Second Chances: Stand Against The Wind
Times are changing, and despite some public clamor, the Simons resist selling their land for a casino and resort. When a natural disaster strikes, will they stand against progress, or seek shelter elsewhere.
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)
A/N: For any new readers, "Second Chances" is my "what if?" for Rick and A.J. Simon...What if they didn't end the partnership or A.J. didn't marry Janet or Liz... What if Rick had a long-lost sweetheart who needed protection from a crazed stalker? And...what if Rick and his girl fell in love, adopted her niece and nephew, and made a home first in San Diego, then in Arizona? These "what if''s" are the basis for my continuing "Simon & Simon" as if they never went off the air. This series also includes crossovers from Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman and Dark Shadows...so feel free to read my other stories for the whys and wherefores of these three worlds meeting!
"Man, it's hot." Rick Simon wiped the perspiration from his forehead, then slung his hat onto his thinning hair.
"You'd think with all this wind, we'd cool off." His brother A.J. replied, lifting another rainbow trout out of his net and into an ice chest.
"Well, for late October, the weather guy said we were due for a good windstorm, I just hate to see one with how dry it's been and all." Rick took a sip of his beer, then gazed out onto the trickling creek. "Look how the water level's dropped just this month…barely enough for the fish."
"Well, I'm not complaining, I think we've got enough for Laurie's party…with what Oscar and Rudy and Rob caught yesterday." A.J. added. Just then a familiar voice called across the meadow. "Dad! Uncle Rick!"
Swiveling around in their chairs, the brothers saw Ricky Simon and his cousin Andy galloping towards them.
"Hmmm, wonder what brought them here?" A.J. squinted at the two riders.
"If your son recruited my grandson for that TV pilot…." Rick teased, knowing his namesake wouldn't risk the wrath of parents or grandparents, with Andy still months away from graduation.
"I doubt it, most likely Andy got that part-time job at the big box store." A.J. said, assuredly. As the teenagers cantered up to Rick and A.J. and dismounted, both of them were already talking a mile a minute.
"Dad, you should see how red Uncle Rob is….Auntie's trying to calm him down."
"Grandpa, Chief Rob says it's greed, but Grandma says it's progress…"
"Hold it, hold it..what are you guys talking about?" A.J. held out his hand. "One at time…why is Rob mad?"
"Some casino company wants to buy non-reservation land and open a gambling hall and restaurant outside of town, and the Council says if it borders the reservation, the tribe gets a cut." Andy told them, as Ricky caught his breath.
Rick shook his head. "Much as your grandma and I like Vegas, I sure don't want to live next to it…"
"That's what Uncle Rob says, so Auntie wanted to know if you would come in and talk to him." A.J.'s oldest explained, looking with longing at the fishing lines floating in the creek.
"Okay, it's too hot anyway." Rick sighed, then closed up the cooler full of fish and handed it to his grandson.
"Andy, would you put that in the freezer, and Ricky, take the poles, will you."
Within minutes the four Simons walked back to the ranch, and Rick experimentally "called" to his wife. "Laurie, tell Rob to calm down."
Immediately he felt her thoughts with him, and was relieved. For the last few months the fear had been amongst their family that the mental link Rick shared with his wife had all but gone, only felt by Laurie.
Now he sensed she was laughing, and he quickened his steps. In a moment he saw her open the back door to their home, and Rick suddenly realized how lucky they were.
"We are, aren't we?" Startled, he looked at his brother, then grinned as A.J. said,
"I saw you smile when Sis opened the door. Pretty easy to tell when we should count our blessings."
"You and me both, with these two to keep in line!" Rick tried to hide his emotions by slinging an arm around his grandson. Ricky laughed as his father pretended to grouse,
"Speak for yourself, he's a head taller then I am!"
Just then a black streak shot from behind Laurie, and Jack came racing out to greet them.
"Good boy, Jacky, you came out to protect the fish, huh?" Andy snickered. Dumping the cooler full of fish into the outside freezer, he picked up the little dog and lugged him into the house. Laurie just shook her head as she held the door open.
"He sure knows who his buddy is! How many fish did you guys catch?"
"Oh, enough…" Rick winked at A.J., then picked his wife up and kissed her.
"Hmmmmm, who cares how many fish ….you're my favorite catch." She said, breathlessly, then kissed him back. Behind him, A.J. cleared his throat.
"Uh, Sis…"
"I'm glad to see you too, A.J…." Laurie giggled, then as Rick put her down, turned and kissed her brother-in-law's cheek.
"Linda's in the living room with Rob, I'm afraid he's still simmering. She's got a fresh shirt on the bed for you."
"Thanks, honey." A.J. went through the kitchen as Rick raised an eyebrow at Laurie.
"What's this casino thing all about…the guys said they want to buy non-reservation land?"
Laurie looked worriedly at him. "Yes, but I think Rob's afraid they want the land on the other side of the cultural center….where the council thought about putting a small hotel."
"Well, that's not going to happen, especially if the state gets involved." Rick told her nonchalantly. At that Laurie smiled, relieved.
"You're right, on, I think Rob needs to hear that."
