Love's Journey Page 9

  Lex shook her head. "Please--let me finish." She waited until Amanda was silent. "Where was I? Oh, yeah. Paul and Lawrence were in one group, and Alison was with me." She met the eyes of her lover. "Yeah. I guess she was like my girlfriend. We went a lot of places together. Even necked a bit in the barn."

  "At fourteen? You were an early bloomer, weren't you?" Amanda teased, trying to lighten the moment.

  "Yup. Wasn't real serious, just a couple of kids having a bit of fun." Lex smiled wistfully. "I haven't thought about her in years." She shook her head. "Anyway, Alison and I got bored with the hunting, so we went back to camp to, umm--well, you know." She blushed. "We were comfortable in the tent when we heard a shot from a few hundred yards away. I figured we had lost the contest, so I settled down to enjoy my own fun."

  Amanda shook her head. "Oh, boy." She rubbed her face against the soft cotton shirt Lex was wearing. "And?"

  "About ten minutes later, Paul came screaming into the camp. We quickly climbed back into our clothes and met him outside of the tent." Lex was quiet for a long moment. "He was covered in blood. It was all over him, Amanda." She had spoken the last words in a near whisper. "I kept checking him over but couldn't find anything wrong with him."

  "Oh, God--it was Lawrence, wasn't it?" Amanda's eyes filled with tears. "What happened?"

  Lex nodded. "I had to slap Paul to calm him down enough to tell me what had happened. He told me he left Lawrence back on the trail, so I went to look for him. I found him lying over a big log."

  "He was dead, wasn't he?" Amanda asked quietly.

  "Yeah." Lex choked out. "He had the wildest, curliest blond hair. All the girls used to chase him around, wanting to run their fingers through it." She closed her eyes in memory. "But when I looked at his body, slumped over the tree, it was gone. He had started climbing over the tree and propped his gun against it. I guess a branch or something got caught on the trigger, and it blew off the top of his head." She swallowed the bile forming in her throat. "Even after all these years, I can still see it."

  Amanda saw the tears track down Lex's face. "Oh, honey, that must have been a nightmare for you." She placed one hand on the damp cheek above her, trying to offer comfort.

  "Yeah. I had to bundle him up to take him home. Paul was a basket case, and poor Ali--" She shook her head. "Well, she was busy trying to keep Paul together, so I had to make a travois to drag him down out of the hills. Took us almost a full day. Needless to say, I've not gone hunting since."

  Amanda shifted around until she could pull Lex into her arms. "Come here."

  Lex gratefully allowed herself to be comforted over the long ago tragic loss of her friend. Martha had tried to reach her during that time after the accident, but she had refused to talk about it. The angry girl she used to be would usually yell and race from the room. I was such a brat. Lex remembered when the worried housekeeper had beseeched her to open up--if not to her then to a professional. Martha was finally able to get through to her, but the traumatic effect it had on Lex had never been resolved.

  Her father had tired of Lex moping around the house after Lawrence's funeral, and his way to snap her out of it was to have Lex clean all the guns. Martha found her in the office, and argued with Rawson that perhaps Lex needed to see a grief counselor instead.

  Not understanding, Lex listened to the two adults argue over her care, and raced from the room and hid in the barn loft. Not until Martha found her and held her close, did Lex ever cry for her lost friend. Her father had found them and berated Lex for her loss of control. As a result, the young girl closed herself off to the pain, and refused to talk about it ever again.

  Lex sat snuggled in Amanda's arms for nearly an hour while her lover gently stroked her hair. A quiet knock on the door caused both women to jump slightly.

  Martha opened the door and peeked inside. She saw the two women cuddled together in front of the low fire, Lex lying in Amanda's lap. "Is everything okay here?"

  "Just fine, Martha." Lex regretfully pulled away from Amanda's grasp and sat up. "Come on in." She leaned back and ran a shaky hand through her hair.

  The housekeeper walked further into the room and sat in the chair next to the rug. "I just wanted to let you girls know dinner is ready." She studied them carefully. Lexie doesn't look too good. I hope she's not coming down with something.

