An old Chevy waits at the crossing for a train to pass.

On the other side of the tracks are storage silos, a livestock auction house and cafe

where livelihoods cross and friends meet, with common bonds of family and a shared way of life.

Lex and Amanda Series

Stand Alone Novels

Anthologies

HOME

Trust Our Tomorrows

Chapter One 

THE ONE-STORY, brick house sat neglected on the tree-lined residential street. Lexington Walters parked in the driveway and got out of her green, Dodge quad cab pickup. Tall and slender, with shoulder-length brown hair, she stared at the overgrown lawn for a moment. Disgusted at its condition, Lex shook her head and navigated through the dry grass and weeds to get to the front door. She rang the bell. After a full minute, she rang it again. When there was still no answer, she pounded on the heavy oak door. “I know you're in there,” she yelled. “And I'm not going away until I see you.” She continued to beat on the door until it opened a crack.

A golden-brown eye peeked out. “Go away,” the weak, feminine voice ordered.

Lex raised her sunglasses until they rested on the top of her head. Her dark blue eyes zeroed in on the woman. “Let me in, Ellie.”

“No. Just leave me alone,” Eleanor Gordon said quietly. “Please.”

“I can't do that. You've hidden away in this old house long enough. It's time for you to rejoin the living.”

The door opened wide enough to allow Lex to enter. Her nose wrinkled at the stale odor that permeated the home. She followed Ellie through the entry hall, which opened into the living room. What she saw broke her heart.

The sofa and loveseat were covered in mountains of discarded blankets, clothes and newspapers. Two end tables and a coffee table were laden with dirty dishes, most with barely-touched food on them. A dusty floor lamp was the only light source in the room, as it stood sentinel over a conspicuously empty recliner.

Ellie shoved a pile of junk from a corner of the sofa. She sat and covered herself with a ratty quilt, her bare feet peeking from underneath. “What do you want?”

Lex leaned her hip against the other end of the sofa. “I want you to quit hiding away from your family. Come back to the ranch with me.”

“I.” Ellie lowered her face until it was covered with her stringy, unkempt hair. The brown strands hung in greasy clumps past her shoulders, which were bony from malnutrition. “I can't.”

“Damn it, Ellie! He's been gone for six months. We all miss him, but we've kept on living.”

“Don't you think I've tried?” Ellie threw off the quilt. “But I have nothing left.” She lowered her face to her hands and cried.

Travis Edwards was the one constant in Ellie's life. Ten years prior, Ellie arrived on his doorstep after finding a photo of her mother with her biological father. Travis welcomed her into his home, and his life, and gave her the love and security she never had with her mother. Grandfather to both her and Lex, he had given Ellie the confidence to complete nursing school not long after she moved in with him. Up until his untimely death from cancer, Ellie had worked as a nurse in the Somerville Assisted Living Center.

After he died, Ellie locked herself away in the house they shared, sending out for whatever she needed. She only left the house to walk to the curb and pick up the newspaper and mail. “Go home, Lex. You have a family to take care of.”

Her temper got the best of her and Lex took handfuls of junk from the sofa and tossed it across the room, until it was completely clear. She sat next to her cousin. “You're a very big part of our family, Ellie. The girls keep asking about you.”

Ellie raised her head and wiped her face with the back of one hand. “Why?”

“Good god, El. Because they love you, you jackass,” Lex said. “We all do, whether you like it or not.”

“I love them, too. We always had fun when I took them places.” Ellie leaned against Lex and started to cry. “I just can't get past this.”

Lex pulled Ellie into her arms and held her while she cried. “I know it's hard. I didn't feel like getting out of bed for weeks, but I somehow managed to do it.” Lex felt Ellie's hands grip her shirt tightly. “Of course, the girls helped a lot. I rarely got a chance to be alone, which kept me from dwelling on things.”

“It doesn't matter anymore,” Ellie sniffled as she pulled away from Lex.

“Of course it does. What about your job?”

