Chapter 22. The following week passed uneventfully

The following week passed uneventfully. Lex spent most of the time in the ranch house with Amanda but would disappear for an hour or so every day. When her friend asked about where she had been, the rancher was very secretive.

"I¹m just looking for something." Lex answered as she knelt by Amanda¹s chair. She thought about her foray into the storage room. The rancher had spent over an hour each day searching for a small box that she had packed up years ago.

She had been more than happy to stay in her own room after her father had left the ranch, and had purposely left the master bedroom just as he had left it. Just in case he decides to come back, she thought to herself. The ancient shade tree by her room had crashed into the ranch house; not only destroying her bedroom, but her older brother Hubert¹s as well. The only room on that side of the house that was untouched was a small room used for storage. Rawson had stacked several boxes in there before he left, and they almost filled the tiny area.

Eight years ago a severe thunderstorm had ravaged the ranch. Hubert had sworn it was a tornado, but twenty-year-old Lex was certain it was just high winds that had uprooted the old oak tree outside her bedroom window.

Hubert had used the accident as an excuse to move out of the ranch house. He had wanted to move into the house that they owned in town, but could not get the family lawyer to release it to him without Lex¹s consent. After reluctantly agreeing to her brother¹s demands, Lex decided to move into the master bedroom temporarily while she had the other rooms rebuilt.

The day after the storm, Lex opened the door and peered inside the room. She hand not been in her father¹s part of the house since before he left. She was surprised to see that it looked as if he was just out for the day. She glanced around the room as if it were a museum, careful not to touch anything.

On the large dresser were several photographs, one turned face down. Intrigued, she walked over for a closer look. The center picture was of her father and mother on their wedding day. The first one on the left was a rare photo of Hubert smiling. He looks like he was only five or six, Lex mused. Next to that one was another smaller frame, with a happy ten-year-old Louis mugging for the camera. The young woman fought her tears as she studied the picture. She took a deep breath and focused on the frame that was lying face down to the right of her parent¹s picture. Lex lifted it and saw that it was of her when she was fourteen. She was sitting atop a bale of hay with a happy smile on her face. The picture was slightly off-center, and it leaned off to one side. I remember this oneŠLouis took it. He was so damn proud of that silly camera. She looked around the room sadly. Guess I know what Dad thought of me. It never occurred to her that Rawson couldn¹t handle the resemblance between his daughter and his deceased wife. Anger welled up from deep inside the young woman. Nothing I did was ever good enough for him. She took the picture and threw it across the room.

Within a few hours, Lex had packed up everything in the master bedroom. Her father must have already packed up his wife¹s things, because the only thing belonging to Victoria that she had found was a small wooden jewelry box that had her mother¹s name on it. When she opened it, Lex found two gold rings nestled inside. Realizing that it was her parent¹s wedding rings, she quickly closed the box and packed it away with the rest of the stuff from the room. She had decided that since she ran the ranch, she would use the master bedroom herself. After all, I am in charge. Maybe Dad will come back and then he¹ll realize that he was wrong about me. She stacked the boxes at the end of the hallway and would remodel the house to enlarge the storage room and add a guestroom for her father when he would visit.

She sighed happily as the younger woman ran her fingers through her dark hair. "Where¹s Martha?" Lex asked as she looked around the empty kitchen. Now if I could just find that damn boxŠ

"She ran back over to her house for something." Amanda wiped a smudge of dirt off an angular cheekbone. "Where have you been looking? Under the house?"

Lex grinned. "Nope. Been digging around in the storage room."

The blonde nodded. "Uh-huh. Would it make it easier if I joined you? I¹d be glad to help."

"No!" Lex exclaimed, then patted Amanda¹s leg. "What I mean is, there¹s no sense in you getting all dusty too." She bit her lip in thought. "I¹m sure I¹ll find what I¹m looking for soon. Don¹t worry about it."

"Are you trying to be sneaky? Because you know I¹ll figure it out." Amanda tapped the top of the dark head.

