SECOND CHANCES:
NEW BEGINNINGS, NEW ENDINGS?
BY JTBWRITER
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters are owned by Universal
and are only being borrowed for a little while.)
"Sell your land or else lose everything".
Laurie Scott looked at the cutout letter message for the twentieth time, turning it over and over for a clue as to the sender. She shook the envelope it came in, smelled the note for tell-tale odors, finally folding both together and stuffing them in her shirt pocket. Turning back to the mailbox where she had found the threat, she examined the inside, finding nothing. Frustrated, she slammed the lid and walked back down the drive, calling as she went "Rob, Robin, time to go to the airport!". Two teenagers came running out of the small ranch house to meet her, and cold fear replaced her anger at the 2nd threatening letter in a week. She forced a smile as she joined her niece and nephew and climbed into the aging jeep, reminding them to buckle up. As they headed toward the highway, she silently thanked God she had already invited Rick, A. J. and Aunt Ceci for the week.
If anyone could figure out who was behind these threats, the Simons could.
Rick Simon stared out the window at the tarmac below, wondering for the umpteenth time why he had agreed to come to Arizona. Sure he had a good time with Laurie's niece and nephew on their visit; they were nice kids, well behaved. They had certainly taken to A.J. and Mom the minute they got off their flight to San Diego, running up to them and hugging first Laurie, then pausing in front of A.J., Robin with her big eyes smiling and saying, "See, he's just like Auntie said!" Cecelia opened her arms to both children, saying, "Welcome to San Diego" and was nearly bowled over by their enthusiastic greeting.
All the time Rick had stood back, warily waiting his turn to say hi, when Laurie took his arm and pulled him over to the kids. Robert stuck his hand out and said "Thank you for saving my aunt, Mr. Simon". Rick shook hands and replied "You're welcome, kid". Robin followed suit, holding out her hand but drawing the big man into a hug and whispering "Yeah, thank you for saving her from that man".
Rick felt his heart melt. "Anytime, honey, anytime". Turning, he caught Laurie wiping her eyes and teasing her, announced "Ok, kids, now you've done it, she's got to find a hankie!" Both children laughed and he had the satisfaction of seeing her stick her tongue out before joining in the merriment.
That had been a fun day, and seeing the enjoyment Mom got out of having Laurie's kids, well, it was worth giving up his usual weekend pursuits. But now...
"Dime for your thoughts?"
He glanced at his mom, sitting across from him, and quipped "worth more then that, Mom!"
Cecilia smiled back at her eldest son, "I know, Rick, especially if they're about who's waiting in Phoenix."
"Mom"!
"Don't mom me, I've seen how you two gaze at each other when you think no one's looking. And A. J. told me how high the phone bill has been the last two months."
Rick snorted. "Fat lot A.J. knows about the phone bill. Most of those calls have been for business purposes. Besides, he likes to talk to Laurie as much as I do".
Damn. How did that come out?
All right, I love her. That doesn't mean anything's going to come out of it.
Rick went back to staring out the window, ignoring the grin on Cecilia's face. His mom had way too much fun with the subject of him and Laurie, despite the fact they had seen each other only twice in the last month. With the arraignment of Willowby, the psycho millionaire responsible for kidnapping Laurie and nearly killing her concluded and the short little man and hired help awaiting sentencing, she had gone back to her niece and nephew in Silver Rock, Arizona and kept in touch by phone.
They had both agreed that any kind of a relationship would wait until the trial was over and she and the kids had a little time to get used to a "normal" life again. Rick had almost convinced himself that his life would do the same once Laurie went home; but too many things had changed. He and A.J. were busier then ever, with clients booked for a couple of months thanks to referrals from Steve Austin. They had even raised their fees for the first time in years, and with money in the bank, his younger brother had even talked of taking off for vacation himself.
So why should I change my life and settle down, Rick asked himself for the hundredth time, thinking of his boat and the fun trips he took with Carlos and the women.
Laurel Light Scott, that's why.
Funny, sweet, brave; all the little things that got to him; she made him feel like the biggest man in the world. Despite having to re-live the horror of Willowby's attacks, Laurie had looked the jerk and his high-priced attorney in the eye and nailed him with her testimony.
Only when it was over and they had to drop her at the airport, did Laurie reach for his shoulder and let loose a few tears. Rick held her for a moment before handing her a Kleenex and teasing her into a smile. "Never have I known you to have a handkerchief, no matter how many Mom gave you for your birthday." Blowing her nose, she had stopped snuffling enough to laugh and say that all her hankies got lost in the wash or ended up wiping scraped knees and elbows.
