Chapter 58

Amanda pulled into the tree-lined drive, parking behind the shining Suburban. " Looks like they're home." She got out of the car then strolled to the passenger's side, waiting for the tall woman to climb out. " C'mon…let's go give 'em a big surprise." She took Lex's hand, practically running up the walkway to the door.

Before the young woman could open the door it swung wide open, her grandmother standing in the doorway smiling. " Mandy! You're home! " She rushed outside, wrapping her arms around Amanda in breathless abandon.

" Errk! Gramma, calm down! " Amanda gasped, as the older woman squeezed the breath out of her.

Jacob Cauble stood just inside the doorway, watching with an amused air. " Well, Peanut, we can never accuse you of not making an entrance! " he laughed, until the young woman released her grandmother and came at him full force. " Ugh! Okay, I'm happy to see you too."

Anna Leigh looked at Lex, who was standing back with a bemused look on her face. " Lexington? Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to say hello? " She stepped towards the tall woman.

Lex gave her a gentle smile. " Hello, Mrs. Cauble. It's been a while, hasn't it? "

" You scamp! Get over here! " Anna Leigh pulled the young woman into a strong embrace. Whispering into her ear, " I could never thank you enough for what you have given us…and I'm glad you're here."

Amanda and Jacob stood arm in arm, watching the scene on the front porch with glee. " I'm glad you got her to come back with you, Peanut. Your grandmother has been very worried about her since your last talk." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the blonde head.

" Is the guest room still available? I actually got her to agree to stay in town for a few days, and I want to get her to visit Dr. Anderson while she's here." She smiled at the rancher when Anna Leigh brought her to the doorway.

Jacob let go of his granddaughter and reached for the tall woman standing next to his wife. Pulling her into a powerful hug, he kissed the top of her head. " Welcome back, Lexington. I hope you will stay with us a few days, so we can get caught up." He led her into the house, with Amanda and Anna Leigh close behind.

The dark woman followed him into the living room, sitting in the loveseat he pointed her towards. " Well, if you don't mind me hanging around, I'd like that. I have some business to attend to here in town that will take a couple of days, if that's okay with you."

Amanda plopped down next to her, almost sitting in the rancher's lap. Grabbing the older woman's hand, she laughed. " Like I would let you out of my sight for any amount of time."

Jacob sat in the large recliner, with Anna Leigh perched on the arm. " Looks like our little Amanda has gotten her hooks into you, Lexington." He laughed at the blush that colored both young women's faces. " Not that I'm complaining, mind you…as long as Mandy is happy, we're happy. Right, Anna? " he grasped his wife's hand, then pulled it to his lips for a kiss.

Anna Leigh looked at her granddaughter, then at the woman seated next to her. " I couldn't agree more, Jacob."

" That's good, because I've fallen completely, totally, and irreversibly in love with Lex, and I couldn't be happier." Amanda snuggled closer to the completely embarrassed rancher.

Jacob and Anna Leigh exchanged amused glances. " So, Lexington…" he drawled, trying to keep a straight face, " What are your intentions towards our granddaughter? " seeing the shocked look on Amanda's face he nearly lost his composure. And watching the tall rancher struggle with her thoughts, he nearly laughed out loud. " Well? "

Lex looked at Amanda, then at Jacob and Anna Leigh, standing up to address the two older people. " Mr. Cauble, Mrs. Cauble, my intentions are purely honorable. I love Amanda with my entire being, and if I were able, I would ask you for her hand." She looked back at the young blonde, who had tears floating in her eyes. " But since I can't, I want to stand here right now and give you my word that I will treat Amanda with the greatest respect, and honor her for as long as she will have me." She felt a small hand grasp hers. " We've only know each other less than a week, yet it feels like a lifetime. She brings out the best in me, and I will do everything in my power to make her happy." God, that was hard!

Anna Leigh stood up, followed by Jacob. " Lexington…" she began sternly, watching the emotions flicker across the dark features, " Welcome to our family." She walked over and pulled the dark-haired woman into a strong hug. " And call me Anna Leigh…Mrs. Cauble sounds so, impersonal, don't you think? " She felt the body she was holding shake with silent sobs. " Shhh… it's okay, sweetheart." She rubbed Lex's back comfortingly.

Lex drew a deep breath and slowly pulled away. " Thanks, Anna Leigh. You have no idea what it means to me to hear that." Embarrassed, she ran a hand over her eyes.

Amanda stepped up beside her and gave the tall woman a hug. " That was beautiful, Lex. I didn't know you were quite that eloquent." She leaned on the nearby shoulder.

" Well, Lexington, seems like you're stuck with us." Jacob walked over and embraced the young woman. " And if you call me Mr. Cauble again, I'll have to get tough! You can call me Jacob, Grandpa, or old fart…I'll answer to just about anything." He chuckled at her look of surprise. " Although I usually reserve 'old fart' for my Anna Leigh to call me…" he flinched as the older woman slapped his arm lightly. " See what these Cauble women are capable of? Are you sure you want to be subjected to this? "

Lex laughed, and looked down at Amanda. " Yeah, I know…she's already popped me a couple of times… guess it's in the genes." She winced as the expected slap came her way. " See what I mean? " Her comment broke the seriousness of the conversation, for which she was glad. Damn…this was harder than breaking a wild horse. Glad I'll never have to go through this again. Then her thoughts sobered. Oh, shit! I've still got to meet her parents!