  "Great. I'm starving!" Sensing Martha wanted to talk to Lex, Amanda got up quickly. "I want to ask my father something. I'll see you both downstairs." She bent down and kissed a startled Lex on the forehead. "I love you."

  "I love you, too," Lex answered, as Amanda bounded out of the room. She traded grins with the housekeeper, who smiled widely.

  "She's subtle, isn't she?" Martha joked.

  "Must be taking lessons from you," Lex teased fondly. She climbed to her knees and crawled over to where the housekeeper was sitting. "We were talking about why I don't like guns."

  Martha's eyes widened. That explains why Lexie looks so washed out. She watched as Lex planted herself next to her feet. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah. It just brought out a lot of things I didn't realize were still there." She glanced at the worried look on Martha's face. "I also remember the afternoon in the hayloft." Tears began to cloud Lex's vision when she felt a light touch of her hair. "I don't think I ever thanked you."

  "Honey, you don't have to thank me. I was just afraid you were going to keep it bottled all inside." Martha ran her fingers through the dark tresses, untangling the hair much as she had when Lex was a child. "I was so worried about you." Never stopped worrying, have I?

  "I was worried about you, too."

  "Me? Why?" Martha felt a strong arm wrap around her leg, as Lex laid her head in her lap. She continued to stroke the long hair.

  "I could see how much Dad resented our relationship with you. I was afraid if you went against him he'd fire you, and I'd never see you again." She turned her head to look at Martha. "I couldn't have handled that."

  Martha shook her head. "He might have been able to fire me, but nothing he could have done would have taken me out of your life, Lexie. You and little Lou were, and still are, my children. Your father never could take that away." She saw the understanding dawn in the tear-filled eyes below her.

  "I know I never say it enough," Lex sat up and looked her in the eyes, "I love you. You have made such a difference in my life, and I'd hate to see where I would have ended up without your guidance and love." She wrapped her arms around Martha's shoulders and pulled her into a fierce hug. "Thank you."

  "I love you, too, Lexie." Martha felt Lex's lips on her cheek. "I couldn't have handpicked a better daughter, you know."

  Lex laughed, and pulled back slowly. "Uh-huh. Even when I'm tracking mud into your freshly mopped kitchen?"

  The housekeeper pretended to consider it. "Well--"

  "Hey." Lex stood and put her hands on her hips. "What's that supposed to mean? Come on, let's get downstairs before the food's all gone." She offered her hand to Martha.

  "Lexie!" Martha laughed, accepting her hand and allowing Lex to pull her to her feet. She was startled when Lex pulled her into another strong hug.

  Lex kept her arm around Martha as they left the room. "Gotta take care of my best girl, you know." She kissed the top of the graying head and escorted the housekeeper down the stairs.

  Chapter Seven

  "A LITTLE OVER to the left, Lex. No, no--that's too much."

  Lex sighed. "How's this?"

  "Good. Now put your hand right--yeah. Great."

  Amanda covered the hand that rested on her shoulder. "Thank you for doing this, Lex. It means a lot to him and to me." Lex rewarded her with a loving smile.

  She considered Amanda's words. For her, I'd do anything, including getting back into these damned clothes. Lex was wearing the blue shirt she had first worn at the dinner party in California with the sharply pressed black slacks she had recently worn to the courthouse. "Well, I'd kind of like to have a picture of us together, anyway. An
d I'm curious as to how good your father is with his camera."

  When Michael told them at breakfast what he wanted to give them for Christmas, both women were speechless. Amanda, because she never thought her father would accept their relationship to the extent he'd actually treat them as a couple; and Lex, because she absolutely despised having her picture taken. Michael's enthusiasm was contagious. So, within an hour, both women had changed clothes and were in the den posing in front of the huge fireplace. Amanda posed in the Queen Anne chair from the sitting room, and Lex stood behind her.

  Michael stepped away from the tripod he had set up. "Okay, ladies." He smirked at the look Lex gave him. "If you can stop whispering long enough, I'd like to get a few shots of you now." He shook his head at the frown on Lex's face. "Do you want to try to give me a smile?"

  Lex sighed. "Sorry." Smile, he says. Right. I hate people who give fake smiles to cameras. She felt the hand on top of hers squeeze. A large grin suddenly covered her face.

