Published: 5 Jun 2025

From the Previous Chapter:

‘Dad’ Ken passed Matthew coming up the stairs, with Sarge and Daisy on their leashes, with Chief right behind them. He thanked the puppy master for taking good care of the pups, and that Momma would be there to fix breakfast, and that Rusty was leaving at ten o’clock, and to make sure he got up at eight. Matthew said that he’d set his alarm, and continued up the stairs.

When Ken Thomas got to his retreat, he was a very happy man. He just had a great night out with the woman he wanted to marry, and the boys did a wonderful thing in front of Kate, as they showed their empathy for one another, with their group hug for Phillip. The only thing that he was disappointed in, was that Kate was going home in the morning.

After a long weekend and some good fun for everyone, The Cove was now quiet and everyone was fast asleep and dreaming sweet dreams.

Mr. Ken got up early that Monday morning knowing that Kate and her boys would be leaving at ten o’clock. He wanted to be showered, dressed and out in the Kitchen Nook, when she came down. He also wanted to have his first cups of coffee, and a chance to read the morning newspaper, before the conversation at the table got too involved.

“Good morning, Momma,” called out Ken Tomas, as he entered the Kitchen Nook.

Momma waved to him and brought his first cup of hot coffee over to him, at his usual place at the Nook’s table, where the newspaper waited for him. The man thanked the woman for the coffee and told her that everyone should be there around eight to eight-fifteen, as Kate and her boys needed to leave by ten.

Momma thanked him for that information and already knew not to make a huge breakfast as she had the other morning. She did have most of what she was going to fix already prepared, and would quickly fix it as the people began to arrive.

Upstairs, the boys were up by eight o’clock, used the bathroom, put on their nylon shorts, t-shirt and Crocks, and headed down to the Kitchen Nook. Matthew made sure Rusty got up when he did, and Phillip got Jessy up and the four met in Phillip’s bathroom to relieve the pressure in their bladders. Everyone was down in the Nook by eight-fifteen.

“Here comes my ‘men’,” spoke ‘dad’ Ken, as all the boys walked into the Kitchen Nook, together. Matthew then left to take Sarge and Daisy outside to relieve their bladders, and Chief followed along. Phillip took care of fixing the three dogs’ morning meal, so when they came back they could eat.

Kate wasn’t in the Nook, when the boys arrived, but she did enter along with Matthew, the resident pets and the guest pup. Rusty and Jessy went to their mom and hugged her upon her entry. The puppies saw their bowls were full and they almost pulled the puppy master’s arms off trying to get to them. Chief just walked over to her bowl and began eating.

When everyone was seated, Momma began serving them their breakfast. Today she made them a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and crispy bacon. There was warm maple syrup, powdered sugar, blueberries and strawberries for toppings, with coffee for the adults and vanilla, chocolate and plain milk for the boys.

Rusty and Jessy loved that it was simple. Kate loved it that it wasn’t a heavy meal to have prior to their ninety-minute drive to the airport. The Cover’s loved it because it was a Momma Maria breakfast, and they hadn’t had pancakes for a while with those fruits as toppings.

Momma knew she had made the right choice of breakfast items for that morning when the conversation at the table was practically non-existent. She smiled as she refilled the coffee cups and milk glasses.

“Miss Momma … thank you for making us pancakes and crispy bacon. I loved it,” offered Jessy.

“I agree with my brother, Momma Maria. This was really good,” added Rusty.

The rest of the people around the table also thanked Momma for their breakfast and when the older boys saw that everyone was finished eating, they helped clear the table.

As the table was being cleared, Kate told her boys that they all needed to go upstairs to get cleaned up, dressed and packed as the limo would be there at ten o’clock for them. The boy’s jumped out of their chairs and ran out of the Kitchen Nook to go up to their mother’s suite.

Ken walked Kate to the stairs and they kissed before she went up. He then went into his Study to finish reading the newspaper. The rest of the boys went up to get ready for the day after they helped Momma. Matthew took the pups outside before heading to get his shower and ready for the day.

While Mr. Ken was sitting in one of his soft leather chairs in the Study reading the paper, the phone at his desk rang. He got up and looking at the caller ID he saw that it was Ben calling, so he picked up.

“Hello, Ben, are you having a good time going from park to park?” teased the owner of the amusement parks.

“No, Ken, just checking in. We’re at Discovery Kingdom today. The family is doing fine, but I think Addison is worn out from the fast-paced trip. I don’t think she will want to join me when I do this next month,” laughed Ben.

