DAY OF RECKONING
CHAPTER 4

Both Dara and Lucas waited on pins and needles to see what Garrett Darvin's next move would be. Each was able to see the effect it was having on the other, Dara could see that Lucas was becoming increasingly irritable and short tempered, and Lucas could see that the symptoms of Dara's pregnancy were becoming increasingly bothersome, as well as the trouble she was having sleeping.

The final straw came for them both four weeks after Darvin's confrontation with Lucas. Dara, who was now eight weeks into her pregnancy, sat straight up in bed screaming from a nightmare and yelling, "STOP HIM, HE'S GOT MY CHILDREN!"

Lucas, who came instantly awake when she sat up, grabbed her by her arms and shook her gently to wake her, "Honey, wake up, it's just a nightmare. It's all right the kids are all asleep, they're fine."

Dara looked at him franticly, then breaking from his hold, bolted from the bed and out into the hall, across to the children's room.

Lucas reached her as she was opening the door to Caleb's room and checking for herself that he was all right as well. Lucas reached around her and quietly pulled the door closed, and then softly whispered, "Are you satisfied now? The kids are fine and they're all in their beds asleep." Dara bowed her head and nodded before she began weeping softly.

Lucas pulled her to him and held her close as he felt her small frame shudder with the tears she was now crying. Not wanting the children to wake up and see her in this condition he lifted her in his arms and carried her back to their own room, sitting in the rocking chair by the window he settled her in his lap and let her cry out her frustration and anger at the situation. After she had quieted he lifter her eyes to meet his and inquired softly, "Want to tell me about it?"

Looking at him sadly, she explained, "I dreamed he had kids and was taking them away. No one would stop him and I couldn't find you anywhere. All I could see was the babies crying and screaming for him to let them go, he was dragging Caleb, I guess he must have hit him, but there wasn't anything I could do to stop him."

Lucas nodded, "It's all right, it was just a dream. The kids are all fine and there isn't anyway I would let him harm either the children or you."

Dara looked up at him with sadness and uncertainty in her eyes, "I know deep inside that you would die before you'd let anything happen to us, but we have no idea what he's going to do, it's been a month since he approached you and we haven't heard from him. I'd like to think that he has just let it go, but you and I both know that isn't really an option here." Shaking her head as the tears stared once more she stated, "I'm scared, I'm sorry but I can't help it." With that she laid her head against his chest and began weeping once more.

Lucas held her closer as he vowed silently to himself that he would make certain that her nightmare never became a reality.


After what seemed a lifetime of waiting for some indication of Darvin's intentions, but in actuality was only six weeks, Darvin finally made his move.

It was during Dara's birthday celebration; Lucas had enlisted Loris and Marr Crower's help with the planning and preparations, as well as that of Caleb, Ben and Floyd's. Lucas had reserved her favorite restaurant for the evening, with the pretense of having a quiet dinner alone to quietly celebrate Dara's birthday. When in actuality all of their friends and their children would be waiting there to surprise her. Loris had volunteered to baby-sit; since Caleb had given the excuse of having a date, leaving Lucas and Dara free to enjoy the evening alone.

Lucas had walked thru the front door hoping that Dara would be in a celebratory mood. Her morning sickness had eased off and was almost completely gone, but she was still subject to emotional outburst and fatigue.

Lucas ventured upstairs to find her almost finished with getting dressed. She was finishing with brushing her hair and Lucas stood in the doorway and watched her, unnoticed. Her hair was one of the many things about her that he cherished; he had always been fascinated with it's dark, reddish, gold color, as well as its curling, waving mass that fell halfway down her back.

Catching sight of him watching her in the mirror she smiled and offered, "Penny for your thoughts."

Lucas walked up behind her and took the brush from her hand as he finished brushing out the length for her, "I was just thinking about how much I love your hair, that's all."

Dara glanced at him in the mirror, "Well, that's disappointing, all these years I though that it was my body you loved."

Smiling in return he kissed the side of her neck as he replied, "Um, that too, among other things as well as qualities."

Dara turned serious; "You do realize that I'm not really overly thrilled at observing my thirty-first birthday, right? All it means is that I'm getting older." Then turning and placing her hand over her swollen abdomen she stated ruefully, "And fatter."

Lucas shook his head, "I don't see it. To me you look even younger than when I first saw you, and you always will. As for this, "he offer, placing his hand over her own, "I happen to think it adds a certain beauty and sexiness that drives me wild. You're beautiful irregardless, but when you're pregnant you absolutely glow."

