Part 7

The Johnson Ranch—Two Days Later

“We made it!” crowed Johnny as he steered into the Johnson's long driveway. He reached over to shake Louisa, who had dozed off, her chin propped up on her hand. “Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty,” he joked.

The young woman woke with a start. “Are we there yet?” she rasped groggily. As they neared the buildings, her eyes widened and she gasped. “My God!” she breathed, tearing open her door and jumping out before the Rover stopped.

The farm yard resembled a war zone. Broken fence rails, over-turned water troughs, jagged fragments of slate roofing shingles, and shards of glass lay everywhere. Louisa picked her way through the debris, stunned into silence. Halfway to the house, she dropped to her knees and wept, tears steaming down her cheeks.

Johnny turned when a hand dropped onto his shoulder. “Buck, what the Hell happened ?” he asked, his voice raw.

The foreman sighed heavily, his eyes dark with sorrow. “A tornado,” he replied. “If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed it.”

“In the middle of winter ?” questioned Chet incredulously. “Was anyone hurt?”

Buck smiled thinly and shook his head. “No, we were lucky. Phil saw it coming and got everybody into the storm cellar. Thank God the barn is still standing or we would have lost most of the stock. Lordy, where are my manners? Come on up to the house. We were expecting you yesterday.”

“We ran into some bad weather,” explained Rachel. She bent and tugged on her friend's jacket. “Louisa, come inside before you freeze.”

The young woman stared at her through narrowed eyes. “No, I need to check the horses,” she muttered, struggling to her feet and heading for the barn at a dead run. Diablo reared when she burst in and neighed in fright. “Easy, fella. Everything's okay now,” she whispered, rubbing his neck gently. The stallion nickered and pushed against her, anxious for some human contact. “Bet that big wind was real scary, huh? Poor baby, you must have been terrified. I know exactly how you feel.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dorothy looked up when they entered the kitchen and rushed forward. “I've been worried sick about you,” she scolded gently, drawing Johnny into a warm hug. “Phillip, the kid's are here!” she called. “I was afraid you got caught in some bad weather. Where's Louisa? Didn't she come with you?”

“Land sakes, woman,” laughed Mr. Johnson. “Give them a chance to catch their breath before you start the interrogation. So you finally found a wife, huh, Chester ? Ain't she a pretty one, too?”

The Irishman blushed and introduced Rachel. “Honey, this is Phillip and Dorothy Johnson and you've already met Buck.”

The redhead smiled graciously. “Pleasure to meet you,” she answered. “Louisa went to check on the horses. She was pretty upset when we drove up and saw the mess.”

“Some things never change, do they?” chuckled Mrs. Johnson. “Those nags always were her first priority.”

“Lucy Meyers can testify to that ,” grinned Buck. “Remember her, Phil?”

The rancher nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “It's hard to forget a woman that uppity,” he said. “Queen Lucy used to board her mare here,” he told the visitors. “She didn't know how to ride Western, so Louisa offered to teach her. One day, they were out in the south pasture and things were going smoothly until Lucy decided she wanted to gallop. That little gal let out a yell loud enough to scare Satan himself and gave her horse a kick. Her mare, Fiona, took off like a shot and it was all Miss Priss could do to hold on.”

“She didn't for long,” said Louisa from the doorway. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, but she was smiling. “If you recall, she got a rather unexpected river bath. Unfortunately, it was April and the water was still pretty cold.”

Johnny burst out laughing. “Not as cold as it is in December,” he joked. “Just ask Cap.”

The young woman lips twitched and she started to giggle. “I told him the ice wasn't strong enough to hold him, but did he listen? Anyway, when I finally managed to catch Fiona, I found out why she had bolted. She had blood on her flanks from Lucy's spurs, which she hadn't bothered to tell me she was wearing. Long story short, I lost my temper and let her have it.”

“That's for sure,” smirked Buck. “You called her every name in the book and then some.”

“Oh yeah? What did you say, Lou?” asked the paramedic.

“I called her a hoity-toity, stiff-necked, blue blood bitch with the intelligence of a Hubbard squash,” she answered. “After that I said it was a good thing she liked horses, because any guy who got between her legs would end up in the hospital suffering from hypothermia of the penis.”

