Chapter 48

The two young women were sitting in front of a roaring fire in the den; Lex comfortably ensconced in a chair, with Amanda relaxing in her lap. "Are you sure I'm not hurting you?" Amanda asked the older woman. Lex had a very tight hold on her, and they had been snuggling for well over an hour.

"Are you kidding me?" the rancher nibbled on a convenient ear. "I've never felt better." She was about to get a little more serious about it when Martha walked into the room.

"Excuse me, Lexie…but I've gotten dinner ready, if you can tear yourself away from what you are doing." The housekeeper worked hard to keep the grin off of her face. "If not, I guess I can just throw it out."

Amanda practically jumped out of the dark woman's lap. "Wait! You wouldn't throw out perfectly good food, would you?" she seemed horrified by the thought.

Lex laughed, and stood up as well. "Please…this is the same woman who would save my plate and make me finish it later when I was growing up." She shook her head. "She never throws food away!"

Martha slapped at her as she walked through the door. "That's only because you would barely stand still long enough to eat…then come back an hour later whining about being hungry."

The trio laughed their way into the kitchen. Martha pushed the younger women gently into chairs and joined them as they passed platters of food back and forth.

"I've been meaning to ask you Martha, when do you find time to cook all these wonderful meals?" Amanda asked, enjoying her food with gusto.

"It's not really that big of a deal, honey…and it doesn't take that long at all." The housekeeper answered, jumping when thunder rumbled a little too close by.

Lex looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. "I swear, I'd almost welcome a drought after this past week." Another crack of thunder shook the house.

"Sounds like it's getting closer." Amanda stated, unconsciously scooting closer to the rancher.

"It's only weather…nothing to be worried about." Lex wrapped her arm around Amanda's shoulders, pulling her close. Then she quieted, and listened carefully. "Did you hear something?"

Martha looked at her quizzically. "I hear another storm approaching, why?" she listened as well, but couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary.

"Shhh.." Lex warned, getting up and walking to the kitchen window. "Something isn't right out there."

Suddenly, another crash of thunder, and the lights went off in the house.

"Damn!" the rancher cursed, groping around in the darkness. She reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out a flashlight. "Amanda? Martha? You two okay?" she aimed the beam of light towards the table, highlighting two pale faces. Walking over to the frightened women, Lex squatted down between them. "I don't like the feel of this." She saw the small blonde tremble slightly. Grasping a nearby hand, Lex squeezed it gently. "Hey…it's okay…probably just the storm."

Amanda knew that Lex was only saying that to make her feel better. I think we're in some serious trouble here, she mused, then looked into concerned blue eyes. "Yeah, sure…" she looked over at Martha, who had a concerned look on her face as well. Amanda was about to reassure the housekeeper when the sound of breaking glass assaulted their ears.

Lex jumped up, looking at Martha. "You two get into the storm cellar, I'll go check it out." She started towards the door, when two hands caught her from behind.

"Are you crazy? C'mon down into the cellar with us. I've got the portable radio here in my apron, we'll call Charlie." Martha begged, suddenly afraid of the unknown.

Amanda waited patiently for the older woman to finish. "She's right. If it's those thieves, they have guns, and you don't. Please don't do this." She pleaded quietly, knowing in her heart that Lex couldn't and wouldn't do as she asked.

Lex kissed the small blonde gently on the lips. "Go with Martha. I've got to check this out." She turned to look at the housekeeper. "Go to the cellar…please." She stared at the older woman for a very long moment. "Call Charlie - tell him to come in the back way." She walked over and grabbed a nearby skillet. "You always said I was dangerous in the kitchen." She smiled.

Martha smiled grimly and grabbed the younger woman. "C'mon, honey. The cellar is very well hidden…we'll be safer there." She looked up at the rancher, tears floating in her dark eyes. "Join us soon, okay sweetheart?" She began to lead the small woman towards the table, squatting down and moving the small rug underneath.

Lex followed, scooting the table off to one side so that the housekeeper could open a trap door. "You two go on in, I'll cover your tracks." She bent down next to the older woman and gave her a strong hug. "I'll see you in a little bit."

Martha smiled, then stepped down into the dark passage. "You'd better." She continued down until she reached the bottom, then picked up a lantern, lighting it with a nearby book of matches. "Thank the good Lord I clean this place up on a weekly basis."

Amanda looked at Lex, tears running down her face. "I'd rather stay with you." She leaned into the strong hand that caressed her face. "I don't think I can stay anywhere without you."

Lex pulled her close for a deep kiss. "I need you to take care of Martha for me." She jumped as the back door was forcibly opened. "Hurry. I'll see you soon." Another quick kiss. "I love you." She whispered, then sent the small woman down the stairs, closing the trap door behind her.

The rancher rearranged the rug and placed the table back over it before she started towards the doorway, armed with only a flashlight and a cast iron frying pan. She could hear voices in the hall, as she raised her makeshift weapon and stood against the wall.

"Shut up, damn it!" a deep voice barked low, just inside the house. "They know we're here now."

Another voice broke though the silence. "Why do we have to do this, Matt? Wouldn't it be easier to just steal a car or something?" a young voice whined.

"Because I don't like being made a fool of, and that damn woman did just that!" the deeper voice intoned, walking carefully down the hall. "You still with us, Darrell?" he whispered.

"Yeah…I'm here. Why, I don't know." Another voice commented, barely heard. He cocked the rifle, making sure a round was in the chamber.