Love's Journey Page 7

  He continued to brush the paint pony. "Sorry, I keep forgetting. Umm, can I ask you a question?" Ronnie was in awe of this woman who took him in, even after he was involved with breaking into 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 you don't hold me responsible for the things Matt has done, and you can relate to what I'm feeling. I guess I'm just wondering how it is you understand." Ronnie finished with Stormy and left the stall to walk over to where the bales were stacked and sat. He studied his boots as he tried to avoid Lex's gaze.

  Lex sighed. "Guess we were going to have this chat sooner or later." She sat beside him and took off her gloves, using them to dust the knees of her faded jeans. "It's easy for me to understand, because I have an older brother, too."

  Ronnie's head jerked up. "Does he live around here? I've never heard any of the hands talk about him."

  It was Lex's turn to stare at her boots. "Yeah, he lives in town. We--umm, don't get along."

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

  "I think 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, Ms--uh, Lex." Ronnie paused for a moment. He wanted to ask her something else, but she had already done so much for him. "I know you were expecting me to work full time during the summer, but--" He stopped, unable to continue.

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

  "No! I mean, yes. Aw, shoot." Ronnie wiped a hand down his face. "I like living out here and working here, too. It's just," he took a deep breath, exhaling it with his confession, "I want to go to summer school."

  "Summer school? I thought you were making good grades." Lex remembered her conversation with Ronnie's counselor. The young man's marks had improved dramatically in the past month, mostly due to the close attention Lester and Martha were giving him.

  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 me I've improved enough to take some precollege 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 appeared to be genuinely concerned for the welfare of the students in his care. When Lex met with him to re-enroll Ronnie in school, she had been impressed with how he had interacted with the young man. He continually involved Ronnie in the conversation and even gave him his card with his pager number in case Ronnie needed him outside of school hours.

  "And this is something 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 I would work during the summer, so I can understand if you say no. You probably think 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 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 and work full time to earn my keep during the summer."

  "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 range of knowledge, until Martha had revealed to her that years ago 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 Walters' need for a housekeeper and nanny for his children. His young wife had become bedridden during a high-risk pregnancy leaving him unable to take care of his home and ranch by himself. A month after taking the job, her mother passed away, but Martha stayed on at the ranch. She had become so attached to the family, young Lexington in particular, that she never returned to college to finish her studies.

  "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."

  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 proud of you, Ronnie."

  He returned the embrace and 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 and shrugged, trying to make light of his disappointment. "Oh, well. It was a good thought, anyway."

  Lex thought for a moment and 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 come back to the ranch."

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

  THE WEEK BEFORE Christmas passed quickly as Amanda reacquainted herself with her favorite uncle. Morris was full of funny stories from her childhood. The stories embarrassed his niece, but endeared him to the quiet Lex. His partner, Kevin, arrived two days after he did, and both men proved to be quite helpful around the ranch.

  "You don't have to help, you know," Lex told Morris for the third time. "You and Kevin are guests." She tossed another bale of hay into the back of the old blue truck.

  Morris laughed and dropped his bale beside hers. "Are you kidding? I'm stuck in my veterinary office all day with only animals for company. Working with other people is wonderful." He had quickly become quite fond of his niece's chosen partner. Although she didn't say much, when he did get Lex to open up and talk, he found the woman to be highly intelligent and very amusing.

  Lex put her hands on the small of her back and stretched against them. "I do appreciate all the help. Just didn't want you to feel like you had to work during your vacation."

  "I understand. But we're not the types to just sit around while everyone else is busy." He watched as she stretched and grimaced. "Are you all right?"

  "Yeah. Just a little stiff." Lex waved off his concern and jumped over the side of the truck. She buttoned the heavy duster she wore. "Well? You coming inside with me, or do you want to ride in the bed?"

  He shook his head and followed her lead. "Oh, no. I may live in Boston, but it doesn't mean I actually like cold weather." Morris climbed into the cab of the truck and shivered. "Though, as cold as it is, it does almost make me feel homesick."

  Lex chuckled and started the old vehicle. "I know what you mean. I don't remember the last time it got this cold here." She pulled her hat lower and sighed. "At least the barn blocked most of the wind. I'm not looking forward to feeding the stock out in this nasty weather this morning. I almost wish it would snow. At least it wouldn't be so bitterly cold." The thought of snow brought a smile to Lex's face. Just the previous night, her lover had been so cute talking about having a white Christmas. I wonder what Amanda is doing right now?