Rachel collapsed into a chair, laughing hysterically. “Maybe Lucy should keep a jug of industrial strength antifreeze next to her bed!” she squeaked, tears squirting from her eyes. “It would be tragic if the doctors had to amputate!”

“Man, talk about hitting a guy where he lives,” shuddered Chet. “Thank God I never liked frozen vegetables all that much.”

“Ain't the veggies you gotta watch out for, Phantom,” snorted Louisa. “It's the freezer.”

Dorothy rolled her eyes. “I washed your mouth out once before, dear,” she teased. “Do I need to book a repeat performance?”

The young woman shook her head emphatically. “ No , ma'am. I won't use those words again, at least not in a language you can understand.”

“Try Gaelic,” suggested Kelly. “I taught you a few words, didn't I?”

Louisa grinned and rattled off a sentence. “You mean like that?” she asked.

“I have no clue what you just said, but it definitely wasn't Irish Gaelic,” he replied. “Translation, please.”

“Not in front of Mother Dorothy,” cautioned Gage, “unless you want to get in trouble.”

“I'll tell you later, Chet,” said the young woman. “I'm not hungry enough to dine on lye soap.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Next Morning

“You're up early,” Phillip commented when Louisa entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

“Who can sleep with Chet Kelly snoring like a congested grizzly bear in the next room?” grumbled the young woman. “Besides, there's work to be done. What should I do first?”

“Slow down, honey,” grinned the rancher. “The sun's not even up yet. At least have a cup of coffee and a muffin before you start earning your keep.”

“Later. I promised to go into town with Buck after breakfast,” she answered, putting on her jacket and gloves. “Milk pails still in the same place?”

“Yup. If you see Cody, tell him to take half a dozen bales of hay over to the Clark place. Joe called this morning and said he was getting low.”

Louisa nodded and left the house. Just as she reached the barn, a truck pulled into the driveway and John Quincy, the Johnson's neighbor, climbed out. “Why, hello there, Louisa!” he called. “I didn't know you were here!”

“Hi, Mr. Quincy!” she hollered back. “How are things at your place?”

“Part of the stable roof caved in, but it could have been worse,” he answered. “The old man up yet?”

“Well, he's conscious and slurping down coffee like it's going out of style. Does that count?”

“Good enough!” grinned Quincy . “It was great to see you, darling. Take care.”

“You, too,” smiled Louisa, pulling the barn door open and stepping inside. “Hey, no girls allowed in the clubhouse!” yelled a teasing voice.

“I'm not a girl; I'm a woman!” the young woman shot back. “Don't sass me, honey, or I'll tie you up with your own lasso. How ya doing, Cody?”

The cowboy grinned at her, his hazel eyes twinkling. “Better now that you're here, darling,” he flirted. “Yo, Zach, Punchy LaRue is back,” he shouted.

“Hello, Mrs. Stanley,” greeted Zach coolly. “You ain't gonna hit me again, are ya?”

Louisa shrugged, ignoring Cody's snicker. “Not unless you give me a reason to,” she answered levelly. “Where's Dutchie?”

“Right behind you, admiring the view,” joked Bunker. “You sure look better than these rough old cowpokes.”

“I certainly hope so!” she exclaimed. “It's called sunscreen, babe. Of course, you're so hideous, it'll take more than cosmetics to improve your looks.”

“My face has character,” retorted Dutch. “Just like John Wayne.”

“Before or after Dr. Frankenstein gets done with him?” giggled Louisa, making the hands laugh. “I still love you, Dutchie, even if you do resemble an old saddle.”

“Thanks a lot,” he grumbled. “Are you here to work or insult me?”

“Business before pleasure. I came out to milk Elsie, unless you beat me to it.”

“Be my guest,” said Bunker. “I'm not getting within ten feet of that beast.”

“Don't tell me the crusty, old saddle tramp is afraid of a teeny little cow?” teased the young woman. “Keep your bell on,” she added when the animal mooed loudly. “I'll be right here.” She reached over the stall door to scratch the cow's back. “Better stand clear, Dutchie. Elsie might breathe on you or something.”

