Title: The Stranger
By: greygoose70
Chapter Seven
The Sanderson Ranch
Nick Blackwell barged into Carson Pierces office, didn't bother to knock, or wait for an invite just blurted out, "he just beat the crap out of Bull Grusome."
"Who you are talking about, Nick?"
"The stranger. Beat Bull up really bad, he's being taken to the hospital in London."
"This is not good news, Nick. This stranger could be more trouble than we first imagined. We need to do something."
"Bulls brother, Wiley, is furious, wants retaliation. Maybe I can get him to take care of the stranger."
Okay, see what you can do, Nick."
Yes sir, Mr. Pierce I'll take care of it."
Next Day, The Carlson Residence
Breakfast was competed, the dishes washed, dried, and put away. Jen was off to school, there was nothing for the guys to do but wait for the parts delivery, probably later in the afternoon.
Marlowe was headed back to his room when he passed a mirror. He stopped, looked at himself. He saw that he was looking a little scraggly, could use a haircut. "Is there a barber shop in town?" He asked.
"Yeah, Floyd Lawsons place, but you think going into town is a good idea," Brent replied.
"Don't know why not. Don't believe anybody will try something in town."
Brent ran his hands over his face then through his hair contemplating just what could happen. This is Baskerville where things were different. "Well, if you think so," he said; "I might as well go too, feels like I could use a bit trimming up myself."
"Okay, I'll go get my jacket," Marlowe responded heading up the stairs.
Ding, ding, ding. Ricks two hours was up, he saved his work, left the study, and went up to their bedroom where Kate was asleep on the bed. He kicked off his shoes, laid down next to her, wrapped his arm over her abdomen where their two sons were developing, instantly getting a "hmm" from her.
Kate rolled over to face him receiving a kiss to her forehead in the process. "Done for the day?" She asked her voice still laced with sleep. "Yea, now go back to sleep."
"Want to cuddle," snuggling in closer to him, his always warm body providing comfort to her and the babies. Rick engulfed her to him, closed his eyes and drifted off.
That's where Lily found them an hour later, both asleep, so she crawled up behind her mother, placed an arm over her and whispered, "I love you Mommy and Daddy. You to my brothers."
"That's good to know, Lily," Rick spoke, Lily giving a shriek at the sound of her father's voice.
The sound of his voice, the shriek from her daughter all gave cause for Kate to awaken. Reaching down she found Lily's hand, gave it a squeeze, and mumbled "hey sweetie."
"Hey Mommy," the little girl responded. "How long you been here?" Kate asked.
"Just a couple of minutes," Rick answered as he moved some hair off her face then planting a kiss to her cheek. "What time is it, Rick?"
"It's dinner time," Lily proclaimed rising to her knees, started hopping on the bed. "Settle down munchkin," Rick told her, don't want to jostle your brothers. "Okay Daddy," she replied settling back down.
The rest of the evening went basically the same as those previously. After dinner Lily was given her bath, they watched a movie (of Lily's choice) then retired for the evening.
The next day was a stay-at-home day. They made a sandcastle on the beach, went swimming in their heated pool, played board games. Rick grilled hot dogs for lunch and when the time came the girls laid down for their nap.
The Barber Shop
Marlowe sat in the one of the two barber chairs located in Floyd Lawson's Barber Shop the London Gazette open in his lap, but his eyes fixated more on the mirror in front of him. He was keeping them on the doorway to Curley's Place, the local bar here in Baskerville. He had seen a group of men enter it earlier some of which were the same ones that were in the pickup when he thrashed Bull Grusome.
He wasn't sure but willing to bet that Bull's brother Wiley was already in there, probably has been ever since Doc Fabian loaded Bull into his station wagon rushing him to the hospital in London. And if he was then he was probably thinking of some way of getting even.
It was just a short time after that he saw another man enter the bar. This man he remembered from his first day, Jen had called him Blackwell, he was one of Pierces men. So, Pierce is involved in this somehow but how and why he thought.
Floyd was just finishing up with Brent when he got his answer. Wiley Grusome has just stepped out from the bar and was headed towards the barber shop. His walk was a little unsteady which could only mean he had quite a bit to drink. Finally reaching the barber shops doorway he yelled, "hey you! You city slicking sonofabitch, you nearly killed by brother!" And now you're gonna answer to me.
"Git outta that chair and face me like a man," Wiley demanded.
"Go back to the bar. You're not responsible for what happened to your brother."
"Why you lily-livered sonofabitch," Wiley cried. "Looks like I'll have to take you in this fucking chair then."
"Take it easy and go back to the bar," Marlowe calmly said, I don't have a quarrel with you, and I don't want one. I'm not pushing you, and I won't."
"Like hell I will. You may not have a quarrel with me but I sure as hell have one with you." Wiley yelled loud enough for all of Baskerville to hear.
Ding, ding, ding…
TBC