Rick peered through the window as his wife opened the back door, and caught sight of the older woman, as always clad in a split-skirt and blouse.
"Wait for me, sweetheart." Rick said, following Laurie as she went to the patio and sat down on one of the benches.
"Grandmother, did you know about the people wanting to buy our ranch?" she asked, and Rick saw Kasey nod, her faint smile disappearing.
"Yes, child. And you and Richard will have to make a choice…safety and security, or standing against the wind. Just remember the gift you have been given, and the land will survive."
Rick found his voice. "Grandmother, we will, but I need to know if there is danger in turning down the sale of our home." Kasey smiled at him.
"There is always danger in saying "no", my son, even to those around you. Just be there for Laurie. All will be well, and I will be there when you need me." As Kasey said this, she slowly disappeared.
"Oh, Rick." Laurie had a troubled look on her face as she turned to him, then Rick gently drew her into his embrace.
"I'm here, darlin….I won't let anything happened to you, or our home." He quietly told her. At that she raised her eyes to gaze into his.
"I know you won't, love… You are my rock….I won't be afraid of anything as long as you are with me."
Touched, Rick kissed her, then an "ahem" reminded him that Rob was still there, standing in the doorway of the kitchen with A.J. and Linda.
"Oh, Rob, I'm sorry…" Laurie blushed as the chief slowly shook his head.
"I never get used to Kasey's appearing….I'm glad though…we can depend on her to help us."
"Well, in the meantime, I could use help with the fish…." Rick deadpanned.
In the days leading up to the Tribal Council meeting the Simons confidence was shaken when Hatton Inc. let the news of the proposal out.
Immediately calls from the Simons's neighbors and others took up much of their time, denying rumors and dodging reporters from the local Phoenix newspapers.
When Tuesday night finally rolled around, Rick was relieved to know they had done their homework in preparing for the busy agenda. Looking for his wife, he saw her in his office, efficiently tallying the many calls. He still felt bad about postponing her birthday party, but after the council meeting, he planned on taking her out for dinner.
"Well, that's 25 calls against selling our ranch, and 14 for…" Laurie wrote some notes on a pad, then packed it into her briefcase. As she stood up from Rick's desk, two arms snaked around her and she melted against her husband's chest.
"Darling…." She whispered, putting her hands over his. "I wish we could stay home, just like this, all night."
Rick kissed her neck, then replied, "Me too, sweetheart, but….once this is over with, we're coming home and staying put…or maybe…"
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made him sigh, then Laurie laughed as she peered through the shades and saw Robbie's cruiser in the driveway.
"There's our son, right on time. I'm glad he's driving us tonight, love." It had already been decided that the Simons's grandchildren would not attend the meeting; A.J. and Linda had them all over at their house.
"Me too, I'll get the door, darlin'. .just put Jack in , would you?" Rick started for the front door.
Once the Simons had piled into the cruiser, Robbie drove out onto the road then pulled over and waited a moment. A minute later, two familiar vehicles came by, and the sheriff pulled out behind them.
"What's up, son?" Rick asked, surprised.
"Uncle Oscar and Ron thought you guys should have some support tonight, so I told them what time I was coming, Pop. I hope you don't mind."
For a moment Rick was irritated, thinking their friends didn't think Robbie could look after them. He relaxed as Laurie leaned forward and put a hand on their son's shoulder.
"We don't mind, Robbie. A little back up never hurts anyone."
"Thanks, Mom." Rick caught his eye in the rear view mirror and winked.
Driving into the Cultural Center parking lot, Rick shook his head at the crowd already gathering for the meeting. Robbie had to use his horn to clear a path as people stopped and waved at the Simons. Pulling into the side entrance, he let his parents off, then quietly told Rick, "I'm stationing Andy at the back, and I'll be in the front. Ron's got the sides covered."
"Good planning, son…thanks." Rick squeezed his arm, then took Laurie's arm and led her into the Chief's private entrance.
Fortunately Rob was already waiting for them inside, an anticipatory gleam in his eyes.
"I'm glad you're early, Light. We're going to make this short…I've got the Hatton people already forewarned that their two "champions" are not eligible to vote. They just want to save face by asking….I think the state popped their balloon already."
Rick grinned, and pretended to rub his hands together. "I'm almost looking forward to this."
As the council meeting came to order, a hush fell over the packed room as Rick and Laurie were seated in the front of the chamber, next to Robin and Ian and Ramona.
Rob stood at the council table as the secretary read the account of the last meeting, then spoke.
"Even though we had several important items set for our meeting tonight, two of our Council members have decided that a proposal by the Hatton Corporation was more urgent." Even though the Chief didn't turn a muscle, two of the men at the conference table turned red as a murmur of protest swept through the audience.
"Nonetheless, we will respect the honest effort by Mr. Hatton, Jr. and allow him to speak."
Gravely, a gray-haired, distinguished man stepped forward to a podium placed just in front of the Council.
"Many thanks to Chief Rob Gamez, and to the people's Council, for the opportunity to present our offer to purchase and develop reservation land and land adjacent into a multi-cultural Resort and Gaming Casino. Our team of developers had investigated three possible sites that would have benefited both the people and our corporation equally."