  AMANDA STARED OUT
the kitchen window, the coffee mug in her hand forgotten.

  Michael stood behind his daughter and looked over her shoulder. "See anything interesting?" He had driven out from town a little while before, determined to give Lex and Amanda their Christmas gift from him early.

  She turned her head slightly. "Not yet. But they've only been gone for about an hour." Amanda allowed her father to lead her from the window to an empty chair at the table. "Where's Kevin?" Her uncle's rugged, muscular companion quickly found a place in her heart. With his dark blond hair and smiling blue eyes, the large man was more like a model than a chiropractor.

  Michael sat next to his daughter. "Martha has enlisted him in setting up the dining room." He shook his head ruefully. "I honestly don't remember him being that big. The man looks like a weightlifter." He had a vague memory of Kevin the last time he had seen Morris, at Amanda's high school graduation five years before. It had been a fiasco.

  His wife's entire family had shown up. The Kingston's had been well represented by his wife's three siblings. Paula Kingston-McAffee, at fifty, was the oldest but most affluent of the group. Her regal bearing and quiet demeanor hid a sharp wit and even sharper tongue. She had buried more husbands than the rest of the family combined. Christina Kingston, formerly Marsh, was forty-two years old and a shorter version of Paula, but without the self-confidence that her older sister exuded. The quietest and shyest of the Kingston's, Christina had just recently taken her maiden name back after going through a nasty divorce--after finding her husband in bed with the young man who did their yard work.

  Morris Kingston was the youngest of the family at thirty-five and they had always considered him the black sheep. He had eschewed the family calling of corporate business, entering the field of medicine instead--veterinary medicine, to their horror. Morris was not a big man. In fact, he was shorter than two of his sisters, and his bright red hair and freckles kept him from looking anything like the others. He had brought his lover, Kevin Southerland with him. Tall, well built, Kevin had dark blond hair that fell almost to his shoulders and gave him the appearance of a muscular surfer, even though he was originally from Michigan. He had met the easygoing vet through a mutual friend in Boston, where his chiropractic practice was located.

  Michael's wife, Elizabeth, made quite a scene after being introduced to Kevin, calling them both deviants and perverts. When Amanda tried to intervene, Elizabeth slapped her, and disowned her own brother.

  "I'm glad Kevin doesn't hold a grudge," Michael admitted to his daughter. "Between him and Lex, I don't think there would be much left of me once they got through."

  Amanda laughed. "Oh, Daddy, Lex would never hurt you." Not now, anyway. She decided to change the subject. "So, are you ever going to tell me what your big surprise is? I'm dying to know."

  Michael chuckled at his daughter's persistence. "Sorry, honey. It's something for you and Lex, so I'd like to wait until she gets back and tell you both at the same time."

  "Well, hopefully she won't be much longer. With Uncle Morris helping, it should take a lot less time to feed the stock." Amanda stood again and walked back over to look out the window. "I hate for her to be out in this cold any longer than necessary."

  LEX LOOKED OVER at Morris, whose face was bright red from prolonged exposure to the biting wind. "Why don't you stay in the truck, and I'll finish this last bit? No sense in you getting sick." They had parked at the edge of a large stand of trees where the hungry cattle and horses were seeking shelter from the wind.

  "Nah. If we both work on it, we'll be out of here in a couple of minutes." Morris opened his door and climbed out. "Whew! The wind certainly takes your breath away, doesn't it?"

  "Sure does." Lex jumped into the back of the truck and started tossing bales over the side. "I'd practically kill for a nice cup of hot coffee right about now." A loud crack and a fast whine over her head caused her to spin. "What the hell?"

  Morris walked back over to the truck. "Was that what I think it was?"

  A second shot sounded. Lex jumped over the side of the truck and tackled Morris to the ground, rolling them both closer to the vehicle. "Damn!" She rose slowly and peered over the back of the bed. "Nothing. Who in the hell is shooting, and are they shooting at us?" She felt a gloved hand grab her arm and pull her back.

  "Are you crazy? Get down before they get another shot off." Morris released her arm when Lex glared at him. "Don't give me that look. I'm not going to try to explain to my niece why someone put a bullet in you while I stood by and watched."

  "Damn." Lex shook her head. "You two are definitely related, you know?" She checked her coat pocket. "It figures."

  "What's the matter? Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine. But I think I left the radio in the front of the truck." Lex started to crawl for the passenger door. Morris' strong grip on the calf of her leg stopped her. "We need the radio, Morris."

  He ducked at the sound of another rifle shot and held on tighter to Lex's leg.

