Published: 19 Jun 2025
From the Previous Chapter:
Chief continued down to the Great Room, and the doggie door to go outside to drain her bladder, before going back up to Phillip’s room to sleep. Mr. Ken, on the other hand, went to his retreat to get ready for bed.
When Ken Thomas sat on the edge of his bed, before lying down to go to sleep, he thought about the wonderful evening he had with his guests and his ‘boys’. He only wished that it had been a summer vacation day, that their guests didn’t have to leave so early.
What the owner of The Cove enjoyed the most was that the conversation was interesting, with everyone, including the boys, participating. The man then turned off the lights in his bedroom, laid down and before long he was fast asleep. The Cove was peaceful and quiet the whole night through.
The conversation at the breakfast table that Wednesday morning revolved around Matthew receiving a total of $120.00 from Ms. Judy, and the Walthers, for his training their pups, and that he was going to continue training Riley on Saturday for even more money.
The smile on Matthew’s face looked to be a mile wide, and even ‘dad’ Ken was happy the boy had found something that he could possibly mold into a part-time money earning proposition for himself, as he continued his education.
Phillip was also all smiles after suggesting to his ‘brother’ to talk to their ‘dad’ about him beginning a puppy training business, and their ‘dad’ telling Matthew that he’d give it some thought. But the foster boy figured their ‘dad’ would allow Matthew to start up his training of puppies and small dogs, on a small basis to see how it worked out.
Even when the teenagers came down for their breakfast, they too talked about their younger ‘brother’ getting all that money for the work he did with training Daisy and Riley, and that he would continue working with Riley that coming Saturday. They also asked their ‘dad’ if it was true that he was considering allowing Matthew to start up a training school for puppies and small dogs there at The Cove.
‘Dad’ Ken inwardly smiled at the question, figuring Matthew told them last night, after he walked down to his bedroom. The man explained to the teens that he was going to see how Matthew worked with Riley. The man added that their ‘brother’ had to do some research on dog training and obedience schools, decide on what would be a fair price to charge, and maybe visit a facility to observe how they do it, before he can set up a puppy and small dog training school.
Hearing that their ‘dad’ wasn’t throwing cold water on Matthew’s idea to start his own business made them feel good about their ‘brothers’ chances to establish a puppy/small dog training school, in order for him to earn some spending money and make his own mark in life.
At school that Wednesday morning, Matthew had a big smile that caught his friends by surprise. The Cover was, by nature, a fun loving and smiling boy, but that day he had a smile that was truly something to behold. So, his friends all had to find out what happened.
So, Noah and Brant were the ones who went over and asked, “Matt, why are you smiling so big this morning? We know you always have a smile on your face, but today that smile is bigger than ever! So, what gives?” the two boys finally asked.
The still smiling Cover told his two friends, and the others who came along, “You all know I was supposed to help train the Walthers puppy, Daisy, this weekend. And then Mr. Chris … he brought over his puppy, Lance, when he had to come to The Cove to meet up with Mr. Diamond and Ms. Whittier, because they are going to use The Cove for their wedding and reception that Saturday before Thanksgiving.
“Anyway, so, I helped train his pup some, too. Then, last night, my ‘dad’ … he invited Ms. Judy and Eric to dinner and they brought over their puppy, Riley, to dinner, and my ‘dad’ asked me to help them train Riley some.
“Well, I showed the Walthers what I trained Daisy to do, and had them do the same behaviors with their voices, so Daisy would recognize them. Then, while the Walthers were working with Daisy, I started working with Riley.”
“Get to the reason why you’re smiling so big this morning, Matt” encouraged Ryan.
“OK, OK … well, after training Riley some, it was time for dinner, so I only got to train him to do two habits. I told Ms. Judy that after dinner that I’d work with her pup some more. But dinner was so much fun. The Walthers, over the three-day weekend, had visited three of my ‘dad’s’ amusement parks, and since we all had been to them the conversation continued and it was eight-thirty when they said they had to leave. Well, it was too late to work with Riley.