“Har-de-har-har. I'm telling you, every time I get near her, she tries to bite me.”

“Elsie, the Man-Eating Bovine,” snickered Zach. “Maybe she's trying to give you a hickey. You are kinda cute.”

“Are you children going to stand around giggling all day or do I have to get tough on you?” hollered Buck from the door. “Cody, the old man wants you to take some hay over to Joe Clark.”

“Wanna go with me, Louisa? asked the cowboy. “Mrs. Clark just had another baby.”

The young woman shook her head. “Another time,” she answered. “Bucky and I are going into town for supplies if I ever get this stupid cow milked. Tell Marie I'll stop by tomorrow.”

“Make sure Elsie doesn't try to taste you,” laughed Cody. “I'm going, boss,” he added when the foreman glared. “Don't get your panties in a twist.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“I was about to send out a posse,” said Dorothy when Louisa returned to the house carrying two full milk buckets. “What took you so long?”

“Yeah, cousin; did you forget which end to milk?” grinned Johnny around a mouthful of pancake.

The young woman rolled her eyes and set the pails on the counter. “Shut up and eat your breakfast, hose jockey,” she replied. “Is there any food left or did you gluttons eat it all?”

“I put yours in the oven to keep warm,” said Mrs. Johnson, pushing back her chair.

Louisa retrieved her meal and sat down at the table. “Steak and home fries, my favorite,” she commented, spreading jam liberally over her meat.

“You're actually gonna eat that?” questioned Chet, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “That's gross!”

“This from the guy who puts ketchup on ice cream,” she muttered. “Don't knock it until you try it, Chester . Strawberry jam brings out the flavor.”

“It probably tastes better than that stuff we ate at the motel,” put in Rachel. “That stew was horrible!”

“Oh, that reminds me,” said Louisa. “We stopped at a little motel just outside of Garrison a couple days ago and ran into some old friends of yours, Phil. Do you remember Smokey Carmichael and Maggie London? Turns out they own the place.”

Dorothy gasped and dropped her fork with a clatter. Her husband reached over to pat her hand soothingly. “I don't who you saw, but it couldn't have been the Carmichaels ,” he said, his face pale. “Smokey and Maggie were killed when their plow went over an embankment and hit a tree head-on. Ironically, their motel burned to the ground the very same night. How long has it been now, Buck?”

“It was three years on the 27 th ,” whispered the foreman, his eyes huge.

“But we talked to them! They were as solid as this table!” she emphasized stubbornly, slamming her fist on the wooden surface. “I think you're just messing with my head!”

Buck grabbed her wrist and squeezed until she winced. “Louisa, we're telling you the truth. Smokey and Maggie are dead and buried. We went to their funeral.”

“Her eyes,” croaked Chet. “I never told you about her eyes.”

“What are you talking about, Kelly?” snapped Johnny. “They looked normal to me.”

“No, they weren't !” retorted the Irishman hotly. “After I went into the kitchen to help her with dessert, she got right up in my face and her eyes were really spooky. Ask Lou; she saw it, too!”

The young woman shivered, goose bumps rising on her arms. “They were bright red,” she whispered. “Like they were full of blood. Show them where the cat bit you.”

Chet unwrapped the bandage, but the wound had disappeared. “It's gone! I swear, there was a hole right through my hand!”

At that moment, the front door burst open and Zach rushed in. “Mr. Johnson, come quick!” he shouted. “We found a body in the barn!”

The rancher raced out of the house with Buck and Louisa hot on his heels. “Johnny, get my bag from the Rover!” ordered the young woman. Just as they reached the barn, her foot slipped on a patch of ice and she lost her balance, crashing head-long into Dutch. The cowboy grunted and fell against a stall. “It's up there,” he choked, his mouth twisted into a horrified grimace.

Louisa climbed up to the loft and dropped to her knees beside the prone figure. She pressed two fingers to the man's neck and breathed a sigh of relief. “He's alive,” she hollered down. “Can someone get me some blankets? He's hypothermic. Call for an ambulance, too.”

“”Isn't one anymore,” answered Cody. “They shut down last summer when the state cut their funding.”

“Then we'll have to take him to the hospital ourselves. Cody, back the truck as close to the door as you can.”