The rancher stood up and stretched. "NahŠnot sneakyŠ" She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of juice. "I just didn¹t think you¹d be interested in getting all dirty." She started to drink from the container when Amanda gave her a warning look. "Oh, all right." Lex reached into a nearby cabinet and grabbed a glass.

Amanda stood up and took the juice from her lover. "Don¹t let Martha catch you doing thatŠshe¹ll take a spatula to you." She poured the glass of juice and put the carton back into the refrigerator.

"Doing what?" Martha stood in the doorway and glared at the two women. "What are you up to, Lexie?"

"Up to? What makes you think that I¹m up to anything?" Lex drained her juice and sat the empty glass back on the counter. "You always complained that I don¹t drink enough juiceŠso I¹m drinking juice." Her habits had changed quite a bit since Amanda moved to the ranch. Lex used to drink whatever was available; cans of soda or beer usually fell victim to her thirst, unless Martha actually handed her a glass of water or tea.

The housekeeper walked into the kitchen and shook her head. "You¹re not drinking directly from the carton again, are you?" She swatted Lex on the rear. "What have I told you about that?"

Lex wrapped her arms around the older woman and hugged her. "That you¹re glad that I¹m drinking juice?" she ventured to guess.

"Brat." Martha pulled back far enough to tickle the tall woman¹s ribs. "I really shouldŠ" The ringing of the phone stopped her in mid-sentence. She swatted Lex on the arm. "Saved by the bell."

"I¹ll get it." Amanda laughed as she reached for the phone. "Rocking W Ranch, Amanda speaking." She saw the evil glint in Lex¹s eyes and stuck her tongue out at her friend. She hates it when I answer the phone like that because she thinks that I sound like a secretary. "Just a moment, please." She handed the phone to Martha. "It¹s for you."

Martha frowned slightly and accepted the phone. "This is MarthaŠ" She listened for a few moments, then smiled. "Yes, that will be fine. Thank you." The housekeeper hung up the phone and looked Lex up and down.

"What?" Lex looked down her own body. "Is my fly open, or something?" She couldn¹t see anything wrong with how she was dressed; her favorite blue jeans and ragged denim shirt. Looks okay to me. No buttons missing or anything. She took an inconspicuous sniff. Don¹t smell bad, either.

"I want you to go upstairs and get cleaned up." Martha ordered. "I don¹t know how you do it, Lexie. You get filthy even when you don¹t leave the house." She raised her hands over her head in an exasperated manner. "Lord knows I¹ve triedŠ" she muttered as she walked out of the kitchen.

Lex watched her leave. "What¹s gotten into her?" She brushed her hands down the front of her ragged denim shirt. "I don¹t look that bad, do I?" she asked Amanda who was leaning against the counter with her hand over her mouth.

"Don¹t get me in the middle of this." Amanda walked up to the tall woman and looked at her. "HmmŠ" She rubbed her chin with one hand and studied her friend. "You do look a littleŠ ummŠdusty." And for some reason, the dirtier she is, the better she looks. Whew! Getting a little warm in here.

"Dusty?" Lex reached out and grabbed Amanda and pulled her close. "I thought you liked it when I was a littleŠdusty," she murmured in the smaller woman¹s ear.

Amanda wrapped her arms around Lex without any thought. "UmmŠ" she tilted her head back as soft lips began to nibble down her throat. "Oh, yeahŠ" Definitely getting warm!

"Lexie!" Martha barked from the doorway. "UpstairsŠnow!" She spun around and walked towards the laundry room.

The rancher jumped away from Amanda. "Damn! I swear that woman has eyes in the back of her head."

"I heard that!" Martha¹s voice drifted down the hallway.

"OohŠshe¹s good," Amanda chuckled. She grabbed Lex¹s hand and pulled her towards the doorway. "C¹monŠI¹ll scrub your back for you."

"Cool." Lex followed dutifully. "You know, I think that¹s where I¹m the dustiest." She took a long look at her companion¹s backside. "As a matter of fact, you look a little dusty yourself." She swatted Amanda on the rear end.