Dara smiled at him tenderly and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, "My pride and vanity both thank you, and now your child and I happen to be hungry, so lets go." With that she led the way downstairs and grabbed her purse off the table on their way out the door.


Once they were in the car on their way to the restaurant they chatted back and forth simply enjoying each other's company. They had mutually agreed to not discuss Garrett Darvin, deciding to simply put him out of their minds and just enjoy the evening.

After they entered the restaurant, Lucas informed the hostess that they wanted a table, after waiting for a few minutes she finally returned to inform them, "I'm sorry sheriff, but the restaurant is pretty busy tonight, but if you don't mind it too much I can open the banquet room and let you have a table in there."

Lucas nodded, "That would be fine, Cindy. It's my wife's birthday and this is her favorite restaurant, I wouldn't want to disappoint her."

Cindy smiled at Dara, "Well, happy birthday Mrs. Buck, and by the way congratulations on the new baby."

Dara blushed delicately as she replied, "Thank you Cindy."

Cindy led the way to the closed off portion of the restaurant, when they reached the screen which closed the room off, she opened it and let Dara proceed into the room.

Dara stopped in shock as everyone in the room yelled, "SURPRISE!"

Dara smiled in shocked pleasure at the fact that all of her friends and family had gathered together to celebrate her birthday. Turning towards her husband she smiled at him knowingly, "You arranged all of this, didn't you?"

Lucas returned her smile and shrugged his broad shoulders, "Part of it, Caleb, Loris, Matt, Floyd, and Ben all helped with the planning. We wanted to surprise you."

Dara stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband's cheek as she stated, "Thank you, honey. I was surprised, and I do love the idea, even if it is my thirty-first birthday."

Lucas, ignoring everyone else's presence, placed his hand along her cheek and shook his head, "I don't see it as your thirty-first, you certainly don't look it, and I think it's more like your twenty-first."

Dara took his hand in her own and placed a kiss on it as she whispered, "Thank you."

She wasn't give the chance to say anything else because Riesa, Alex, and Rinie broke free from the Crowers and Caleb to come running over to throw their arms around their mother as all three yelled, "Happy birthday, mommy."

Dara knelt as far as her stomach would allow her to embrace all three, "Thank you, babies."

Pulling her hand, they drug her to the table, piled high with presents, "Open your presents mommy, we want to see what you got."

Laughing, Dara stalled them momentarily, "In just a second angels, mommy wants to say hello to everybody."

Pouting slightly, all three agreed and went back to stand next to their older brother.

Dara went to Matt and Loris first to hug both of them, "Thank you guys, I appreciate this."

Matt and Loris smiled at what they both considered their best friend, despite the fact that she was married to Lucas Buck. Matt reached out and patted her expanding abdomen, "Looks like you've already gotten a pretty big present, which reminds me, don't forget your appointment next week. Aside from that, don't mention it, we enjoyed every moment of this, it was worth it to see the surprised look on your face, not very often we get to catch you off guard."

Dara laughed, "Oh, so now I know that you two had an ulterior motive for the surprise, huh?"

At that moment Ben and Floyd both came over to take their turn at hugging her, "Happy birthday Dara, we hope you like what we got you."

Dara nodded, "I know I will guys and thank you for thinking enough of me to help plan this thing." Blushing from the compliment both men shuffled off to entertain the younger children.

Caleb came over leading a pretty young girl, no more than fourteen or so, reminding Dara of the first time she had met Lucas' grandmother. Caleb reached over and hugged his mother as he stated, "Happy birthday mama. I'd like you to meet somebody." Pulling the girl gently forward, he stated, "Mama, this is Patricia Langley, she likes to be called Trina."

Dara smiled at the young girl who was the same height as she, taking in the girl's appearance she could see why Caleb was attracted to the girl, she had shoulder length dark hair with a touch of auburn to it, dark, chocolate, brown eyes that were heavily lashed and a bright smile. Voicing her approval she beamed at her son as she addressed the girl, "It's nice to meet you, Trina. It's nice to see my son can pick such a pretty girl to date. I hope my girls grow up half as pretty as you are."

Tricia blushed at the compliment; she had heard a lot of wonderful things about this woman. Her father had been reluctant to allow her to date Caleb Buck, even though he had nothing against her he was leery because of Caleb's father, but he had heard and seen a lot of wonderful things first hand about Caleb's mother, which is what finally swayed her father's decision. Now her father was even fond of Caleb, which made they're dating each other a lot easier on all involved. Smiling at the older woman, she replied, "Thank you for the compliment Mrs. Buck, and happy birthday."

