Ida stood up. "I'll walk you out, honey." She wrapped an arm around her son's waist as they left the room.

Charlie looked at Lex. "Everything okay out at the ranch?"

The rancher sighed, then stood up and walked over to the fireplace. Leaning on the hearth, she turned back towards Charlie. "Yeah, pretty much…I do have a favor to ask of you, though…"

Charlie could barely keep his jaw from dropping. She's asking for help? Now that's a change! "Sure, honey…name it."

"Amanda and I are flying to California tomorrow to pack up her stuff, and I'd appreciate it if you would stay out at the ranch while we're gone."

The lawman watched as Amanda stood up and joined Lex by the fireplace, giving her a gentle rub on her back.

"Why? Not that I mind, but Martha has stayed out there by herself before." He looked at the undisguised sadness in the tall woman's blue eyes. "What is it?"

"Hubert is up to his usual tricks…although I really don't think he has the balls to do anything." Lex sighed. "But he was pretty pissed off when I chased him off of the ranch the other day - so I'm not sure what he may do." She ran a hand through her dark hair nervously.

Uh-oh…they're at it again. Charlie remembered breaking up several altercations between the siblings when they were growing up. "Umm…was there a particular reason you chased him off? He's not going to try and press charges against you again, is he?"

Lex laughed. "Ah…no." she shook her head. "I don't think he'll come running to you this time…" she gave Amanda a grin. "But I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out there, just in case."

Charlie grinned. "Well, it'll be a hardship, but I guess I can do it. How long are you planning on being gone?"

Amanda gently pulled Lex back over to the loveseat. "We fly out tomorrow morning, and will be coming back Sunday afternoon. I've got to be back in the office on Monday."

"Have you picked up the sedatives yet?" Charlie teased, "Or do you just need to borrow some handcuffs for the flight?"

"Charlie…" Lex growled.

He laughed, and winked at Amanda. "Or I could get someone from Animal Control to dart her before she boards…"

Lex stood up, glaring. "Charlie, I'd hate to make Martha a widow before you could talk her into being a bride."

Looking surprised, the lawman blushed. "What makes you think…she's never…ah, hell."

He looked down at the floor.

Teach him to pick on me, Lex smiled to herself. "C'mon, Charlie…would it really be so bad to live at the ranch?"

Exhaling heavily, he looked up. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Mind?" Lex sputtered, "Why the hell would I mind?" She looked at him in disbelief. "Martha is a grown woman, and I certainly have no hold on her."

"Well, yeah…I know, but…I mean, she's…" he continued to stammer.

The rancher stood up and crossed the room quickly, then knelt at Charlie's feet. "You know, growing up…I had this ongoing dream…a fantasy, I guess." She waited until the flustered man's eyes met hers. "In my head, and I guess in my heart too, Martha was my mom - my real mom…" she gave him a gentle smile, "and you were my dad…" Seeing the shocked happiness on his face, she continued, "Hell, Charlie…you two practically raised me anyway - my own dad never really gave a damn to what I was doing. I just wish Martha would quit worrying so much about me, and take care of her own happiness."

Charlie smiled at her, a trace of tears in his gray eyes. "Honey…" he glanced at Amanda, "I don't think she has a thing to worry about anymore." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Now I guess I'd better go on upstairs and pack a bag…since I'll be out of town on vacation for a few days." He winked at Lex, then stood. "And if I had ever had a daughter, I would hope she'd be like you." He enveloped the dark-haired woman in a fierce hug. "Have a safe trip, sweetheart." Charlie kissed the top of her head and turned to leave the room. "Take care of our girl, Amanda…" he waved to the young blonde still seated on the loveseat as he left the room.

Lex sniffed, wiped her eyes, and then looked over at Amanda. "C'mon, let's go…we still have to get you packed."