Ellie used a paper napkin from the nearby pizza joint to wipe her nose. “They called a month after Grandpa,” her chin quivered, “you know, and fired me. Said they couldn't wait forever.”

“But you told us you were on leave.”

“I didn't want you to worry.”

Lex sighed. “Are you sure you're not related to the Walters' side of the family? God knows you're stubborn enough.”

“Am not.”

“I'm not getting into this argument again,” Lex said. She stood and pulled Ellie up with her. “Come on. You're going home with me.”

Ellie tugged free and stepped back. “No. I can't.” She crossed her arms over her body. “We have this conversation every single time you come by or call, but I'm not ready. Just give me a little more time. Please.”

“You realize I'm going to be in big trouble with my wife, don't you?”

For the first time in a long time, Ellie smiled. “You've got Amanda wrapped around your little finger, and don't try telling me otherwise.” She glanced around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “How did this happen?”

“I'm going to send one of the guys over to take care of the yard. Grandpa would kick both our asses for letting it get so out of hand.” Lex rubbed the back of her neck in a nervous gesture. “I'm really sorry I haven't been paying much attention, El. But there's just so much going on at the ranch. And with this drought—”

“Don't worry about it. If the sprinkler system wasn’t automatic, the yard would be nothing but dirt and rocks. As it is, I don’t think it’s been coming on all that often.” Ellie put her hand on Lex's arm and led her toward the door. “I know you and Amanda mean well, but please. Let me get through this on my own.”

Lex found herself standing on the front porch. “I'm going to keep bothering you until you come back with me, you know.”

Ellie's answer was half-laugh, half-cry. “I know. And I love you for it.” She closed the door and turned the deadbolt, effectively locking out the rest of the world, once again.

THE PRIVATE CEMETERY sat in a clearing, its wrought iron enclosure more for decorative use than security. A gentle breeze scattered leaves around the granite memorial stones as the screech of the gate’s hinges silenced the afternoon birdsong. Lex's heavy boots crushed the dried grass, the sound carrying through the peaceful clearing. Her face was partially obscured by a black hat as she knelt by the most recently placed stone. The brittle grass crunched beneath the knee of her well-worn jeans. She used one hand to brush away Mother Nature’s debris.

Lex removed her sunglasses and stared at the engraving. She sniffled and cleared her throat. “It’s been half a year and I still miss you something fierce.” Her vision blurred and she took a moment to regain her equilibrium. “We didn’t have much time together, I know.” She bent her head and closed her eyes, allowing the tears to fall. Scenes flashed through her mind as she remembered happier times. But even with the good memories, the grief threatened to overwhelm her.

She dropped onto her rear, pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. “A little over ten lousy years. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? I thought we’d have longer.” Lex angrily brushed at her face. “The girls miss you. Lorrie asks about you almost every day.”

The wind kicked up and blew Lex’s hair into her face. She ignored it and continued to speak. “I sure could use your help right now. This drought has me at my wits end. I’ve had some water wells drilled, but we’re still losing stock. At least I was smart enough to listen to you about one thing. Going back to cattle instead of horses made a huge difference. But even with that, things are looking rough. You were always so good about helping me figure out what to do.” Her voice broke, and she climbed to her feet. “I know I should be thankful you’re not in pain anymore.” She tucked her hands into the pockets of the black duster she wore. “I wish I would have known, sooner.”

Lex started to walk around, kicking at the leaves. “After you—” she had trouble finishing the thought. “After you were…gone, a few medical bills showed up. I called your doctor and he filled me in. You could have told me, you know.” The knowledge that her grandfather had suffered silently for almost a year before he told his family of his condition hurt. Her heart ached at the loss, the pain as fresh as if it were yesterday. Taking a deep breath, Lex pulled herself together. “I probably won’t be back for a while, okay? The kids are growing so fast, and they need me. I promised to take them to the Fall Festival at school tonight.” She finally smiled. “Say a prayer for me, will you? I’m going to need all the help I can get.” She kissed her fingertips and placed them on the stone. “I love you, Grandpa. Give Grandma Lanie a hug for me, okay?” Straightening her shoulders, Lex passed through the gate and closed it securely behind her.