“So, Ms. Judy … she asked me if I would work with him on Saturday. ‘Dad’ Ken said I could, so she gave me twenty-dollars for just doing what little I did with her puppy. Then, the Walthers … they gave me one-hundred-dollars for training Daisy. So, … I earned $120.00 for training the pups and my ‘dad’ … he’s going to consider letting me start up a small business training puppies and small dogs at The Cove,” finally finished Matthew.
All of Matthew’s friends were flabbergasted at what they just heard. They were also proud of their friend, that he was able to train the puppies to do something and that he even got paid for doing it. And, on top of that, they were speechless that he was also going to start up a puppy training business.
When Phillip arrived at school, he couldn’t wait to tell his friends how his ‘brother’, Matthew, earned $120.00 by training Daisy and Riley, and that he would earn some more that coming weekend by continuing to train Riley. The youngest Cover also told them that their ‘dad’ was going to consider letting Matthew set up his own puppy training business at The Cove.
The two Covers, telling their friends about Matthew making money training young puppies and possibly setting up a puppy training business at The Cove soon, got around the school very quickly. So, at lunch, some of the teachers searched out the young Cover and asked him how much he was going to charge to train a puppy.
Matthew was surprised at the interest by just word-of-mouth, and had to tell them that he and his ‘dad’ were just beginning to research the startup process, and it might be a few weeks before he has the business ready to go. Hearing that disappointed the teachers, but they asked him to keep them in mind. Matthew told them that he indeed would.
At the office, Ken Thomas called Ben to his office. When the President of TFE came there, he thanked the man for giving his ‘son’ such a large amount of money for training his puppy, Daisy. Ben told his boss that he and Addison talked about that after they got home, and they came to the conclusion that what Matthew did for them in that short amount of time was well worth that little amount of money. Ben then asked Mr. Ken if he knew how much they charge to train a puppy or small dog.
Continuing, Ben told his boss that Daisy was now more behaved, attentive and settled, and they feel, she now, is a good member of the family. Mr. Ken was pleased that Ben and his wife felt that Matthew had done a good job for them, and at a price well below what they would have paid.
Later that morning Kate called Ken and the two talked. The reason that Kate called was due to Amy’s call to her about the DNA test coming back. She wanted to get Ken’s feedback on what he thought she should do. She wondered if she should just call him to let him know, or should she go and see him and tell him then. And, she also wanted to know if she did go to tell him if she should take Rusty with her.
Ken could hear the frustration and fear in her voice, now that the DNA tests were back. He also knew he needed to give her his support and some reassurance, with what would be a good way to tell the man that he fathered her son, almost ten years ago, when he was a graduated senior from high school.
Ken first asked Kate to try to settle down. With that done, he told her that the two of them would work this out together. He then asked her to get out some paper and a pen and the two of them would then write down some pros and cons of going to talk to him, or calling him over the phone.
The two talked and just blurted out whatever they thought was a pro or a con, and they both wrote it down. And as the process went along, Ken could tell that Kate was now calm and focused on what she was going to do, and he was hopeful that at the end she would follow whatever this exercise showed, was the best course of action.
As they talked over what they had come up with, Kate told Ken, “Honey … thank you for doing this with me. I was beside myself and … and I had no idea of what to do, or how I should proceed. Now that we’ve done this, you’ve gotten me to settle down and focus on what is best for Rusty, and how I believe I should go about doing it. Will … will you be there with me? Please!” pleaded Kate.
Ken heard what the woman he loved said and he immediately declared, “Kate … you know how much I love you, and I will be there with you, so you can get this issue behind you. All we need to do is decide when to do this, and if … if you want to take Rusty with us now, or maybe wait to let him meet his father at a later time.
“Kate, you know … Patrick … his hearing that he is Rusty’s father is going to come as a total shock to him. Especially, when you tell him how it all came about. I’m not so sure that you should take Rusty with you, when you first meet with the man,” offered Ken.
