Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE:
“I can’t decide what colour I want my room,” Maisie said as she and Owen stood in the paint aisle of the small hardware store in the town closest to his cabin.
“Then take a few of those colour samples,” Owen suggested. “You can look at them at home and decide.”
Maisie smiled and selected a few samples of warm, cheerful colours. “OK, I’m done.”
“I just need to get a few more things and we’ll go home.” Owen had just picked up a pack of frame hooks so he could hang some pictures for Claire when Maisie grabbed his arm and pulled him into the neighbouring aisle.
“What’s going on, kid?” he asked with surprise.
Maisie pointed towards the service counter at the front of the store. A tall stranger dressed in hunting camouflage was talking to the owner of the store. “That man,” she whispered. “He’s Mr. Calder. He worked with Mr. Mills and Dr. Wu.”
Owen’s protective instincts instantly engaged. He stepped in front of Maisie and crept closer to the front of the store where he could hear what was being said.
“No, I don’t need a hunting license,” Calder said. “Not for what I’m after. I’ve heard a dinosaur was spotted in the mountains near here.”
“Hell, they’ve been spotted all up and down the West Coast. And…?” the storekeeper replied questioningly, unsure of what the stranger wanted.
“It’s a very special dinosaur. About the size of a human. Blue stripes down its sides. Very dangerous.”
Maisie tugged on Owen’s hand. “Blue!” she excitedly whispered.
Holding a finger to his lips, he quieted her so he could continue listening to the conversation.
The store owner shook his head. “I haven’t seen any dinosaurs, other than on TV.”
“Then what about a person? Owen Grady. I’m told he lives near here.”
“Name doesn’t ring a bell.” He was getting impatient. “Are you going to buy anything?”
Calder set his card on the counter. “Call me if you hear anything about that dinosaur or Grady. I’m offering a generous reward for information on either.” He walked from the store.
Maisie looked up with concerned dark eyes. “Owen, you can’t let him hurt Blue.”
“I won’t,” he declared. After waiting a moment, he approached the owner of the store.
“What’s going on, Owen?” he demanded. “Why was that stranger looking for you?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t like him. Don’t trust people who think they can buy loyalty. You be careful,” the storekeeper warned as Owen paid for his purchases.
“How are you going to find her?” Claire asked. “She could be anywhere in those mountains.”
“There’s some places she’s more likely to be. She needs water, she needs food… I’ll check out the likely places and hopefully find a nest or some tracks that will lead me to her.” Owen shouldered his backpack. “I don’t like leaving you two here alone, especially with Calder looking for me. What if he comes here?”
“We’ll be all right," Claire stated. “You have to try and find Blue.”
Maisie stood a little behind Claire, watching everything with dark, observant eyes. Owen knelt in front of her. “You and Claire take care of each other while I’m gone.”
She nodded, holding back tears. “I’ll miss you.”
“Me too, Maisie. I’ll be back as soon as I can, hopefully with Blue. We’ll paint your room when I get back, so pick a colour while I’m gone.” He hugged her and stood up, turning his attention back to Claire. “I might be gone a few days,” Owen warned. “There’s no cell reception in the mountains, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. Just please be careful while I’m gone.”
“We’re not the ones wandering the mountains alone. You be careful, Owen.” Claire tugged at the grey flannel shirt he wore over a Henley. “Are you sure you’ll be warm enough?”
“Don’t fuss, Claire,” he replied with a fond smile.
“It gets cold in the mountains at night.”
“I know. I’ve got a jacket in my backpack and I can always light a campfire.”
“But what about…”
“I’ll be fine,” he assured.
The comment didn’t comfort Claire. Last time he told her that with his confident smirk he had almost been burned alive by lava after getting tranquilised by Ken Wheatly. “Owen, please.” She pulled him close and kissed him desperately. “I love you and I need you safe.”
“Do my best,” he replied. Owen touched the soft skin of her cheek with callused fingers. “And I love you.” On his way out the door, he picked up his Marlin .45-70 and slung it over his shoulder. He walked towards the forest at the edge of the mountains, his steps both reluctant to leave and restless to go. He wanted to find Blue and keep her safe. But he also needed to protect Claire and Maisie. About halfway to the forest he stopped and looked back.
Claire and Maisie stood on the wide front porch of the cabin. He frowned. He had a very bad feeling about things and had learned from experience to trust his instincts. He just wasn’t sure if the warning was for them or for Blue.