Chapter 3
"A.J., I am not going to leave town, these goons aren't going to drive me from my home!" Rick told him, exasperated. Over the receiver, he could clearly hear his brother telling Captain Ron what he said.
It was no use, he was sick of hiding for the last two days, especially not being able to work. The staying home part was not the issue, he was glad he could watch over his wife, and thankfully Robin was safely visiting Ian in Las Vegas.
No, it was the constant having to watch their backs because Christopher Stinson, Jr. was loose, and Fred Stinson was making pointed cracks that something was going to happen unless he and his son were freed.
"Rick, it's Ron, listen to me." the Phoenix captain came on the phone, an angry tone in his voice. "If you won't think of yourself, think of Laurie. I just spoke to Oscar, he's trying to talk her into going back East like you two planned, only she refuses to go by herself. If you go with her, she'll be out of harms' way, and it'll be much easier to watch over A.J. and Robbie."
Damn, why did he have hit me in my weak spot, Rick groaned inwardly. It made sense, his wife was understandably wary of traveling by herself, and he didn't like the idea, either. If he went, Laurie would be safe with the Collins's, and he could always come back and finish nailing the Stinsons.
"All right, Ron, you really know how to get to a guy!" he grouched. After a moment of silence, a surprised Captain cleared his throat. "You're welcome, Rick. Now go talk to that stubborn Valkyrie you married before Oscar turns her over his knee!"
As Rick left the kitchen, he heard his wife's uncle at full tilt. "Laurie, honey, listen to me! I want you to go to Maine like you planned, it'll be safer for you." Coming into the living room, he found Oscar trying to reason with Laurie.
"Oscar, I don't want to go by myself. I can't help it, I don't like traveling alone anymore, it scares me. I won't leave Rick at this time, either. If something happened to him, I'd never be able to stand it!" she told him. "And I don't want anything to happen to you, sweetheart." Rick stepped into the room, then wrapping his arms around Laurie, said, "what if I go with you, will that help?"
She looked up at him, then softly replied, "Yes, darling, I'll be okay if you go with me." Turning to her relieved uncle, Laurie was sorry she had made him upset. "Oscar, dad." she smiled at him, going and taking his hand in hers. Oscar's eyes got very bright as she continued, "I'm sorry I made you worry. You and the others are right, we'll be safer out of town." The big man embraced her, then quietly said "Thank you, baby, you've set my mind at ease. I'll call Barnabas and let him and Carolyn that you'll be coming tomorrow after all."
Just then the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick found their daughter was on the line. "Robin, honey, I'm glad you called." he said, "Well, I'm not." Robin told him, sounding angry. "I just got a call from the hotel, they booked a large party for tonight and told me I have to cut my vacation short, it's not fair!"
"Honey, I'm sorry, but I'm glad you are coming back. Your Mom and I are going to Maine tomorrow, and this way we can see you before we leave." her father explained.
"You're right, now I'm glad I'll be home early. Guess I can pull myself away from this place long enough to say bye!" she teased. Rick shook his head, grinning. "You're funny, Robin, now let me talk to Ian and we'll set up what time I or your uncle will pick you up."
While Laurie packed their belongings, Rick was outvoted by Oscar and Rudy as to who would pick up his daughter that afternoon. Coming back into their bedroom, he was grumbling about being babysat.
"I'm not sorry." He heard his wife's voice, then she put her arms around him. Smiling in spite of himself, he turned in her embrace and met her in a long kiss. "Neither am I, darlin'." he sighed, coming up for air.
Suddenly they heard a commotion, then Robbie's voice. Concerned, they came out of the room and found their son bruised and bleeding on the living room couch. Shaking, Laurie ran to get some ice as Rick knelt down next to him. "Robbie, what happened?" Rick asked, looking up at Oscar and the sheriff, concern on their faces.