AFTER PARKING HER truck beside the ranch house, Lex walked up the back steps and stepped inside. She hung her hat and coat on their usual pegs and checked the kitchen, finding it empty. Her curiosity piqued, she continued toward the front of the house. As she passed the stairs she heard Amanda’s voice coming from the living room.

“I know you’re excited about tonight, but that doesn’t mean you can leave this room in shambles.” Two younger voices apologized, but Amanda was only getting started.

Not wanting to interrupt, Lex waited out of sight in the hall. She could almost visualize her wife’s actions by Amanda’s scolding voice and the sounds of toys noisily being put away.

“Neither of you were raised this way.” A loud bang punctuated Amanda’s words. “You know the rules. Clean up one thing before you get something else out. That’s how it’s always been.” Another heavy thud followed. “My day is full enough without having to play maid.”

Lex nodded to herself. She’d been trying for years to get another housekeeper after Martha and Charlie started traveling, without success. She also knew she was as guilty as the kids about not helping out more. But after being gone from sun up to sundown, the last thing Lex felt like doing was housework.

As Amanda’s voice continued to rise, Lex decided she’d hid long enough. She stepped into the living room and watched as Amanda gathered toys, while Lorrie and Melanie stood guiltily by. Lex hoped she could charm her wife into calming down. “How’re my favorite girls?”

“Momma!” Both children raced around the sofa to greet Lex. Each one wrapped herself around Lex, turning their sad faces up to look at her.

Amanda stopped what she was doing and put her hands on her hips. Her strawberry-blonde hair, cut short for easy care, was in disarray. “I’m glad you’re home. Maybe you can get through to these two.” She raised her arms and spread them wide. “Have you ever seen this room look this bad?”

“Hmm.” Lex kept one hand on each girl’s head, and made a point of turning slowly to take in the whole room. She understood why Amanda was so upset. There wasn’t a clean spot anywhere. Games were strewn all over the floor, their pieces scattered everywhere. She glanced down at her children. “What in the hell was going on here?”

Ten-year old Lorrie, a miniature version of Lex, let go of Lex and stepped away. “We wanted to see how many games we could play.” Her hands ended up on her hips, mimicking Amanda’s earlier posture. “We were gonna clean up when we were done, I promise.”

Hearing a sniffle, Lex scooped Melanie into her arms. “Is that right, sweetheart? Were you going to pick this mess up?”

“Uh-huh.” The six-year old snuggled closer. “Mommy came in before we could.”

Lex looked over Melanie’s blonde head to meet Amanda’s eyes. “Busted them, huh?”

Amanda was about to go off again about the state of the room, when she took a good look at Lex’s face. The red and puffy eyes were a clear indication that something was wrong. She stepped closer and placed her hand on Lex’s cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Lex turned her head and kissed Amanda’s palm. “I stopped by the cemetery.”

“Ah.” Amanda took Melanie from Lex’s arms. “Go help your sister, sweetie. Lorrie, I want both of you to get this room clean or no Fall Festival tonight.”

Both girls sighed. “Yes, ma’am,” they replied in unison.

Amanda’s attention returned to Lex. “Let’s go upstairs.”

“I’m okay.”

“Then come help me calm down.” Amanda took Lex’s hand as they left the room.

ONCE UPSTAIRS, AMANDA closed their bedroom door and led Lex to the bed. She sat her down and removed her boots. “It’s going to take the girls a while to clean up, so we might as well take advantage of it.” With a gentle push, she made Lex lie back and snuggled up beside her. “Much better.”

“As long as you’re comfortable.” Lex wrapped her arm around Amanda and kissed the top of her head. “You were right. This does feel good. Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Amanda unbuttoned Lex’s denim shirt and began to lightly rub her stomach, the easiest way to get her to relax. “Now, want to tell me why you went to the cemetery?”