“How are you planning to get him down, sweetheart?” snickered Buck. “Grow wings and swoop to the floor?”

“Look behind you, genius,” she replied. The foreman's eyebrows shot up and he started to giggle. “What in tarnation is that ?” he questioned, pointing to the tangle of ropes Johnny was holding.

“Mountain climbing equipment,” answered the paramedic. “Mr. Johnson, do you mind if we borrow your toboggan?”

The rancher shook his head. “Sure, go ahead. Oh, I see what you have in mind,” he grinned. “You're gonna hook the ropes to the sled, put our friend in it, and then lower him with the pulleys.”

“Exactly,” smiled Gage, snapping a line to the end of the make-shift Stokes and handing it to Zach. “When we start to lower the sled, use this to keep it level, okay?” He climbed into the loft and knelt beside Louisa. “What have you got?”

“Looks like advanced hypothermia and frostbite,” she said. “Let's get him out of here. Take his legs, but be careful of his feet. All right, one, two, three, lift! Lord, he weighs a ton! Zach, you ready down there? Give him a smooth ride, darling. Slow and steady. Okay, people, step lively; time's a-wasting! What's so funny?” she asked when Johnny laughed under his breath.

“You sound just like Dix,” he answered. “Barking out orders like a drill sergeant.”

“So drop and give me twenty, dogface,” she joked. “Or would you prefer latrine duty?”

“And leave Kelly unemployed?” snorted the paramedic, his eyes dancing with glee.

Part 8

“Place looks deserted,” said Cody as he pulled up to the clinic. “What now, Dr. Kildare?” he grinned, winking at Johnny.

Louisa jumped out of the truck and sank to her knees in a snow bank. “There's smoke coming out of the chimney, so someone is here,” she answered, pushing open the door. “Anyone home? We need help out here!”

“Be right with you!” shouted a rough voice, followed by the sound of a chair scraping across the floor. A tall, raw-boned man in his early forties appeared in the hall, wiping his hands on a rag. “What's the trouble, folks?” He spotted Louisa and his eyes widened. “Wait a second, miss. Don't I know you?”

The young woman's jaw dropped. “Christian Grisby?” she squeaked. “What in the world are you doing in Montana ?”

“I could ask you the same question,” boomed the man. “Are you sick?”

“No, but we have a guy out in the truck with a pretty bad case of hypothermia,” she answered. “Are you a doctor?”

Grisby laughed out loud. “Nah, I went to medical school for fun,” he joked. “Well, don't just stand there, boys! Bring your friend in so I can take a look at him!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two Hours Later

The doctor stripped off his gloves and dropped them into the wastebasket. “He was damn lucky,” he commented. “A couple more hours out in that storm and he'd have been frozen solid.”

Louisa smiled in relief. “Will he lose any fingers?” she asked.

Grisby shook his head. “Hard to say right now. Come on; I'll make some coffee and you can tell me what you've been doing all these years. Which one of those boys is your husband? I couldn't help noticing your wedding ring.”

“You first,” she grinned. “How did a scrawny kid too shy to open his mouth end up a doctor practicing in the wilds of Montana ?”

“I have a better question,” interrupted Johnny. “How do you two know each other? Cap might not like you flirting with strange men, sweetheart,” he teased.

“We grew up in the same orphanage, smarty pants,” retorted Louisa. “Christian Grisby, this goofball is my cousin, John Gage and this is Cody Richards.”

“Nice to meet you. Turns out you had family after all, huh?”

“Yeah, but some days I'd like to disown them,” she joked. “In addition to Smart Guy here, I have two older siblings, Mike and Amanda. But I want to hear about you, pal. No fair trying to change the subject.”

“That never did work,” chuckled Christian. “Well, not long after you left the orphanage, the state tracked down my grandparents and I went to live with them in South Dakota . Granddad was a farmer in his younger days, but had long since retired. Money was tight, but we never went hungry, thanks to grandmother's big garden and flock of chickens. I got an after-school job at the feed store and put every penny I earned into a college fund. During my senior year, the local Chamber of Commerce announced that they would be holding a contest in honor of our town's 100 th birthday. We had to write an essay about why we were proud to live in Castle Rock. I didn't think I had a snow ball's chance in Hell, but Nana told me to believe in myself. I guess she knew what she was talking about because I came out on top. First prize was a full scholarship to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. From there, I went on to the Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls and completed my residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington , D.C. Okay, now it's your turn.”