He had to admit he had fun with her in the short time they had been back together, between going to Disneyland with the kids, Sea World and watching A.J. get kissed by a dolphin, the cliffs at sunset.
Now he was going to visit her and the kids on their turf, see what life she was willing to give up to be with him. Laurie had said as much as they sat in his truck, watching the pounding of the surf off Mission Bay. "I think the kids really liked San Diego, Robin was saying she loved being able to wear a sweater all day and not get hot. I keep thinking that if they went to school at SD, they might have a better education."
Rick had looked at her, surprised she was thinking this far ahead for Robert and Robin. She glanced back at him and grinned. "I'm not just pipe dreaming, Rick, I really need to look ahead for what the kids will need to get into college. The school in town is good, but it's so small and I want them to have a look at what's out there."
She looked down and, almost whispering, said "and I want to be with you so bad, why not come back to town." Rick shook his head, remembering how it felt to be loved that much. No other woman in his life had ever been willing to give up so much just to be part of his life. But did it mean the end of his freedom, living on his boat, doing what he wanted?
Of course there was something else going on.
Whatever it was, she couldn't talk about it on the phone other then she needed his help with something. And she wanted to have Mom and A.J. for a visit. A.J. couldn't make it until Saturday, so Cecilia and Rick took off mid-week for Phoenix.
Not having to fight a weekend crowd, traffic was light in the terminal so finding Laurie and the kids were relatively easy. Rick surprised himself with how glad he was to see Robert and Robin running the length of the terminal to hug both him and "Aunt Ceci". Disentangling himself from them, he looked up to see Laurie approaching and caught her up in his arms. He was startled to find she was trembling and lifting her face to his, saw tears in her eyes. "It's ok, I'm here", he whispered, and to his relief she smiled. Shakily she laughed and hugging him back, said, "Only a couple of weeks, but boy did I miss you guys!" She turned to Cecilia and embraced her, then picked up her suitcase as the kids fought over who would carry Rick's.
On the hour-long drive to their home, Laurie and the kids delighted in pointing out landmarks, and in turn Rick caught them up on A.J. and how he would be coming in on Saturday. On the outskirts of Window Rock, Laurie pulled over so they could look at the natural formation, which gave the town its name. Rick was amazed at the sight of the window pointing to the sky, and found himself speechless. Cecilia pulled out her camera and carefully tried to capture the whole site, glowing brick red in the morning sun. Reluctantly, the kids tore themselves away and climbed back into the jeep, chattering away with Cecilia about all the pictures she could take. Laurie was silent until they passed thru Silver Rock, where she pointed out the local tribal house which doubled as a museum, the general store, shops, and the small hospital, which gleamed with a fresh coat of paint. Waving at people they spotted, the teens laughed when Cecilia said, "I don't see any children, is school back in session?"
"Yes, Aunt Ceci, but we got off because you came to visit!" Robin chimed in to which her brother added, "yeah, and good thing, cause we have a math test today, and I can't stand tests!" "Rob, what a thing to say!" Laurie replied, frowning, "I thought you liked math?" "Math's ok, just don't like tests". "It's ok, kid," Rick ruffled the boy's hair, "Tests drive me nuts too, but they're like a puzzle, they don't make sense until you put them together!" "Did you like tests when you were in school, Uncle Rick", Robin interrupted, leaning over the seat. "Can't say that I did until I had to pass my licensing exam to qualify as a Detective, then I was sorry I didn't pay better attention'. Both kids' faces made an O, then Robert said, "I didn't know you had to take tests when you were older, yuck!"
"Sure do", Cecilia added, putting an arm around each kid. "You have to take tests to drive, to fly a plane, to be a citizen, to get a job, lots of things."
Rick saw Laurie smiling at his mom's reflection in the rear view mirror, and for the first time thought how much his mom had missed having grandchildren. Maybe this might work after all.
Leaving town, Laurie turned off the main highway onto a two-lane road she identified as a reservation road. Rick looked out on miles of sagebrush and cactus and rocks. Here and there were adobe or wood frame houses, one or two with antenna. "Not much TV reception out here, huh", he remarked At which Robert laughed. "We get TV, best picture around, thanks to the rocks". "The rocks ?" Laurie grinned. "We think our antenna works better because we have a natural formation in the line of sight that seems to pick up the network feeds clearer. You'll see it coming around the next curve".
Rick had pictured in his mind what kind of place Laurie would have, adobe, wood-frame, maybe even brick, but even from a distance it looked natural to the landscape. Cream-colored with a tile roof, it stood out from the beiges and sage tones of the surrounding area without detracting from the scenery. Behind him he heard his mom catch her breath. "Laurie, It's beautiful, did you."?
