Unforeseen Path

Chapter 3

Lee's cab dropped him off at Emily's place and he walked slowly to the front door with his bags and he sighed. Emily. Damn! She was the one who took him under her wing until he was ready to fly solo in the business, helping him hone his skills as an intelligence operative and catching him as he'd invariably fell along the way in certain areas.

He owed all his continued successes to her and then some. And he never really got a chance to really thank her for all she'd been to him! She taught him everything he knew today about Agency life.

But the one he was about to see now taught him the human side of life. He was still rough in a lot of ways in dealing with people, but Amanda continued to show him in little ways how "normal" people dealt with life. And he knew he had a lot to learn still as he continued to be impatient and brush aside her help at times. In fact, he wondered why Billy insisted they would make a good team still.

At any rate, he knew the next days to come would be a real test for their relationship. His head was still spinning from the news about the Colonel! He thought the old man would be around forever commanding him and others to do his obstinate bidding!

Shaking his head and putting his shock aside for now, he rang the bell. Bridget opened it a few moments later and let him in saying, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Stetson! Mrs. Farnsworth didn't let anyone know how really ill she was! "

Accepting her hug for a moment and letting go he said, "Where is Mrs. King? "

Bridget gestured to the stairs and said, "She's upstairs trying to find an outfit for the funeral. I offered my assistance, but she..."

Lee nodded at Bridget in understanding. "I'll just go up. Thank you. She and Amanda were becoming very close. I'm sure she's still in shock. We'll be down shortly. "

Bridget said, "Mr. Stetson, Mrs. Farnsworth's attorney is on his way. I guess to go over her will and such. He specifically asked that you and Mrs. King be present for this. "

Lee nodded. "Thanks. I'll tell Amanda. Let us know when he gets here, all right?"

Bridget walked away saying, "I'll get lunch started..."

Lee headed up and when he got to the top of the stairs he called out, "Amanda?"

Amanda answered, "I'm in here..."

Lee walked to the third bedroom and found Amanda hurrying about in her usual franetic pace and saw several boxes opened on the floor and a jewelry box open on the bed.

He reached out and pulled her gently to him and said softly, "Hey... are you all right? "

She nodded saying, "Yeah, but I'm trying to find that stupid outfit she wore at the paint store on that one case. You remember the one? "

Lee nodded as Amanda continued by saying, "Anyway, I thought it would be a hoot at her service if I put her in that, but I can't find the damn thing! Where is it, Lee?! Where is it?!"

Lee went to the bed and took the jewelry box and placed it on the dresser and brought Amanda to the bed and sat her down with him steeling himself for the avalanche of tears that was sure to come! He said to her swallowing,"I know this is a huge shock, but we'll be okay. Just tell me what I can to here to help you."

Amanda got up immediately and went to the closet saying, "I just told you! I need that damn outfit for her funeral! I know she won't care! It'll be so funny!"

Lee pulled her to him in an instant and gently shook her shoulders and said, "Talk to me! I want to help you through this! Just let it out for God's sake, whatever it is! You can tell me!"

Amanda pushed him away and went to the closet once more and gulped shaking her head saying, "You d-don't like tears, so I'm not going to do that to you! Now, help me f- find th-that o-outfit pl-pleeease! "

A moment later, the dam had burst! Amanda was in a heap on the floor yelling and crying saying, "Damn her! Wh-Why couldn't she tell me that she was sick! I hate her for that, Lee! I...hate her! She's g-gone and I n-never got to s-say g-goodbye!"

Lee pulled her up and brought her to the bed and rocked Amanda as she let out her pain and grief and anger of the situation! He said gently, "It's all right... shh. It's all right. It's okay...let it out...shh..."

As he held her Amanda said through her tears," I'm-I'm so sorry. You hate any display like this. I'm surprised you're not running away!"

Lee said swallowing hard, "Well, I'm not running because we have a job to do here number one and number two is that I loved her also and I'm here because I didn't want you to be here to handle this alone."

Amanda pulled back in his arms for a moment and said softly, "Oh, Lee. That's really very sweet of you, but other than this silly display of tears I would've been okay."

Searching his eyes she saw something and said, "There's something else though. Something with you. What is it? "

Lee sighed and shook his head. How does this woman do it? Before he says anything? He said slowly, "Uh, okay. I got some news myself yesterday. The Colonel had a heart attack while on duty. He-he didn't make it."

Amanda went into his arms and said sorrowfully, "God, Lee! I'm so sorry! I should be helping you! What can I do?"

He was about to answer when Bridget appeared. "Excuse me. Mr. Henderson is here and would like to see you both when you're ready. "

Lee and Amanda got up and both nodded and as Amanda went to wash her face Lee said, "We'll be down shortly. Thank you."

She left and Lee said, "Emily's attorney? Why would he want to see us? "

Amanda came from the bathroom saying, "I dunno. Something about her will. Probably leaving us her sketches."

Looking at the room she said, "What a mess I made! I put my own boys to shame here! "

Lee taking her hand as they left the room said, "Don't worry. We'll clean it up later..."

Amanda shook her head as they went down the stairs and said, "Hmm... that's also what they tell me..."

TBC