After a boisterous lunch with their wives, Rick and A.J. soon forgot about the uneasy moment as they fed the horses then ran back into the house with a sopping wet Jack. As soon as the little dog spotted his mistress, Jack went to climb into her lap, only to be intercepted by Rick, who shook his finger at him.
"No you don't, little guy…Mom does not want a bath! Now just stay and I'll dry you off."
At that Jack yipped, then stood wagging as Rick fetched a towel. Laurie burst into laughter as Jack waited until Rick got close to him, then shook water all over him.
"Oh, Rick, I can't believe he did that…naughty Jack! Daddy didn't want a bath either!" she said, trying to be serious but failing. Rick just wrapped Jack in the towel, then plopped him in her lap.
"Okay, sweetheart, see if I protect you from a Jack shower!" he replied, mock-seriously.
At the sound of his name, Jack happily snuggled against Laurie, then fell asleep. Gently she lifted him up and put him on the floor, as A.J. brought in the Monopoly board and Linda followed with some warm drinks.
"You'd think for September, we'd still be baking in 90 degree heat…this is more like November weather." Rick observed, watching his brother dole out the money.
"Probably some of this climate change stuff, still at least it's better then roasting!" A.J. replied, then the phone rang, causing Jack to wake up and start barking.
"Jacky, shush…it's just the phone…Simon residence.." Laurie answered, smiling, then her face froze as a metallic voice spoke "Time for payment, Mrs. Simon…."
"What the….who is this?" she began, then the dial tone sounded.
"What is it, darlin'?" Rick asked, seeing her expression become angry.
"Some jerk trying to frighten me…listen…" Laurie hit the recorder then turned up the volume.
At the sound of the threatening voice, Rick's face purpled, then he slammed down the receiver.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I should have picked it up….Let me call Ron." He answered, putting his arms around her. Leaning against of him, Laurie said, "I should have known that horrible man had someone helping him. I bet they're trying to get us to drop the civil suit against Adams."
A.J. stared at her, then looked at his brother. "That's it, Rick….the jerk is trying to scare us from filing the damage suit, and the hearing's tomorrow."
"That's not going to happen….I'm going to call Gregory now….but first Ron. A.J….can you call Robbie and Robin? Just to be on the safe side." Rick asked, trying to stay calm.
"Good idea…we don't know who's making the threats, but just in case…no one's getting anywhere near our family!" A.J. vowed angrily.
"But in the meantime, Rick….maybe we'd better have Dad come pick us up…." She began to say, and both brothers immediately shook their heads.
"Oh, no, darlin'….you aren't going anywhere tomorrow….A.J. and Robbie and I are going because Gregory wants our testimony. You and Ramona and Jaime and Steve already gave your statements." Rick told her emphatically. A.J. nodded, forestalling her interrupting him.
"No, Sis….the fact that someone threatened you directly….you are staying home where it's safe. The one thing we will do is have Oscar come stay with you…"
Rick saw his wife open her mouth as if to argue, then close it. The look of fear on Laurie's face made him realize she was terrified of losing him, and he instantly hugged her even tighter.
"Sweetheart…..it's all right. I promised you I won't leave you, okay?" he murmured, and she wiped a tear from her eyes.
"Thank you, Rick. I know you won't…this feeling of dread I have…." Laurie started to say, then stopped. Taking a deep breath, she tried to smile as she said, "I promise not to overreact, darling. Just be careful, okay?"
"Of course, Princess…." He assured her, kissing her neck, then laughed as Jack woke up and seeing Laurie in his arms, presumed it was an invitation to jump up on the sofa.
"No, buddy…okay, okay!" Rick sputtered, as Jack licked his face. Wagging at the giggles from Laurie and Linda, he curled up in the corner of the sofa as Laurie petted him. Rick went to call their attorney from his office as Linda said, "Such a funny little guy…I love Buster, but Jack really knows how to get his way!"
A.J. pretended to look crushed as he protested facetiously, "And what about me?"
"You can have your way anytime…"She teased, then kissed his cheek. Rick heard his brother reciprocate, then grew somber as their attorney Gregory Abbott came on the line.
"Rick, are you calling about the hearing tomorrow?" the younger man asked, then gasped as Rick told him about the threats from the convicted doctor, and the phone call.
"Oh, no, Rick..listen, we can postpone going forward with the lawsuit-just until you and your brother find out who's behind this…" Gregory began, then was silent when Rick replied, "No, that's what Adams and his accomplice want….we're going ahead with this to show we won't be scared off! We just won't have Laurie or Ramona come with us, so they'll be safe."
"Of course, but if you change your mind….." Abbott reiterated, a tone of worry in his voice. Rick smiled as he answered, "We won't, but I appreciate your concern…A.J. and I and Robbie will see you at 10am at the courthouse, okay?"
"Ten o'clock it is…" the attorney confirmed, then said goodbye.
As Rick hung up the phone, he was grateful for the man's concern. Just then his brother came into the office, and he told him of the attorney's reaction.
"I'm glad he's taking care of everything….now let's call Oscar and see if Mom wants to come too." A.J. remarked.
The next day Rick woke up to the smell of coffee, and opening his eyes he saw his wife gently putting a cup of his favorite drink on the bedside table. Deciding to surprise her, he waited until she started to turn away, before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her onto the bed next to him.
"Rick! You nut! I thought you were….." Laurie started, then stopped as Rick kissed her.
"Now isn't that a good way to wake up? Hmmm?" he smiled, then cuddled her to him as she murmured, "The best way….here I thought I was the one surprising you."
"You did, sweetheart….now come back to bed and let's finish waking up, shall we?" he replied, making her giggle as he pulled the blankets over their heads.
Two hours later, their smiles were gone as Rick waited for A.J. and Robbie to pick him up.
"Now you be good and mind your parents, okay?" he said as Laurie handed him a paper sack with lunch for the three Simons.
"Yes, Rick..I promise..just be careful, please?" she told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Just then a familiar horn sounded outside, and both husband and wife mustered a smile at A.J.'s horn.
"His timing never changes." Rick pretended to grouse, then dropped one more kiss on Laurie's cheek.
"We'll call when we're on our way home."
"Thanks, love, that way I know when to put dinner in the oven." She answered, then hugged him tightly as A.J. came to the door.
"Hey, little brother….ready to …" Rick began, then A.J. interrupted him.
"Robbie was stuck waiting for Andy to get back from court, so he's going to meet us there. But Rick, Sis..I got a call from Oscar just before I left. Father Nick called him that he's coming to visit next week. He was just in the hospital, and Oscar says…." A.J. swallowed hard, then finished. "Oscar says he's dying."