“So, did you find anything worth mentioning, or do you want to wait until you get to the office?” asked the man’s boss.

“Things are looking good. I think your straight talk during the Fall Meeting got their attention, and they have definitely worked on cleaning and painting. Oh, and the extra money we sent them, I’d have to say has gone to good use on their Spook-Tac-U-Lairs.

“Anyway, the reason I called was to ask about Daisy. Addison wanted to know if we had to pick her up tonight, or … or can we leave her with you until tomorrow sometime, when she can stop by and collect her?” now asked the President of TFE.

Mr. Ken laughed and told Ben not to worry about Daisy, as she was having fun being with her brother and mom. He told him that Matthew and the boys have been working with her, and that they’ve taught her a few tricks, while she has been here.

The owner of The Cove told him and his family to plan on coming by tomorrow night for dinner, and that way Matthew can show them what he’s taught Daisy, and this way his kids could work with her at the same time, so she knew their voices, and that way they could continue her training.

Ben Walthers thanked Mr. Ken for the invitation and expressed his gratitude for taking care of Daisy, and teaching her some tricks as his kids have not even tried. He asked what time they should be there and learned they should stop over around 5:30 or so and the call ended. Mr. Ken went right out to the Kitchen Nook to tell Momma Maria about tomorrow night’s guests, before he forgot to tell her.

The Cover boys helped carry Kate’s and her boy’s suitcases down the stairs, and place them there in the Foyer. Everyone then sat in the MRS Room talking, as they all waited for the limo to arrive. Sarge and Daisy sat next to Rusty and Jessy, who now petted them.

They all talked about the weekend, and the fun things they all did. The young boys took center stage and talked about how much fun it was to go to Fiesta Texas, and ride the different rides there and then to go swimming with their big ‘brothers,’ and have pizza late at night. That was something their mom would never let them do. That telling put a cheeky smile on their faces.

When the limousine finally arrived, the Cover boys took the suitcases out to it. There were lots of tears as the Covers said goodbye to Kate, and her boys, and vice versa. ‘Dad’ Ken had told the boys that he was going to ride with Kate to the airport, and that he should be back around two o’clock. He had told Bill and Robert they were responsible, and if they had problems the security guards were there and, if necessary, to call Mr. Wayne.

Before long the final hugs were shared, and the riders were inside the limo. The large vehicle drove out the Main Gate, with its destination the Austin Executive Airport located at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where Mr. Ken had Kate and the boy’s charter aircraft reserved for a twelve-thirty take-off.

The Cover boys, and the three dogs, headed up to the Pavilion, where the boys checked the drink machines and, with nothing else to do, filled them. The young pups saw their two young playmates leave in the big car, and they felt somewhat lost.

Matthew saw the two puppies moping around, so he decided to put them through their paces to get their minds off the two young boys being gone. After twenty minutes of doing all the tricks that they had learned over the weekend, that had taken the pups minds off the loss of the two young boys. Matthew then filled Chief’s bowl up with ice water, and the pups drank it all down. Chief then barked, wanting it filled again for her. The Cover boys chuckled at what just happened.

Kate and her boyfriend talked about the weekend, as they rode to the airport. Being that it was a Holiday weekend the traffic wasn’t too bad, and they made good time. The boys asked Mr. Ken when they were coming back. All the man could tell them was that it was up to their mom, as to when they would be back. The boys then began pestering Kate, as to when they could come back to visit with their big ‘brothers’.

As they were riding along, Ken’s cell phone rang. Seeing that it was Jules Diamond, he told Kate who it was and that he needed to take the call.

“Yes, Jules, is there a problem?” quickly asked Ken Thomas.

… … …

“Oh, well, I am not at home right now. I’m taking Kate and her boys to the airport. I won’t be back until around two o’clock,” Kate heard Ken tell Jules.

… … …

“So, you and Eleanor want to stop by The Cove and look things over to see how you want to use the Patio and Pavilion? Well, I can call Chris and have you meet him around one o’clock. Will that work for you?” asked Ken.

… … …

“OK. I’ll call Chris and have him meet you then. Bye,” and Ken ended his call with Jules Diamond, the owner of Diamond Security Services, and the man who was going to use The Cove for his and Eleanor Whittier’s wedding

“I guess you heard that Jules and Eleanor want to stop by the Cove and look over the estate for when they have their nuptials there. I need to call Chris and have him head over there and talk with them. He’s been dealing with them on this and knows all the particulars. It will only take a few minutes,” explained Ken.