Amanda stopped in the hallway and spun around. "I¹ll tell you what." She released Lex¹s hand and took a couple of steps back. "If you catch me, you can Œdust¹ me off personally." She poked the rancher in the chest and took off up the stairs.

Lex stood at the foot of the stairs stunned. "You little brat," she laughed and raced up after the giggling blonde.

***************

Later that afternoon, Lex and Amanda were sitting in the den watching an old movie. Martha had just left for the kitchen to get popcorn and sodas after she had won a good-natured argument with the younger women. Lex wanted Martha to relax while they went for refreshments, but lost when the housekeeper stood up and tapped her on the nose.

"You two look too comfortable to disturb," she countered. "I want to check on the chili I have simmering on the stove anyway."

Lex tightened her grip on Amanda. The blonde was sitting between her outstretched legs on the sofa. "Stubborn old woman," she muttered.

The younger woman turned her head so that she could look Lex in the eyes. "Must be where you get it," she teased.

A knock at the front door interrupted whatever Lex was going to say. She touched the tip of Amanda¹s nose with her fingertip. "I¹ll get you later."

"Promise?" Amanda grinned.

"Lexie? Could you get that? I¹m busy in the kitchen!" Martha yelled from the back of the house.

"Geez," Lex sighed. "I wish that she¹d make up her mind. Stay put, get upŠ" She waited until Amanda climbed off the sofa and extended a hand to her. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Amanda pulled Lex up and looked at her. "Do you want me to get it?"

The tall woman shook her head. "NahŠ" She started towards the front door. "But you¹re more than welcome to come with me." Another knock caused her to frown. "Hold your horses, I¹m coming!" Lex opened the door and stood face to face with a handsome older man. She had to look up to see his face. He seemed somewhat familiar but she couldn¹t place where she had seen him before. "UmmŠcan I help you?"

"Lexington?" Tears filled his blue eyes as he studied the young woman across from him. He ran a shaky hand through his thick silver hair.

Amanda stepped around her friend and looked at the flustered man. OohŠI bet I know who he is. The resemblance is uncanny! And he runs his hand through his hair just like Lex does when she¹s nervous or upset. "Hi. My name¹s AmandaŠwon¹t you come in?" She patted Lex on the back in a comforting manner.

He smiled at the cute blonde woman. "Nice to meet you, Amanda. I¹mŠ"

"My grandfather?" Lex asked quietly, finally making the connection. I thought he looked familiar.

"That¹s right, honey." Travis Edwards nodded. He held out his hand cautiously. "It¹s really good to see you, Lexington." GodŠshe looks so much like Victoria, only taller and stronger.

Lex took his hand in hers and bit her lower lip in concentration. "Grandpa?" Sudden memories rushed back to her of this man from an earlier time in her life. Riding on his shoulders through a zoo laughing at his antics; eating ice cream cones by a quiet river as an elegant woman looked on fondly; and of waving goodbye to them both on the day that her mommy Œwent away¹. He hasn¹t changed much. Lex felt him pull her forward and she gratefully lunged into his strong arms.

Travis wrapped his shaky arms around his granddaughter in relief. "I¹ve missed you so, Little One," he murmured into her ear. "I¹m sorry I¹ve been away for so long, but I thought that you hated me."

She pulled back reluctantly from the embrace. "Hated you?" Lex took a deep breath and smiled. "I thought that you didn¹t want to have anything to do with me, like my father." She looked around sheepishly. "Why don¹t you come inside before we all freeze to death?" Lex wrapped an arm around her grandfather and led him into the house. She looked at the young blonde that stood just inside the doorway. "AmandaŠthis is my grandfather," she introduced them with a silly smile on her face.

"AhŠyes. We¹ve met." Amanda smiled at the older man. "Mr. EdwardsŠcome on in and I¹ll get you some coffee." She was charmed by the childlike excitement exhibited by her partner. "Honey? Why don¹t you take your grandfather into the den while I go check on Martha?"

