Love's Journey Read online

  Chapter Ten

  "SO, WOULD YOU be more comfortable working in our office here at the ranch, or at your place?" Lex asked the woman sitting across from her. "It doesn't matter much to me, as long as you can make order out of chaos." They had spent the better part of the morning in the den discussing everything from accounting to grandparents.

  Janna Hotchiss ruffled one hand through her short blond hair. "You'd be amazed at some of the bookwork I've seen since I've been back. I think my father has given me all of his worst clients, hoping I can do something with them." She was almost five years older than Lex, and nearly as tall. Her blue eyes were several shades lighter, and her face appeared years younger because of her open smile. "If you don't mind, I think it would be easier for me to work at my granddad's house, that way I'm close by if I have any questions."

  "Sure. But you're welcome to use my office if you want."

  "I may, once we get your accounts current. For now, I'm going to work on your books at odd hours, and there's no sense in disturbing you. Once I get everything organized, I'll put it on a disk and load it on your computer." Janna nodded at Amanda, who had walked into the den carrying a tray with coffee and mugs and handed her a cup of coffee. "Thank you."

  Amanda sat next to her partner. "You're welcome. Why will you be working odd hours? Is everything all right?"

  Janna laughed. "Oh, sure. Everything's fine. I just tend to be a bit of a night owl. All this peace and quiet tends to feed my insomnia, and I work better at home." She stretched out her denim-covered legs with a contented sigh. "You've got a beautiful home, Lex. I'm trying to get Granddad to do something with his old house. We're lucky to have indoor plumbing."

  "Thanks. I'm going to redo the outside this spring, though. I've never liked stucco." Lex propped her feet on the coffee table, dropping them almost immediately when Amanda pinched her leg. "Ow!"

  Amanda glared at her lover. "That'll teach you to act uncivilized," she whispered. Amanda turned her attention back to their guest. "I'm afraid I haven't met your father, Janna. Do you enjoy working with him?" She caught the hand that was sneaking across her thigh and held it tightly.

  "He's easy to work with, but I want to get out on my own again. Working with him makes me feel like a little girl, you know?" Janna leaned forward. "I'll probably be looking for office space soon. You wouldn't happen to know of anything available, would you?" She had talked with Amanda for almost an hour while they waited for Lex to return from the bunkhouse. Janna was aware of most of the history between the two women, and that Amanda was in real estate.

  "Not right off the top of my head, but I'll check when I get to the office in the morning." Amanda had postponed going back to work that morning at Lex's request. She trusted her partner's instincts about people, and wanted Amanda's opinion on the new bookkeeper. "If you're in town tomorrow, maybe I can show you something."

  Janna drained the rest of her coffee and stood up. "Sure. Sounds great." She picked up a heavy briefcase on the floor next to her chair. "Lex, I'll call you if I have any questions. I helped balance the books at a dairy farm in the north, so at least I'm familiar with your type of business."

  "At least you know about bulls," Lex teased, as she walked their guest to the front door. "And believe me, I'm very glad you do. Your 'pet' nearly scared ten years off my life."

  "He's just an overgrown baby," Janna admitted. "But I do appreciate you bringing him home. I'm going to hire someone this week to rebuild his pen." She sighed. "I should have named him Houdini instead of RJ." She held out her hand to Lex. "Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I'll do my best for you."

  Lex shook the hand offered to her. "Thank you. Umm, since I'm not doing much this week, how about if I come over and look at that pen for you? Maybe we can work out a bit of a trade."

  "Sure. That sounds great to me, if it's not too much trouble. I know RJ would love to see you again. Come on over any time. I'll let Granddad know to expect you." Janna stepped off the porch and waved as she climbed into the old Ford F-150 truck her grandfather had kindly loaned her while her car was in the shop. The battered vehicle was several different shades, due to minor wrecks he'd had throughout the years. The elder Braxton would go to the junkyard and get a new part, not bothering to have it painted to match. Anyone looking at the truck would be hard pressed to guess what its original color had been.

  "She's sweet," Amanda commented, walking behind Lex and wrapping her arms around her. She buried her face in Lex's back, inhaling deeply. "Mmm--"

  Lex turned around and hugged her lover. "Uh-huh." She sank her nose in Amanda's hair. "We've got an hour or so to kill until lunch. Want to go fool around?"