Dara shook her head and stated, "Tricia, you don't have to call me Mrs. Buck, call me Dara." Looking at her son knowingly she stated more than asked, "You haven't introduced her to your father yet, have you."

Caleb shook his head as he stated, "Not yet, I was waiting for tonight to surprise you both."

Dara nodded her understanding and smiled, "Well, lets fix that, all right." Seeing her husband across the room and catching his attention, she motioned for him to come over and join them. Dara could see Tricia's nervousness, reaching out to touch her arm gently she stated, "its all right sweetie. He's not nearly as gruff as he appears to be, believe me."

Lucas joined t hem and asked with concern, "What's the matter darlin? Are you feeling all right? You're not sick or in pain are you?"

Dara looked up at him in reproach, "No, I'm not in any kind of pain, I just wanted you to meet somebody." Turning towards her son and his girlfriend, she stated, "Lucas, this is Tricia Langley, Caleb's girlfriend."

Lucas looked at her in surprise, and then glancing at his son as he addressed her Lucas stated, "It's nice to meet you Tricia, Caleb has been keeping you a secret from us." Caleb looked uncomfortable as to how to address the subject with his father.

Dara, sensing his unease, chose to settle the situation, "Well, honey they've probably just started dating recently, I'm sure. Besides, it's a little embarrassing introducing your new girlfriend to your parents."

Lucas looked at the pleading look in her eyes and relented, "You're right honey, I'm sure." Extending his hand he stated evenly, "Nice to meet you Tricia, you two go and have a good time, Caleb will have to bring you to the house for dinner." With that he turned and rejoined Ben and Floyd in discussion.

Caleb breathed a sigh of relief as he smiled at his mother, "Thank you mama."

Dara looked at him in surprise, "You don't have to thank me honey, I didn't do anything." With that she went to chat with the Crowers.

Tricia looked up at Caleb, astounded, "You know I've heard how remarkable your mother is but I never thought I would ever see it first hand. My mom has to scream and yell at my dad to keep him calm, all your mom has to do is just look at your dad and that's all it takes."

Caleb nodded, "It's always been that way between them, I've seldom ever heard them fight. Mama has just always had this way about her. She can wind dad around her finger without even trying and he loves it." Tricia smiled at Caleb as she thought about his statement.

Just then Matt came over to usher them to the center of the room, "Come on guys, the waitress wants to take our orders."

After everyone had eaten their meal the waitresses brought in the birthday cake Lucas had specifically requested for Dara.

Dara looked at the cake suspiciously, then smiled, and asked, "Red velvet, with cream cheese icing, right?"

Lucas nodded and returned her smile, "I know that it's your favorite." With that he motioned for the waitress to light the candles.

Dara looked at the candles in puzzlement as she prepared to blow them out, looking at her husband she stated, "Honey, I think they've made a mistake."

Lucas smiled knowingly, "What kind of mistake darlin?"

Dara looked at the cake once more to assure herself that she was correct, then turning she stated, "There are three rows of seven candles. That's only twenty-one candles they're ten off."

Lucas shook his head as he smiled at her lovingly, "No darlin, I told you earlier that to me this is more like your twenty-first birthday, not your thirty-first. So remember your marriage vows and humor me."

Dara looked at him in amusement, "Love, honor, cherish, and humor. Funny, I don't remember that part, but if it makes you happy." With that she motioned to the three younger children and all four took a deep breath and blew out the candles. After the melted sticks had been removed, Dara began cutting the cake and passing out the pieces.

Alex, Riesa, and Rinie clamored around their mother and begged, "Open your presents mommy, we want to see what you got."

Dara laughed at their enthusiasm and energy. "All right babies lets open the gifts." With that she took her seat as the presents were all se ton the table in front of her.

Taking the one the children had pointed out she opened it Rinie explained, "Daddy gave us an allowance so that we could help Caleb pay for it. He even let us help him pick it out we hope you like it mommy."

Dara smiled as she opened the gift, inside was a complete video collection of the "Tales of Edgar Allan Poe'. Dara hugged each of her children and smiled, "Thank you angels, its something that I've always wanted, I love it." The next present was from Trisha, Dara looked at the girl thoughtfully, "Trisha, you didn't have to get me a present."

Trisha blushed in embarrassment, "I know Mrs., I mean Dara, but it is your birthday and I wanted to get you a little something."