Honey? Travis looked at both young women carefully. The love between them was easy to see. AhhŠso that¹s it. HmmŠ

Amanda cringed as Lex¹s grandfather studied them both. Oh, rats! Guess I should have let him get to know her again before announcing our relationship like that. Lex is probably gonna kill me. "UmmŠ"

Lex put her free arm around Amanda¹s shoulder when she saw the younger woman¹s discomfort. "Why don¹t we all three go into the den? I think Martha is doing just fine." Sneaky old womanŠgonna have to get her back. I know she had something to do with this.

"Okay." Amanda allowed Lex to lead them both into the room. She leaned close to her lover and whispered, "But if you want some time alone to talk, just give me a sign."

"Not gonna happen, baby." Lex whispered back. She looked up into her grandfather¹s face. "Are you okay with this? With us?" She thought that she¹d better know now if he couldn¹t handle their relationship.

Travis inspected the two women carefully. "I won¹t lie to you, Lexington." He saw his granddaughter stiffen in reaction. "It¹s going to take some getting used to because I still see you as an adorable four-year-old. ANYONE that you¹re involved with is going to have to get used to me, as well." He held a hand out to Amanda. "I¹d really like for you to consider me a part of your family too, Amanda."

Amanda took his hand and smiled warmly at Travis. "I¹d like that, Mr. Edwards."

"You¹d better call me either Grandpa, or Travis, young lady." He winked at Amanda.

"Okay, Grandpa," Amanda returned impishly. "I hope you don¹t have plans for Christmas, because Lex and I expect our families to join us." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist in a big hug.

Lex laughed. "Give it up, Grandpa. She never loses and argument." She shook her head and led them both into the den.

***************

"He¹s so sweet," Amanda commented later to Lex as they got ready for bed. "Did you get him settled all right in the back guest room?"

"Yup. Thanks for talking him into staying the night. I really didn¹t want him to drive back into town this late." Lex stood in the middle of the room as she took off her shirt. "I can¹t believe that I have a living relative that actually wants something to do with me."

Amanda stood up from where she was perched on the end of the bed and crossed the room. "You¹re kidding, right?" She wrapped her arms around the tall woman and snuggled her face into the rancher¹s neck. "Any relative of yours would probably jump through hoops to be near you, honey. You¹re just too darn adorable."

Lex sighed. "Yeah, right." She moved Amanda¹s hair off her neck and began to nibble the smooth flesh. "MmmŠ"

"Don¹t change the subject, Lex. You¹ve just got toŠahhhŠ" the blonde squirmed in Lex¹s embrace when the rancher found a sensitive spot. "OoohŠ"

"You were saying?" Lex whispered in the younger woman¹s ear. She slipped her hands inside Amanda¹s nightshirt and up the smooth back. Small hands worked into the back of her jeans and began to slide the denim down her slim hips.

"You really smell good," Amanda informed her lover. She ran her hands over the older woman¹s chest and down her sides as she inhaled deeply.

"Uh-huh." Lex slipped the nightshirt over the blonde¹s head. "I¹ve never quite figured out your fascination with how I smell." She reached down and grasped the smaller woman¹s rear and pulled her closer.

Amanda automatically raised her arms and locked her hands behind Lex¹s neck. She tilted her head upward and felt her lips covered immediately. "MmmŠ" She leaned into the kiss and almost squealed out loud when Lex tightened her grip and picked her up. "Lex! Put me down before you hurt yourself!" she ordered.

Lex chuckled and began trailing kisses down the younger woman¹s throat. "Nope. Can¹t let you get away." She began to walk slowly towards the bed, never stopping her exploration of Amanda¹s neck with her lips.

"As if I¹d want to." Amanda tilted her head back to allow the rancher better access. "I¹m not going anyŠAAAAH!" She yelled when Lex tossed her onto the bed. "You scared me!"

"Did I?" Lex stood beside the bed with a devious grin.