Lex sighed. “While I was in town, I stopped by to see Ellie.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Not too good. I tried to get her to come home with me, but she refused.” Lex wiped one hand across her eyes. “She’s just so damned stubborn.”

Amanda had to laugh. “Family trait,” she teased.

“Smartass.” Lex shook her head. “Anyway, as I was driving home I realized I hadn’t gone to the family plot for a while. I know he’s buried next to my grandmother in Dallas, but I still feel closer to him out there.” The private cemetery was located on the ranch, and was home to memorial stones as well as family gravesites.

“That’s understandable. How are you doing now?”

“A lot better.” Closing her eyes, Lex wrapped both arms around Amanda and tugged her as close as possible. “I love you.”

Amanda kissed Lex’s throat, and slowly moved upward until their lips met. “Love you, too.” She felt warm hands slip under her shirt, making her hope their children took a long time to clean the living room.

LEX PARALLEL-PARKED her truck in front of the school playground and turned off the engine. She unbuckled her seatbelt and with a wry smile to her wife, turned to face the two excited children behind her. “Lorrie, do you remember the rules?”

Lorrie nodded vigorously, her gray eyes bright with excitement. “Yes, ma’am. Stay in the building and don’t talk to strangers.” She tugged her rubber zombie mask into place. “Do I have to take Melanie with me?”

Melanie’s lower lip stuck out. “I don’t want to go with you anyway,” she said as her blue eyes filled with tears. “I’m old enough to go by myself.”

Amanda bit her lip to keep from laughing. Their normally shy daughter was beginning to assert her independence, much to their amusement. “Melanie, I was hoping you’d go with us. We may run into your cousin Teddy.”

“Oh. Okay.” Melanie’s tears immediately dried. “Teddy’s s’pose to be dressed like a cowboy.”  She gave her sister a dirty look. “He’s nice to me.”

“Can I go now?” Lorrie asked. Her hand was poised on the door handle. “I bet Al’s already inside.”

“I guess—” Lex’s words were lost on Lorrie, who hopped out of the truck and raced into the elementary school, “so.” Lex climbed out of the vehicle, opened the back door and gave Melanie a kiss before she swung her daughter to the ground. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

Melanie’s blonde curls danced in the breeze. “Thanks, Momma.” She spun in a circle, causing her yellow costume skirt to whirl around her legs. “Snow White’s my favorite.” They rounded the front of the truck and joined Amanda, who held out her hand.

“She’s my favorite, too,” Amanda said. With Melanie between them, she and Lex swung their arms, causing her to giggle. “Let’s go find your classroom.”

As they passed through the front doors decorated with cutouts of pumpkins and a scarecrow, Lex muttered, “Fall Festival, my ass.”

“What?” Amanda blinked as her eyes became accustomed to the bright fluorescent lights.

“I don’t know why they can’t call it the Halloween Carnival, like they did when I was in school,” Lex said. “I mean, they’ve got the same decorations as they did then. And why on earth do they have it a blasted week before Halloween?”

Amanda laughed. “I’m sure they’re just trying to keep from insulting anyone.” She tightened her grip on Melanie’s hand as they weaved through the crowded halls.

“I’m insulted by their stupid ideas,” Lex said. “Next thing you’ll know, they’ll take away Christmas.”

“Momma, look. There’s my room,” Melanie pointed out excitedly. “We’re doing the cake-walk.” She dragged them toward the room where loud music could be heard.

Lex looked questioningly at Amanda. “Cake walk? Did we—”

“I brought a pie yesterday.” Amanda cringed as they entered the room and the loud music assailed her senses. “Yippee.”

NOT FAR AWAY, Lorrie roamed the familiar halls looking for her best friend, who she was supposed to meet by the cafeteria.  As Lorrie rounded the corner, she saw a pudgy blonde girl dressed as an angel, surrounded by three loud boys.  The ninja, fireman and soldier were all teasing her. “Hey!”

The angel turned at the voice and a smile lit up her face. “Lorrie!” She tried to push by the boy dressed all in black, but he stopped her.

