Faintly she heard a responding call, then Robin turned back toward her. "Mama, that's Ian!"
"Call to him, honey!" Laurie urged, seeing some more rocks tumble from the top of the cave.
"Ian!"
Rick breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled behind the two Sheriff's cruisers. As he and A.J. got out of his truck, a booming noise let them know the storm was still capable of doing more damage.
Up ahead, Ian and Robbie were already advancing toward the canyon entrance, and both men started yelling "Mom, Robin!"
Suddenly Ian stopped. "I hear Robin. Honey, where are you?"
An echoing response sounded. "Ian!" Loud barking let them know Rex was nearby.
Chief Joseph and Sheriff Rob joined the group, having called in their location. Just then Ron and Abby came up to them, and handed Rick and A.J. blankets.
"They'll be cold and wet, this will help." Abby told Rick, then volunteered to man the radio in case Rudy or Oscar called in from Phoenix.
"Ian, keep calling to her." Rob told him, then Rick "heard" Laurie warn, "The overhang's starting to crumble!"
That was it, Rick started to run, saying over his shoulder, "The canyon overhang's starting to collapse, come on!"
As he rounded the first bend, he saw Ian picking a distraught Robin off the ground, Rex clutched tightly in her arms. "Robin!" he went first to her, only for his daughter to tearfully tell him, "I'm all right, get Mom!" Just then he heard Laurie's cry, "Rick!"
Turning, Rick yelled, "Laurie, where are you?" At once her head popped through an opening in the pile of rocks against the canyon wall. Robbie and A.J. dashed forward and started trying to pull rocks away from the opening. Rick grabbed her hand, comforting her.
"Just a few more, honey, then we'll have you out." His brother said, and Laurie managed an anxious smile.
"I'm so glad you guys made it, I was afraid the storm would cause you to crash…look out!"
Her yell caused the three men to jump back, just as a torrent of mud and water poured down off the now decimated canyon lip. Rick saw that the hole in the rocks was wider.
"Sweetheart, try to pull yourself out now!" he pleaded, then ignored the river of debris to jump forward and hold out his arms to her.
Laurie pushed her torso through the opening, then reached for him. As he pulled at her, she started to slide out, then stopped. "Rick, I'm stuck!" she cried, as another clap of thunder sounded, and Rick knew they had no time to waste.
"Hold on!" he told her, then grabbing her to him, he yanked with all his strength, Robbie and A.J. holding him from behind. For a moment she hung suspended in air, then suddenly she was in Rick's arms, and he wrapped her in a blanket. "Let's get out of here, darlin'." He told her, his arm around her.
"Where's Robin? Is she all right?" Laurie looked around fearfully until Rick reassured her, "She's okay, sweetheart, Ian has her and we'll follow them to the hospital."
"Thank you, love." Laurie shivered as he started walking the two of them out of the canyon. Robbie and A.J. were right behind them when with a roar, the cavern Laurie had been trapped in collapsed.
Turning around, she gasped, "Rick, if you hadn't come…" then he stopped and kissed her gently.
"No, Laurie, I wouldn't have let it happen, my brave girl…." He told her between kisses. As they reached his truck, Laurie raised her head and beamed up at him.
"I love you, I held on to your voice to keep from being afraid. I was only brave because you were there."
"And I always will be." He told her emotionally, then let her go to be embraced by Robbie and A.J., who helped settle her into the passenger seat. Abby put another blanket around her then hugged her.
"No more picnics in the wild, buddy! You scared the heck out of us."
Laurie managed a grin. "Never again, Abby. I'm sticking to park benches and playgrounds from now on!"
"You'd better." Her friend sniffed, then tucked the warm material around her and left to join Ron.
As they pulled out after the other cars, Laurie rested her head against Rick's shoulder, shivering a little.
"Laurie, after we go to the hospital, I'm putting you in a warm tub, then straight to bed with you." He told her worriedly. She looked up at him, then smiled. "As long as you join me." She whispered teasingly.
Three hours later, both Laurie and Robin were ensconced in the Simon's living room, wrapped in cozy afghans and eating hot stew.
Rick had one arm around his wife, rubbing her bad arm to distract her each time a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.
"I'm all right now, Rick." Laurie quietly told him, finishing her bowl of stew. Rick met her eyes as he added, "As long as I'm with you, I don't think thunder and lightning's ever going to frighten me again."
"Sweetheart….." Rick wrapped her in his arms and kissed her lips, then each of her bandaged hands.
"My romantic husband, oh, love, look…" she nudged him with a soft giggle.
He followed her gaze across the room to their daughter and Ian, who were on the other sofa. Whatever words of apology and forgiveness had passed between them, Rick didn't know. What he saw made him share Laurie's smile; Ian was feeding Robin spoonfuls of stew, then following each one with a kiss.
"That's my son-in-law." Rick joked, then a black streak jumped into his lap and licked him.
"Rex!"
Everyone burst into laughter as the damp little dog put his face into Laurie's empty bowl, then emerged with a stray piece of carrot on his nose.
"Silly dog, your dinner's in the kitchen." Rick picked the bit of vegetable off his face and gave it to him, then rubbed his fur. "Good boy."
Wagging with glee, Rex barked at him, then giving Laurie a wet kiss, curled up in her lap and yawned.
"Mom, I was wondering, do you remember the name of the family who gave you Rex?" Ian asked, letting go of Robin and getting off the couch.
"Yes, Ian, actually Rick has that. Were you and Robin thinking of getting one of his sisters or brothers?"
Rick chuckled as Robin volunteered "Yes, Pop. I think the children are old enough to be around a dog."
"Or have a dog be around them." Laurie smiled. Rex barked in agreement.