  Amanda tilted her head to grant Lex easier access to her neck, where she was placing kisses. "Mmm--ahh--we shouldn't." She felt her knees weaken when Lex sucked on her earlobe. "Umm--well, maybe if we just go into the den, and--oooh--"

  "Heh. Thought that was a convincing argument," Lex chuckled as she scooped Amanda into her arms and carried her into the den, without losing contact with her throat.

  MICHAEL CAUBLE STEPPED into his darkened shop and locked the door behind him. He'd spent the morning at his parents' house looking through old photograph albums, and was ashamed to realize how few of the family pictures he was actually in. I was always too busy to spend time with my children while they were growing up. As he headed up the stairs to his loft apartment, he noticed the light on in the back room he used as an office. I don't remember leaving the light on. Retracing his steps, at the doorway he gasped in shock. "What the hell are you doing here?"

  "I'm hurt, Michael. I thought you'd be more pleased to see me, dear." Elizabeth Cauble uncrossed her well-defined legs and stood up. She had a new tan, and her blond hair had a decidedly lighter tint to it since the last time he had seen her. The expensive business suit had been tailor made for her body, and it showed. "I've been waiting all morning for you. Where on earth have you been?" She started for her husband with a disarming smile on her face.

  He continued to back away from her. "Get away from me. You're crazy."

  The smile dropped from her face, and a cold stare replaced it. Elizabeth stopped and shook her head. "Stop your sniveling, Michael. You're acting foolish." She tapped him on the chest. "I'm not crazy at all. There's nothing wrong with a woman wanting to see her family, is there? I just can't understand what you're doing in this little hick town, playing with those ridiculous cameras. You know there's no money in it."

  "For the first time in almost thirty years, I'm doing something I can be proud of. But I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" Michael brushed her hand away from him and started for the front door. "I want you out of here, Elizabeth. Now."

  She laughed. "I'm sure your mother had something to do with this, didn't she? She never did appreciate how hard you worked to build the company. Although you would have never made it had my father not helped you to get started."

  "You leave my family out of this." He spun around and stalked back over to his wife. "Go back to California with your gigolos and pool boys. You're not welcome here."

  She slapped him, hard. "You pathetic little worm. Had you been more of a man, I wouldn't have had to look elsewhere for," she smiled knowingly, "satisfaction." Elizabeth looked at her right hand as she shook it gingerly. "I've come to this rotten little town to talk some sense into our youngest daughter. From what I've heard, she's still living with that--woman."

  Michael rubbed his face where she had slapped him. "That 'woman' has a name. Lex has been better for Amanda than I could have hoped. I'm not ashamed to admit I was wrong about her. Why can't you?" He shook his head. "Go home, Elizabeth, before the police realize you're back in the country and lock you up."

  "Fool. The police don't want me. All of that trouble was Mark Garrett's idea, not mine. And because of his untimely demise, they've closed the case. Although, if he'd done his job right, our daughter would be home with me where she belongs." She brushed by him and started for
the front door. "Besides," Elizabeth opened the door and inhaled the cold air with a smile, "if they wanted someone to blame, they'd probably look to his employer. You." She waved a hand in his direction. "Goodbye, Michael. I'll drop back by before I leave--with Amanda. One way or another, I'll get her out of that pervert's filthy clutches."

  "Crazy bitch," he muttered, as his soon-to-be ex-wife strolled away. "I think I'd better make a phone call." Michael walked into his office and sank into the rickety leather chair. He shakily picked up the phone and began to dial.

  ANNA LEIGH HUNG up the phone with a heavy sigh. "No good is going to come from this, I just know it." She shook her head. "And things were going so well, too." The sound of soft footfalls behind her caused a small smile to cross her face.

  "What, sweetheart?" Jacob curled his arms around his wife and nuzzled her neck. "Did I hear the phone ring earlier?" He had been out in the shop behind the house working on a wedding present for Charlie and Martha. Lex had told him what she wanted for the couple, and he had happily agreed to build it. Not even his wife knew about it. Yet.

  "I'm afraid so, dear." She turned around and leaned into his shirt. "Michael called."