“Wait,” he ordered. The dark clothes clung tightly to his stocky frame, and his black pants were several inches too short, showing his white tube socks.

Lorrie joined the group and lifted her mask to the top of her head. “What’s your problem, Jerry?”

The ninja-boy sneered through his black ski mask. “Nobody’s talking to you. Go ‘way.” He flipped the mask off Lorrie’s head and started to laugh. “Why didn’t you dress like you usually do?”

“’Cause we’re supposed to be in costumes, Jerry. Or do you always dress like a ninja?” Lorrie picked up her zombie mask and held it in one fist. “Al, let’s go.”

The angel, also known as Allison Skimmerly, jerked her arm free. “Okay.” She followed Lorrie away from the cafeteria, until Jerry’s voice caused Lorrie to stop in her tracks.

“I figured you’d be a little cow-pie, like you are every day. Just like your mom.” He constantly teased Lorrie about the boots and jeans she wore to school. Jerry’s comment caused the two boys with him to start laughing.

Lorrie spun around and tossed her mask on the floor. “Take it back, Jerry.”

“No.” Jerry danced from foot to foot. “Your mom’s a cow-pie. Cow-pie, cow-pie,” he sang.

The former zombie rushed the ninja and pushed him to the ground. “Take it back, or I’ll—” Lorrie’s words stopped when she was grabbed by the back of her shirt and pulled away.

“Lorrie Walters, what’s going on?” the middle aged woman asked. Dressed in denim bib overalls, flannel shirt and floppy hat, the pseudo-farmer separated the two feuding children.

Allison piped up. “It wasn’t her fault, Mrs. Barrett. Jerry started it.”

“Did not!” Jerry shouted. “I didn’t do nothin’. Lorrie pushed me for no reason.”

The fifth grade teacher took Jerry’s arm in her free hand. “Let’s go to the office to straighten this out.” She gave the costumed fireman and soldier a stern look. “You boys have a choice, either find your parents or come with us.”

“I—I--think I see my dad,” the soldier said. He took off with the fireman close on his heels.

Mrs. Barrett looked at Allison. “How about you?”

Allison raised her chin defiantly. “I’m staying with Lorrie.” She picked up Lorrie’s mask and handed it to her.

“All right.” The teacher escorted the trio down the hall. “Lorrie, are your parents here?”

“Yes, ma’am. They’re with my little sister.” Lorrie ignored Jerry’s derisive snort.

“Cow-pie,” he whispered.

“Shut up!” Lorrie yelled, twisting out of Mrs. Barrett’s grasp. She would have knocked him down but the teacher’s grip kept him upright.

Mrs. Barrett took a fistful of the back of Lorrie’s shirt and yanked her away from Jerry. “Lorrie! That’s enough!”

Allison pointed at the obnoxious boy as they walked into the office. “He’s saying bad things, Mrs. Barrett.”

With a heavy sigh, Mrs. Barrett separated the three, keeping at least two chairs between Jerry and Lorrie. “I don’t want to hear another word out of any of you until your parents get here.”

Lorrie crossed her arms over her chest and glared straight ahead.

IN THE FIRST grade room, Lex watched as Amanda and Melanie walked around the perimeter to music. She couldn’t get over how much their youngest looked like her wife. Although Amanda had started wearing her hair short years earlier, the two still favored each other. Melanie’s hair was lighter and her head was covered with curls, but even their facial structure was similar.

The outer edges of the floor were taped off into squares, with numbers in some of the boxes. Amanda’s sister Jeannie and her son Teddy were on the opposite side of the room, walking and laughing as well. When the music stopped, so did the walkers. Some of them ended up in numbered squares, while others were stuck in empty spaces. Lex laughed as Melanie danced around Amanda in a numbered box.

“We win, Mommy!” Melanie’s clear voice floated across the room. “Number seven!”

