“Any further statements, Mr. Dupre?”

Brian shook his head. “No, your Honor.”

Judge Branch nodded at him. “You may step down, Mr. Dupre. The court thanks you for your diligence with this case.”

As Dupre left the stand, Rick tightened his grip on Laurie’s hand as they sat waiting for the Judge’s decision, with Chrystal and Abby sitting behind them. It had been an emotionally draining hearing, listening to Sara Johns testimony against her stepfather and mother. Rick was against Laurie having to testify, especially after Sara’s refusal to meet with her or Chrystal. Abby had spoken with her following the revelations about her prostitution charges, and found that the teenager was anything but sorry.

“It’s my body, and I know what I’m doing… I’m my own boss and no one can tell me what to do..” Sara had told her defiantly, Abby had reported. The former chief of detectives immediately lit into the girl, reminding her it was an adult crime, and did Sara want to be charged as an adult?

“No one’s going to do that; I’m a juvenile, remember?” Sara shot back.

“Not under Arizona law, sweetie.” I told her” Abby related later over dinner. “I reminded her what kind of pecking order they had in jail, and that I hated to think of someone doing to her what her stepfather had done, only behind bars.” She sighed, and Ron had patted her knee, saying “You did your best, honey..she has problems you can’t help with.”

“I know, and she fooled me but good…but at least she’s giving the counseling a try.”

After Abby’s straight talk, Sara had agreed to enter a counseling facility for three months, and was willing to try a foster family after that. Abby had guarded hope for her, but Rick knew she was still aching from Sara’s rejection.

Now with the girl’s testimony behind them, Forest Johns’ was left with very little defense. His defense attorney had tried to rely on Rosa Johns’ testimony to say Sara was a liar and a discipline problem. However, the woman refused to lie, saying only that she was afraid of Johns, and that “she did her best”.

Plainly disgusted, the judge had previously accepted Rosa Johns’ plea deal and had sentenced her to a month in jail and a year’s probation. With only one defendant to try, Johns’ attorney gave up and convinced him to waive a trial by jury.

With Chrystal and Laurie relieved of the need to testify, Rick was optimistic that the hearing would end in plenty of time for them to go home. It was the night of the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball at the Cultural Center, and he wanted to surprise his wife with part of her Christmas gift.

Suddenly the judge began to speak, interrupting Rick’s musings.

“Will the defendant rise.”

Sullenly, Forest Johns got to his feet.

“Having heard compelling testimony from the District Attorney’s office regarding Mr. Johns and his physical abuse of his stepdaughter, this court finds him guilty on all counts. The defendant is remanded to the custody of the county jail until January 20th, at such time he will receive his sentence. Court dismissed.”

Gaveling the hearing closed, Judge Branch left the bench as Johns was led away in cuffs. As he passed the Simons, the disheveled man paused, then snarled, “I hope you’re happy, she’s nothing but a lost cause. Lady, you’re just a sucker.”

“Shut up, Johns…move along!” the bailiff barked, jerking him away as Rick started to his feet.

“It’s alright, darling….please.” Laurie put a hand on his arm, and reluctantly he backed off. “Good thing it’s Christmas, sweetheart, otherwise he’d be crawling back to jail.”

“That’s my Rick, I’m going to tell Santa you’ve been extra good.” She smiled up at him and he covered her hand with his as he helped her up.

“So has my elf….” He whispered, putting his arm around her. Behind them Chrystal was hugging Brian, telling him “thank you for testifying, you were so good.”

“I was, wasn’t I?” At that Rick and Laurie turned around, then saw he was teasing her as Abby groaned.

“Men, always so full of themselves. Now buddy, don’t even try to stick up for this one!” she added, pointing at a smirking Rick.

“Well, he is almost always right….” Laurie replied, winking at a giggling Chrystal.

“Almost? Hah!” Rick puffed up his chest, breaking even Brian up. At that Ron appeared, then shook his head. “I don’t even want to ask…. See you at the dance, Chrissy?”

“You will, I’ve never been to a Cowboy dance before.” The younger man answered for her, then Chrystal elbowed him. “You never even asked me…”

“I didn’t…sorry. Miz Chrystal, will you go to the dance with me, please?” Brian started to get down on his knee, only for her to grab his arm and pull him up.

“You nut, of course I’ll go…I was going to ride with my folks if you didn’t...”

“Well, we’d better make tracks if we’re going to get parking…” Rick reminded them, then the Simons made their farewells and headed for the courthouse exit.