She nodded, "yes, between Robin and Rob here and a lot of neighbors, We renovated the old homestead that had been here since the 50's and restored the barn so it's a real working horse ranch. We have 10 horses ready to sell and another 5 that will be ready in a few months."
Pulling off the road and onto a paved driveway, Laurie stopped at the barn-shaped mailbox at the top of the drive and flipped up the flag to open the lid. Rick just happened to glance at the box and caught sight of something moving. He leaned over and knocked her hand sway from the opening, startling her. "What is it, Rick, I'm just getting the .." she stopped, staring at the snake slowly sliding out of the partially open box. Laurie quickly pulled the Jeep past the mailbox and turned to see the reptile drop harmlessly onto the ground and slither down the drive to the road. Rick turned to see Cecilia and the kids open-mouthed with fear, with Robert finding his voice first. "Oh gross, that almost got you, Aunt Laurie! If Uncle Rick hadn't seen it".At that Laurie cleared her throat and said "your peripheral vision was always good, ...thanks."
Rick looked back at the snake in the road. "What I'd like to know is how it got in there, does your mail carrier check his bag to see if he has any visitors." "Yes, as a matter of fact most mailmen carry anti-venom with them, because snakes like dark places like mailboxes and parking places." Laurie saw the kids staring back at the snake and quickly put the jeep in gear, continuing up the drive while joking that the snake was probably looking for someplace to shed its skin. Robin spoke up. "Mrs. James says reptiles only lose their skin in the summer, it's fall."
"Well, here we are, Casa de Scott", Laurie changed the subject, pulling under the breezeway to the house. At once the teens climbed out and divided up the suitcases, as she opened the door and ushered Rick and Cecilia in.
Once everyone was settled in, Rick took Laurie aside in the kitchen where she was fixing lunch. "Alright, sweetheart, what is going on? A snake in the mailbox, some kind of threat that makes you upset, something that you can't talk about on the phone?" She bit her lip and pulling the envelope and its contents out of her pocket with a kleenex. "I got this in the mailbox before we left for the airport, it's the second one this week". He gingerly took the note by the edges and read it. "Where's the other one?". She opened a drawer and handed a rumpled paper to him by the corners.
"Sell your land or else", he looked up at her. "What about your land, isn't it part of the reservation?"
She shook her head, "No, it borders the southern and eastern parts of the Navajo Nation, but its been in the Scott family since the 1880's. If for any reason we don't want it or our family dies off, it reverts back to the people. The terms of the land lease only change if a majority of the people vote to sell it to someone else. Only thing is, an offer was made for gas and mineral rights to a section of land adjoining ours, and when they decided to sell, the oil company decided they needed our land too. I already turned them down, then that note showed up in our town p.o. box. I thought it was a crank until." She looked away from Rick. Gently he took her face and turned it toward his. "Talk to me, darling, what happened?". She pulled a piece of newspaper out of the same kitchen drawer. "This was under my windshield wiper on Saturday when we went to the store". He unfolded it and saw a picture of Laurie and the kids smiling , with the caption "Author to speak at school assembly". A red line was drawn through both childrens faces. A slow anger built in Rick, that's low, threatening her by targeting Robert and Robin, what kind of scum.
"Rick?"
He glanced at her, seeing the worry on her face. Wordlessly he shoved the clipping in his pocket and helped her fill glasses with ice tea. He took them out to the dining room where the kids were telling his mom about the horses in the barn, then returned to the kitchen. Laurie was standing at the counter emptying a bag of chips into a bowl. He turned her to face him and she put her arms around him. "I know I should have told you then what was going on, but I didn't want to scare the kids and we share a party line around here, so I didn't know who might be listening."
Rick brushed the hair from her eyes and firmly told her, "Now look, I want you to stop worrying, no one is going to make you or anyone sell their land around here. A.J. will be here on Saturday and in the meantime you have the senior partner of Simon and Simon here on duty." Smiling, she said "I knew everything would be alright when you got here", and kissed him. A loud "is lunch ready" interrupted their embrace, laughing, they took the bowl of chips and a plate of sandwiches in to join the others.
After lunch, while Laurie and the teens showed Cecilia their horses and the rest of the property, Rick borrowed the Jeep and went into town to call A.J. Finding a pay phone in the small grocery store, he called the office and found his brother on the way to a client meeting. "A.J, I hate to do this, but is there any way you can get here a day early, Laurie's got a problem and I'm going to need your help". There was a pause. "Rick, is it anything to do with Willowby?" "No, but now that you mention it, does he have any oil interests or corporations that might be involved with oil or gas exploration in the Phoenix area?"