“My life's been boring compared to yours,” answered Louisa modestly. “ Georgetown is one of the best, if not the best, teaching hospitals in the country ! You already know I was adopted by the Lopez family and went to live in Los Angeles . After Papi died, I moved to Montana and worked on the Johnson Ranch for five years. I went home to visit my family and met the man who became my husband, Hank Stanley, who just happened to be my brother's Captain. What I didn't know is that my biological brother, Michael Stoker, and my cousin also worked at the same fire station! How weird is that ?!? I even found my birth parents, Constance and Samuel Weber.”

“Amazing,” exclaimed Grisby. “Do you and your husband have any children?”

The young woman's eyes lit up. “Emma and Matthew, the twins, just turned twelve, Hannah is almost ten, and Robert, my youngest, is seven,” she gushed. “I love my kids to pieces, but they can be a real handful sometimes.”

“They were like that even before birth,” said Johnny with a grin, “especially Robert. It's no wonder he came early, considering what was going on at the time.”

“A female firefighter assigned to my husband's crew kidnapped him,” Louisa told Christian. “It's a long story, but I went into labor two weeks before my due date when I found out who she really was. If I hadn't been at the station when my water broke, my son could have died.”

Gage slid an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “The Spirits were watching over you, sweetheart,” he whispered. “It was a breech and the baby's heart rate was dropping fast. He was born less than fifteen minutes after Lou got to the hospital. Believe me, it was way too close for comfort!”

“That's nothing compared to what she did a few days after that!” interrupted Chet from the doorway. “How's your patient, Gage?”

“He's gonna be fine, Kelly. What are you doing here?”

“Mr. Johnson sent me to find you,” replied the Irishman. “He wants to start cleaning up the ranch.”

Grisby glanced at his watch and jumped up, apologizing for keeping them so long. “I'd like to know what Louisa did before you leave, though, so spill it.”.”

Johnny ignored his cousin's warning glare and snickered. “Oh, she just hiked five miles into the woods and killed a charging grizzly five days after giving birth,” he related.

Louisa rolled her eyes and sighed. “I didn't have much choice,” she grumbled. “She was about to eat me for lunch.”

“Yeah, I know,” he murmured. “When Cap told us what happened, Vince laughed so hard I thought he was gonna wet his pants.”

“Brackett and Dixie thought it was pretty funny, too,” she giggled. “Unfortunately, Mami didn't. Boy, was she mad !”

“Dorothy will be too if we don't get a move on!” prodded Chet. “And you know what that means.”

“No dinner!” chorused Louisa and Johnny. “We'll have to raid the grain bins,” added Cody with a grin. “Unless Quincy wants to be “neigh”-borly!”

The Irishman held his nose and groaned. “Don't quit your day job, pal,” he muttered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Buck was sitting on the porch when they got back to the ranch. “If you value your hides, I wouldn't go inside without a peace offering,” he called, only half-joking. “The old lady thinks you skedaddled to get out of working.”

The young woman held up a bouquet of carnations. “I've been in trouble with Dorothy before,” she grinned. “Besides, I have a good excuse for being late.”

The foreman bit his lip to keep from laughing. “I certainly hope so, darling, ‘cause if you don't, you'll be sleeping in the barn with the other animals.”

“Better than sharing quarters with you, buster,” she teased playfully. “You snore louder than Chet here!”

“I don't snore!” protested Kelly. “All you were hearing was the wind!”

“Whistling between your ears,” needled Johnny. “That ratty mustache blocks your nose, so the air has to escape through the path of least resistance!”

The front door burst open and Dorothy stepped outside, hands planted firmly on her hips. “ Where have you been, young lady?!?” she barked. “It's been hours!”

“I'm really sorry we were gone so long, Mrs. Johnson,” answered Louisa contritely, holding out the flowers. “I ran into an old friend and lost track of time.”