Mr. Ken quickly called Chris Dominions, The Cove’s Estate Manager, and the person who’s been dealing with Jules on using the estate to hold his and Eleanor’s wedding there the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Mr. Ken explained to Chris the situation and told him to bring the family and let the kids bring their skateboards, and so they could get out on the skate park. He told the Estate Manager that he should be back around two o’clock. Chris then asked if he could also bring Lance, his new puppy along, too. Ken told him that Daisy was there, and a family reunion might be interesting.

The Cover boys used the free time waiting for their friends, by skating on the skate park. Phillip used the park to get better on his skateboard, and Billy helped him with some of the tricks he was trying to master. His band playing kept him from getting out on the skate park, and he was well behind the other boys and he wanted to get better.

It took the limousine a little over eighty minutes to arrive at the airport. The driver helped get the bags onto a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) cart, and waited for Mr. Ken as he saw his guests off.

The four walked into the Executive Airport terminal, where Ken checked on Kate’s charter aircraft. The aircraft was in the pattern and would land in a few minutes. And since it was arriving from San Antonio, there would be no need to refuel.

Ken stayed with Kate and the boys until it was time for them to go through the TSA screening. And just before they did, Mr. Ken hugged the boys and then he not only hugged Kate, but he kissed her, too. The boys giggled at seeing that and then Mr. Ken winked at them.

The man waited until he watched his girlfriend and boys walk into the aircraft, and then he went out to the limo and had the driver head back to The Cove. Mr. Ken then called Bill to tell him about Jules and Eleanor stopping by around one o’clock, and that Mr. Chris and his family, along with their puppy, Lance, would also be coming by.

When the call was over, Billy called his ‘brothers’ over to tell them what was going to happen around one o’clock. Matthew wondered what Sarge and Daisy would think when their brother arrived. Matthew’s ‘brothers’ wondered if he would get to see if Lance knew any tricks, and if the pup didn’t; if he’d be corralled into teaching him some.

The Cover boy’s friends began arriving at noon and started right into skating, or playing the oversized games. They continued to talk about their trip to Fiesta Texas, and a few wished they could visit Mr. Ken’s amusement parks one day.

Mr. Chris, Sandra, Hailey, Chris Jr. and Lance arrived at The Cove around 12:45 and Mr. Chris drove directly down to the Parking Corral. Chris Jr. had Lance on his lead, and when Sarge and Daisy noticed the new puppy, they wanted to go greet him. Matthew had a difficult time holding both pups back.

Billy took the six-seater down to the house to see if Mrs. Dominion, the kids and the pup wanted to go up to the Pavilion. Mr. Chris told them to go ahead, as he needed to meet Jules and Eleanor.

After Billy took the group to the Pavilion, he went back to the Main Gate to sign Mr. Diamond and Ms. Whittier into The Cove, when they arrived. They arrived promptly at one o’clock. Billy told Mr. Diamond to drive down to the house where Mr. Chris would meet him.

At the Pavilion, the three pups did the usual sniff greeting of one another and after they realized they were brother and sister they wanted to go out and play. But the puppy master wanted to know if Lance knew any tricks, and he asked Mrs. Dominions if her children had taught Lance any tricks yet. Sandra Dominions told Matthew that they hadn’t, but had wished they had, as the puppy is very playful, but not very obedient.

Matthew inwardly smiled and then told Sarge and Daisy to ‘Sit’. Both puppies sat. Sandra was thoroughly impressed. The woman then asked the pre-teen how long it took him to teach the puppies that. Matthew told her that it didn’t take long; just patience. Sandra asked him to try to teach Lance to do that.

Matthew took the puppy’s lead from Chris Jr., who then was going to go and skate. But Matthew had other ideas, and he asked Chris Jr. to stay, as Lance needed to hear his voice for the command.

Matthew had Chris Jr. hold a treat above Lance’s head, and slowly move the treat up and slightly behind his head. This caused Lance to essentially ‘Sit’, and at the same time Matthew had Chris Jr. say the word, ‘Sit’. Once Lance was sitting, the puppy master had Chris Jr. give Lance the treat.

Matthew had Chris Jr. do that trick four more times to reinforce the learning. Then they started on a new command, ‘Lay Down’ or just ‘Down’.