Kate heard what the man she loved had said, but she had told her son that he would meet the man who was his father, so she asked, “Ken … I told Rusty that he would get to meet his father. What … what if he is not there at first, but … but he is kept back, and then I can ask Pat if he wants to meet his son? That way Rusty can at least see him from afar, and … and hopefully meet him, too,” offered the woman as an alternative to what Ken had just suggested.
The two kicked the idea around for a few more minutes, until Rosemary buzzed Ken Thomas telling him that he had an important phone call. The two did agree that Ken would fly out and meet with Kate on Thursday night and they would either go and meet with Patrick on Friday or Saturday. Then the two ended their call.
Mr. Ken’s important phone call was to Judy Turner, the Director of Children’s Protective Services, so when he picked up the call his first question to her was, “Judy … what is it that has you calling me. Did you forget to continue to train Riley, and you want to bring him over later tonight?” teased Ken Thomas.
“Well, Ken, I do have a question that I want to ask you and your ‘boys’,” stated Ms. Judy.
“Oh, I see. I take it you have a boy you want us to consider taking on, then,” asked Mr. Ken.
“Ken … that fire last weekend. The one where the mom, dad and older brother were found in the ashes, and the younger boy was said to be critically injured. Well, the boy, whose name is Darrin, Darrin Rossman, he’s thirteen, and he had first and second degree burns over thirty percent of his body. Well, they want to move him out of the south county area because of what they believe they found,” explained the Director.
“Judy … you are beginning to scare me. What is it that they found?” quickly asked Mr. Ken.
“Ken … they think the older brother … they think the older brother … that he was the person responsible for all the fires that had been set recently there. I was told that they found evidence at that fire … that was also at the other fires, and since the older boy had a driver’s license, and could easily get to all of the places that burned; they believe he was the arsonist,” clarified Ms. Judy.
“Oh, I see. So, what is it that you want us to do, Judy?” humbly asked Mr. Ken.
“Ken … could you and your boys … could you take on Darrin? It would remove him from the area, and any backlash that could possibly occur against him, because of the rumors that are beginning to surface down there,” disclosed the Director.
“Judy … I am scheduled to be away beginning tomorrow, and I probably won’t be home until Sunday night. When is it that you want to bring the boy over?” asked Mr. Ken.
“Well, I was hoping to bring him over on Saturday, but … well, I guess it could wait until lunchtime on Monday. I’m sure they would understand that my prospective foster parent won’t be available until then. So, what do you say, Ken?” answered Judy Turner.
Ken thought about the question for a few moments, but he knew how he needed to answer her. “Judy … you know I need to ask the boys before I can give you an answer. They are just as important to Darrin’s acceptance and adjusting to The Cove as I am, and even more so, since they will have daily interaction with him. And what about burn treatments for him? Will he need dressing changes and ointments to be applied?” Ken now wanted to know.
“Ken, I will have to get that information for you. But, in the meantime, how about asking the boys tonight and let me know, OK?” now asked Ms. Judy.
As soon as he got off the phone with the Director, Ken Thomas called Chris Dominions, his Estate Manager, to ask him to set up a Thursday noon flight for him to go back east, plus a hotel for Thursday and Friday night.
Mr. Ken then asked him if he has that checklist ready that he had asked him to put together for all new foster boys coming to The Cove, so he doesn’t miss anything to tell the boys, and the things they will need, such as a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deo, alarm clock and cleaning company on Friday, strip bed on Friday, etc.
Chris told his employer that he’d call about the charter flight, as soon as he got off the phone and get him his hotel reservations at the same hotel he likes to use. The Estate manager then asked if The Cove was getting another foster. Mr. Ken told the Estate Manager that he has to talk to the boys tonight, but there was a good possibility that by noon Monday they will have another boy being added to The Cove.
As soon as Chris got off the phone with his employer, he called Wayne to come to his office. The Estate Manager told the Estate Master that he didn’t have time to tell him why, but to just come down there. Then, as he waited for Wayne, Chris called the air charter service to see if he could set up a flight out of Austin-Bergstrom for noon tomorrow.
“Chris, what’s so important that I had to come down here?” asked Wayne, as he knocked on the door frame.