The old woman sniffed and folded her arms. “In other words, you were flirting while the rest of us were slaving away?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes, ma'am,” the young woman whispered. “I mean, no , ma'am,” she corrected. “Dr. Grisby and I grew up in the same orphanage. We were just catching up.”

“Enough with the fire and brimstone, honey,” scolded Phillip. “See, Louisa brought you some pretty carnations. If you want to punish her, make her eat Buck's cooking.”

Dorothy's stern expression softened and she smiled. “That would be much too cruel.” She took the bouquet and went to find a vase. “Okay, lecture over. As soon as I'm finished here, you can drive me into town and help me pick out a wedding gift for Chester and Rachel.”

“I have a present for them in my suitcase,” answered Louisa. “I forgot to put it with the others at the reception.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That Evening

“You'd think I never worked a day in my life,” groaned Johnny, stretching his sore muscles. “I feel like the Tinman before he was oiled!”

“I guess we're not riding up to Victory Ridge tomorrow then?” questioned Rachel. “I was really looking forward to seeing it.”

“I doubt you could reach it with all this snow,” commented Buck. “It's fifteen miles each way. You freeze before you got even halfway.”

“Not if we took the sleigh and dressed in layers,” argued Louisa. “There are a couple of buffalo robes in Gray Eagle's cabin. They should keep us nice and warm.”

“Let them go, Bucky,” chuckled Phillip. “Louisa knows that trail better than anyone. Hell, I'll even go with you kids. Is that all right with you, Mother?” he asked his wife.

“As long as you're back before dark,” she allowed. “It'll be easier to clean the house without you underfoot.”

The young woman nodded in satisfaction. “Then it's settled. We'll leave at dawn, but first, I have a gift for the newlyweds.” She handed Rachel a wrapped package and smiled. “Congratulations, Spunky. As for you, Mr. Phantom, make your wife happy or you'll deal with me, understand?”

“I give you my word of honor,” promised Chet. His eyes widened when the redhead unwrapped a large, red satin pillow. “What is that ? You bought us a pillow ?”

“No, Chester , I made it special. You can't buy something like this in a store.”

“I think it's lovely,” whispered Rachel, tears welling up in her eyes. “Look, everyone.” She held it up so they could read the inscription.

“When hearts and eyes have spoken,

Lips confesst,

Then comes joy softly as the vagrant breeze.

When love guides life

Then is life truly blest,

And Earth is filled with Heaven's symphonies.”

Chet & Rachel

December 24 th

Joined by love's silken bonds forever.

“That's beautiful,” murmured Dorothy. “Wherever did you find it?”

“On a tombstone back East,” answered Louisa, her cheeks turning pink. “I thought it was sweet that the woman's husband would put something that romantic on her grave marker. he must have really loved her.”

“I don't care where it came from,” sniffled the redhead. “I like it.”

“So do I,” said Kelly. “Even more than the pigeon garter Joanne gave my wife. Spunky and the Phantom has a certain ring to it.”

Before anyone could reply, the phone rang. Mr. Johnson answered, listened for a moment, then held the receiver out to Louisa. “It's Hank,” he told her. “He said it was important.”

“It usually is. Hi, honey, what's up? They did what ?!? Okay, I'll tell him, but don't be surprised if you hear the explosion all the way down there. Love you, too, bye.” The young woman hung up and started to giggle, tears streaming down her face.

“If you're laughing, it can't be bad news,” said Johnny. “Come on, Lou, what's going on?”

“I don't think Chet will think it's very funny,” she squeaked. “The day after we left, it got really hot back home. Well, Emma and Jennifer felt sorry for his cat and figured he would be cooler without all that fur!”

The paramedic's jaw dropped. “Oh no,” he gasped. “You mean they……”

“Shaved it off,” howled the young woman. “Mr. Whiskers is completely bald, except for his head and ears. Sorry, Chet; I'll make him a jacket when we get back to L.A. ”

“No need,” grinned the Irishman, his mustache twitching. “I did the same thing to my Mom's Persian one summer. Dad was furious because I wasted an entire can of his shaving cream. I couldn't sit comfortably for a solid week!”

“I shaved our dog once,” laughed Johnny. “What did they use?”

“Ivory soap,” she snickered, wiping her eyes.