Matthew showed the boy how to use the treat along the pup’s nose, chest, paws and then the ground, and as he did that, he used the command, ‘Lay Down’. Lance followed the treat and when he backed up and went down to get the treat, he received it. Matthew, again, had Chris Jr. do the same method over and over until Lance knew the word, and would ‘Lay Down’ when he heard Chris Jr. voice. The boy made sure he gave the pup a treat each time.

Matthew then asked Chris Jr. to try the ‘Sit’ command to see if Lance had remembered. It took a few tries to get Lance to remember, but the puppy eventually did, and Matthew told the boy that was enough for now. He told Chris Jr. that he could go and skate for now, but that he wanted to show him how to teach Lance another trick later.

Sandra Dominions was pleasantly surprised that Matthew could teach Lance those two tricks so quickly. The puppy master told the woman that Chris Jr. needed to continue reinforcing the commands every day, and that they all had to get Lance used to all of their voices, so he knew when to ‘Sit’ and to ‘Lay Down’, when they wanted him to.

Chris, the Estate Manager, showed Jules and Eleanor the Patio, and let them look over the entire area to see from where they wanted the photographer to take their wedding pictures. Eleanor didn’t remember the size of the area, and wondered if they could hold the reception down there, instead of up at the Pavilion. So, she asked Chris.

Chris told her that even though there were sufficient restrooms located in close proximity to the Patio, that depending on the number of people invited the Patio might not be large enough when they include the serving tent, reception area, gift table, and tables and chairs for their guests to sit, eat and relax.

Eleanor told Chris that they would have to think that over. The couple then walked over to the ornate carved balustrade where they could overlook the small marina Mr. Ken had created off his estate. The couple saw the cove finger with the picnic table, and wondered if the lake backdrop alone would make for a better wedding picture than the boats behind them. The two decided to walk out there and see for themselves.

Chris watched the couple walk out to the cove finger, and wondered if they would be able to decide what they really wanted. He just shook his head, happy that it wasn’t him having to make this decision.

After the couple looked at the cove finger, they asked Chris if they could look at the Pavilion to refresh their minds on what was there. Chris called Bill and asked him to bring the six-seat golf cart down to the Patio, and drive them back up to the Pavilion.

On the way up to the Pavilion, the Estate Manager told Jules that they will be able to park cars on the soccer field, and he should use the Police Explorers, as they know how to do that, since Mr. Ken has used them every Christmas Holiday.

As the adults arrived at the Pavilion, Eleanor heard the band playing, and she asked Chris about them. Chris told her that it was Ken’s foster son, Phillip, who had gathered his friends together and they formed the band. The Estate Manager told the couple that they played for Collin’s high school get together last summer, and during Mr. Ken’s Labor Day Picnic. He added that they’ve been hired to play at two Halloween parties, at the end of October.

As Jules and Eleanor looked at the facilities there, Mr. Ken arrived back at The Cove. After having the limo driver drop him off at the house, he noticed the couple up at the Pavilion, so he called Robert to bring a golf cart down to get him.

When the owner of The Cove arrived, he greeted Jules and his betrothed, and asked them if Chris was taking care of them. Jules shook Ken’s hand and thanked him for offering The Cove to them to use for their nuptials. The four then continued to walk around, and discuss how the couple could use the Pavilion area to set up for the reception.

While the adults were doing that, the boys were getting the daily barbeque together. and they would be serving it while the couple were there. Phillip and his band continued to play and Eleanor was impressed, with not only how young they were, but also how well they played. She mentioned it to Jules, and asked him if he had reserved a band for the reception.

Jules told her that it was difficult at that late date to find someone who wasn’t already booked for Thanksgiving week. Mr. Ken heard them talking and suggested they hire Phillip and his band. He told them that they would need to buy them the sheet music for the songs they wanted them to play, but given they would have about six weeks to learn them, they would probably do a decent job.

As the burgers were being ‘burned’, and the hot dogs were ready to be that way too, the serving line was ready with the cut tomatoes, pat dry lettuce, sliced onions, cheese, and crispy bacon, along with pickles and chips of different flavors.

Mr. Ken saw that the boys were ready to eat, so he asked the couple to stay for lunch, and that way they could talk some more about the wedding, and what else they would need to do.

Eleanor wanted to do that, so she could listen to the band some more, not realizing that they would take a break to eat, too. But once they had eaten, Mr. Ken pulled Phillip aside and asked him to get his band playing some light, slower songs. The foster dad explained that it might help them get another gig, as Mr. Diamond and Miss Whittier were going to use The Cove to get married that Saturday before Thanksgiving, and they needed a band.