"What are you thinking?" Amanda scooted back slightly. She almost screamed again as the tall form leapt towards her, arms outstretched.

Lex laughed as she jumped onto the bed and covered Amanda¹s body with her own. "Gotcha!"

Amanda swatted ineffectually at the warm body over hers. "You are such a bratŠ" She thought for a moment and then blushed. "Oh, god. What if your grandfather heard us?" She covered her face with her hand.

"Let¹s give him something worth hearing," Lex murmured as she began to work her way down Amanda¹s body with kisses.

"I can¹t believe that you¹dŠ" Amanda paused when Lex found a sensitive spot and sucked gently. "OohŠummŠ" She arched her back in response.

The rancher chuckled again and continued her exploration. "You were saying?" She bit down gently with her teeth.

Amanda tangled her fingers in the dark hair. "UhŠIŠooohŠ" She closed her eyes and fell back to the bed to enjoy the sensations coursing through her body. "Oh, yeahŠ"

***************

Early the next morning, Lex climbed out of bed and slipped on a pair of colorful boxers and a dark tee shirt. She looked down at the young woman who was still asleep and smiled. She looks so cute when she does that. As soon as Lex had gotten out of bed, Amanda rolled over and wrapped her arms around the rancher¹s pillow. She shook her head and left the room quietly.

Maybe today will be the day that I find that damn box. She opened the storage room door and stepped inside. After she flipped on the light switch, Lex frowned. "I really need to clear more of this junk out of here." She waded through several stacks of boxes until she was in the back corner of the room. Lex opened up a large box and began sorting through it. Even with her height, she had to practically stand on her head to reach the bottom.

"Anything I can help you with, Little One?" Travis appeared directly behind the bent over young woman.

"Aaaah!" Startled, Lex fell headfirst into the box, splitting it down one side as she landed face down.

Travis quickly bent over and grabbed the prone woman¹s hips. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" He helped Lex to her feet and began trying to dust her off.

"I¹m fine, Grandpa." Lex gently fought off his helping hands. "What are you doing up so early?" She realized how she must have looked to him and blushed.

"Early? It¹s after six. I actually slept in." He noticed her discomfort. "What are you doing here in your jammies?" Travis couldn¹t help but tease his granddaughter. She looks just like she did when she was fourŠalways into something.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "UmmŠI¹m looking for something."

He looked at the disarray around them. "I can see that, Lexington. What exactly ARE you looking for?"

"A small box that I packed away around nine years ago," Lex sighed. "But even if I find it, I¹m afraid that it won¹t be what I¹m expecting." She sat down on the dusty floor in disgust.

"Oookay." Travis drew out the word and sat down next to his granddaughter. "What¹s so important about this box anyway?" He patted her on the leg. "If you describe it to me, I¹ll be more than happy to help you look for it."

Lex looked up at the older man¹s sincere face. "Well, it was a small wooden jewelry box that belonged to my mother." She saw a brief flash of pain cross Travis¹ features. "I¹m sorry, Grandpa. I know this has got to be hard for you." She reached over and grasped his hand. "You don¹t have to help. I¹ll find it soon enough."

Travis shook his head. "No, I¹d really like to help you, honey. Is there something special that¹s supposed to be in the box?"

"If I remember correctly, it had her wedding ring in it," Lex explained.

He thought for a moment. OhŠ "Amanda means a lot to you, doesn¹t she?" He smiled to himself. She¹s so cute when she blushes like that.

DamnŠhe¹s a pretty sharp old guy. "She means everything to me, Grandpa. Although I took her for granted until I almost lost her last week." Lex looked down at their hands. "I want to give her something to let her know how special she is to me." She looked back up into his eyes. "HellŠI can buy her anything, Grandpa. But something that I¹ve learned about Amanda is how sentimental she is; money means nothing to her. She¹d probably treasure a rusted bottle cap if I gave it to her. That¹s why I was thinking about mother¹s ring."

"I don¹t think giving her your mother¹s ring is such a good idea," Travis uttered quietly.