"I can check that out and bring what I find with me tomorrow, it shouldn't be hard to move up my flight" The older Simon breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, little brother, I knew I could count on you. Give me a call at Laurie's once you know what flight you'll be on".
After hanging up, Rick headed back to the jeep, intent on getting back to Laurie with the good news. He was brought up short by the small note under the windshield wiper.
"Go Home or Die."
Chapter 2
Seething, Rick looked up and down the short blocks that constituted downtown Silver Rock. A few shoppers, a tourist bus, nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly he saw an older man come out of the Tribal offices and beckon to him. Curious, he went over to him and shook his extended hand. "Welcome, Mr. Simon, I was hoping to find you here." "Uh, how did you know who I was?" The weathered eyes gazed at him. "You're exactly as Light described you, and I see she was right, you are to be trusted. Come inside and we will talk about that note in your pocket". Following after him, Rick realized this must be Chief Joseph, the tribal elder who had been her link to her family. As they entered the worn but homey office and went down a hall to a private room, he gazed at the old tintypes and faded photos of tribal leaders, homes and relics of the Navajo people.
Seating himself opposite the elder, he thanked him for all he had done for Laurie. The Chief shook his head. "No, all I did was give her the welcome she deserved, she is a member of our family who was lost and we should have found her long ago. Her father didn't get the encouragement from the people that he should have, and had to go elsewhere to find it. She has brought much needed sense and spirit to our community, and given a home to children who needed her, as much as she needed them." Rick nodded, uncomfortable with the knowledge he had encouraged her to leave this town for San Diego, when obviously they cared about her here.
As if he knew Rick's thoughts, the older man said "I know Light was fortunate to find you and your family again, she cares very much for you all. I look forward to meeting your mother and your brother, Robin and Robert have told me all about them". Rick grinned, "I can imagine what the kids had to say about us". His tone quickly changed as he extended the note from his windshield to the Chief.
Glancing at it, the elder looked at him. "There have been other notes." It was a statement, not a question, and Rick realized the older man might be able to help. "Yes, Laurie received one last week and another this morning, plus a snake found its way into her mailbox this morning. It didn't get her, but it's thrown a scare into her and a clipping with a line drawn thru the kids faces hasn't helped any. I was wondering if you know anything about this oil company who wants to buy her land". The Chief stared at the note, then pulled a folder from his desk, and opening it, pulled a similar note from the file and handed it to Rick.
"Sell your land or else".
"What the..", he glanced at the paper and then back at the Chief. He nodded and taking the note back, replaced the file. "Yes, the Gomez family received this note and agreed to sell their land to an oil company called Harvest Enterprises. They claim to represent the Federal Government in purchasing oil and gas rights in the Southwest and supposedly work with environmentalists in caring for the land. However.". His mouth crinkled in a wry smile, "none of that leaseland adjoining the Navajo nation can be sold without permission and I doubt the council will give the Gomez's or anyone else that."
"What we need to do, sir, is find out who this Harvest Enterprises is and which of their people are making these threats. My brother is checking to see if it's a holding of that Willowby or one of his people and he'll be here tomorrow." Rick looked at his watch and realized that it would be dusk soon. "I'd better get back to Laurie before she starts to worry, but I appreciate your help, Chief." The elder stood and took Rick's hand. "I only wish I could do more, Mr. Simon, this is a terrible thing to do to someone and I am glad Light has you and your brother to look after her. Please call me if I can do anything." Rick felt very at home with him and asked "Please, call me Rick, sir, and thank you again for your help".
Leaving the office, Rick climbed into the jeep and starting it up, headed out of town, not noticing two men watching from a van parked down the block.
Arriving at the ranch, Rick caught the aroma of frying chicken and headed to the kitchen, where He found Cecilia helping Laurie fix dinner. "Ah, nothing I like better then home-cooking", he joked, planting a kiss on both women and swiping a roasted potato out of the serving dish. "Rick! Stop that and wash your hands", his mother chided, swatting him with a kitchen towel. Laurie laughed at the sight of Rick being chased to the sink by Cecilia. The sound of running feet alerted them to the kids coming in from the barn, and Rick made way for both Robin and Robert to clean up. "Rick, you should have seen Pinto Pony, he ate the whole bag of oats while we were there, he really's going to be a big horse!" Robin told him as he handed her a clean towel. Her brother grinned over her head at Rick, "If he was any hungrier, he probably would have eaten Squirt here!." "Would not!"
would too!" Laurie ended the duel by handing each teen a serving plate and shooing them to the table. Once they were all seated, Rick told Laurie about A.J.'s earlier arrival and was rewarded by her hugging him across the potatoes and a cheer from the kids.