Dara smiled sweetly at the girl as she opened the gift. Inside was an old 45 record. Dara picked it up curiously then smiled with tears in her eyes at the girl's thoughtfulness, then stated simply, "Thank you, I don't know if you know how much this means to me."

Lucas looked over his wife's shoulder inquisitively at the record, it was a copy of an old Patsy Cline song, called 'If I could see the world though the eyes of a child.' Lucas looked at his wife, remembering something that she had said one time about the song. Softly he asked, "It that the one you told me about before?"

Dara nodded, wiping tears from her eyes, looking at the stricken look on the young girl's face, she rushed to assure her that she was pleased by the gift. "Don be upset Trisha, it's just that this song is one my mother used to sing to me when I was Rinie's age, I haven't hear it in years. I never knew what happened to mama's copy after she dies. It means a lot to me that you thought enough of me to find one for me."

Trisha sighed in relief as Caleb put his arm around her shoulders and stated, "See, I told you, you did have a good idea about giving it to her as a present."

Dara smiled as her son as she squeezed her husband's hand and smiled knowingly at him as he too watched the exchange between Caleb and this girl. Dara opened the box from Matt and Loris next, which contained a crystal sculpture of an angel. Then, took the box from Ben and Floyd and smiled as she opened it to find something she had made a vague request for, a picture of her husband when he was twenty years younger and in full uniform.

Lucas looked at the picture in agitation, "Now just where in the hell did you two manage to get that?"

Floyd and Ben both grinned openly, "Well, Dara said something a few weeks ago about wondering what you looked like when you were younger and in uniform. So we found that when we were cleaning the store room and just figured with her birthday and all that it was fate."

Lucas glared at the two, "Fate hell, you should have burned that."

Dara looked up at him in reproach, "Don't you dare! It's my present and I happen to love it, besides would you burn a picture of me when I was younger?"

Lucas looked at her in agitation, "Well, that's different."

Dara shook her head, "No its not, it's the same thing." Then, speaking softly and smiling invitingly she ventured, "Let me keep it and I'll thank you for it later."

Lucas grinned broadly as he whispered in her ear, "You've got a deal." With that he motioned for Caleb to help him with the large present against the wall. Setting it on the table for her to open Lucas watched anxiously as she tore through the paper and stood still when she was the content.

Staring at the portrait Dara turned and smiled tenderly as she brushed the tears away from her eyes at his thoughtfulness. Throwing her arms around his neck she whispered, "Thank you."

Lucas nodded and embraced her tightly as he replied, "You're more than welcome sweetheart."

Caleb as well as everyone else came around to view the gift. Riesa looked at her mother curiously as she pointed to the portrait and asked, "Who's that mommy? She looks like you."

Dara put her arms around her children, "That little girl is me, baby. And that lady is your grandmother, and that man is your grandfather."

Just then the manager came in and started embarrassingly, "I'm sorry Sheriff Buck, but this gift was just delivered for your wife, so I though that I'd bring it on back."

Lucas looked at the gaily-wrapped package with balloons attached in suspicion. "Who delivered it Dan?"

The man shrugged in uncertainty, "I'm not sure, I believe it was the floral delivery service."

Lucas took the box and shook it, it sounded safe enough. After thanking the man he handed the gift to Dara and asked, "Any ideas?"

Dara shrugged, "Could be one of my sisters maybe, this is a small town, so the delivery man probably knew we were here."

Lucas nodded in agreement of her reasoning, even though he couldn't shake the idea that something wasn't right, he stated, "You're probably right." Turning his attention away from Dara, who was opening the package and to his youngest son, he was shocked to hear Dara screaming at the top of her lungs as she lifted the lid of the box. Trying to rise from her chair in haste she inadvertently knocked the box over, emptying the occupant onto the table.

All three children screamed as the huge tarantula managed to crawl onto their mother's hand, which she had placed on the table in order to gain the leverage to rise from her chair.

Lucas knocked the huge spider, which was the size of a baseball, off his wife's hand and caught her as she fainted from fright. Looking at Ben, Floyd and Matt, who were watching stunned, he shouted, "GET THAT DAMNED THING IN THAT BOX AND GET IT THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

With that Ben grabbed an empty plate as Floyd grabbed the box and held it for Ben to shove the thing into the box. Closing it tightly, Floyd asked in uncertainty, "What do you want us to do with it, Lucas?"

