Chapter 51

Amanda jumped to her feet, prepared to race up the stairs when a strong hand on her arm stopped her. "Let go of me!!" she cried, struggling to break free.

Martha held the squirming young woman tightly. "No, sweetheart. We've got to stay here." She wrapped Amanda in a firm hug. "We don't know what's going on up there."

Amanda tried to twist out of the strong grasp, then finally relented. "But she may need me!" she sniffled, burying her face into a strong shoulder. "She could be hurt…" a shudder ran through her body, "or…" she couldn't even finish such a horrible thought.

The housekeeper held onto the younger woman tightly. "Honey, you can't think like that." She placed a gentle kiss on the blonde head. "Our Lexie is one of the strongest people I've ever known." She led the smaller woman over to the bench to sit down.

Amanda calmed down, thinking about what the older woman had said. She is very capable - I'm not giving Lex enough credit. Looking at Martha, Amanda could read the fear in her eyes as well. I never thought about what this is doing to her…Lex is practically her daughter. I've been pretty selfish here. She linked her hands with the older woman's and squeezed gently. "You're right, as usual. I guess I'm just a little on edge…it's been a pretty wild week."

Martha was about to reply when the radio crackled.

"Martha? You there?"

She hurriedly pulled the device once again from her apron. "We're here, Charlie."

"I'm right outside…did I hear a gunshot just now?" nervousness was quite evident in the sheriff's tone. "Are y'all okay?"

Martha took a trembling breath then looked over at Amanda, who was chewing on her lower lip. "Amanda and I are fine…we're still hidden." Her voice broke, "I'm not sure about Lexie, though." She felt a small arm wrap around her shoulder in support.

"She's fine, I'm sure of it." Charlie assured her. "I've got reinforcements on the way…we caught one group of those damn thieves, hiding near the stolen vehicles. Damn fools."

Amanda pulled the older woman close with relief. "That means there's only three left…" she gave a forced little laugh. "No contest."

Chapter 52

The silence hung heavily in the air upstairs; a crumpled body lay sprawled in the center of the office floor. The tall figure stood over the still form for a moment, then squatted down beside it to check for a pulse. Still breathing. Guess that's a good sign. Lex tossed the frying pan off to one side, then removed the laces from the unconscious man's work boots, tying up his hands and feet. Picking up the rifle, she was about to leave the room when she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs.Goody…one down, and two to go. The rancher crossed stealthily across the den, ending up next to the doorway. Peeking around the corner, she could barely see two forms; one at the foot of the stairs, and the other standing in the kitchen doorway.

"Matt, I'm scared!" the younger man whined softly, as the older man stepped into the kitchen. A moment later he returned, then walked towards the back door, which was still partially open.

"Shut up! I swear to God, if you don't quit whining, I'll shoot you myself!" he growled, opening up the door to the utility room and quickly looking inside.

The smaller man sat down on the bottom step, wrapping his arms around his knees, rocking back and forth. A large clap of thunder startled him and he began to cry. "Matt…I wanna go home!"

Lex watched as the taller form moved quickly back towards the stairs.

'SLAP!'

"Sssshhhh! Quit being such a damn baby! You're fifteen years old - grow up!" he shook the younger man's shoulder. "Now c'mon! Stay behind me and keep your mouth shut!" he started walking down the hallway, heading straight for the den where Lex stood waiting.

C'mon, you bastard…just a little closer… She silently urged him on. Dragging a poor kid into this mess…I'm gonna enjoy this! She turned the rifle around in her hands, holding it like a club.

Another rumble of thunder, then the back door swung open as lightning lit up the sky once again.

"Hold it!!" a man's voice yelled, flashing a beam of light down the hallway. "Sheriff's department!"

Matt whirled, keeping the young man between him and the deputy, who had raised his gun.

"NO!!!" Lex screamed, not wanting to see the boy shot. She jumped out of the den brandishing her rifle like a club. "Hold your fire!!" she yelled at the deputy, swinging the gun downward towards the thief's head.

'CRACK!'

'CRACK!'

The lights came on just as the shots rang out.