"Someone came at me from behind, Pop, I didn't see them coming." Robbie answered, dazed. "Next thing I know, my car overturned and went off the road near Ridge Rock. If Rob hadn't come along..."
Laurie overheard this part, then handing Rick a towel with ice, hugged their friend. "Thank God you were tailing him, Rob."
"I told you I wouldn't let him go anywhere by himself, Light." the sheriff assured her. Just then Rudy came back into the house with his bag and traded places with Rick as his mother leaned over and kissed him.
After examining Robbie, Rudy glanced over his anxious parents. "He's going to be all right, you two. He's pretty lucky, I'd hate to see your patrol car right now." Rob shook his head. "you don't want to."
"That car saved your life, son." Rudy added." Nothing seems to be broken, you might have a slight concussion but other than that, you should be okay in a few days. I'll let your mother clean you up some so you don't scare Ramona." At that the young deputy tried to sit up "Pop, what if they go after her!"
"It's all right, son, I'll call the Chief and have him bring her here, at least for tonight." Rick reassured his son, gently pushing him back onto the sofa.
Within a few minutes, a stolen car matching the one that had run Robbie off the road was found in a parking lot in Window Rock, confirming Rick's fear that his family was being watched.
"That's it, there's no way I'm going to leave town with my children being targeted!" Rick exploded, seeing Robbie's totaled car being taken away. He had just left his daughter-in- law with Robbie, and after closing their door; he went into the living room and found Oscar trying to calm down his wife.
"Oscar, he could have been killed, we can't leave now, what if they try to get Robin?" she stormed, pacing back and forth. She stopped, hearing her husband's outburst, then he saw her straightening her shoulders, and turn to face him.
"I want you to stay here, Rick. I can go to Maine by myself. It'll be okay." She said firmly. Only her eyes betrayed her apprehension, and Rick could have kissed her for her brave front.
"Laurie, honey, I don't want you going anywhere by yourself." Oscar reiterated, gently taking her arm and sitting her down. "Oscar, it's the only way, Rick knows these jerks, I can fly into Bangor by myself then Barnabas or Carolyn can pick me up, I'll be all right. Once you put the Stinsons away, Rick can come for me." She told him. As Oscar started to argue, she put her arms around him, saying, "Please Dad, I need to do this, please."
"All right, baby." the big man sighed, and Rick saw how much it took for him to give way to his girl. Laurie gave him a kiss, then Rick came and lifted her up off the sofa.
"Come here, my brave Valkyrie, I need to talk to you."
Rick carried Laurie into their bedroom, then closed the door and set her down on their bed. Sitting next to her, Rick pulled her into his arms as she told him, "I love you, and I need to know you'll be all right while I'm gone." He kissed her, then replied, "I love you, too, and I don't want you worrying, my angel. I'll come join you as soon as I can. Then we'll come home to our ranch, it'll be safe again."
"Just hold me, darling, my safe place has always been in your arms." Laurie kissed his lips, then nuzzled his neck.
Cuddling her against him, he whispered all his pet names for her between kisses. "I won't let anything hurt you, precious." he promised.
"I know you won't." she replied, smiling up at him. Hearing voices outside their door, Rick tried to laugh, "even in a crisis we're interrupted."
Going outside their room, Laurie found Robin had come home before going to the hotel. "Honey, oh I'm glad you're here!" she exclaimed, hugging her daughter then moving so Rick could greet her.
Over an early dinner, Laurie tried to downplay her trip the next day, instead talking about the last story she was putting in her book. "It's about the time Great-Grandfather Gene finally told Kasey he loved her, he was being held by a horse thief and she rescues him. It's very romantic, I think!"
"Don't you dare tell that story until I can stay for all of it, Mom!" Robin insisted, trying in vain to get her brother to stop saying "no, tell it now!" "Don't worry, honey, I'll tell you a short one instead, about the time Laurie took refuge in the cabin in Lost Valley and found out about her father." Laurie promised, mussing her mischievous son's hair.
