Act 14

Setting: The pastures surrounding Knolle Farm & Ranch

Amanda's feet were soaked from the early morning dew as she attempted to keep up with Lee's quick pace through the fields.

"Lee", Amanda said between heavy breaths, "Can we go back now? We've circled this place twice and we haven't seen anything but cows Lee."

"Steer, those are steer Amanda", Lee said as he forged ahead. He HAD to find the owner of that deep voice! "We'll have to tighten up security today. Just when we thought it was over..."

Lee reached back to grab Amanda's hand and led her back to the B&B. "Amanda! Your hands are freezing!"

As they made their way back to the farm, they recognized two figures sitting on the porch, enjoying the stillness of the early morning.

"Well. looky here Betty. Looks like those two done made up afterall!"

"Keith, you know you shouldn't believe Jim and Kara's gossip!" Betty replied as she waved to Amanda.

Keith hollered to Lee "Gettin' mighty creative there boy! Don't show me up now! You know Betty's gonna be expectin' romance and I just don't have time for that!"

Betty broke in, "Oh shush now Keith! What 'cha tryin' to do, wake up the whole neighborhood!? Why don't you go get them a cup of coffee instead a squawkin' like that!"

Lee and Amanda followed Betty and Keith into the house and gratefully accepted the warm cups of java.

"Keith," Lee asked, "You didn't see anything suspicious this morning, did you?"

Keith gave Lee a strange look and honestly said, "Nothin' but some fool of a man gettin' lucky with his wife out there in the fields.."

"Keith!" Betty swapped him over the head with the morning paper as she grabbed her husband's arm and dragged him away. "Just let those two finish their makin' up and quit botherin' them." she whispered. Then to Lee and Amanda, she said "See ya'll later!"

***

Lee and Amanda did see Keith and Betty later at the convention hall, as they continued their cover as husband and wife. They were able to help keep a tight reign on security. Lee just couldn't figure it out. It was now the end of the day and not one single explosive had been discovered by the bomb sniffing dogs. The rest of the convention had gone off without a hitch.

***

"Lee, are you almost done in the bathroom? I still have to curl my hair!" Amanda shouted through the bathroom door.

Lee just stared at his reflection in the steamed up mirror. His hot shower had not seemed to help any. He still couldn't relax. He had to find that man. "I'll be out in just a minute Amanda!" Lee yelled back.

Amanda knew she couldn't wait. If she didn't start fixing her hair right now, it would be frizz city!

Amanda humphed her way down the hall and muttered "And they say women spend too much time in the bathroom!" She knocked on Laura's door.

"Hey Laura, can I come in and use your bathroom? I've got to finish fixing my hair!" Amanda hollered as Laura opened the door.

"Sure, come on in Amanda!"

"Thanks!"

"Here let me show you the bathroom", Laura said, as she got up the nerve to approach Amanda on a certain...touchy... subject.

"Amanda, I know this is none of my business..."

"But?" Amanda chimed in, "I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway..."

"Well, I know about Lee's reputation, but I can tell you, the way he is looking at you...it's not a fling he's thinking of." Laura held her breath, she wasn't sure how Amanda would respond.

Amanda just stared ahead at the mirror while fixing her hair. She had not planned on getting into this with anyone. Not even after she had resolved to share her feelings with Lee tonight.

Laura continued, "It's just that, my husband and I were apart for two and a half years because of fears we had about getting together. I look back now and I realize we shouldn't have allowed those fears to keep us apart. All I'm saying is, don't second guess yourself. You two have a good thing. Grab it and hold on it tight. There's a reason why you and Lee were thrown together."

Amanda almost regretted that she had shared with Laura how she had met Lee. Amanda had told her about it during one of their long rides to the convention center. What did Laura mean about them having a good thing? They weren't dating. Amanda thought "It can't be that obvious, can it?"

Amanda didn't say a word. She just cleared her throat and finished fixing her hair.

Laura decided she wouldn't push it any further and said "Anyway Amanda, you better grab him because he's gorgeous!"

They both smiled as they made their way to the bonfire.

***

Hundreds of revelers mingled about the grounds of Knolle farm. This was their biggest event of the year, their famous bon-fire. Mr. Knolle held it every year after the convention.

Amanda studied the beautiful flames and basked in their warmth. She loved the smell of the wood burning. It reminded her of past camping trips which she had so enjoyed. She wondered if Lee had ever had the pleasure of going camping. Probably not, from what he told her of his childhood. Amanda sighed as she made her way through the crowd.