“Have a seat,” replied Chris, as he was still on the phone making the charter flight reservation.
When Chris finalized the flight for tomorrow, but for one o’clock, as that was when they had something available, he looked at Wayne and told him that there was a good chance that The Cove will have a new boy by noon, Monday.
Hearing there was a new boy coming to The Cove, Wayne wanted all the particulars. Chris could only tell him what he knew, but when Wayne heard that their boss was going to talk to the boys tonight, he figured there would be a new foster boy coming to The Cove. Chris then asked Wayne to help him with the checklist he was supposed to have already put together for situations like this. The two put their minds together and got a checklist started.
While Chris and Wayne were putting the checklist together, Mr. Ken called Rosemary into his office. When the executive secretary came into the office, she was perplexed that her employer didn’t just tell her over the phone what he wanted to say.
“Rosemary, I will be leaving tomorrow, and I will not return until Monday. Even then I have an appointment with Judy Turner at noon, so I will be leaving soon after the morning meeting. Ben … he will have to hold down the fort while I’m gone, but you know what’s going on as much as he does, and maybe a little more, as you interact with me and deal with all of my correspondence.
“So, if anything comes up, give Ben a gentle nudge, if a decision needs to be made. Otherwise, leave it until I get back. I will have my cell phone with me, but I might be very busy during my trip back east. Now, please call Ben and ask him to come to my office.
When Ben Walthers came to Mr. Ken’s office, the man briefed his President of Three Finger Entertainment (TFE) about what he was going to do for the next few days, and that he would be responsible for everything that happens at the office. He then requested that he trust Rosemary for any inputs because his executive secretary had as much corporate knowledge as he did, and she knows where the bodies are buried. Hearing that last part made Ben smile and he thanked his boss for telling him why he was going away, and that he didn’t have to make any decisions unless it was necessary and to use Rosemary’s knowledge in the decision-making process.
That evening, after dinner, Mr. Ken pulled the boys into his Study, and besides reviewing who had what appointment, which included telling his son, Charles, that he did get his dentist appointment moved to next Tuesday at four o’clock. Then, with that all done, he told the boys that he had an important question for them.
So, with the stage set, by ‘dad’ Ken telling his ‘boys’ that he had something to ask them, the boys were all ears and attentive. “Boys … Ms. Judy … she called me today. And … and she asked me … she asked me if we were ready to take on another foster boy come next Monday. (The boys looked back and forth to one another.)
“I told her that I had to talk to you first because … well, you are just as important to the boy’s acclimation and adjustment here as anyone is. You will interact with him every day, and you will also have to fend off his questions as to why you are here, too.
“Anyway, the boy’s name is Darrin, Darrin Rossman, he’s thirteen, and he has first and second degree burns over thirty percent of his body. He was the survivor of last weekend’s house fire where his mother, father and older brother … they all succumbed to the fire.
“So, boys … my question to you is … are you ready to help me with another foster boy who will undoubtedly have issues now … now that his entire family is … is gone? There is a possibility that he will need dressing changes, because of his burns, so beside me and Mr. Wayne you may be asked to help in that area. Ms. Judy … she is supposed to get back with me on what he will need in that regard. So, boys, what do you say?” finally asked ‘dad’ Ken.
The boys talked amongst themselves and ‘dad’ Ken listened to what they had to say to one another. He felt confident that they would ultimately accept the new foster boy, but he had made the mistake once before by taking in a foster boy without talking to them and there was trouble. So, he promised them that he would always talk to them first before they accept another foster into The Cove.
After about three minutes of talking, Robert announced that they wanted the new boy to become a Cover. Hearing that put a smile on ‘dad’ Ken’s face, and he thanked them for their decision. He then called Ms. Judy to tell her that she could count on him and his ‘boys’.
After talking to Ms. Judy, ‘dad’ Ken then told the boys that he was leaving tomorrow, and probably wouldn’t be home until Sunday night. Charles asked him if that was why the new boy wouldn’t be there until Monday. The teen’s dad told him that was the reason.