“Rick, uh…give me a minute..” Ron called out, then took him aside.

“Don’t tell Laurie, but Sara Johns tried to sneak off and hitch a ride out of the courthouse. Officer Marco was following her and caught her just as she flagged down a cab. We’re going to put her in detention until next week, then she goes to a lockdown facility.”

“Oh, boy….that’s just going to tear Chrissy up….did you tell Abbs?” Rick replied, worried.

“No…and I’m not going to until we go home….Don’t spoil things for the girls though. I’ll call in a heads-up to Dupre and to Steve and Jaime.” Ron explained.

“Thanks, Ron…I appreciate it.” Rick shook his hand, then went back to where Laurie was waiting. “Come on, darlin’…let’s hit the road.”

Curiously Laurie didn’t ask him about what Ron wanted until they were back home and Laurie was feeding Jack.

“Rick?”

“Yes, Laurie?” he was pulling a gift box out from under the bed when she called.

“What did Ron want…did Sara try to run away?”

Startled, Rick jerked around, then overbalanced and hit the floor. “Damn!” he swore, then heard his wife run into the bedroom as he tried to get up.

“Rick…oh, I’m sorry…” Instantly her arms were around him, and he turned to see her worried face. Balancing himself, Rick managed to get to his feet, then sitting on the bed, pulled Laurie onto his lap.

”Sweetheart, you don’t have anything to be sorry for…I forgot I have a very smart princess..” he replied, then kissed her.

“Darling…” she murmured, resting her forehead against his face. “I knew something was up, I saw Sara sneak out of the courtroom, then the police officer go after her. Poor Abby..and Chrissy..they tried so hard to help her.”

“And you, my tender heart.” Rick kissed her neck. “You wanted to help her too, but she had to want to be helped.”

“I know…thank you for wanting to protect me, though. Now, “ she nuzzled behind his ear. “What does my prince have in that box?”

“Close your eyes, darlin’.” Rick teased, then waited until she did. She smiled as he rustled the tissue paper temptingly, then placed the open box in her arms.

“Okay, open your eyes. Merry Christmas.” He murmured, then beamed as she caught sight of her present.

“Oh..Rick…..” Laurie carefully lifted out a green silk dress, accented with sprigs of jeweled holly. It was patterned after an old fashioned dress pictured on the “Cowboy Christmas Ball” program, and Rick had asked Robin to order it from the Wedding Shop in Silver Rock.

“Darling….it’s beautiful…is it from the dance poster?” she held it up to her as he nodded.

“I saw it, sweetheart…it made me think of you.” He said. Immediately she put it down, then flung her arms around him. “Rick…thank you, it’s the loveliest dress…I love you…. ….you really surprised me!”

“I know..” he snickered, then stopped as she reached around him, then pulled a tissue wrapped package from under his pillow.

“I had an inspiration too, love. Merry Christmas!”

“Laurie?” he looked down at the holly-covered paper, then gazed at her happy face.

“This is the first part of my gift to you, Rick…..A.J. found it for me.”

“Thank you, darlin’.” Rick tore the paper open, then found a new white cowboy hat, complete with a holly-trimmed hat band, and a spruce green shirt with a ruby and green bolo.

Surprised, he saw his initials monogrammed on the pocket, then looked up to see her watching his reaction. “Do you like it? It’s not too….”

“I love it…” he interrupted, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply, then drawing back, added, “and I love you too.”

The chime of their bedroom clock caught them by surprise, and Rick saw it was already six. “Oh, oh…we’d better get ready…want some help, sweetheart?”

Laurie laughed, then crooked her finger at him. “Yes, but I get to help first!”

After a flurry of starts and stops, Rick was just getting Jack in when the gate buzzer went off.

“I’ll get it, Laurie!” he called, straightening his bolo tie and going to the living room.

Looking through the front window, he saw Robbie’s cruiser pulling up, and opened the door. An icy wind had come up, and he hurriedly beckoned in his son and daughter-in-law.

“It’s too cold to wait in the car, son!”

Instantly Robbie and Ramona rushed into the house. Robbie had his sheriff’s hat on, but it had a sprig of holly in the hatband and a new red shirt peeked out from under his jacket.

“You look great, Pop….where’s Mama?”

“Right here…oh, you both look wonderful!” Laurie came into the room, the green silk dress showing off a green and red necklace and earrings Rick had given her for her birthday. She was glowing when she saw her two men, hats in hand.