NEW BEGINNINGS, NEW ENDINGS?
BY JTBWRITER
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters are owned by Universal
and are only being borrowed for a little while.)
"Sell your land or else lose everything".
Laurie Scott looked at the cutout letter message for the twentieth time, turning it over and over for a clue as to the sender. She shook the envelope it came in, smelled the note for tell-tale odors, finally folding both together and stuffing them in her shirt pocket. Turning back to the mailbox where she had found the threat, she examined the inside, finding nothing. Frustrated, she slammed the lid and walked back down the drive, calling as she went "Rob, Robin, time to go to the airport!". Two teenagers came running out of the small ranch house to meet her, and cold fear replaced her anger at the 2nd threatening letter in a week. She forced a smile as she joined her niece and nephew and climbed into the aging jeep, reminding them to buckle up. As they headed toward the highway, she silently thanked God she had already invited Rick, A. J. and Aunt Ceci for the week.
If anyone could figure out who was behind these threats, the Simons could.
Rick Simon stared out the window at the tarmac below, wondering for the umpteenth time why he had agreed to come to Arizona. Sure he had a good time with Laurie's niece and nephew on their visit; they were nice kids, well behaved. They had certainly taken to A.J. and Mom the minute they got off their flight to San Diego, running up to them and hugging first Laurie, then pausing in front of A.J., Robin with her big eyes smiling and saying, "See, he's just like Auntie said!" Cecelia opened her arms to both children, saying, "Welcome to San Diego" and was nearly bowled over by their enthusiastic greeting.
All the time Rick had stood back, warily waiting his turn to say hi, when Laurie took his arm and pulled him over to the kids. Robert stuck his hand out and said "Thank you for saving my aunt, Mr. Simon". Rick shook hands and replied "You're welcome, kid". Robin followed suit, holding out her hand but drawing the big man into a hug and whispering "Yeah, thank you for saving her from that man".
Rick felt his heart melt. "Anytime, honey, anytime". Turning, he caught Laurie wiping her eyes and teasing her, announced "Ok, kids, now you've done it, she's got to find a hankie!" Both children laughed and he had the satisfaction of seeing her stick her tongue out before joining in the merriment.
That had been a fun day, and seeing the enjoyment Mom got out of having Laurie's kids, well, it was worth giving up his usual weekend pursuits. But now...
"Dime for your thoughts?"
He glanced at his mom, sitting across from him, and quipped "worth more then that, Mom!"
Cecilia smiled back at her eldest son, "I know, Rick, especially if they're about who's waiting in Phoenix."
"Mom"!
"Don't mom me, I've seen how you two gaze at each other when you think no one's looking. And A. J. told me how high the phone bill has been the last two months."
Rick snorted. "Fat lot A.J. knows about the phone bill. Most of those calls have been for business purposes. Besides, he likes to talk to Laurie as much as I do".
Damn. How did that come out?
All right, I love her. That doesn't mean anything's going to come out of it.
Rick went back to staring out the window, ignoring the grin on Cecilia's face. His mom had way too much fun with the subject of him and Laurie, despite the fact they had seen each other only twice in the last month. With the arraignment of Willowby, the psycho millionaire responsible for kidnapping Laurie and nearly killing her concluded and the short little man and hired help awaiting sentencing, she had gone back to her niece and nephew in Silver Rock, Arizona and kept in touch by phone.
They had both agreed that any kind of a relationship would wait until the trial was over and she and the kids had a little time to get used to a "normal" life again. Rick had almost convinced himself that his life would do the same once Laurie went home; but too many things had changed. He and A.J. were busier then ever, with clients booked for a couple of months thanks to referrals from Steve Austin. They had even raised their fees for the first time in years, and with money in the bank, his younger brother had even talked of taking off for vacation himself.
So why should I change my life and settle down, Rick asked himself for the hundredth time, thinking of his boat and the fun trips he took with Carlos and the women.
Laurel Light Scott, that's why.
Funny, sweet, brave; all the little things that got to him; she made him feel like the biggest man in the world. Despite having to re-live the horror of Willowby's attacks, Laurie had looked the jerk and his high-priced attorney in the eye and nailed him with her testimony.
Only when it was over and they had to drop her at the airport, did Laurie reach for his shoulder and let loose a few tears. Rick held her for a moment before handing her a Kleenex and teasing her into a smile. "Never have I known you to have a handkerchief, no matter how many Mom gave you for your birthday." Blowing her nose, she had stopped snuffling enough to laugh and say that all her hankies got lost in the wash or ended up wiping scraped knees and elbows.