The ringing of the phone put a halt to her tale, however, as Rick got a call from the airline that Laurie's flight had been moved up one hour. Rearranging their schedule, Oscar decided to drop both Rick and Laurie at one end of the airport, then he would drive underneath the terminal and come out on the other side to pick up Rick.
Oscar called Barnabas Collins and the head of the family arranged to meet Laurie inside the terminal at Bangor. "Thank you, Barnabas, I appreciate you're coming for her, she's not comfortable flying by herself and especially with all this..."
'I understand, Oscar. We will take good care of Laurie until her husband can join her. Someone will wait with her until boarding, I take it." Oscar recognized the unspoken question as to her security.
"Yes, Rick will be with her until they make the call to gate, then if anyone is following him, he'll come out to the parking area where we'll be waiting. "
"That sounds like an excellent idea. I hope it works. I'll call you as soon as her flight lands. I should tell you the weather forecast is for snow tomorrow, so if there's any delays, I'll try to reach you as soon as possible." Barnabas responded, and Oscar was thankful for the warning.
Once he ended the call, Oscar found Rick talking to A.J. on his transmitter. "Anything, son?"
"All quiet according to A. J., Ron has a patrol on his street and one at the gate of the complex. I guess someone spotted Stinson at a mini-mart yesterday...but nothin' since." He replied, yawning. He said good night to his brother as Oscar added, "I think you need some shut-eye, so does our girl."
"Thanks, Oscar, I'll just lock up the barn and be right in." Rick answered, stretching. As he stood up, he looked around then frowned. "Oscar, have you seen Mike, I thought he was next to me."
The big man looked around, then smiled. "Try your room, I have a feeling he's a sounding board for Laurie right now." Rick had to clear his throat, this was not going to be easy for either of them. "Thanks, dad, I mean, Oscar. I'll give her a few minutes then go in."
"Rick." "Yeah?" It was Oscar's turn to clear his throat. "You're welcome, son."
"A.J., I am not going to leave town, these goons aren't going to drive me from my home!" Rick told him, exasperated. Over the receiver, he could clearly hear his brother telling Captain Ron what he said.
It was no use, he was sick of hiding for the last two days, especially not being able to work. The staying home part was not the issue, he was glad he could watch over his wife, and thankfully Robin was safely visiting Ian in Las Vegas.
No, it was the constant having to watch their backs because Christopher Stinson, Jr. was loose, and Fred Stinson was making pointed cracks that something was going to happen unless he and his son were freed.
"Rick, it's Ron, listen to me." the Phoenix captain came on the phone, an angry tone in his voice. "If you won't think of yourself, think of Laurie. I just spoke to Oscar, he's trying to talk her into going back East like you two planned, only she refuses to go by herself. If you go with her, she'll be out of harms' way, and it'll be much easier to watch over A.J. and Robbie."
Damn, why did he have hit me in my weak spot, Rick groaned inwardly. It made sense, his wife was understandably wary of traveling by herself, and he didn't like the idea, either. If he went, Laurie would be safe with the Collins's, and he could always come back and finish nailing the Stinsons.
"All right, Ron, you really know how to get to a guy!" he grouched. After a moment of silence, a surprised Captain cleared his throat. "You're welcome, Rick. Now go talk to that stubborn Valkyrie you married before Oscar turns her over his knee!"
As Rick left the kitchen, he heard his wife's uncle at full tilt. "Laurie, honey, listen to me! I want you to go to Maine like you planned, it'll be safer for you." Coming into the living room, he found Oscar trying to reason with Laurie.
"Oscar, I don't want to go by myself. I can't help it, I don't like traveling alone anymore, it scares me. I won't leave Rick at this time, either. If something happened to him, I'd never be able to stand it!" she told him. "And I don't want anything to happen to you, sweetheart." Rick stepped into the room, then wrapping his arms around Laurie, said, "what if I go with you, will that help?"