Robert then asked his dad if he was going to meet with Ms. Kate. and were they going to meet with Rusty’s father, because the DNA tests were back.
That question was the first time that Mr. Wayne was hearing about Rusty’s father, as he wasn’t privy to what Rusty and Jessy had told their older ‘brothers’ about the DNA tests they took about three weeks ago. Now, the Estate Master was interested in what that was all about. So, he asked.
It was Matthew who spoke up and told the Estate Master that Lane wasn’t Rusty’s real dad and they did DNA tests three weeks ago to see who might be, and the tests must be back and their ‘dad’ was probably going to meet with Ms. Kate, and possibly Rusty’s real father. That was definitely an eye-opening revelation to the Estate Master. Mr. Ken told the man that he would fill him in after their meeting.
Matthew then told everyone that his teachers heard about him possibly starting a puppy training business, and some of them came to him asking him how much he would charge, and when they could bring their puppy over. The pre-teen added that he told everyone that he wasn’t set up as a business yet, but that he would let them know when he was.
‘Dad’ Ken was surprised that Matthew already had potential customers just through worth-of-mouth. He asked his ‘son’ to do some research on puppy training, and see if there was someplace that he could go and observe, and maybe get some ideas and figure out a cost basis.
Again, Mr. Wayne was given some new information that he hadn’t known before. He knew about the pre-teen training of Ms. Judy’s puppy, Riley, this Saturday, but he didn’t know about Matthew setting up a puppy training business at The Cove. He was so glad that he was made a part of the evening meetings, as this is when loads of information gets exchanged.
After the boys went up to their rooms, Mr. Ken gave Wayne a full rundown on what caused the need for the DNA tests and thus the reason for his gong back east to support Kate, as she probably goes to discuss the DNA results with the man who has been identified as Rusty’s father.
Mr. Ken then told his Estate Master that he wasn’t sure how Kate was going to handle the DNA test and tell Rusty. He added that Kate wants him to help her with telling the guy who turns out to be the boy’s real father.
Mr. Ken then said that he wasn’t sure if Kate was going to let Rusty even meet his father this time around, or not. He added that he didn’t know how she was even going to tell the boys that the DNA test came back.
Mr. Wayne responded that he was happy he wasn’t the one who was going to help Kate. He indicated that he felt it would be a difficult position to be in because if you made the wrong one you could upset the apple cart and cause some heartache, when the decision didn’t go the way she wanted.
Mr. Ken smiled at Wayne and told him that he felt that Kate just needed someone to reassure her that everything will work out. Mr. Ken then told Wayne that because Matthew had done such a good job in training Sarge, Daisy, Lance and now Riley, he was going to allow the boy to see if he could set up a small puppy training school there at The Cove.
He asked Wayne to support Matthew and to get Dennis to go along with this, as it could mean that Matthew has found something that he can focus on and make a mark for himself. Then he laughed as he left the Study to head up the stairs and the boys’ bedrooms.
That evening Mr. Wayne went up to say goodnight to the boys, as he would be staying with them until their ‘dad’ arrived back home Sunday night. He would also talk with the boys, and try to get additional facts about the DNA tests and Matthew’s setting up a puppy training business. He would learn a lot that night.
Mr. Ken started at Billy’s room, as he always did. The oldest teen mentioned that he gave Mr. Chris two hundred dollars to send to his mom’s trust fund account. Mr. Ken thanked him for doing that. He did tell him then that either Mr. Wayne, or Mr. Dennis, would be taking him to see his mother next weekend. That put a smile on the teenagers’ face.
In Robert’s room, the dad’s son told him that he, too, gave two hundred dollars to Mr. Chris, when he got home from school today to put into his mom’s trust fund account. Dad Ken was proud that his son was still thinking about his mother, and ensuring she would have an easier time in prison.
In Charles’ room, the teen thanked his dad for considering allowing Matthew to set up a training school for puppies. The teen mentioned that maybe this would give Matthew something to focus on, and give him an incentive to be more outgoing. The teen’s dad agreed with his son saying that at Matthew’s age he needed something that could give him some self-esteem, and maybe confidence, to be around other people.