He had to admit he had fun with her in the short time they had been back together, between going to Disneyland with the kids, Sea World and watching A.J. get kissed by a dolphin, the cliffs at sunset.
Now he was going to visit her and the kids on their turf, see what life she was willing to give up to be with him. Laurie had said as much as they sat in his truck, watching the pounding of the surf off Mission Bay. "I think the kids really liked San Diego, Robin was saying she loved being able to wear a sweater all day and not get hot. I keep thinking that if they went to school at SD, they might have a better education."
Rick had looked at her, surprised she was thinking this far ahead for Robert and Robin. She glanced back at him and grinned. "I'm not just pipe dreaming, Rick, I really need to look ahead for what the kids will need to get into college. The school in town is good, but it's so small and I want them to have a look at what's out there."
She looked down and, almost whispering, said "and I want to be with you so bad, why not come back to town." Rick shook his head, remembering how it felt to be loved that much. No other woman in his life had ever been willing to give up so much just to be part of his life. But did it mean the end of his freedom, living on his boat, doing what he wanted?
Of course there was something else going on.
Whatever it was, she couldn't talk about it on the phone other then she needed his help with something. And she wanted to have Mom and A.J. for a visit. A.J. couldn't make it until Saturday, so Cecilia and Rick took off mid-week for Phoenix.
Not having to fight a weekend crowd, traffic was light in the terminal so finding Laurie and the kids were relatively easy. Rick surprised himself with how glad he was to see Robert and Robin running the length of the terminal to hug both him and "Aunt Ceci". Disentangling himself from them, he looked up to see Laurie approaching and caught her up in his arms. He was startled to find she was trembling and lifting her face to his, saw tears in her eyes. "It's ok, I'm here", he whispered, and to his relief she smiled. Shakily she laughed and hugging him back, said, "Only a couple of weeks, but boy did I miss you guys!" She turned to Cecilia and embraced her, then picked up her suitcase as the kids fought over who would carry Rick's.
On the hour-long drive to their home, Laurie and the kids delighted in pointing out landmarks, and in turn Rick caught them up on A.J. and how he would be coming in on Saturday. On the outskirts of Window Rock, Laurie pulled over so they could look at the natural formation, which gave the town its name. Rick was amazed at the sight of the window pointing to the sky, and found himself speechless. Cecilia pulled out her camera and carefully tried to capture the whole site, glowing brick red in the morning sun. Reluctantly, the kids tore themselves away and climbed back into the jeep, chattering away with Cecilia about all the pictures she could take. Laurie was silent until they passed thru Silver Rock, where she pointed out the local tribal house which doubled as a museum, the general store, shops, and the small hospital, which gleamed with a fresh coat of paint. Waving at people they spotted, the teens laughed when Cecilia said, "I don't see any children, is school back in session?"
"Yes, Aunt Ceci, but we got off because you came to visit!" Robin chimed in to which her brother added, "yeah, and good thing, cause we have a math test today, and I can't stand tests!" "Rob, what a thing to say!" Laurie replied, frowning, "I thought you liked math?" "Math's ok, just don't like tests". "It's ok, kid," Rick ruffled the boy's hair, "Tests drive me nuts too, but they're like a puzzle, they don't make sense until you put them together!" "Did you like tests when you were in school, Uncle Rick", Robin interrupted, leaning over the seat. "Can't say that I did until I had to pass my licensing exam to qualify as a Detective, then I was sorry I didn't pay better attention'. Both kids' faces made an O, then Robert said, "I didn't know you had to take tests when you were older, yuck!"
"Sure do", Cecilia added, putting an arm around each kid. "You have to take tests to drive, to fly a plane, to be a citizen, to get a job, lots of things."
Rick saw Laurie smiling at his mom's reflection in the rear view mirror, and for the first time thought how much his mom had missed having grandchildren. Maybe this might work after all.
Leaving town, Laurie turned off the main highway onto a two-lane road she identified as a reservation road. Rick looked out on miles of sagebrush and cactus and rocks. Here and there were adobe or wood frame houses, one or two with antenna. "Not much TV reception out here, huh", he remarked At which Robert laughed. "We get TV, best picture around, thanks to the rocks". "The rocks ?" Laurie grinned. "We think our antenna works better because we have a natural formation in the line of sight that seems to pick up the network feeds clearer. You'll see it coming around the next curve".
Rick had pictured in his mind what kind of place Laurie would have, adobe, wood-frame, maybe even brick, but even from a distance it looked natural to the landscape. Cream-colored with a tile roof, it stood out from the beiges and sage tones of the surrounding area without detracting from the scenery. Behind him he heard his mom catch her breath. "Laurie, It's beautiful, did you."?