Amanda clapped along with her. “Why don’t you go get the prize and take it to your Momma?” She waited until Melanie skipped to the prize table before joining Lex. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“Yep. Hope it’s the cream cheese covered brownies,” Lex whispered. She watched Melanie claim a box of baked goods. “Damn. I think it’s the peanut brittle.”

“Yum.” Amanda was about to say more when an announcement came over the loud speaker.

“Would the parents of Jerry Slater, Allison Skimmerly, and Lorrie Walters please come to the office?”

Lex shook her head. “Great. I wonder what she’s gotten into this time.” She turned to her wife. “Do you want me to handle this?”

“No, let’s both go.” Amanda smiled at Melanie when she bounced forward with her prize. “Honey, would you mind staying with Aunt Jeannie for a little while?” She waved at her sister.

“Is Lorrie in trouble?” Melanie asked.

Lex scooped Melanie into her arms. “We don’t know. But I promise we’ll let you know as soon as we can, okay?”

Jeannie and Teddy joined the trio. “We were going to the kindergarten class and try the ring toss. Would you like to come, Melanie?” Jeannie nodded at Amanda’s whispered thanks. She grinned when Melanie took her hand.

“We’ll catch up to y’all as soon as we can,” Lex called after them. Once Jeannie and the children were out of the room, she turned her attention to Amanda. “Want to take bets on what Lorrie has done?”

Amanda swatted Lex’s arm. “Behave. She might surprise you.”

“Uh-huh.” Lex followed Amanda down the hall, her hands tucked into her back pockets in an effort to keep them to herself. She learned a long time ago that while the majority of people in Somerville left them alone, they didn’t like to see two women holding hands.

Loud voices echoed from the office as they arrived. Lex was able to pick out Wanda Skimmerly’s voice easily. She stepped into the room and saw Wanda and another woman going at it, nose to nose.

“Your kid is a bully!” Wanda shouted at the woman in front of her. “I’m sure he got at least a portion of what he deserved.”

Mrs. Barrett stepped in between the two women. “Ladies, please.” She turned her head when Lex and Amanda entered the room. “Lexington, Amanda. I’m glad you’re here.”

Lex glanced at Lorrie, who looked none the worse for wear. “What’s going on here?”

“I caught Lorrie and Jerry fighting,” Mrs. Barrett said.

Allison piped up. “Jerry started it.”

Jerry’s mother, Susan, a weather-beaten heavyset woman, snapped at Allison. “My boy didn’t start anything.” Years of alcohol abuse had aged her unkindly.  Her puffy red face was slick with perspiration in the cool room. She gave Jerry a pointed look. “Did you?”

He raised his head until he met her face. “No, ma’am,” he said quietly. His eyes tracked to the floor.

“See?” Susan whirled and pointed an accusing finger at Lex. “This is all your fault, Lexington Walters. You were no good in school, and—”

Amanda interrupted the woman’s tirade. “Excuse me, we haven’t met. I’m Amanda.” She held out her hand.

Susan disregarded the offer and crossed her arms over her chest. “Walters, what are you going to do about your kid?”

Lex ignored Susan and knelt in front of Lorrie’s chair. “Want to tell me what happened?”

Lorrie sniffled, trying not to cry. “I got mad.” She lowered her gaze, focusing on Lex’s knees.

“Did you hit Jerry?” Lex gently asked. “Tell the truth, sweetheart.”

“No.”

Lex shook her head and exhaled heavily. “Lorrie.”

“I pushed him. But I didn’t hit him.” Big, heavy tears slid from Lorrie’s eyes.

Amanda sat beside Lorrie and put her arm around her. “Why did you push him?”

Jerry jumped to his feet. “’Cause she’s a big meanie!”

“No she’s not.” Allison said, “You’re a jerk.”

Susan took Jerry by the shoulder and shook him. “What have I told you about yelling?”

Mrs. Barrett held out her hands in an attempt to control the situation. “Ms. Sater, please.”

Allison ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around Wanda’s waist. “He called Lorrie a cow pie, and said her Mom was one, too.”