That's when she saw him. There was Lee standing in the cold, away from everyone else. He stood there, alone, staring at the stars. Amanda left the warmth of the fire and approached him.

"Lee."

Amanda smiled and admired how handsome Lee was. He didn't respond when she called his name so she stepped closer. She saw that Lee was lost deep in concentration.

"Penny for your thoughts!" Amanda quipped as she tried to calm her nerves.

"Oh, It'll cost you a dime." Lee said slowly as he turned to face Amanda. He didn't smile.

"Whoa! A dime!"

"Yeah, inflation." Lee said as he looked into her eyes. He grabbed Amanda's hands and pulled her toward him before he put his arms around her. He finally began to ease up.

"I'll say!" Amanda said as she relaxed in Lee's embrace and gazed into his eyes. She was nervous, but ready. Laura's pep talk had really done some good and had had a positive affect on Amanda. She didn't want to let her fear to allow this one to go. She was ready to jump feet first across that chasm... into joy.



"Lee", Amanda continued as she gently reached up to straighten Lee's collar.

"Yes" Lee was glad that Amanda kept her hands on his chest even after his collar had been fixed.

"I have something to tell you". Amanda tilted her head up to look at Lee. Her nose practically touched his nose. They could have kissed.

Lee tightened his arms around Amanda to shield her from the cold.

"I just want to tell you that...I love you too."

Just then an explosion rang out, heaving Amanda and Lee to the ground. A man on a three wheel ATV hastily made his way of escape, unnoticed by everyone but Lee.

Lee shouted for help. His body had shielded Amanda from the blast, but as they fell, she had hit her head on the ground and was knocked out.

Laura ran up to attend to Amanda as Lee took off after the rider on the ATV.

Lee knew he'd never make it on foot so he ran to the barn, grabbed some rope, and jumped on the first horse he found.

Laura helped take Amanda up to her room as Mr. Knolle went to find the doctor.

Lee rode the horse fast and furious and was able to gain speed on the assailant. Lee was saddened to see it was none other than Roger from Dallas. Lee couldn't wait to catch him and find out what his misguided motives were. As Lee approached, he successfully lasso'd Roger and knocked him off the ATV and onto the ground. After dragging Roger a few feet, Lee jumped off his horse and was then able to detain him.

"It's bad enough to have foreigners hurt our land, but when it's homegrown! Roger, you're nothing but a scumbag!" Lee said as he took Roger in.

***

Amanda woke up with a killer headache. She squinted her eyes open and heard Laura softly say. "You better get ready Amanda, our ride to the airport will be here in an hour." Amanda had spent the evening in Laura's room, which was just as well, since Lee had spent the better part of last night filling out reports.

Amanda hurried to get ready and gathered her things. She was overjoyed to finally meet Lee at the shuttle.

They shared a quick kiss as Lee told her that it had been Roger from Dallas who had detonated the bomb. As a member of an anti-free trade movement, Roger had held a grudge with all people encouraging free enterprise and he had felt that the bombing would be the best way to get his point across. Lee was thankful that none of the local media picked up the story.

Lee and Amanda sat holding hands and smiling silly grins as they waited in the airport cafeteria for their flight back to DC. As they sat there, enjoying each other's company, that's when Amanda saw...him...it seemed like time stood still.

Lee saw him too. Everyone turned to watch ...him ...as he made his way down the corridor.

Everything was in slooooow moooooootion.

The swagger...

The side...burns...

dark ...sunglasses

big watch

rhinestones....

gold ...ring

wide collar

wider...belt



white jumpsuit

blue suede... shoes

It was.....





ELVIS!



Lee looked at Amanda with a look she knew all too well.

"Oh no!" Amanda exclaimed as Lee took her hand. She just knew what he was going to ask her!



Pfffffffffffffffferrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm

Lee smiled at the sound of the plane taking off.

Amanda stared straight ahead, petrified as she heard the muzak...



"VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVA LAS VEGAS!"



"Lee," Amanda said as Elvis crooned in the backgound.

"Just promise me one thing", she requested as she stared straight ahead.

"Yes?", Lee said as he smiled from ear to ear and held Amanda's hand.

"Don't let Elvis officiate the wedding!"



VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVA LAS VEGAS!VIVA LAS VEGAS!

TBC