Phillip was surprised at the request, but he quickly got his friends together and told them that the couple eating with Mr. Ken were getting married at The Cove the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and they needed a band, and if they played some slower, lighter music they might get another gig. The nine boys quickly got back into the garage and started playing.

Mr. Ken told Jules and Eleanor how they could use the lake side of the Pavilion to set up the reception foods under a canopy, or large tent, and let their guests sit at the Pavilion tables, or use the seating areas that he had scattered round the area. The owner of The Cove told them that they would need to provide additional tables and chairs for their guests, as what they see is what he has and when he has a large gathering, he asks them to bring beach chairs.

Eleanor continued to listen to the band and she asked Jules to listen to them for just a few minutes. As they did, they asked Ken if he thought they could fill their need. Again, Ken told the couple he thought they could if they bought the band the pieces of music they wanted for them to learn, and to bring it by before next weekend, so they would start learning it. He added that they would need to buy at least eight sets for each song, as there are nine members of the band.

The couple continued to look around, and Chris suggested that they have their decorator stop by The Cove on that Thursday and Friday before the wedding, and begin decorating as much as they desire. He suggested they string something between the light poles, or at least something on the light poles, and something on the Pavilion. He also suggested a sturdy table for the wedding cake, as they do not have anything like that.

Chris did cover the drink machines and how they were set to Free Vend, but they would need to provide what they wanted to serve from them. The Estate Manager told them they would need to decide if they were having alcoholic beverages, and where they would set that up, and that they needed a bar of some sort and a bartender, because the boys were all under age. He then gave them the name and phone number of the person who caters Mr. Ken’s parties, and who might be able to help them if they needed a caterer.

It was a productive afternoon for Jules Diamond and Eleanor Whittier, and they were happy they decided to stop by and see what they had to use, and how they could use it. They told Chris that they would be in touch and Eleanor would drop the music before the weekend.

After the couple departed the Cove, Mr. Ken went over to the band and got their attention.

“Boys … it looks like you have another booking. Mr. Jules and Miss Eleanor … they want you to play at their reception the Saturday before Thanksgiving. They will drop off some music they want you to learn to play at their function. There will be about ten new songs for you to learn that you can add to your repertoire.

“You know boys … playing at this reception … it will give you more experience and exposure, and the one good thing about doing that is … is that more people outside my circle of friends will get to hear you and that … and that could possibly lead to future bookings,” finished Mr. Ken.

The boys all smiled and cheered as they looked at one another. Phillip went to his foster dad and hugged him. The other boys thanked Mr. Ken for getting the new booking for them. They all got out their cell phones to text their moms to let them know about the gig for the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

After all of the boy’s friends had left The Cove by five o’clock, and since Momma was off that Monday night, ‘Dad’ Ken took the boys out to dinner. They went down to the Four Corners Diner for dinner, and the boys were happy about that, since they didn’t have to change in order to go into the main restaurant.

Everyone ordered something simple like meatloaf, mashed potatoes with a vegetable, or Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and a veggie, or chicken strips with French fries. They talked about the long weekend, and Phillip’s visit with his mom. The boys were also thrilled that their youngest ‘brother’, and his band, got another booking for the wedding on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

As they continued with their talks, Charles asked his dad if it was true that he was there when Rusty and Jessy did a DNA test to see who Rusty’s real father was. ‘Dad’ Ken was surprised that they knew about the DNA test, and told them that the diner wasn’t the appropriate place to discuss that kind of sensitive information, and the boy’s ‘dad’ asked them to wait until they got home. By the tone in their ‘dad’s’ voice, the boys knew to drop the subject, but they were sure he would continue the discussion when they got home.

The Covers didn’t go to the amusement park that night after eating, nor did they stop for ice cream on the way home. The boys wanted to go home and talk about what Rusty and Jessy told them about getting a DNA test, so Rusty could find out who was his real father.

Upon entering the Kitchen Nook, Chief, Sarge and Daisy were happy to see them, but were mildly disappointed that they didn’t get any ice cream. Matthew did get Sarge and Daisy a treat and then everyone headed to the Study to talk.

When everyone was seated and Sarge was sitting in Matthew’s lap, and Chief was lying next to Phillip; Daisy looked somewhat lost without Jessy there. So, Charles had her sit in his lap, and the teen received a few doggie kisses for doing that. Then the questions began.

“Dad … is it true that Lane … that he isn’t Rusty’s dad?” asked Robert. “And did they have to do DNA tests to see who really is his dad?” finished the teenager.

