the filly brought back to her mind the reason it bolted in the first place. "Who on earth would be using explosives out here, and why?" Lex misstepped and almost fell. "Shit!" When she found a fallen tree off to the side of the path, she was able to sit down without too much trouble.

  Between the pain and not having had lunch, she was beginning to feel sick to her stomach. Lex looked down at her swollen knee, torn between leaving it like it was and cutting the material to release the pressure around the swelling. She leaned back against another tree and closed her eyes. Her thoughts went back to the explosions that had put her in this predicament. "I'd better tell Charlie about it when I get back to the house." Yeah, right. At the pace I'm setting, Charlie will be retired from the sheriff's office before I get home.

  MARTHA FOUND AMANDA in the master bedroom, checking the bags that she had packed earlier. Travis had told Martha the latest developments, and she wanted to see if there was anything else she could do to help. She noticed the tight set of Amanda's shoulders, and immediately went over and put her arm around the younger woman. "What can I do, honey?"

  The comforting touch was almost Amanda's undoing. She turned around and sank into the housekeeper's embrace. They stood that way for some time, until Amanda pulled herself together and stepped away. "I think I needed that, Martha. Thanks."

  "You don't have to thank me, Amanda. Travis said you'll be leaving in a bit. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  Amanda zipped up the small suitcase. "Unless you can get Lex here in the next fifteen minutes, no." She lifted the case from the bed and carried it over to the door. "I tried calling her cell phone earlier and didn't get an answer. Where the hell is she? It's nearly dark."

  Martha shook her head. "I don't rightly know. Blasted woman told me she didn't need the radio, since she'd have the phone." She sat down on the bed and straightened out her apron. "She was just being stubborn. We all know how lousy the reception is with that stupid thing." For not being available when Amanda needed her, Martha planned on giving Lex a strong talking-to once she got back to the house. "She's going to get a piece of my mind, believe you me."

  "Don't do that, Martha. I'm sure the time got away from her, and it's just taking her longer than she expected to get home. But I really wish she was going with me." Amanda knew Lex was going to be upset that she'd missed her, and even more upset when she found out her cousin took her place on the trip. I don't know what's going on between those two. It's like some sort of competition or something. "I guess I'd better go downstairs and get Ellie. We can stop off and pick up some of her things on our way to the airport."

  "Ellie? Is she going with you?" Martha didn't like the sound of that, not one bit. She recalled how the woman looked at Amanda. Even with all her self-righteous prattling, that woman's got a hankering for what's on someone else's plate.

  Not understanding the concerned look on Martha's face, Amanda nodded. "It was Grandpa Travis's idea. He didn't want me going alone, and he's got to go up to Dallas first thing tomorrow and sign the papers for the sale of his house. And since Lex isn't here--"

  "Would you rather that I went with you? I can be packed in a matter of minutes." Martha didn't want to be around when Lex found out that Ellie went with her partner.

  "I appreciate the offer, Martha, really. But you've got Charlie and Ronnie to look after. Ellie's just going to fly with me, then take another plane down to visit her family in San Diego, and Dad will show up tomorrow. I'll be fine."

  Martha didn't look so convinced. "Are you sure? Because it's really no trouble for me, you know."

  "What about Ronnie? Do you really want to leave him to the mercy of all these men?" Amanda asked, only halfway joking. It was bad enough he followed Lex around like a lost puppy and emulated her every move. The last thing they needed was for him to end back up in the bunkhouse with the ranch hands.

  "I suppose you're right." Martha stood. "At least let me walk you downstairs." When they got to the doorway, she turned to look into Amanda's face. "You watch Ellie, you hear? Don't be afraid to hurt her feelings if you need to."

  "Why would I want to do that? She's been pretty nice to me. It's Lex that she has trouble with."

  Martha reached out and put her hands on Amanda's shoulders. "Just don't let her get away with anything, that's all." She was afraid she'd said too much, so Martha led Amanda from the room, leaving the other woman more confused than ever.

  ELLIE FIDGETED IN her seat, excited to be sitting so close to Amanda, who peered out the small window. She noticed that Amanda's silk blouse was open, and got a glimpse of the part of her breast that wasn't covered by her lacy bra. Intrigued, Ellie watched as the smooth skin rose and fell with every breath that Amanda took. Suddenly Ellie realized what she was doing. What's wrong with me? Why am I looking down Amanda's shirt? Embarrassed, she quickly turned away. Dear Lord in Heaven, could my cousin's tendencie
s be rubbing off on me? I have spent a lot of time at the ranch. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, but all that she could think about was how smooth Amanda's skin looked. For reasons she couldn't begin to articulate, she wanted to know if it felt as soft as it appeared.

  For her part, Amanda was thinking about Lex. Martha promised to have her call the second she arrived back at the house, but Amanda couldn't help but think that something just wasn't quite right. She turned to say something to Ellie and noticed the look of panic on the other woman's face. Oh great. Is fear of flying hereditary in this family? She touched Ellie's arm. "What's the matter?"

  "Were you always this way?" Ellie blurted, still trying to make sense of her own hormones, which were running rampant, especially with Amanda touching her arm.

  "What way? What are you talking about, Ellie?"

  "You know, this way. Or did being around Lex cause you to become," Ellie's voice lowered, "queer?"

  Amanda began to laugh until she saw that Lex's cousin was completely serious. "Are you asking if I've always been a lesbian?" Not ashamed of who she was, Amanda was amused when Ellie motioned for her to speak more quietly. "Actually, I've always been attracted to women. But even if I had been attracted to men, it wouldn't have mattered the moment I met Lex. I fell head-over-heels in love with her as soon as I saw her on that muddy creek bank in the pouring rain."

  Ellie rolled her eyes at the declaration. "Hrumph."

  "Haven't you even been in love?"

  "Love doesn't really exist, Amanda. It's just something that greeting card companies came up with to make more sales." Ellie crossed her arms over her chest, tired of the conversation. Having been hurt in the past, she had long ago quit believing in something that you couldn't see or touch. She thought that the woman sitting next to her was probably a victim of hero worship, since Lex had pulled her from a creek and saved her life.