She nodded, "yes, between Robin and Rob here and a lot of neighbors, We renovated the old homestead that had been here since the 50's and restored the barn so it's a real working horse ranch. We have 10 horses ready to sell and another 5 that will be ready in a few months."
Pulling off the road and onto a paved driveway, Laurie stopped at the barn-shaped mailbox at the top of the drive and flipped up the flag to open the lid. Rick just happened to glance at the box and caught sight of something moving. He leaned over and knocked her hand sway from the opening, startling her. "What is it, Rick, I'm just getting the .." she stopped, staring at the snake slowly sliding out of the partially open box. Laurie quickly pulled the Jeep past the mailbox and turned to see the reptile drop harmlessly onto the ground and slither down the drive to the road. Rick turned to see Cecilia and the kids open-mouthed with fear, with Robert finding his voice first. "Oh gross, that almost got you, Aunt Laurie! If Uncle Rick hadn't seen it".At that Laurie cleared her throat and said "your peripheral vision was always good, ...thanks."
Rick looked back at the snake in the road. "What I'd like to know is how it got in there, does your mail carrier check his bag to see if he has any visitors." "Yes, as a matter of fact most mailmen carry anti-venom with them, because snakes like dark places like mailboxes and parking places." Laurie saw the kids staring back at the snake and quickly put the jeep in gear, continuing up the drive while joking that the snake was probably looking for someplace to shed its skin. Robin spoke up. "Mrs. James says reptiles only lose their skin in the summer, it's fall."
"Well, here we are, Casa de Scott", Laurie changed the subject, pulling under the breezeway to the house. At once the teens climbed out and divided up the suitcases, as she opened the door and ushered Rick and Cecilia in.
Once everyone was settled in, Rick took Laurie aside in the kitchen where she was fixing lunch. "Alright, sweetheart, what is going on? A snake in the mailbox, some kind of threat that makes you upset, something that you can't talk about on the phone?" She bit her lip and pulling the envelope and its contents out of her pocket with a kleenex. "I got this in the mailbox before we left for the airport, it's the second one this week". He gingerly took the note by the edges and read it. "Where's the other one?". She opened a drawer and handed a rumpled paper to him by the corners.
"Sell your land or else", he looked up at her. "What about your land, isn't it part of the reservation?"
She shook her head, "No, it borders the southern and eastern parts of the Navajo Nation, but its been in the Scott family since the 1880's. If for any reason we don't want it or our family dies off, it reverts back to the people. The terms of the land lease only change if a majority of the people vote to sell it to someone else. Only thing is, an offer was made for gas and mineral rights to a section of land adjoining ours, and when they decided to sell, the oil company decided they needed our land too. I already turned them down, then that note showed up in our town p.o. box. I thought it was a crank until." She looked away from Rick. Gently he took her face and turned it toward his. "Talk to me, darling, what happened?". She pulled a piece of newspaper out of the same kitchen drawer. "This was under my windshield wiper on Saturday when we went to the store". He unfolded it and saw a picture of Laurie and the kids smiling , with the caption "Author to speak at school assembly". A red line was drawn through both childrens faces. A slow anger built in Rick, that's low, threatening her by targeting Robert and Robin, what kind of scum.
"Rick?"
He glanced at her, seeing the worry on her face. Wordlessly he shoved the clipping in his pocket and helped her fill glasses with ice tea. He took them out to the dining room where the kids were telling his mom about the horses in the barn, then returned to the kitchen. Laurie was standing at the counter emptying a bag of chips into a bowl. He turned her to face him and she put her arms around him. "I know I should have told you then what was going on, but I didn't want to scare the kids and we share a party line around here, so I didn't know who might be listening."
Rick brushed the hair from her eyes and firmly told her, "Now look, I want you to stop worrying, no one is going to make you or anyone sell their land around here. A.J. will be here on Saturday and in the meantime you have the senior partner of Simon and Simon here on duty." Smiling, she said "I knew everything would be alright when you got here", and kissed him. A loud "is lunch ready" interrupted their embrace, laughing, they took the bowl of chips and a plate of sandwiches in to join the others.
After lunch, while Laurie and the teens showed Cecilia their horses and the rest of the property, Rick borrowed the Jeep and went into town to call A.J. Finding a pay phone in the small grocery store, he called the office and found his brother on the way to a client meeting. "A.J, I hate to do this, but is there any way you can get here a day early, Laurie's got a problem and I'm going to need your help". There was a pause. "Rick, is it anything to do with Willowby?" "No, but now that you mention it, does he have any oil interests or corporations that might be involved with oil or gas exploration in the Phoenix area?"