“Mom…it’s perfect!” Ramona squealed, coming forward and hugging her mother-in-law.

“Thank you, honey…but red is so your color.” Laurie responded, looking at the ruby dress Robbie had gotten her for their anniversary.

“Uh, Mama, I think you made Pop speechless.” Robbie grinned, as Rick just gazed at her.

“Oh, he did that to me earlier..” Laurie blushed as Rick reached out his hands to her.

“You’ll be the most beautiful cowgirl at the dance, sweetheart.”

“Because of you, Rick…” she smiled, embracing him. Catching sight of the time, Rick regretfully said, “Time to go, darlin’…save a dance for me?”

“All of them, love.” She promised, as Robbie got her and Rick’s coats out of the closet.

Despite the bitter December cold, the Center hall was warm with winter cheer as Rick and Laurie entered, and immediately their friends and family came over to greet them.

“Look at my girl…pretty as an ornament.” Oscar praised, giving her a hug. Cecilia Simon was holding his hand, and she left him to put an arm around her oldest son.

“I knew that color would look good on you, but that dress….I’m proud of you, Rick.”

“I learned from the best, Mom.” He said, grinning.

“Yes she did, “ Oscar added, then laughed when Cecilia told him, “Flattery will get you an extra dance, sir.”

“Heh, heh..good work, Dad.” Rick chuckled.

Just then the band struck up the opening number, and Rick offered his arm, “I believe this is ours?”

“It is, my cowboy.” Laurie smiled, then laughed as A.J. rushed in with Linda, his nose red with cold.

“Hey, sis, Rick…thank God it’s warm in here.”

“Dancing will warm you up, little brother.” Rick teased, then led Laurie onto the dance floor and bounced her around to the “Santa” song.

As the evening went on, dinner was a fun affair, it being the first Christmas Ball that the oldest nieces and nephews and grandchildren were old enough to attend. “Chef” Robin had managed to get three large tables together for her family, and Rob shooed her out of the kitchen after everyone was served so she could enjoy the party too.

“This is a first, normally I don’t get to dance with my husband.” Robin crowed, as Ian waltzed her around the floor next to her parents.

“Well, we’ll have to do this more often.” Ian replied, earning a thumbs up from his father-in-law as he overheard the exchange.

“Takes after you, Rick.” Laurie told him, as they left the dance floor.

“Well, he did have some help.” Rick quipped.

At the end of the evening, the strains of “The Christmas Song” signaled the last dance, and wearily Laurie put her head on her husband’s chest.

“This really gets me ready for Christmas, darling.” She murmured, then giggled as Rick kissed her neck. “I hope this does too.”

“Oh it does…” Laurie sighed. Just then she caught sight of a sprig of mistletoe hanging over them, then sing-songed “Rickk”.

“What? Ohhhhh” He glanced upwards, then met her eyes. “Merry Christmas, darlin’”

“Merry Christmas to you….” She said, smiling, then leaned forward and landed a kiss on his lips.

As the party broke up, Rick caught sight of Chrystal and Brian, walking along the inside balcony of the Center.

“There’s a smart man….taking his girl to see the Christmas lights in the valley.”

“That is so wonderful…our Chrissy finally having someone…oh I hope he’s the right one!” Laurie said wistfully.

Rick drew her into his embrace. “I think he is, darlin’…any man who risks everything the way he did…he knows when he has found his heart.”

“Like I have?” Laurie raised her eyes to his, then got teary as he nodded.

“It’s always been yours, sweetheart….”

“Hey Pop, look what I’ve got!”

Both Simons looked upwards, and saw Robbie’s hand dangling another sprig of Mistletoe over their heads.

“Thanks, Robbie…..” Rick kissed Laurie, then grinned at his son.

“Seems to me I did the same thing to Mom once!”

“Like Mother, like son.” Laurie teased, then kissed Rick back. At that Rick scooped her, laughing, into his arms.

“Time to go home, princess. Good night, guys….breakfast’s at 8:00” Rick added.

A.J. nodded towards his sleepy kids. “We’ll be at the ranch in a few minutes…I don’t think we’re driving home in this icy cold.

“Good, cause last one in bed makes breakfast!” Rick dared, then carried Laurie out of the center.

“Hey, Dad, what are we waiting for?” Ricky Simon caught the last words from his uncle.

“You kids, and your mother, or else we fix breakfast!” A.J. laughed.

Fin