She looked up at him, then softly replied, "Yes, darling, I'll be okay if you go with me." Turning to her relieved uncle, Laurie was sorry she had made him upset. "Oscar, dad." she smiled at him, going and taking his hand in hers. Oscar's eyes got very bright as she continued, "I'm sorry I made you worry. You and the others are right, we'll be safer out of town." The big man embraced her, then quietly said "Thank you, baby, you've set my mind at ease. I'll call Barnabas and let him and Carolyn that you'll be coming tomorrow after all."
Just then the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick found their daughter was on the line. "Robin, honey, I'm glad you called." he said, "Well, I'm not." Robin told him, sounding angry. "I just got a call from the hotel, they booked a large party for tonight and told me I have to cut my vacation short, it's not fair!"
"Honey, I'm sorry, but I'm glad you are coming back. Your Mom and I are going to Maine tomorrow, and this way we can see you before we leave." her father explained.
"You're right, now I'm glad I'll be home early. Guess I can pull myself away from this place long enough to say bye!" she teased. Rick shook his head, grinning. "You're funny, Robin, now let me talk to Ian and we'll set up what time I or your uncle will pick you up."
While Laurie packed their belongings, Rick was outvoted by Oscar and Rudy as to who would pick up his daughter that afternoon. Coming back into their bedroom, he was grumbling about being babysat.
"I'm not sorry." He heard his wife's voice, then she put her arms around him. Smiling in spite of himself, he turned in her embrace and met her in a long kiss. "Neither am I, darlin'." he sighed, coming up for air.
Suddenly they heard a commotion, then Robbie's voice. Concerned, they came out of the room and found their son bruised and bleeding on the living room couch. Shaking, Laurie ran to get some ice as Rick knelt down next to him. "Robbie, what happened?" Rick asked, looking up at Oscar and the sheriff, concern on their faces.
"Someone came at me from behind, Pop, I didn't see them coming." Robbie answered, dazed. "Next thing I know, my car overturned and went off the road near Ridge Rock. If Rob hadn't come along..."
Laurie overheard this part, then handing Rick a towel with ice, hugged their friend. "Thank God you were tailing him, Rob."
"I told you I wouldn't let him go anywhere by himself, Light." the sheriff assured her. Just then Rudy came back into the house with his bag and traded places with Rick as his mother leaned over and kissed him.
After examining Robbie, Rudy glanced over his anxious parents. "He's going to be all right, you two. He's pretty lucky, I'd hate to see your patrol car right now." Rob shook his head. "you don't want to."
"That car saved your life, son." Rudy added." Nothing seems to be broken, you might have a slight concussion but other than that, you should be okay in a few days. I'll let your mother clean you up some so you don't scare Ramona." At that the young deputy tried to sit up "Pop, what if they go after her!"
"It's all right, son, I'll call the Chief and have him bring her here, at least for tonight." Rick reassured his son, gently pushing him back onto the sofa.
Within a few minutes, a stolen car matching the one that had run Robbie off the road was found in a parking lot in Window Rock, confirming Rick's fear that his family was being watched.
"That's it, there's no way I'm going to leave town with my children being targeted!" Rick exploded, seeing Robbie's totaled car being taken away. He had just left his daughter-in- law with Robbie, and after closing their door; he went into the living room and found Oscar trying to calm down his wife.
"Oscar, he could have been killed, we can't leave now, what if they try to get Robin?" she stormed, pacing back and forth. She stopped, hearing her husband's outburst, then he saw her straightening her shoulders, and turn to face him.
"I want you to stay here, Rick. I can go to Maine by myself. It'll be okay." She said firmly. Only her eyes betrayed her apprehension, and Rick could have kissed her for her brave front.
