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  "Lex?" Amanda answered after half a ring.

  "Yeah. I found her. She's fine."

  A sob tore from Amanda's throat. "Oh, thank god." She muffled her phone and said something to the group she was with and then came back to the phone. "Where are you?"

  Lex looked around the clearing. "Honestly? I have no idea. We left the road not far from the bridge and headed west. I think I can walk us back toward the road, but I'm not positive."

  "We'll bring your horse back that way," Amanda said.

  "Great. I'll keep the lantern aimed toward the road, so maybe y'all can see us before we get out of the damned trees."

  Amanda's laugh came out as strangled. "I love you so much. Please be careful."

  "Always. I love you too, sweetheart." Lex closed the phone and returned it to her belt. She slowly got to her feet, Lorrie still in her arms. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go home."

  Suddenly Freckles turned and growled low in her throat. Her hackles rose and she stood in front of Lex and Lorrie, staring into the darkness.

  "Freckles, stay." Lex heard another growl, then a high-pitched scream.

  The scrub parted and an animal stepped into the clearing, its yellow eyes glowing in the light of the lantern. Not much bigger than Freckles, the bobcat's reddish brown fur blended in well with the dead leaves around it.

  Lex placed Lorrie behind her. She looked across the clearing, where her gun still leaned against the tree. "Damn." She bent and grabbed the growling dog's collar. "Freckles, hush."

  The cat's ears went back and it took another step forward. It focused on Freckles, apparently not noticing the humans with her.

  "Lorrie, stay behind me." Lex started to edge slowly around the clearing in an attempt to reach the gun.

  Growling, the animal turned its head and watched Lex closely. It took a step back as she came nearer.

  Lex took that as a good sign. When Freckles struggled in her grasp, she lifted the dog and tucked it under her arm. She remembered something she had once read, and hoped it was true. The almanac article stated that bobcats were rarely harmful to humans, and could usually be run off with loud noises. "Hey! Get out of here," she yelled at the cat.

  It snarled and crouched lower.

  "Hyah, go on, you mangy beast!" Lex continued to yell nonsense at the bobcat while she moved closer to her gun.

  The large, noisy creature coming toward the cat was more than it bargained for. The bobcat growled once more and took off deeper into the brush.

  Lex took the extra steps and picked up the rifle. She hitched the strap over her shoulder and put her shaky hand on Lorrie's shoulder. "Ready to go home, kiddo?"

  "Momma, what was that? It looked liked Terry's cat, but bigger." Lorrie tucked her hand into Lex's.

  "That was a bobcat, Lorrie. They're wild animals and can be extremely dangerous. You did real good, sweetheart."

  Lorrie snuggled close to Lex. "I was scared. But you made it run away."

  "Yep. And until we can trap the cat and send it away, I want you and your sister to stay very close to the house, unless an adult is with you. All right?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Lex took the leash from her duster pocket and clipped it to Freckles collar. "Good girl." She ruffled the dog's fur before setting her down.

  AMANDA LED THE way, while Roy led Lex's horse. She stopped and turned in her saddle to face him. "For the last time, I don't care."

  "But, there's no sense in you being out here. Lorrie's safe with Lex, and--"

  "And what?" Amanda turned her horse. "I'm not going home until my entire family is with me. You're more than welcome to go home, Roy."

  He pushed his hat back and scratched his forehead. "You know better than that. I just thought--"

  "I know, and I appreciate it." Amanda smiled at Roy. "Thanks for caring."

  He ducked his head, embarrassed. "Um, do you want to split up so we can cover more of the road?" A bright light came out of the heavy underbrush to his right.

  "Tired of being out here, Roy?" Lex asked, her voice weary.

  Amanda dropped from her horse and jogged to Lex. She knelt in front of the ragged group and pulled Lorrie into her arms. "Don't you ever run away again, Lorraine Marie Walters. I was scared to death." She looked up into Lex's shadowed face. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah. Been a long day, though." Lex came close to dropping Freckles leash when Amanda stood and embraced her. She could feel her wife tremble. "It's all right, baby." She kissed Amanda lightly on the lips. "Let's go home." She let Amanda take the lantern from her.