Lucas glared in fury at the man and roared, "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU DO WITH IT FLOYD, JUST GET IT AWAY FROM MY WIFE AND KIDS." Remembering his three younger children, still crying, he addressed his oldest son and Trisha, "Caleb, you and Trisha take Alex, Riesa and Rinie and try to calm them down, then take them home."

Caleb looked at his father, knowing as he did who was behind this, asking in a taut voice he asked, "What are you going to do about this?"

Lucas looked at him in deadly seriousness, "What ever I have to and whatever it takes."

Caleb nodded; satisfied as he gathered his brother and sisters to take them home.

Matt was examining Dara's hand in concern, shaking his head, "I don't think it bit her, I don't see any bite marks. I think she fainted more from shock and fright."

Lucas nodded, "I know she did, I take it she never told you that she's arachniphobic?"

Matt shook his head, "No, I knew she had a fear of snakes and I knew she was afraid of spiders, but I didn't realize that it was this bad." Looking at Lucas in suspicion he stated, "You know who did this, don't you?"

Lucas nodded and making sure no one other than Loris was present, stated, "My brother did this."

Loris looked at him in shock, "I didn't know that you had a brother."

Lucas shook his head ruefully, "Neither did I until a few weeks ago. He's determined to claim what he considers his birthright."

Matt took in the knowing look on his wife's face and the knowing look she and Buck exchanged, deciding to let it go for the moment he stated the obvious more immediate concerns, "Don't you thin we should take her to the hospital?"

Lucas looked down into his wife's upturned face, relaxed in unconsciousness. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and opened then widened in panic as she recalled what was in the box. Lucas, sensing her growing panic held her tighter as he assured her, ""It's all right baby, we got rid of it it's gone and you weren't bitten by it so your fine, you just fainted."

Dara relaxed until she remembered the kids, sensing her worry he stated, "I sent them home with Caleb, everything's fine."

Sighing in relief she asked, "Can we please go home? I don't feel all that well."

Lucas nodded as he looked questioningly at the Crowers and at the gift-laden table.

Loris nodded her understanding, "Take her home and put her to bed, we'll tend to all of this. I'll check on her tomorrow."

Nodding his thanks he placed his arm around his wife and half guided, half carried her through the restaurant.

Dara lowered her head in embarrassment as she caught several stares coming in their direction.

Lucas, sensing the cause for her distress, turned an icy glare onto the staring patrons, who abruptly went about their own meals. Satisfied, he walked to the door where a much-chagrined Dan rushed to help him with the door.

"Sheriff, Ben told me, I am so sorry. If I had any idea what was in that box I wouldn't have brought it back there."

Lucas nodded, "It's all right Dan I know the source and I'll take care of it." With that he walked out the door.

Dara shook his head, feeling sorry for the poor bastard who had enough nerve to pull this stunt. He knew there wouldn't be much of him left when Lucas Buck got through with him.

Once outside, they had almost reached the car when Dara suddenly stopped. Lucas looked at her in concern, "What is it darlin?"

Dara pulled away from him a little as she stated in a quivering voice, "Lucas, I really don't feel very well, I feel like the world is spinning out of con..." with that she lost her battle with the dizziness, as well as her control for consciousness and passed out once more.

Lucas tightened his grip under her arm to keep her from sliding to the pavement of the parking lot. Bending down he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the car; once he had her comfortably settled he shut the door and heard a familiar voice ask sarcastically,

"Birthday party not go well tonight big brother?"

Spinning around he came face to face with Garrett Darvin. Snarling in rage, he stated, "You should know I'm sure that we have you to thank for that little 'pet' you sent my wife."

Shrugging his black clad shoulders, Garrett stated non-chalantly, "I'm sorry, I though she might like a little 'pet' around the house. Not everyone owns a tarantula you know."

Glaring at the younger man he seethed, "I'm sure you know very well why we don't own such a pet."

Snickering he replied, "Same reason you don't want a boa constrictor? Be grateful, I started to send one of those but then I realized that's more of a Christmas gift."

Lucas moved quickly and slammed the man against the car as he pressed his forearm against his throat. "I should just kill you right now and be done with it, but for the sake of blood I'll give you this much, I'm only saying this one time an done time only. Leave my wife, children, and me alone, or the next time I'll just slit your damned throat and say the hell with it. Then, you can meet daddy dearest in person when you get to hell. Do you understand?" Letting the younger man go he threw him to the ground and got into the car.

Watching him pull out of the parking lot, Garrett Darvin sneered, "You're right big brother, you should have just killed me, because that was your only chance, now the fun really begins." With that he got into his own car and left.