"Laurie, honey, I don't want you going anywhere by yourself." Oscar reiterated, gently taking her arm and sitting her down. "Oscar, it's the only way, Rick knows these jerks, I can fly into Bangor by myself then Barnabas or Carolyn can pick me up, I'll be all right. Once you put the Stinsons away, Rick can come for me." She told him. As Oscar started to argue, she put her arms around him, saying, "Please Dad, I need to do this, please."
"All right, baby." the big man sighed, and Rick saw how much it took for him to give way to his girl. Laurie gave him a kiss, then Rick came and lifted her up off the sofa.
"Come here, my brave Valkyrie, I need to talk to you."
Rick carried Laurie into their bedroom, then closed the door and set her down on their bed. Sitting next to her, Rick pulled her into his arms as she told him, "I love you, and I need to know you'll be all right while I'm gone." He kissed her, then replied, "I love you, too, and I don't want you worrying, my angel. I'll come join you as soon as I can. Then we'll come home to our ranch, it'll be safe again."
"Just hold me, darling, my safe place has always been in your arms." Laurie kissed his lips, then nuzzled his neck.
Cuddling her against him, he whispered all his pet names for her between kisses. "I won't let anything hurt you, precious." he promised.
"I know you won't." she replied, smiling up at him. Hearing voices outside their door, Rick tried to laugh, "even in a crisis we're interrupted."
Going outside their room, Laurie found Robin had come home before going to the hotel. "Honey, oh I'm glad you're here!" she exclaimed, hugging her daughter then moving so Rick could greet her.
Over an early dinner, Laurie tried to downplay her trip the next day, instead talking about the last story she was putting in her book. "It's about the time Great-Grandfather Gene finally told Kasey he loved her, he was being held by a horse thief and she rescues him. It's very romantic, I think!"
"Don't you dare tell that story until I can stay for all of it, Mom!" Robin insisted, trying in vain to get her brother to stop saying "no, tell it now!" "Don't worry, honey, I'll tell you a short one instead, about the time Laurie took refuge in the cabin in Lost Valley and found out about her father." Laurie promised, mussing her mischievous son's hair.
The ringing of the phone put a halt to her tale, however, as Rick got a call from the airline that Laurie's flight had been moved up one hour. Rearranging their schedule, Oscar decided to drop both Rick and Laurie at one end of the airport, then he would drive underneath the terminal and come out on the other side to pick up Rick.
Oscar called Barnabas Collins and the head of the family arranged to meet Laurie inside the terminal at Bangor. "Thank you, Barnabas, I appreciate you're coming for her, she's not comfortable flying by herself and especially with all this..."
'I understand, Oscar. We will take good care of Laurie until her husband can join her. Someone will wait with her until boarding, I take it." Oscar recognized the unspoken question as to her security.
"Yes, Rick will be with her until they make the call to gate, then if anyone is following him, he'll come out to the parking area where we'll be waiting. "
"That sounds like an excellent idea. I hope it works. I'll call you as soon as her flight lands. I should tell you the weather forecast is for snow tomorrow, so if there's any delays, I'll try to reach you as soon as possible." Barnabas responded, and Oscar was thankful for the warning.
Once he ended the call, Oscar found Rick talking to A.J. on his transmitter. "Anything, son?"
"All quiet according to A. J., Ron has a patrol on his street and one at the gate of the complex. I guess someone spotted Stinson at a mini-mart yesterday...but nothin' since." He replied, yawning. He said good night to his brother as Oscar added, "I think you need some shut-eye, so does our girl."
"Thanks, Oscar, I'll just lock up the barn and be right in." Rick answered, stretching. As he stood up, he looked around then frowned. "Oscar, have you seen Mike, I thought he was next to me."
The big man looked around, then smiled. "Try your room, I have a feeling he's a sounding board for Laurie right now." Rick had to clear his throat, this was not going to be easy for either of them. "Thanks, dad, I mean, Oscar. I'll give her a few minutes then go in."
"Rick." "Yeah?" It was Oscar's turn to clear his throat. "You're welcome, son."