  Jacob pulled his wife closer. "Is everything okay?" He began to get a bad feeling about this.

  She shook her head. "No, it's not. Elizabeth is in town."

  "What?" He pulled back suddenly. "Why is that conniving woman here?"

  "She told him she's come to take Mandy home with her," Anna Leigh reported. "He said Elizabeth was waiting for him inside his studio when he got there."

  He sat in a nearby chair and pulled her with him. "Take Amanda with her? Has she completely lost her mind?" Jacob began to run his fingers through her hair, trying to relax her.

  Anna Leigh sat on Jacob's lap and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Michael thinks so. She acted like nothing had happened between them, and she said the police have closed the case against her." She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed again. "I'm frightened, Jacob. Do you think she'd do something to Lexington, trying to get Mandy away from her?"

  "I don't know, love. But I think we'd better inform Charlie about all of this." Jacob kissed her on top of the head and closed his eyes. "Was Michael going to call the ranch?" I swear to God above, I'm not a violent man, but if she so much as goes near those girls, I'll wring her scrawny little neck myself.

  "Yes, he was going to call as soon as he got off the phone with me. What are we going to do?" Anna Leigh deeply inhaled the calming scent of her husband's cologne. "Poor Mandy. This is just going to devastate her."

  Jacob placed his hand on the back of Anna Leigh's neck, gently kneading the tense muscles. "I know. She's a strong young woman, and we'll be there to support them both. I'm sure Elizabeth will make some sort of token appearance, but there's not much she can do. Let's just wait and see."

  "You're right, my love. I'm certain everything will be just fine. There's nothing our Mandy can't handle."

  "AAAAAHHH, STOP IT! I can't take any more," Amanda gasped, fighting for air. The large body on top of her shifted slightly. "No, please!"

  Lex rolled off the slender body beneath her and flopped gracelessly onto her back into the thick hay. "Told you I could make you scream for mercy," she teased. "Teach you to dare me."

  "Okay, okay. I give up." Amanda rolled over as well, propping her head on one hand and leaning over the grinning woman. "You are so unrelenting." She blinked and ran a fingertip down her lover's face, fighting the losing battle to keep from becoming lost in Lex's eyes.

  "And don't you forget it, Blondie." Lex stopped smiling and concentrated on the beautiful woman above her. "Aaaah!" A cold hand had wormed its way beneath her shirt and caressed her bare stomach.

  Amanda laughed. "Watch who you're calling Blondie, Slim. Two can play at that game, you know." She gazed into the face beneath her and smiled tenderly. "God, you're beautiful." She forgot the game and leaned down to kiss Lex gently.

  "Mmm--" Lex allowed her own hand to work its way under the sweater Amanda wore, finding soft skin to caress. "I love you, Amanda." She ran her hand over Amanda's back, feeling the body above her tremble at her touch.

  "I love you, too." Amanda began to unbutton the denim shirt slowly. "I never knew loading hay could be so much fun."

  "Me either." Lex gasped as Amanda's lips began to blaze a trail of kisses down her chest. "God, baby. That feels so--"

  "Is anyone here?" Kevin's deep voice boomed, causing both women to sit up suddenly.

  "Shit." Lex quickly yanked her hand out of its warm spot and fought the buttons on her shirt. She watched in amusement as Amanda brushed the hay out of her hair and stood up.

  Amanda tugged her sweater and peeked over the bales of hay. "We're over here, Kevin. What's up?" She offered her hand to her lover and pulled her up.

  "We've been looking all over for you two," Kevin chastised as he approached. The two were only visible from the waist up because of the bales of hay were stacked in front of them. He noticed, with some amusement, they were covered in bits of straw. "What exactly were you up to?" Probably the same thing Morris and I were up to the other day. I'm almost ashamed to have disturbed them.

  "Umm--we were just--" Amanda blushed.

  "Fooling around in the hay," Lex offered dryly. "What's going on?"

  It was Kevin's turn to blush. Does she have to be so damned matterof-fact about everything? "Uh, yeah. Well, your father called a little bit ago, Amanda. He and Martha talked for a while, and she sent Morris and me out looking for you."

  Amanda stepped around the bale. "Is he okay? Did she say what was wrong?" She felt Lex's comforting presence step behind her, causing her body to relax.