“At least he was clean,” piped up Buck. “Maybe they mistook the critter for a sheep that needed shearing.”

“Could be,” Rachel hiccupped. “That silly feline is shaggier than a buffalo. I'll bet he looks funny without any hair.”

“ Roy took pictures,” chuckled Louisa. “He and Hank are leaving Jenny and Emma's punishment up to you, Chester B.”

“I'll decide after I see my pet,” snorted Kelly, “if I can keep a straight face.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Los Angeles , One Week Later

“Whoa, Cap wasn't kidding about it being hot,” said Johnny, wiping sweat from his forehead. He rounded a curve and slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the fire engine parked along the side of the road. “Hey, it's 51's! Let's go see what's up.”

Louisa jumped out of the Rover and followed him. Before they got ten feet, a uniformed police officer blocked their path. “Sorry, folks,” he said. “I can't allow you to pass. Fire department and law enforcement personell only.”

Gage took his wallet out of his back pocket and flipped it open to reveal his badge. “John Gage, Station 51. What's the situation?”

The cop shook his head. “I don't have the authority to release that information,” he answered. “Please clear the area, sir.”

The young woman glared at him. “Who is in charge here?” she demanded loudly, her voice carrying to the command center.

“Let them through, Patterson!” ordered Chief McConikee. “Am I glad to see you! We've got a fireman down. I called for a squad, but Dispatch said they're all tied up with a big pile-up on the 405.”

Johnny and Louisa trotted after him as he made his way through the maze of fire trucks and police cars. The young woman dropped to her knees beside the injured man and grinned when she recognized her brother. “Hi, Mikey,” she greeted. “Fancy meeting you here. Be a good boy and show me your boo-boo.”

The engineer muttered something unintelligible and rolled up his pant leg. “It's just a scratch,” he grumbled. “Put a bandage on it so I can go back to work.”

“I don't think so, hose jockey,” she chuckled. “That ‘scratch' needs stitches. You're going to Rampart.”

“No, I'm not and you can't make me,” argued Stoker. “I can't leave my post.”

“Have it your way,” replied his sister. “Johnny, can you get the blue make-up bag out of my purse?”

“What do you want that for?” questioned Mike. “Now's not the time to be slapping on the war paint.”

Louisa smiled mysteriously and sat back on her heels. When the paramedic returned, she removed a small sewing kit and pulled out a large needle. “Since you refuse to go to the hospital, I guess I'll have to suture that cut myself. Of curse, it'll probably hurt like Hell without anesthetic, but at least you won't bleed to death. Hold still, Mikey, and whatever you do, don't scream . It will all be over soon.”

Stoker jumped up and backed away. “I changed my mind!” he yelled. “I'll go to Rampart! Just get away from me with that bayonet!”

“See? All he needed was a little positive reinforcement,” laughed the young woman. “Can you walk or should we carry you, big brother?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rampart General

“That about does it,” said Dr. Brackett, dropping the needle holder onto the tray near his elbow. “He's all yours, Dix.”

Out in the hall, Dr. Early was laughing as Johnny told him how Louisa had convinced Mike to see medical treatment. “I wish I could have seen the look on his face!” he snorted. “Whatever happened to ‘first do no harm'?”

The young woman shrugged. “I wasn't really going to stitch up his leg,” she grinned. “I just wanted him to think I was.” She looked up when Kel joined them. “How is he, Doc?”

“He'll be fine, as long as you stay away from him with any sharp objects,” chuckled Brackett. “It took a dozen stitches to close the wound, but it will heal with minimal scarring.”

At that moment, the Emergency Room doors swung open and Roy entered pushing a gurney. “Hey, Junior!” he called. “Welcome home! Drop by the station before you head home. I got something to tell you!”

Louisa covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Gage raised an eyebrow in her direction. “You know what it is, don't you?” he accused. “Come on, Lou. Spill it or I'll be forced to tell Lara how you tortured her husband.”

“And spoil the surprise?” she countered. “Not on your life, hose jockey!”

To be continued…..

What does Roy have up his sleeve? Well, dear reader, you'll just have to wait until the next installment.

Disclaimer: I don't own the guys; I just use them for my own amusement.