  "Perfect," Michael complimented, as he leaned down and peeked through the viewfinder.

  Several poses and half an hour later, Michael declared the photo session finished. "Wasn't that fun?"

  "Loads," Lex grumbled. She had been standing in the same position for the past fifteen minutes, and her back was stiff and aching. She tried to stretch unobtrusively, but a turned head and a frown from her lover indicated she wasn't successful.

  Someone's going to take a nice long soak in the tub, and get a massage. I know Lex's back is bothering her, no matter what she tries to tell me. After giving Lex one last serious look, Amanda rose from her chair and gave her father a hug. "Thanks, Dad. This was a wonderful surprise."

  "Well, don't be too excited until you see the finished product. I haven't tinkered with a camera in years." Michael spared a thought for his parents' generosity. He was having trouble wrapping his mind around Anna Leigh and Jacob's generosity in giving him such a gift.

  "Speaking of finished products, can I talk to you for a minute, Michael?" Lex asked quietly.

  He finished packing his gear and nodded. "Sure."

  Lex stretched again, almost groaning when several vertebrae in her back popped. She put her arm around Amanda. "Thanks for putting up with my grumbling. I don't feel comfortable in front of a camera."

  "You were fine, Lex." A woman as beautiful as she is, afraid of a camera? I'd like to know who did that to her. It's not right. Michael could tell something else was on Lex's mind. "Do you have a question?"

  "Umm--yeah. Are you going to do portraits only, or will you be doing other things, too?"

  Michael exchanged glances with Amanda. "I'll probably jump at any business I can get. Why do you ask?"

  "Well, Martha and Charlie finally set their wedding date for January twenty-second, and have agreed to have the ceremony here at the ranch. I was wondering if I could, umm--retain your services to handle the photography." She felt uncomfortable trying to hire Amanda's father, but didn't want to hurt his feelings by asking someone else to take the wedding pictures.

  "No."

  Lex nodded in understanding. I don't blame him any. He's probably a bit uncomfortable around me. "I just--"

  Michael almost laughed at the shocked look on both women's faces. "I'd love to do it, but I refuse to charge for it, Lex. They're family. And I won't charge family for something I enjoy."

  Lex held out her hand. "Thanks, Michael--I appreciate it." It's certainly something I never thought I'd hear from him. He interrupted her thoughts by pulling her into an unexpected hug.

  Amanda laughed at the look on Lex's face. "This is going to be great!" It will be the first Christmas I'm actually looking forward to. No uptight parties hosted by Mother. A twinge of sadness touched her heart. I wonder where she is, and if she's okay.

  THE WELL-MANICURED hand sneaked out from the shade under the umbrella and grasped the fruit-laden drink. The elegant woman spoke quietly into her cellular phone. "So, you're telling me because of Mark's unfortunate accident, there's nothing to link me to those terrible things that happened to my daughter's little 'friend'? Do they want to question me about Amanda's poisoning?" It's not my fault Mark was stupid--hiring a teenager to do a professional's job. Idiot.

  "No, ma'am. They've linked everything back to the late Mr. Garrett. I checked with the authorities handling the case, and I've given them your statement. You're free to return from your 'vacation' whenever you're ready."

  "Splendid! Just in time for the holidays, too. I'm sure my family misses me terribly. Do you have any idea where my husband is?" Elizabeth watched with interest as a tanned man in his mid-twenties strolled past her lounge chair. Nice. She followed him with her eyes until he dove into the nearby pool. I just love the Islands this time of year.

  "Yes, ma'am. He's opened a small photography business in Somerville and has just moved into the apartment above the studio."

  Elizabeth almost spewed her drink. "You've got to be joking! I thought he'd re-build his company and take up where he left off. What about our house?" I knew I should have never married him. Weak willed mama's boy. Ran off at the first little sign of trouble. He doesn't deserve to run a corporation.

  The voice on the other end of the line paused. "Umm--there's an auction of the furnishings to be held after the first of the year, and the house will be placed on the market. Mr. Cauble owes his creditors quite a bit of money. But I took care of all your personal items and have you set up in a nice condominium not too far from your gallery."