At the words "had", each Council member save Rob looked surprised. A few members of the audience even gasped.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hatton." One of the council members, Rick recognized him as Floyd Redwing, raised his hand. "Has your investigation been halted?"
"It has, Mr. Redwing." Hatton raised an eyebrow as the man went pale, then sat down heavily.
"We had ruled out several sites between Window Rock and Silver Rock, which would have necessitated several stages of road improvement, and others because of environment, location and unsuitability. The last site considered, which is on private land, possibly encroached on federally protected wildlife. The main reason for dropping this site is that it is historically important and has state protection. However, we will be exploring other sites closer to Window Rock, so we will just be redesigning our proposal and will be back next year to present the adjusted plan."
Amidst a burst of applause, Rob stood up and thanked the executive.
"We are grateful to Mr. Hatton for his generous understanding, and for the information he has provided."
Suddenly another hand went up from the Council table, as Mark Travis stood up.
"Mr. Hatton, isn't it a bit hasty to give up on the development so soon? I realize the state puts a lot of roadblocks up, but I'm sure if the owners of the site you're looking at asked, there could be a waiver." He said, in a short manner, staring at Laurie and Rick.
Angrily, Rick felt his wife squeeze his hand, then stayed silent as Rob held up the paperwork A.J. had provided.
"I'm afraid not, Travis, since the state says the Rocky Point Preserve is a federally protected site for eagles. No new development can be built that is within 1 mile of a wildlife preserve…"
"But the land nearest the Cultural Center, it's further then a mile….surely for the good of the people.." Travis continued. Seeing Rick start to get up from his seat, Rob held up his hand.
"Enough, Travis….the Hatton Corporation will be back next year, so this discussion is now ended."
Amid grumbling from Travis and Redwing, the other Council members seconded Rob's decision. Shrewdly Rob announced that the Cultural Center was providing refreshments in the courtyard, and most of the audience immediately got up without waiting for the closing gavel.
Relieved, Laurie turned to Rick, and saw he was glaring at the two council members. "Rick, come on, let's see what Robin helped set up." Rick shook his head.
"Rick…please, let it go." Laurie put a hand on his arm. Unfortunately, he instinctively shook it off, to her dismay, then stood up. "No, I'm not walking away from this one."
A gasp from Ramona and Ian sitting next to her undid Laurie's emotions, and she put a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. "Excuse me, then." She got up and walked quickly out of the auditorium.
That got Rick's attention, as did Ian's "Dad…" Ashamed, he took a deep breath and muttered, "Sorry, Ian…honey…" Just then Floyd Redwing caught sight of Rick, and hastily approached him.
"Mr. Simon, I'm sorry to have brought the proposal up before the Council before speaking with you. Perhaps we can get together before the next Council meeting?"
"Forget it, Redwing. Our ranch is not for sale…I'm not going to lie to the state for you or anyone else. If you and Travis start bothering my family again, you'll have a lawsuit against you so fast your head'll spin." Turning on his heel, Rick stalked away, intending to find his wife.
"Pop? What happened? Did something upset Mom?" Robbie came towards him from the side entrance, and Rick felt like dirt.
"Yeah, son…I did. I didn't realize she was upset…I shook her off and embarrassed her." He admitted, then saw Robbie's wry grin.
"I thought it was something like that….she's sitting next to Grandmother's statue at the entrance. It's gotten really windy out, but she said it was better out there."
"Thanks son, we'll be right back." Rick told him, patting his shoulder. Going outside, he saw the trees lining the center bending almost perpendicular. Next to the tribal monuments, Laurie was huddled against the statue of Kasey Adams, her coat clutched around her.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Rick whispered, then quickly went to join her. As he came closer to her, he raised his voice.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry…" She didn't turn around, so Rick "called" to her.. "Please forgive me."
At that Laurie turned and looked at him, her eyes wet. "Rick….why did you do that..you hurt me."
"I know I did, I'm sorry…I was angry and I …I let my temper get the better of me. That Travis and Redwing upset you…and our children…." Rick told her honestly, then Laurie stopped him by putting a hand on his cheek, an understanding look on her face.
"I know he did, darling…I should have let you handle it…I just got afraid for a moment, then when you shook me off…" Rick took her fingers and kissed them, then opened his arms and wrapped her in his embrace.
"That was awful of me, and I'm sorry, angel. Never again will I embarrass you like that." Rick saw tears in her eyes as she smiled up at him.
"I know you won't, Rick….I love you..you're forgiven…" Instantly he kissed her, then was startled at the sound of one of the trees nearby snapping in two.
"Uh, oh…come on, darlin', let's get inside. I know there's a piece of pie with your name on it." Rick added, then felt better as Laurie snuggled under his arm.
"Yes, Rick, and a nice hot cup of coffee for you."
As they ran back inside the building, an unhappy pair of eyes watched them. Thumbing open a pocket-sized radio, a man spoke.
"We'll have to wait until the windstorm dies down, then ….time to explain the facts to the Simons."