"Why? I thought that you liked her too." Lex sat up and tried to pull her hand away from his.

Travis smiled gently and held her hand more tightly. "I doŠvery much, as a matter of fact."

"Then whyŠ?"

"She deserves better than a cheap stainless steel band," he muttered angrily.

Lex¹s jaw dropped. "What? Stainless steel? I thought that they wore gold?" I knew Dad was cheap, butŠ

He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Your father bought stainless steel bands and had them dipped in a gold-tone alloy. Turned Victoria¹s finger green after the first year when most of the gold color wore off. She finally took it off and put it away right before you were born, because she was afraid that it could have hurt you when you were a baby."

"Damn." Lex fell back against the wall in defeat. "There goes that idea, then." She propped her chin on her bent knee. "Guess I¹ll just try to find something nice for her in town."

"Funny you should talk about rings, Little One." He released her hand and reached into his pocket. Travis pulled out a small black velvet box and handed it to Lex. "Your grandmother¹s greatest wish was that I¹d be able to reconcile with you." He wiped at a tear that escaped from his eye. "It was one of the last things she had said to me before she passed away."

Lex accepted the small box reverently. "I really wish that we hadn¹t wasted all those years apart," she whispered. "I would have really liked to have known you both when I was growing up. All I ever really wanted was to have a real family." She blinked as several tears dropped from her eyes while she studied the package in her hand. "What¹s in this?"

Travis put an arm around Lex and pulled her closer to him. "Open it, honey."

"All right." Lex lifted the lid and gasped in surprise. "Wow." Nestled atop dark blue satin sat a shimmering silver ring. It had a large square diamond in the center, with sparkling clear-cut sapphires on either side. "That¹s beautiful."

"It belonged to my great-great grandmother. Each generation it has been passed along as a wedding ring, except for Victoria. Your father refused to allow her to wear it. I gave it to my Melanie on our wedding day, and she had always wanted you to have it." Travis looked at the ring fondly. "Do you think that Amanda would like it? I know that your grandmother would be thrilled to keep it in the family."

She stared at the ring for a long moment. "She didn¹t even know me." Lex looked up into Travis¹ face. "Do you honestly think that she would have liked me? I¹m not what you¹d call normal."

The older man looked at her sadly. "HoneyŠshe loved you. We¹ve kept tabs on you all these years, you know." He winked at Lex. "Lester has kept us up to date on just about everything you¹ve done. He and I grew up together."

"Really? You and Lester are friends?" Lex tried to reconcile this distinguished gentleman with the rough cowhand. "You¹ve got to be kidding me. You two are nothing alike."

"He became cook on this ranch because I wanted someone close by to keep an eye on Victoria. I¹m sorry to say this, honeyŠbut I¹ve never liked or trusted your father." Travis ran a hand across Lex¹s face. "I was afraid he was after your mother for her money. It wasn¹t until after she died that I realized that in his own way, he really did love her."

Lex wiped at her face with her hand. "Do you really think so?" She thought back to all the time she had spent with her father. He never once told me he loved me. I didn¹t think he was even capable of such an emotion. She shook her head mentally. But I guess the same could have been said about me, until Amanda came along.

Travis nodded. "I know he did, Little One. He fell completely apart at the funeral." He reached over and wiped at the young woman¹s face with his fingertips. "Why don¹t you go get cleaned up? We can talk more later, sweetheart."

"That¹s probably a good idea, Grandpa. Amanda will probably be awake anytime now." Lex leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

"I couldn¹t give up on you any more than I could give up on myself, Lexington." Travis stood up and pulled her up with him. "I¹ll see you downstairs later for breakfast, all right?"

She wrapped her arms around Travis and hugged him tight. "You sure will. Thanks for everything, Grandpa." Lex kissed his cheek again and practically ran from the room.

He watched her leave with a large smile on his face. "Well, Melanie," he addressed his deceased wife quietly, "looks like we¹ve got a granddaughter again."

