Chapter 36

Lex stood at the bedroom window, staring at nothing as the voice through the cellular phone wound down.

"Lexie, don't you let those folks get to you, now." Martha pleaded, after hearing what Lex had reported to her so far. "You're just as good, if not better, than any of them, honey."

The rancher released a heavy sigh. "You say that, Martha…but you haven't seen this place. It's straight out of one of those silly television shows you used to watch. I keep expecting to see Joan Collins step out of a room any minute now."

Martha laughed. "Now that would be a sight!" she sobered. "How's Amanda handling all of this? Poor thing's probably as flustered as you are, I'll bet."

"She's doing a lot better than I am, I think. Although it's been one fight after another for her ever since we got here." Lex ran a hand through her hair, then leaned until her forehead was pressed against the cool glass of the window. "She's a hell of a lot stronger than I thought she was, that's for sure."

"I could have told you that, Lexie. That young lady may look like the sweet quiet type, but she's got the heart of a lion." Martha stated, matter of fact. "You tell her I said hello, and to not take any bunk from anyone. And make sure she knows she always has a home here, no matter what."

"Yes ma'am." Lex finally smiled. "I was kind of thinking along those exact lines, myself."

Martha chuckled. "I knew I didn't raise a fool, honey. Now you take care of yourself, and her too - we'll have a nice barbecue when you girls get back home."

Lex laughed. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Martha. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Alright, sweetheart. Goodbye." The sweet housekeeper hung up the phone, already happily planning the feast.

Lex had just closed the phone when the bedroom door opened. Turning away from the window, the tall woman crossed the room quickly when she saw the upset look on Amanda's face. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Are you…?" Lex stopped her questioning when the young blonde wrapped her arms around her and buried her tear-streaked face in the rancher's chest. "Hey." She instinctively returned the embrace, running a hand through the soft hair. "You okay?"

Amanda sniffed, then looked up into worried blue eyes. "Yeah…just needed to connect with you for a minute." She felt a soft kiss on the top of her head and smiled. "I love you so much, Lex…why can't my parents understand that?"

"Your mother gave you a hard time, huh?" Lex asked, as she guided the younger woman over to the bed to sit down. "They just want what's best for you," she pulled Amanda into her lap, "so do I."

"I don't think that's it…they want what's best for them - they've never even bothered to ask me what I wanted." Amanda raised her arms to wrap them around Lex's neck, pulling the dark head close for a kiss. "Mmm…" She turned to face the rancher, straddling strong thighs.

Lex chuckled when Amanda finally broke free to breathe. "Is that what you wanted?" she leaned down and captured the younger woman's lips again. "Better?" she teased.

"Oh yeah…much." Amanda murmured snuggling close, then ran one hand lightly down Lex's side, feeling the jean-clad leg beneath her. "I thought you were going to change?"

"I was…but I decided to call Martha instead." Lex waved the cell phone in front of Amanda's face.

The blonde swatted the phone away. "Oh yeah? How's she doing?"

The rancher laughed. "Ornery as ever. She sends you her love, and said for you not to let them get to you." She paused, "And…umm…she said to tell you not to forget that you have a home there." Lex finished quietly.

"I do, huh?" Amanda questioned just as quietly, looking up into Lex's face.

Lex looked down, lost in sparkling green eyes. "Yeah…you know, I've been thinking a lot about that. And I realize that we haven't known each other that long…" Lex babbled, unsure of herself. "But I was wondering if…"

Amanda could feel the rancher's heart pounding by the hand she had placed on the older woman's chest. "Lex…honey…what are you trying to say?" She tried to calm the nervous woman by then gently massaging her neck and shoulder.

"Well, um…I know you value your independence, and I'm not trying to rush you, or push you into something that you're not ready for…and it's really not that far from town…" Lex continued, still flustered.

Understanding dawned on Amanda. "Wait…" she covered the rattled rancher's mouth with her hand. "Are you asking me to move in with you at the ranch?" Seeing the telltale flush on her companion's face, she smiled brightly. "You know, I was wondering how I was going to survive when I have to go back to work next week."

Lex looked at her, trying unsuccessfully to keep a silly grin from erupting on her face. "Does this mean…?"

"Think you could handle having me under foot all the time?" Amanda teased. "Ooof!" she grunted as the breath was suddenly squeezed from her.

"YES!" Lex whooped, hugging the smaller woman to her tightly. She buried her face in the soft fragrant hair. "Under foot? I should be so lucky!" she mumbled happily. "You can either redo the guest room, or just move into the master bedroom with me…I'll try to make space in my closet." She joked.

Amanda laughed. "Let's worry bout it when we get home, okay? I'm just going to have the movers put everything into storage right now…we can sort through it all later." She kissed Lex on the chin.

"We've got a pretty good sized storage shed up by the bunkhouse, if you'd rather use that…I cleaned it out about three years ago…had a bunch of Dad's junk in it - I don't think anything is even in there right now." Lex pulled Amanda's face up gently, then gave her a tender kiss. "Thanks." She whispered when they broke apart.

"For what?" Amanda asked, searching the face so close to hers.

Lex cradled the younger woman's cheek with one hand. "For bringing more happiness into my life than I ever thought was possible." She captured Amanda's lips again, this time with more fervor.

Amanda returned the kiss, threading her hands through the thick dark hair, rolling onto her back and pulling the rancher over on top of her. "Mmm…" she pulled away just far enough to speak. "Why don't we wait until this afternoon to visit the beach? I can think of better things to do around here." She pulled Lex's face back down towards her.

With a wicked chuckle, Lex couldn't agree more. "You're the boss."