  Lex shook off the hand and continued her trek. "Stay down, I'll be right back." Once she got to the door, she opened it slowly. So far, so good. She saw the handheld radio that Amanda had given her sitting on the dash--on the other side of the truck. Great. She opened the door a little further and began to climb across the well-worn bench seat.

  She heard the crack and ping of a bullet going through the windshield and continuing through the back window.

  "Shit!" Lex grabbed the radio and crammed it into her coat pocket. Scooting backward out of the truck, she dropped to the ground and scurried back to where Morris was leaning against the back tire. "You okay?"

  He nodded. "Yes--other than being scared for you. Did I hear glass breaking?"

  "Yeah. A bullet went through the windshield. But at least I got the radio." Lex fished the small device out of her pocket and thrust it at the nervous man. "Here. Try to contact the house."

  "What are you going to do and why do I think I'm not going to like your answer?"

  "I'm going to find out who's out there and why they're shooting at us." Lex started to crawl away but Morris stopped her by grabbing the shoulder of her jacket. "What?"

  Morris shook his head. "Don't be foolish, Lex. If you leave the protection of the truck, you'll be a perfect target!" Fear for her made his voice tremble. "Let's just sit tight and call for help."

  She gently pried his hand away from her shoulder. "I'm just going to try to find out what we're up against. If they are seriously after us, help won't get here in time." She took off her hat and handed it to Morris. "Raise this above the truck every few minutes so they'll think I'm here." Lex patted his arm and said, "See you in a bit." She left the safety of the truck and dashed into the nearby thicket before Morris could stop her.

  He watched as her tall figure cut through the thick trees, dodging the small brush with ease. Morris put the small radio to his lips and called for the main house. "This is Morris. Can anyone hear me?" Suddenly another shot rang out. Just at the edge of his visual field, he gasped in horror as the lanky woman dropped face first into the undergrowth. "God, no!"

  MARTHA WAS STRAIGHTENING the den when she heard the squawk of the radio. "What on earth?" She walked into the room and picked up the mike. "Main house, this is Martha--go ahead."

  "This is Morris."

  She clicked the button again. "What's the matter?"

  Dead silence was her only answer.

  "Morris? Are you there?" Martha started as Kevin walked into the room, but she quickly recovered. "Could you go get Amanda for me, please?" When there was no response from the man on the radio, Martha picked up the phone on the desk.

  Amanda came rushing into the room, with Kevin and Michael close behind. "What's up, Martha? Kevin said you wanted to see me?"

  The housekeeper raised one hand to silence her while she was on the phone. "Charlie? I'm sorry to bother you at work, but I was wondering when you're coming out to the ranch?"

  "What's happening, sweetheart?" Michael asked, seeing the concern
on everyone's faces.

  "I'm not sure," Amanda answered quietly, so as not to disturb the housekeeper.

  Martha released a heavy sigh. "You're just about to leave? That's great!" She listened for a moment. "No, nothing--Well, to tell you the truth, I'm a little worried." She directed her next comments to the others standing by the doorway. "I received a call from Morris on the radio earlier, and now I can't raise him."

  Kevin started to surge forward, but Amanda stopped him. "Did she say Morris radioed in?" he asked her. "What did he say?"

  "That's right. He went out with Lexie this morning to feed the stock, since she gave most of the hands the week off for Christmas." Martha held the phone between her ear and shoulder and nervously straightened items on the desk. "No--they probably took the old truck." She met Amanda's worried eyes. "Right, honey. I'll see you in a little bit. Drive carefully. I love you, too." She hung up the phone. "He's on his way."

  Kevin stepped beside the desk. "You said Morris called in? Did he say what was wrong?" He appeared as if he were about to race from the office in search of his partner.

  Martha patted his arm. "Calm down. Charlie's probably right. The truck could have broken down while they were delivering the feed, and Morris was radioing in to let us know."

  "If that's the case, why didn't Lex make the call? And why did we lose contact with Uncle Morris?" Amanda could feel the knot of worry begin to fill her stomach.

  Michael put an arm around her and pulled her close. "I'm sure everything is just fine. Lex is a very capable woman, you know. She's probably trying to get that old clunker started right now."

  AFTER SEEING LEX fall, Morris dropped the radio into the dirt and began to crawl quickly toward the trees. Please be okay--I don't want to face Amanda, otherwise. Once he was in the trees, Morris stood slowly. I think she went this way. He looked mournfully at the hat he held in his hands. Oh, well--