  "No, she didn't say. But from what I could gather from the conversation, your father is fine, just a little worried." Kevin shook his head as Amanda gathered her coat and raced from the barn. "I didn't mean to upset her," he apologized to Lex, who was slipping on her heavy duster.

  Lex slapped the old cowboy hat against her thigh and pulled it on her head. "I know, Kevin. Don't worry about it." She walked over and opened the barn door. "Let's go see what's going on."

  "Yeah. Sorry I disturbed you."

  "No problem." Lex slapped him on the shoulder gently. "Come on. My curiosity is about to get the better of me." She hurried out into the cold.

  Amanda raced excitedly into the kitchen. "Martha, what happened? Is my father okay?"

  "Oh, honey, he's just fine." The housekeeper directed Amanda to a chair and pushed her down gently. "Sit and rest a minute. Do you want some coffee?"

  "No, thank you." Amanda squirmed out of her coat and draped it behind her on the chair. "Kevin said Dad called?"

  Martha poured a cup anyway, and set it in front of the anxious woman. "Yes, he did. He had a visitor at his studio today." She raised her head as Lex and Kevin bustled into the room.

  "Lexie, hang up your coats and have a seat. I was just telling Amanda about the call from her father today."

  "Yes, ma'am." Lex took their coats and quickly hung them by the back door. She walked back into the kitchen and sat next to her lover. "Hey there. You okay?" She grasped one of Amanda's cold hands and began to chafe it between her own.

  "I'm fine. Just waiting for Martha to finish her story."

  "Oh, yes. Sorry." Martha bustled over toward the table and sat, coffee cup in hand. "Well, there's no real easy way to say this. Amanda, your mother is in town."

  Lex jumped up from the table. "What in the hell does she want in Somerville? Hasn't she caused Amanda enough grief? That deranged old--" Her pacing was stopped when a hand grasped her arm.

  "Sit, honey. Let Martha finish." Amanda pulled Lex back down and did not release the iron grip she held on her hand.

  Martha watched the interaction. She sure has Lexie's number. I've never seen anyone calm her down so quickly. "Ah, yes. Where was I?" She nodded at Kevin, who had indicated with a wave of his hand he was going back out to get his partner. "He said she was waiti
ng for him inside his studio, although how she got in is anyone's guess. I'm afraid she's out to cause you some trouble."

  "What kind of trouble?" Amanda felt Lex tense beside her.

  "She's determined to take you back to California with her," Martha answered quietly, afraid to look at them. She glanced down and studied the coffee in her cup.

  "What?" Lex stood again. "What the hell--"

  "Honey, please." Amanda pulled Lex's hand, trying to calm her down.

  This time Lex wouldn't be quieted. "I'm sorry, Amanda. Your mother is dangerous. We've got to do something about her." She tried to pull her hand away, with no success.

  Amanda tried to reason with Lex. "Nothing has been proven."

  "Bullshit. We all know she was behind your almost dying! Good God, Amanda, how much more does she have to do to you before something is done?" Lex ranted, waving her arms frantically. She started for the doorway. "I'm going into town and find her. There's no way I'm standing by while that crazy woman plots lord-knows-what against you."

  Amanda arose from the table and grabbed the back of Lex's shirt. "Stop it, please!" Once Lex stood motionless, she wrapped her arms around her and held on tightly. "Please."

  Lex stood silently and closed her eyes. Good job, Lexington. Calling her mother crazy, and threatening her. Looks like you haven't changed much after all. She slowly turned around and wrapped her arms around Amanda. "I'm sorry, love. I shouldn't have said all of that."

  "No, don't apologize. Mother is crazy. I just don't want you getting into any trouble on her account. She's just not worth it." She saw the disgusted look on her lover's face. "Stop it. You've done nothing wrong." Amanda raised up and kissed Lex lightly on the chin. "Thanks for wanting to protect me."

  "Yeah, for all the good it's done," Lex grumbled, still upset.

  "Shhh. No more beating yourself up. If I wasn't afraid of what she'd do, I'd be glad to see you confront my mother. But she scares me, especially after what my father told me about her." Amanda remembered the look on her father's face when he related the details of his confrontation with Elizabeth.