  "Even better. This is just so much fun!" She laughed with glee and sobered. "What about my youngest daughter? Is she staying with that--woman?"

  "I'm afraid so, Mrs. Cauble. My investigators have found out they're hosting a large party Christmas Day at the ranch. So I think your daughter is there to stay."

  "Not if I can help it!" she shrieked into the phone. "I will get my baby out of that deviant's clutches, one way or another." She stopped momentarily to calm down. "Christmas Day? Hmm--I'll call you later, Jonas. I have a flight back to the States to arrange."

  LEX SAT IN the office, her tired eyes studying the computer screen in front of her. Michael had left earlier in the evening, stating he wanted to develop the pictures he had taken. Amanda was in the kitchen with Martha and Travis trying to organize the kitchen and dining area for the big meal in two days. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes. Amanda's right. This stuff is getting too complicated for us. I'm going to have to break down and hire a real bookkeeper. She opened the lower desk drawer and looked at the professionally wrapped box inside. Tomorrow's Christmas Eve. Maybe I'll give this to her tonight, after everyone has gone to bed.

  She was about to pick up the box when she heard footsteps. Lex slammed the drawer of the desk closed and tried to appear interested in the data filling the computer screen. A quiet knock on the open door caused her to raise her head. Great. Just what I needed.

  Kevin stood tentatively in the doorway. "Are you busy?"

  "Umm--no." Lex waved him into the room. "Come on in and have a seat."

  "Thanks." He walked in and closed the door behind him. Kevin stood with both hands on the back of one of the chairs across from Lex. "About yesterday."

  The rancher rose to her feet slowly. "I know you were worried about Morris, but I told him to stay close to the truck."

  "I know. He told me all about it. Actually, more like chewed me out last night." Kevin circled around the desk until he was only a couple of feet away from her.

  Lex fought the urge to step back. "Morris is a grown man, you know." She had to look up to see Kevin's eyes. Damn, he's big. I just hope he's a pacifist.

  "I know." He held her gaze for a long moment before dropping it. "I tend to be a little overprotective of Morris, since I almost lost him last year." Kevin's eyes blinked back a tear.

  Lex grasped his forearm. "Hey, are you all right?"

  Kevin nodded. "Yeah, just some bad memories." He walked back around the desk to sit.

  "Is he--sick
?" she asked quietly, afraid of the answer.

  Understanding covered his face. "No--nothing like that. We are tested once a year, even though we've been together exclusively for over five years now. Both clean." Kevin leaned forward in his chair and braced his elbows on the top of his thighs. "He was coming out of a grocery store one evening, and several punks jumped him. They nearly beat him to death, just because they saw the damned rainbow sticker on his car." He buried his face in his hands and mumbled, "It was on the car when we bought it. We thought it was funny."

  Lex hurried around the desk and put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kevin. I'd be overprotective too, if something like that happened to Amanda." Actually, I'd probably be in jail--I'd kill anyone who hurt her.

  "Thanks." Kevin wiped at his eyes with the back of one hand. "Anyway, I just wanted to come in here and apologize for my behavior yesterday. Morris read me the riot act, and helped me realize what a horse's ass I was."

  "Nah. I've known lots of them, and you aren't even close." Lex pulled him up and clapped him on the arm. "Want to go with me to get underfoot in the kitchen? I usually get cookies as a bribe to stay out of the way."

  He laughed. "Sure."

  Travis noticed his granddaughter and Kevin slip quietly into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table with Morris, while Amanda and Martha chopped vegetables for the next two days meals.

  Lex caught her grandfather's eye and raised a finger to her lips. He smiled at her and shook his head in amusement as she proceeded to sneak up behind the two women at the counter. Poking her head between them, Lex greeted them loudly. "Hello, ladies! What's cooking?"

  "Aaaaah!" Amanda screamed and spun around.

  "Lexie, you brat!" Martha whirled around and slapped Lex on the shoulder. "I swear I'm going to have to turn you over my knee."

  Morris almost spewed coffee across the table, and began gasping for air. His partner rushed across the room and pounded on his back. He raised his hands to fend off the man's helpful attack. "Kevin," he wheezed, "I'm fine."