  Lorrie looked up at her hero. "Can I ride Thunder with you, Momma?"

  "Sure thing, kiddo." She lifted Freckles and handed the squirming dog to Roy. "Mind handling this one?"

  He held the animal against his chest. "She take you right to Lorrie?"

  "Yep." Lex scratched Freckle's head before taking control of her horse. "Thanks for coming out here tonight with Amanda."

  "Anytime." He tipped his hat and turned his horse toward the barn.

  Lex put Lorrie into her saddle. She hooked the backpack over the saddle horn and climbed up behind her. "You want to drive?"

  "Can I?" Lorrie took the reins as Lex put an arm around her waist. "Let's go, Thunder." Lorrie directed the horse to follow Roy, grinning at Amanda when she rode up beside them. "I'm handling Thunder," she said.

  Amanda laughed at the joy on her daughter's face. She could tell by Lex's expression that something shook her wife, and was almost afraid to find out what had happened.

  ONCE ALL FOUR girls were tucked into bed, Lex and Amanda returned to their own room and closed the door. Lex sat on the edge of the bed and removed her boots, sighing as she felt the long day catch up with her.

  Amanda heard the sigh and joined her on the bed. "Are you all right?" She put her arm around Lex's shoulders and leaned into her.

  "Yeah." Lex kissed Amanda's head. "Cut it close tonight," she muttered, talking about finding Lorrie shortly before the bobcat came along. She had filled in Amanda on the entire ordeal earlier, after Lorrie couldn't stop talking about it.

  "I know. I can't believe you yelled to make it run away."

  Lex's arm snaked around Amanda and pulled her even closer. "I'd read it in a magazine once. Just hoped it would work. They're usually afraid of things bigger than them, that's why I was so worried when we found a horse scratched up. But Mac more than likely startled it at a watering tank."

  "Whatever the reason, I'm glad you were there." Amanda started to unbutton Lex's shirt. "I think we could both use a nice, hot shower. I don't know about you, but eau-de-horse isn't my favorite fragrance." Her hand tracked down the smooth stomach, getting the expected laugh.

  "Best idea I've heard all day." Lex stood and brought Amanda with her.

  Chapter Four

  THE SILENCE OF the empty house was beginning to get to Eleanor Gordon. She'd spent the last six months hidden away from the outside world, only going out when the cupboards and refrigerator were bare. She sat in the shadowed living room, curled up in one corner of the sofa. She hadn't bothered to turn on the heat. Instead, she wrapped herself in one of her grandfather's suit jackets and stared at the darkened television. Her eyes tracked to the set of photos strewn across the fireplace mantle. "I wish you were here," she whispered.

  Last week's visit from Lex was Ellie's undoing. She thought she was doing better until Lex arrived and tried to get her to step outside of the house. "How can I make her understand?" Ellie hadn't just lost a grandfather, but the one person she had come to count on in the world. Within days of his passing, she'd shut everyone out.

  She'd sent Nancy, Travis' housekeeper of many years, away not long after the funeral. The older woman was too much of a reminder of what Ellie had lost. Nancy had been excited by the prospect of living closer to her own grandchildren. Her return to Dallas was both a relief and another painful loss for Ellie.

  The phone rang, breaking Ellie out of her bout of self-pity. She tried to ignore the sound, but
it continued to ring for several minutes. "Damn it!" She flung the jacket off her shoulders and stalked across the room. "What?" The gentle voice on the other end caused her to tear up again. "No, I'm doing okay."

  Ellie took the cordless phone with her and sat on the sofa. "No. I'm not really dressed for company." She released a heavy sigh at the caller's persistence. "Really, you don't have to." The voice became adamant and Ellie relented. "Fine. I'll see you in a little while." She disconnected the call and tossed the handset onto the coffee table. "Damn."

  She frowned when she noticed what a mess the house had become. Empty glasses and dirty dishes covered every available space in the living room and she knew she didn't have time to do much about it. Ellie stood and tried to comb her fingers through her brown hair. Limp and filthy, the stringy mess was so knotted with tangles she wasn't sure if she'd be able to brush them all out. With another resigned sigh, she headed for the bathroom to take a shower.