“He said what?” Amanda looked at Lex to see how she took the news.

Lex clenched her teeth and made eye contact with her daughter. “Lorrie, is that why you pushed him?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Lorrie blinked and wiped her tears on her sleeve.

“Remember what I told you about name-calling?” Lex quietly asked.

Lorrie nodded. “We’re supposed to ignore people who have to use nasty words to make them feel better.” Her big gray eyes stared into Lex’s face. “I did okay until he talked about you. That’s when I got so mad.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Lex put her arms around Lorrie and brought her close. “But words won’t hurt me. It’s okay.” She kissed Lorrie’s head and held her until she stopped crying.

“Oh, please,” Susan snorted. She turned to Mrs. Barrett. “Are you going to let that little brat get away with this?”

Lex stood and turned. “Sue, I’d be careful what I said if I were you.”

Susan would not be dissuaded. “You let your children run wild and then seem surprised when they get caught. Come on, Jerry. I’ll take care of you when we get home.” She yanked her son toward the door. “Keep your mongrel away from my kid, Lexington, or you’ll be the one that’s sorry.”

Wanda tucked Allison close as well. “Well, isn’t she the pleasant one?” She said, breaking the tension.

Amanda noticed Wanda was alone. “Where’s Dirk?”

“He’s with Penny. I think they were going to try the ring toss in her classroom.” Penny was their other daughter, who was one year behind Melanie.

Mrs. Barrett sounded truly regretful. “Lexington, Amanda, I’m afraid Lorrie will have to be suspended Monday and Tuesday. It’s school policy.”

“We understand.” Amanda shook the teacher’s hand. “Thank you for bringing the kids to the office, instead of handling it out in the hall.” She followed Lex and Lorrie from the room.

Wanda wasn’t as impressed, however. “What about Jerry? It was his fault to begin with.”

“Mrs. Skimmerly, I can’t do anything to Jerry because I didn’t hear what he said. All I witnessed were Lorrie’s actions.”

“It’s still ridiculous,” Wanda said. “Come on, Ally. Let’s go see what your sister is up to.”

“Can we get a candied apple? I’m hungry,” Allison trailed after her mother, her foil-covered wings bouncing behind her.

AT HOME LATER that evening, Lex sat on the edge of Lorrie’s bed. Lorrie had to be punished for getting suspended from school, but Lex’s heart wasn’t in it. She remembered being in her daughter’s shoes. “Do you understand what you did wrong?”

Lorrie, tucked under the bright blue covers, nodded solemnly. “Yes, ma’am. Fighting’s bad, no matter what.”

“Right.” Lex looked around the room, seeing small pieces of herself in her oldest child’s decorating. Posters of horses shared space with magazine pictures of sports figures. The full-sized, four-poster oak bed was a birthday gift made by Amanda’s grandfather, Jacob, the previous year, with a matching dresser and nightstand. Books covered almost every available space, along with a softball glove and bat tossed in one corner. Lex realized how better rounded her children were than she was at their age, and knew it was due to her wife’s influence. She cleared her throat. “Halloween is coming up next Saturday, and—”

“No! Please, Momma. I want to go trick-or-treating,” Lorrie said. “I’ll do better.”

Lex sighed. “We already promised Melanie you could take her. So it wouldn’t be fair to her if we kept you home.” Lex decided on another punishment, one that would hurt her almost as bad. “No riding for the rest of the week.”

“What? But Momma—”

“I’m sorry, Lorrie. But you have to realize that your actions have consequences. You still have to groom Mine every day, but no riding until Sunday. You’ll just have to lead her around the corral for exercise.”

Tears trickled down Lorrie’s cheeks. “But me and you was going riding Friday after school.”

“I know. I was hoping you could help me check the well on the west pasture, but now I’ll have to go alone.” Lex felt like crying herself. She enjoyed the time she was able to spend with Lorrie, just the two of them. At her daughter’s sob, she brought Lorrie nearer and held her. “Sssh. We’ll have other times, I promise.”