In Matthew’s Room, ‘dad’ Ken hugged the boy, and told him how proud he was of him. He praised how the pre-teen was able to train Sarge, and the great job he did in training Daisy. The man continued and expressed to the boy how he appreciated that he didn’t complain about being asked to train Daisy, or refuse to give Lance some training. Then ‘dad’ Ken declared how pleased he was with what he did with Riley and his agreeing to continue to train Ms. Judy’s puppy for her.
Matthew smiled from the compliment, and delighted in the hug from the man he called ‘dad’. The boy then told his ‘dad’ that the more he worked with the pups the more he enjoyed it, and now that he is OK with him creating his puppy training school; he is even looking more to working with them.
“Matthew … Phillip … he has his guitar, and it looks like Charles is leaning towards working in the amusement park industry. As for Robert … he may go into computers and focus on graphic and web design, and maybe software development. As for Bill … he could very well wind up as a student counselor, or a social worker like Ms. Judy, and maybe even a sheriff’s deputy. And now you … you may very well have found something that you will shine on before you find what you want to be when you grow up,” now teased ‘dad’ Ken.
“‘Daaaad’,” protested Matthew.
“‘Son’ … in a few years, I’ll have you take that career assessment test, as your ‘brothers’ did last summer and that could very well give you some idea of what are your interests. But until then … working with the young pups … that can be your focus, and a way to meet people and earn a few dollars along the way,” was how the man conveyed what he meant.
The pre-teen thanked his ‘dad’ for saying what he did, and the two hugged before ‘dad’ Ken headed to Phillip’s room.
When ‘dad’ Ken went to Phillip’s bedroom, he heard the boy playing a song on his acoustic guitar that he hadn’t heard before, so he asked him where did that come from.
“‘Dad’ … it is one of the songs I think Ms. Whittier might want us to play for her reception, so I thought I’d try it out,” stated the young Cover. “And I think it is going to be a little difficult in the beginning.”
“Phillip … that’s because you haven’t gone through the entire song yet. But you are taking a chance in learning something that might not be on her list. But I believe once you go through it a few times … it will begin to flow just like any of your other songs. Plus, you can ask Mr. Bindy about her song choices, when you finally get them, and maybe he can give you some hints on how to approach them,” suggested the boy’s foster dad.
Phillip smiled at what he heard, and then he hugged his foster dad. The young Cover told ‘dad’ Ken that he will be happy when the new boy gets there, because he will no longer be the last one that he talks to. ‘Dad’ Ken smiled at what he just heard, and figured that would be what would happen.
‘Dad’ Ken reminded the boy to drain his dragon before going to bed and then he walked out of the room, only to see Matthew and Sarge walking towards the stairs to go outside so the young pup could relieve any excess fluid in his bladder.
Then, as the owner of The Cove was walking down the stairs, Chief passed him, as she was also going to go outside herself to drain her bladder. before going to sleep in Phillip’s room. Mr. Ken just smiled to himself as The Cove was settling down for the night.
In his own retreat, Ken Thomas got ready for bed and before he laid down, he wondered to himself how Kate was thinking of handling the news of the DNA test. He hoped that she wouldn’t be too aggressive towards the man, Patrick Bailey, but would try to be civil for Rusty’s sake.
Yes, he knew the man played a part in what appeared to be a planned shared sexual tryst set up by Lane, that she had no idea that it would happen, which, in today’s environment, would now be considered ‘rape’.
At the present time, he also knew that Kate has no plans to testify against any of the men, but the meeting between her and Patrick could turn out to be contentious, to say the least. Then, he wondered how the man would deal with telling his wife that he fathered a boy, when he graduated from high school. He only shook his head at that thought.
He knew he couldn’t figure any of that out tonight by himself, so he made sure his alarm clock was set, then he turned off the light, and got into bed. In a little while The Cove was peaceful and quiet throughout the night.
The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com
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