  Fifteen minutes later, Ellie emerged from her bedroom feeling much more human. The medical scrubs she wore hung off her frame, but they were the only clean clothes she could find.

  She was still hauling dirty dishes out of the living room when the doorbell rang. "Hold on." Taking the handful she had into the kitchen, she hustled to the front door and opened it. "Hi."

  Amanda stood on the porch with her arms crossed. "You keep ignoring my invitations."

  "Yeah, well." Ellie shrugged and held the door open wider. "You know how it is. Come on in."

  "Thanks."

  Ellie led her to the living room and had the good grace to blush. "Sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting company."

  "I'm not company, Ellie. I'm family." Amanda scooted old newspapers off the couch and sat at one end. Even through her coat she felt the chill in the room and suppressed a shudder. "It's freezing in here."

  Curling up on the opposite side, Ellie put her feet on the cushion and wrapped her arms around her legs. She rested her chin on her knees. "I hadn't really noticed."

  "Honey, you can't keep living like this. We all miss Travis, but he wouldn't want you doing this to yourself." Amanda scooted closer and put her hand on Ellie's arm. "When are you going back to work?"

  "I'm not. At least not at the nursing home. They let me go about a month after Grandpa, uh, passed." Blinking away the tears, Ellie sniffled. "There's nothing left for me here."

  Amanda wrapped her arm around Ellie. "You're wrong. You've got a family who loves you." She kissed the grieving woman's head. "Gather your things. You're coming home with me."

  Ellie shook her head and tried to push Amanda away. "No, I can't."

  "Why not?" Amanda stretched her other arm out wide. "Afraid to leave all this? Sorry, that's not going to work. Pack up some clothes." She flicked the edge of Ellie's shirt. "On second thought, just put on your shoes. We'll stop by Davenport's and get you some things that fit."

  Allowing herself to be pulled to her feet, Ellie tried one last time. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, but this isn't really necessary. I was already working on the house when you called."

  "Uh-huh. And that's why it looks so nice?" Amanda lightly yanked on the ends of Ellie's hair. "And your hair's wet because?"

  "I just got out of the shower." Ellie tried to hide newspapers under the sofa with the tip of her foot. From the look on Amanda's face, she wasn't successful. Even after all these years, Amanda was still the one woman she couldn't say no to. "Um, okay. Wait here. I'll be right back."

  Amanda laughed at Ellie's actions. "Just grab your shoes and toothbrush," she yelled to the retreating woman. "We'll come back next weekend and clean up together."

  THE LONG DINING table was not quite half full, yet the few who shared the space were boisterous enough for an entire crew. Lex groaned and pushed her plate away. "Helen, that was fantastic." She glanced at the remains of the roast and potatoes that littered her dish. "I'm going to have to take up jogging or something to combat your cooking."

  "That's very sweet of you to say. But I don't think you have anything to worry about." Helen stood and started to clear the table but was stopped by the two hired hands.

  "We'll handle it, Mrs. Wilson," Jack said. He gathered several plates while Chet picked up a couple of serving dishes.

  Lex shared a smile with Roy. "Looks like she's got them trained. Especially Jack. I think he's got a little crush on your wife."

  Roy leaned back in his chair. "Can't really blame him, can you?"

  "Nope. She's a wonderful woman, my friend. And a hell of a cook." Lex lowered her voice. "I know it's slow right now, but are Chet and Jack enough? We can always bring in a few more guys."

  "The three of us can handle things, Boss. And I've got a few guys in town I can call if we need them. Hell, you do more than your share." Hearing the two men arguing over who would wash and who would rinse the dishes, he raised his voice. "No wonder the boys are turning into housewives."

  "Hey!" Chet yelled good-naturedly. It didn't stop him from running Helen out of the kitchen.

  Helen returned to her place at the table and smiled her appreciation to Roy, who had poured her a cup of coffee. "I swear, those two men won't let me do the cleanup after meals anymore. I think you need to find more for them to do, since they have so much energy."

  "I'm sure something can be arranged." Roy edged his chair closer and put his arm around Helen's shoulders. "Lex, if you'll take the north well, the guys and I will divvy up the rest."