Lorrie snuggled as close as she could. Although her feelings were hurt at the punishment, there was no safer place than in her mother’s arms.

AMANDA LOOKED UP from the book she was reading when Lex came into the room. She could tell her wife’s talk with their oldest had taken a toll on her. She closed the book and placed it on her nightstand, patting the bed beside her. “You look pretty ragged.”

“Yeah.” Lex sat on the edge of the bed and kicked off her boots, then stood and undressed, tossing her clothes on a nearby chair. Amanda had laid out her cotton nightshirt, so she draped it over her body before climbing into bed. “God, this feels good,” she said, stretching out under the covers.

“Rough talk?” Amanda asked, crawling next to Lex and taking her usual position against her side.

Lex closed her eyes in an attempt to control her emotions. “I grounded her from riding until Sunday.”

“Ouch.” Amanda sneaked her hand beneath Lex’s shirt, stroking the soft skin of her stomach. “Weren’t you supposed to go riding together Friday?”

“Yep.” Lex relaxed as the gentle touch continued. “It hurt me almost as much as it did her. But I don’t know what else to do. She can’t go around pushing other kids just because they say something she doesn’t like.”

Amanda kissed her wife’s jaw. “I know. And for the record, I think you did the right thing.” She played with the ends of Lex’s hair. The dark strands were slowly losing the battle against the gray, especially around her temples. Lex had started wearing it shorter than when they first met, and now the ends barely grazed her shoulders.

“Thanks. I remember going through the same thing at her age. Town kids always picked on those of us who lived out on ranches and farms.” Lex turned and propped her head on her hand, staring into Amanda’s eyes. “Is it wrong to keep our girls so isolated out here?”

Mirroring Lex’s posture, Amanda brushed her free hand along Lex’s arm. “Honey, it doesn’t matter where you live or what you do. Kids will always find something to pick on other kids about. I got teased because my dad’s driver always dropped us off. One of my friends always got pushed around for wearing nothing but black.”

“I guess you’re right. I just don’t want our kids to suffer because of how we live.”

“I know.” Amanda studied her face. “Not to change the subject, but I take it you and Susan Sater have a history?”

Lex shrugged. “We went to school together, that’s all.” When Amanda continued to look at her, she rolled her eyes. “Yeah. We’ve never gotten along. She was Rick’s girlfriend back in the bad-old-days. She was just as mean as a kid.” Rick Thompson had been an adversary of Lex’s in school. Later, he managed the realty office that Amanda’s grandmother, Anna Leigh, owned. He was fired for his animosity toward Amanda, and at Anna Leigh’s request, Amanda now managed Sunflower Realty.

“Nice.”

“She blamed me because she got suspended before homecoming, and didn’t get a chance to be Homecoming Queen. Susan got caught cheating on a test, and she swore up and down that I turned her in.”

Amanda frowned. “Did you?”

“Hell, no. But I think Rick told her I did, and that was good enough for her. After graduation she left town, but came back a few years later with a couple of kids and a hen-pecked husband. Last I heard, he left with the kids they had at the time. Guess it was before Jerry was born. No one knows who his father is. I haven’t had much to do with her.”

“Good.” Amanda started to trace around the edge of Lex’s ear. “I think we’ve talked enough, don’t you?”

Lex shivered as Amanda’s finger drew a line down her throat. “Um, yeah.”

Amanda leaned closer and lightly touched her lips to Lex’s. “I love you.”

Threading her fingers through Amanda’s hair, Lex rolled onto her back and brought her partner with her. “Love you, too.” She had no trouble removing the nightgown Amanda wore, and somehow felt her own shirt disappear. The delicious skin-on-skin contact drove all other thoughts from her mind.

All of my books, (with the exception of the anthology Romance for LIFE),

 are published through Regal Crest Enterprises

Email Carrie

All the persons, names, places and events depicted in

Carrie's books/stories are fictional.

Any resemblance to actual events, persons or locations is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2012 Carrie Carr

All Rights Reserved