As husband and wife entered the living room, Chief Rob rose from the sofa, and clasped his friend's hand. Linda greeted her brother-in-law, then poured him a glass of ice tea and slipped out of the room.
"I'm glad the boys gave you something of an idea of what's going on. I just can't believe Travis and Redwing went behind my back."
Rick shook his head. "I don't know, Rob…have a sit and tell me what happened."
Rob let out a sigh, then sank back onto the sofa.
"Remember that proposal from Hatton Hotels a couple of months ago, about building a hotel and casino at the end of town?"
A.J. came into the room as Rick frowned. "The one about subsidizing the Cultural Center plus paying the people $10 million for the land?"
"That's them…..we sent the proposal back with a firm no, but told them to look at several plots of land in the Window Rock area…. Well, they decided they wanted to stay in the valley, so they came back and asked to put forward a request to buy private, non-reservation land." Rob took a sip of tea, and Rick noticed he was nervous.
"Well, whose land do they want to buy?" he asked.
"Yours, Rick….They want to buy your ranch and build the casino and hotel here."
For a moment Rick wanted to laugh, until he saw his wife's face go pale.
"Rob…they want to buy our ranch? That's crazy!" Laurie said, her body stiff with protest. At once Rick was furious, seeing her upset.
"No way, Rob…sweetheart, it's got to be a mistake…" he slid his arm around her and at once she relaxed. Glancing at Rob's face, Rick knew it wasn't an error.
"I'm sorry, guys….it's not. And the bad thing is, two of the council members already put it on the agenda for next Tuesday's meeting. Of course they can't make you sell, but the pressure is already on for me to approach you "for the good of the people". Rob had a hard look in his eyes as he said that, and Rick knew it was galling for him to be put in this position.
"Well, Rob, it's not for the good of the people." Laurie raised her chin, then softened her expression as she added, "I know Floyd Redwing's been itching for some kind of deal that would help his souvenir business, but Travis?"
"He wanted the land near Touchstone Rock to be sold to Hatton, because his land adjoins it and he would sell in two seconds." Rob answered.
At that moment A.J. came into the room with Linda, and hesitating a moment, said, "Rob, wouldn't the state have something to say if the Ranch was sold to the Hatton Corporation for gaming? Isn't the Rocky Point area a natural preserve?"
The chief got a gleam in his eyes as Laurie brightened. "It is, remember after that drug dealer's plane went down, the state declared it off limits because of the eagles up there? That's it….there's no way the government would allow any development around there!"
"Little brother, that's it….we'll get a copy of the paperwork from the state, then when it's brought up, besides the historical value of the ranch, we'll show that the government will have something to say about it!" Rick crowed.
"A.J., you and Rick have this nailed, but one more thing we can use.." Rob added, turning to Laurie. "Rick mentioned the historical value of your place, because it is the site of the original Scott claim and part of the town of Silver Rock was once here. You could read something of Grandmother Kasey's to drive home this place is living history and needs to stay within your family to preserve it."
"I can do that." She replied, smiling. "I know once the people hear our information, the Hatton Corporation will need to go elsewhere for their project."
"In the meantime, Rick, Light, you need to stay quiet about this. I don't want Travis or Redwing stirring up trouble." Rob advised, getting up from the sofa. At that Rick asked,
"You will stay for dinner, won't you, Rob? The kids are coming and we're having fish tacos."
Rob's grin was all the answer they needed, then the phone rang.
Laurie picked up the extension, saying, "Simon Residence."
"Mom, it's Robbie. Is Rob there?"
She turned to their friend, handing him the phone. "Robbie needs to talk to you."
"Sure. Hey, Robbie…" Rob replied, then listened intently for a moment.
"That's just what we were talking about, so you and Ramona and the kids come on over like you planned…your folks have it covered. Here, your Mom can fill you in."
The chief handed Laurie back the phone as Rick looked on, puzzled.
"Yes, honey." She waited, then sighed. "No, Robbie, we're not selling the ranch, I don't care what that busybody Jaylyn says. Like Rob told you, we're going to nip this in the bud. You don't worry about it, okay?"
Rick shook his head. "I don't believe all this…it's already all over town?"
Linda nodded. "I just thought it was talk, and I never heard anything mentioned about the ranch, just the area over past the hospital."
As Laurie ended her conversation with their son, Rick asked, "Darlin', what did Robbie hear?"
"Just what Rob said, except it was that Jaylyn Travis mouthing off at Ramona about all the money her husband would make off of "his project". Laurie repeated calmly.
"Okay, then." Rob had a sly smile on his face. "As a council member, Travis is banned from profiting off any project brought before the council. He just forfeited his vote, thanks to his wife's big mouth."
At that Laurie couldn't help but giggle. "Maybe we should thank Jaylyn for spilling the beans, Rob. Who knew her gossiping would pay off!"
"Well, before we celebrate too much, Light, we'd better prepare for the fireworks." Rob said, as a cold sensation filled Rick's stomach. At once Laurie got up, shivering, then went to the kitchen. Curious, Rick trailed after her, then understood his nervous feeling as Laurie turned to him.
"Rick, it's Grandmother Kasey, she's in the patio."