  Lex nodded as she sipped her coffee. "Sounds good to me. I promised Lorrie a chance to spend the day in the saddle so that will be perfect."

  "You're not taking the truck?"

  "Nah. I know it's a ways off from everything, but if we ride slowly we can make it last all day. Lorrie's been having some trouble at school, and I think a day out will help."

  Helen played with the hand on her shoulder. "That's a shame. Is there anything we can do? She's such a sweet girl."

  Leaning back in her chair, Lex released a heavy sigh. "It's the same as it's always been. Just a couple of rotten kids spoiling it for everyone. I went through the exact thing at her age." She was about to say more when her cell phone rang. "Sorry, folks." Lex stood and flipped open the phone as she walked into the living room. "Lex Walters." She listened for a moment and checked her watch. "That's right. Sure. Okay, then. Do you need directions? No? All right. See you in a few." She closed her phone and returned to the dining room.

  "Everything all right, Boss?" Roy asked.

  "Yep. Got a buyer coming out to look at Coco's colt. Said they saw the flyer I placed at the feed store." Clipping her cell to her belt, Lex leaned against the doorframe.

  "Thunder's latest, right?"

  Lex nodded. "I was hoping to place him before Christmas. If this buyer looks good, that'll be one less we have to worry about this winter." She crossed the room and took her coat from the back of her chair. She slipped it on and gave Helen a nod. "Guess I'd better get up to the house. Thanks again for a great lunch."

  AMANDA PARKED THE Xterra in her usual spot in front of the playground. It was where the girls knew to look for her and she always arrived early enough to secure the location. She stole a glance at her passenger, who had been silent since they left the clothing store.

  The shopping trip had worn Ellie out. Her energy levels were practically non-existent since she spent the majority of her time locked up in the house she had shared with Travis. After traipsing through the clothing store for an hour, her entire body felt like jelly. She rested her head against the window, her eyes closed.

  Concerned, Amanda touched Ellie's shoulder. "Hey."

  "Hmm?" Ellie opened her eyes and faced Amanda. "Sorry."

  "You don't have to apologize. I was only going to ask if you're about ready to be invaded by the girls. They should be out in a few minutes."

  Ellie's face slowly creased into a smile. "I've missed them."

  "They've missed their 'El', too." Amanda squeezed Ellie's arm. "We all have. That's one of the reaso
ns I kidnapped you today."

  "Just one?"

  Amanda studied the crease in her jeans intently. "Lex and I have been going 'round and 'round about bringing someone in to help with the house and the girls."

  "And my cousin has been her usual stubborn self about it?" Ellie asked.

  "Not exactly." Amanda turned in her seat so she could face Ellie. "Don't tell Lex, but I've pretty much come over to her side of the argument. I just don't want her to think she's going to win every time."

  Ellie laughed. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Over the last few years, I've become quite fond of that bull-headed wife of yours. But I agree it's best to keep her on her toes."

  "Thanks."

  "So, you also took me hostage because you needed someone on your side against Lex?"

  Amanda shook her head. "Actually, I want to surprise her by hiring a new housekeeper, and I'd like another opinion when I start interviewing."

  The sound of the school bell could barely be heard over the engine of the SUV. Within minutes, the first group of happy children poured through the front doors. First out was the kindergarten class. Escorted by their teacher, the youngest members of the school milled around in little groups close to the door.

  Ellie, who had never seen school let out, was completely fascinated. "Even at that age, they've already developed their little cliques."

  "Scary, isn't it? Here come the first and second graders. Watch how they totally ignore the younger ones, as if they are that more mature."

  Less orderly than their predecessors, the next wave came tearing through the doors. They brushed by the kindergarteners just as Amanda had said.

  "Unbelievable." Ellie watched as the final set of children came out. She easily spotted Lorrie, who somehow found her little sister in the melee and solicitously escorted her toward the SUV. "Is it like this every day?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Wow. Elementary school teachers have got to be some of the bravest people on the face of the earth," Ellie mused. She turned around to face the back seat as the door opened. "Hey, girls."