***************

Amanda wrinkled her nose when a light touch ran down her face. Another feather-like sensation caused one green eye to open slowly. "Lex?" She blinked both eyes open and studied the woman leaning over her. "What¹s going on?"

"Good morning." Lex leaned down and gave Amanda a long, sensual kiss. "Did you sleep well?"

"I always do, when I¹m with you," Amanda answered. She reached up and fingered the dark hair, which was damp. "Did you just get out of the shower?"

Lex grinned. "Yup. I was kinda dirty, so I thought I¹d better clean up." She ran a gentle fingertip down Amanda¹s cheek. "Talked with Grandpa for a few minutes this morning."

The younger woman squirmed to a more upright position on the bed. "Really? What did you talk about?"

"Quite a bit, actually." Lex rolled over to lie on her side, facing Amanda. She propped her head up with one hand. "I was in the storage room and he came in and scared the daylights out of me. I landed face first in one of the big boxes in the corner."

Amanda giggled. "Bet that was a sight." She mirrored the older woman¹s posture and ran her free hand down Lex¹s arm. "You didn¹t hurt yourself, did you?"

"Nope. But I bet I looked funny with my butt sticking up out of that damn box. Grandpa pulled me out and then we sat down and talked for a bit." Lex captured the small hand and brought it to her lips. "We even talked about you." Don¹t chicken out, Lexington. That¹s a perfect opening, now use it!

"Me? What didŠ?" Amanda asked, then blushed. "He¹s okay with us, isn¹t he?" He certainly seemed okay last night. Unless he thought about it during the night and changed his mind.

Lex rolled over and crawled off the bed and stepped into the bathroom. "Hold on a minute." She walked back into the room carrying something in her hand and dropped to one knee on Amanda¹s side of the bed. "I told Grandpa how much you meant to me, Amanda. He asked me what I was doing in the storage room, and I explained that I was looking for something that I packed away years ago."

Amanda sat up and faced the kneeling rancher. "What was that, honey?" She could feel Lex¹s nervousness as if it were a tangible thing. When the older woman held out her hand, the blonde automatically accepted it.

"When I first took over the master bedroom, I packed up all of my folks¹ things and put them in storage. The one thing I wanted to give to you, I haven¹t been able to find." Lex kissed Amanda¹s hand. "I wanted to give you something to show you how much you mean to me."

"Oh, babyŠyou don¹t have to give me anything." Amanda curled her hand around Lex¹s cheek. "You show me all the time how you feel."

Lex nodded. "I try to. But I wanted to give you more than just words, or actions. I want you to have a symbol of my love for you. That¹s why I was looking for my mother¹s wedding ring." She bent forward and placed her head on the younger woman¹s lap. "I¹ve already given you my promise to love you forever, AmandaŠI just want to give you a token of that promise." She looked up with tears in her eyes. "It took almost losing you to realize just how precious you are to meŠI can¹t allow one more day to go by and not show you how I feel."

She looked down at Lex and at the remembered pain in those blue eyes. When Lex took her left hand and kissed it again, Amanda almost cried. "Oh, sweetheartŠ"

"I couldn¹t find mother¹s ring. But Grandpa gave me something that I think is more fitting." Lex opened the box that she had hidden behind her back and pulled the ring out. "This ring belonged to my great-great-great grandmother. Grandpa said that it was passed down from generation to generation as a wedding present." She slipped the jewel-encrusted band on Amanda¹s finger and kissed the small hand again. "I would be truly honored if you would wear this ring and accept my promise to love you forever, Amanda Lorraine Cauble." Lex waited to see what the younger woman¹s response would be.

"LexŠ" Amanda looked closely at the ring. "My god, it¹s incredible." She choked back a sob of happiness. "I¹ll cherish it as I do you." She reached out and pulled Lex to her in a strong embrace. "Always and forever, Lexington Marie Walters."

The dark-haired woman sealed the pledge with a tender kiss. She pulled back slightly to look into the green eyes full of unshed tears. "Always and forever, my love."

The End

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