‘Dad’ Ken sighed and then told the boys as much as he thought they should know. He told them the reasons he was going to see Kate, so often, was to help her out with the situation that Lane had created between her and Rusty. He also added that he was in love with Kate, and that he wants to marry her, but that it probably won’t happen until she knows who Rusty’s father is, and is satisfied with what type of relationship they will have.

The boys wanted to know how it was that Lane wasn’t Rusty’s father. ‘Dad’ Ken had to think quickly. So, he told them that Kate dated a number of different guys, and everyone thought that the baby was Lane’s.

But some things that Lane had done recently towards Kate made her question the paternity, so she had them all do a DNA test, which showed that Lane wasn’t the father. He continued and said that she then decided to test all the guys she slept with.

The boys had a few more questions. ‘Dad’ Ken answered them, but he qualified his answers by saying that a lot of the information was private, and that Kate should be the one who gives them their answers.

Since it had been a long and busy weekend, ‘dad’ Ken asked the boys to go up to their rooms and begin settling down and getting ready to go to bed. He told them that he’d be up there shortly to say goodnight.

Before he went up to visit with the boys, Ken called Kate to let her know that her boys had told their big ‘brothers’ about the DNA tests, and that she might want to ask them not to be telling all of their friends about it. Kate was surprised that her boys had told their big ‘brothers’ about the tests, but was glad she now knew, so she could handle any future fallout.

The two talked about their weekend for a few minutes, before Ken told her that he needed to go up and say goodnight to his ‘boys’. They sent hugs and kisses to one another before they ended the call, and promised to talk tomorrow sometime.

The boys did get together when they went upstairs, and they talked amongst themselves about the answers their ‘dad’ gave them concerning the DNA test and Lane not being Rusty’s father. They felt there was a lot more going on there, but they all knew that they would probably never know the full story. Before they went to their own rooms, they all agreed they had to watch over their younger ‘brothers’, whenever they were with them.

‘Dad’ Ken started at Bill’s room and then proceeded to Robert’s. There he got a few more questions about Rusty, and who was his real dad. The teen’s dad told his son that he didn’t have a need to know everything, and that Kate was doing what was right for her and her boys. The man added that the teenager just has to trust her and him to get everything straightened out for Rusty’s sake. Robert didn’t like the answer, but agreed he had to let things play out.

In Charles’ room, the teen didn’t ask his dad about what was going on with Kate and her finding out who Rusty’s father was. The teen was happy his dad was going to marry the woman because he told his dad that he liked her from the start, and that her boys fit right in with all of them. The two hugged and ‘dad’ Ken headed to Matthew’s room, which was empty.

The man figured the puppy master was taking the pups down for their last potty break before going to bed, so he went to Phillip’s room next.

“Hello, Phillip, are you ready for bed?” asked ‘dad’ Ken, with a smile.

“Hi, ‘dad’,” replied Phillip. “This sure was a busy weekend, wasn’t it? And thank you for getting us that gig.” The boy then hugged the man.

The two talked about what the boy did that weekend, and when Chief came into the room ‘dad’ Ken knew that Matthew must be back in his room, so he told the youngest Cover that he needed to say goodnight to the puppy master. The two hugged one last time and as the man left the room, Phillip followed to go to his bathroom.

“How goes it, puppy master?” teased ‘dad’ Ken, with a smile.

Matthew smiled and told him that he’ll be happy when Daisy goes home tomorrow. He told his ‘dad’ that it was double duty, but it was also fun having Rusty and Jessy helping. He told his dad that when the Dominions came over today with Lance, he showed Chris Jr. how to start training his puppy, and then he and his sister went about doing that.

The pre-teen added that he watched over the two kids and the puppy, but Sarge and Daisy wanted to play with Lance, and they were interfering with the training, so he left them alone.

‘Dad’ Ken hugged the boy and thanked him for all the hard work he’s done with Sarge and Daisy. He asked him to show Rylan and Ryleigh what tricks he taught Daisy, and to get their pup to listen to them before they take her home.

Matthew said that he planned to do that, as it wouldn’t be fair for Daisy to go home and not recognize the voices to the commands. He added he hoped they continue to work with her when they go home, otherwise she will forget everything.

The two hugged and then the man went down to his own retreat.

It had been a long weekend for all of the Covers, and now it was time for them to relax before getting up for school, and work in the morning. When all the Covers finally fell asleep, The Cove was peaceful and quiet all night through.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com

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