"I can check that out and bring what I find with me tomorrow, it shouldn't be hard to move up my flight" The older Simon breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, little brother, I knew I could count on you. Give me a call at Laurie's once you know what flight you'll be on".
After hanging up, Rick headed back to the jeep, intent on getting back to Laurie with the good news. He was brought up short by the small note under the windshield wiper.
"Go Home or Die."
Chapter 2
Seething, Rick looked up and down the short blocks that constituted downtown Silver Rock. A few shoppers, a tourist bus, nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly he saw an older man come out of the Tribal offices and beckon to him. Curious, he went over to him and shook his extended hand. "Welcome, Mr. Simon, I was hoping to find you here." "Uh, how did you know who I was?" The weathered eyes gazed at him. "You're exactly as Light described you, and I see she was right, you are to be trusted. Come inside and we will talk about that note in your pocket". Following after him, Rick realized this must be Chief Joseph, the tribal elder who had been her link to her family. As they entered the worn but homey office and went down a hall to a private room, he gazed at the old tintypes and faded photos of tribal leaders, homes and relics of the Navajo people.
Seating himself opposite the elder, he thanked him for all he had done for Laurie. The Chief shook his head. "No, all I did was give her the welcome she deserved, she is a member of our family who was lost and we should have found her long ago. Her father didn't get the encouragement from the people that he should have, and had to go elsewhere to find it. She has brought much needed sense and spirit to our community, and given a home to children who needed her, as much as she needed them." Rick nodded, uncomfortable with the knowledge he had encouraged her to leave this town for San Diego, when obviously they cared about her here.
As if he knew Rick's thoughts, the older man said "I know Light was fortunate to find you and your family again, she cares very much for you all. I look forward to meeting your mother and your brother, Robin and Robert have told me all about them". Rick grinned, "I can imagine what the kids had to say about us". His tone quickly changed as he extended the note from his windshield to the Chief.
Glancing at it, the elder looked at him. "There have been other notes." It was a statement, not a question, and Rick realized the older man might be able to help. "Yes, Laurie received one last week and another this morning, plus a snake found its way into her mailbox this morning. It didn't get her, but it's thrown a scare into her and a clipping with a line drawn thru the kids faces hasn't helped any. I was wondering if you know anything about this oil company who wants to buy her land". The Chief stared at the note, then pulled a folder from his desk, and opening it, pulled a similar note from the file and handed it to Rick.
"Sell your land or else".
"What the..", he glanced at the paper and then back at the Chief. He nodded and taking the note back, replaced the file. "Yes, the Gomez family received this note and agreed to sell their land to an oil company called Harvest Enterprises. They claim to represent the Federal Government in purchasing oil and gas rights in the Southwest and supposedly work with environmentalists in caring for the land. However.". His mouth crinkled in a wry smile, "none of that leaseland adjoining the Navajo nation can be sold without permission and I doubt the council will give the Gomez's or anyone else that."
"What we need to do, sir, is find out who this Harvest Enterprises is and which of their people are making these threats. My brother is checking to see if it's a holding of that Willowby or one of his people and he'll be here tomorrow." Rick looked at his watch and realized that it would be dusk soon. "I'd better get back to Laurie before she starts to worry, but I appreciate your help, Chief." The elder stood and took Rick's hand. "I only wish I could do more, Mr. Simon, this is a terrible thing to do to someone and I am glad Light has you and your brother to look after her. Please call me if I can do anything." Rick felt very at home with him and asked "Please, call me Rick, sir, and thank you again for your help".
Leaving the office, Rick climbed into the jeep and starting it up, headed out of town, not noticing two men watching from a van parked down the block.
Arriving at the ranch, Rick caught the aroma of frying chicken and headed to the kitchen, where He found Cecilia helping Laurie fix dinner. "Ah, nothing I like better then home-cooking", he joked, planting a kiss on both women and swiping a roasted potato out of the serving dish. "Rick! Stop that and wash your hands", his mother chided, swatting him with a kitchen towel. Laurie laughed at the sight of Rick being chased to the sink by Cecilia. The sound of running feet alerted them to the kids coming in from the barn, and Rick made way for both Robin and Robert to clean up. "Rick, you should have seen Pinto Pony, he ate the whole bag of oats while we were there, he really's going to be a big horse!" Robin told him as he handed her a clean towel. Her brother grinned over her head at Rick, "If he was any hungrier, he probably would have eaten Squirt here!." "Would not!"
would too!" Laurie ended the duel by handing each teen a serving plate and shooing them to the table. Once they were all seated, Rick told Laurie about A.J.'s earlier arrival and was rewarded by her hugging him across the potatoes and a cheer from the kids.