Published: 4 Jun 2026

From the Previous Chapter:

Mr. Ken filled Wayne in on what happened at the courthouse and that he was hopeful that the judge would make the right decision tomorrow. After some more discussion between the two men, the owner of The Cove decided to turn in for the night. Mr. Ken then asked Wayne to tell the boys tomorrow morning at breakfast that he would not be home until late that night and for them not to wait up for him, and then the call was ended.

The Cover boys missed their ‘dad’ not being there with them, but they had come accustomed to his being gone and they didn’t lose any sleep over his being gone. After the last call of the day, the lights were all turned off and The Cove was quiet throughout the night.

That Friday morning, Ken Thomas got up early enough so that he could have breakfast at the hotel’s buffet before joining Amy, Kate and Evelyn at the courthouse at eight-thirty.

When the man met the three women at the courthouse, the four went into an empty room in order to discuss how Amy Ozarker, the lawyer, would proceed that morning to try to convince the judge to rule in her favor.

Once in the courtroom, Amy was ready to use the envelops and letters, which were actually more like notes, Lane’s four best friends had sent to him along with the money they were also sending him for the past ten years, or so. She didn’t want to use them, but Evelyn and Kate knew that those might be the turning point to their petition to having the money dispersed in their direction.

When the judge began the hearing again that Friday morning, he had Amy start with her defense of her petition of awarding the seized funds to Kate and Evelyn. And Amy Ozarker did exactly that by recounting how the detectives found the money not associated with the drugs they also found.

The lawyer described how the police, who had the man under surveillance, never saw Lane Blankenhart selling drugs, and that the minimal number of drugs the detectives did find in his mother’s house could not, in any way, justify how he could have amassed the $50,000.00 that they found under a loose board under his bed, in the short time he’d been released from prison.

Amy Ozarker went on to say that the police had made the erroneous conclusion that because Lane was a known small time drug dealer, and that since drugs were found in his mother’s home, that the money came from his drug dealing.

She told the court that the police only wanted the money for themselves to buy some sort of police equipment that they had their eyes on. That they didn’t care that the money should be used for Lane’s court order obligation of child support which she calculated to be at $36,000.00, and climbing, for every month he does not pay his child support.

The police lawyer stood up to counter Ms. Ozarker’s argument, but the judge gaveled him to sit down.

“Ms. Ozarker, … yesterday … you had indicated to this court that you had evidence that the money … that it came from other sources. You also indicated that you had hoped that you wouldn’t have to use it.

“But I … that is, this court, would like to see what you may possibly have that will prove your argument. Ms. Ozarker … what you have may actually be the deciding factor in how this hearing is decided,” said the judge, as he directly addressed the lawyer.

The boys missed their ‘dad’ again at breakfast that morning, but Mr. Wayne reminded them that their ‘dad’ would be home late that night. When they asked the Estate Master how late their ‘dad’ would be home, the man told them that they might actually be in bed by the time he arrived home. None of the boys were happy to hear that answer.

At school that morning, Phillip told his friends how much The Cove had been decorated for the Holidays and that there was a lot more yet to be done. He also told them that there was a platform being installed where the Christmas tree would be and that his ‘dad’ had a train they would get to install under it.

Bryce Harris, who was the de facto band leader when Phillip wasn’t there, talked to the band members and told them who was playing on which days that coming weekend. And since Phillip played both Friday and Sunday last weekend, he was only scheduled to play on Saturday that coming weekend.

Darrin had also told his friends how The Cove was beginning to look a lot like Christmas with all the decorations that were being installed. He told them that when they came over tomorrow, they might get to see them, that is if his foster dad lets him take them into the house. He told them that the decorating company may still be working and he might not be able to.

Some of Darrin’s friends told him that they’ve been to the Holiday parties that Mr. Ken holds close to Christmas and they know how fancy he decorates the estate. They told him to watch for the animated decorations out on the back grounds, so the people in boats can see them, as they boat by The Cove during the Holidays. Darrin told his friends that he’d surely look for the animated decorations.

The judge asked Lawyer Amy Ozarker to please bring up to him what she feels proves that the money Lane Blankenhart had under his bed was not obtained through drug sales, but from other means.

Ms. Ozarker had four piles of the envelopes from Lane’s four friends who had been sending him money. She could never understand why he never threw those envelops away, as they could be used one day to convict him for blackmailing them.

As the lawyer approached the judge, she explained that Lane had been receiving these envelops from his friends for about ten plus years, and in them they were sending him money. She also indicated that what she was presenting him was a random sample. She added that there were also sixteen unopened envelops in the pile.

“Ms. Ozarker … why are there unopened envelops?” asked the judge.

“You honor … these envelops … those are the ones that have arrived since Lane was sent back to prison to finish his sentence. You will see when you open them that there should be one-hundred dollars, with either two fifty, or one one-hundred-dollar bill, in each of them, from his friends, along with a short note.”

The lawyer representing the police quickly stood up and said, “You honor … we would like to examine this exhibit that the plaintiff is presenting to the court.”

The judge looked over at the lawyer and slammed down his gavel and told the attorney that he was out of order. Then judge explained that what he was looking at was not an exhibit presented as such, but something he asked to view. He then asked the lawyer to have a seat.

The judge began opening the older envelops and taking out what was inside, he read to himself. “You better get control of yourself or you’ll find yourself back in jail; Make sure you use this to pay for your attorney; I can’t believe I’m sending you more money; Are you saving this for a rainy day?”

After reading a few more of what he found in the other envelops, the judge took out what we would consider a letter opener and he opened the first unopened envelope addressed to Lane Blankenhart. Upon taking out a piece of paper he considered would be a letter, or note, a one-hundred-dollar bill fell out. He looked surprised and he didn’t read the note.

The judge opened four more of the unopened envelopes and in each one of them he found one-hundred-dollars in either a one-hundred-dollar bill, or two fifty-dollar bills. And as he did that, he showed the courtroom what he found. He was flummoxed.

The judge opened the remaining unopened envelops and found that he had sixteen hundred dollars, in fifties and one-hundred-dollar bills, in front of him.

“Ms. Ozarker … are you telling this court that every one of those opened envelops … that every one of them represents that one-hundred-dollars was sent to Lane Blankenhart by his friends?”

“Yes, your honor,” simply replied Amy Ozarker.

The judge looked down at all of the envelops he had in front of him and he noticed that they were all from the same four men. He then asked Amy for another pile of envelops that she had with her. Upon receiving them, all he did was check to see if they were all from the same four men. He found that they were. He then called for a conference in his chambers with Amy and the police lawyers.

Dennis Florkert waited for the concrete truck and construction supervisor at the Main Gate that Friday morning. They arrived close to eight-thirty and Dennis had them drive directly down to where the two slabs would be poured.

Wayne and Chris came out when they knew the construction crew and concrete truck had arrived. Those two Cover men wanted to watch the slabs being poured, too. The construction supervisor knew exactly what his crew was going to do, so Dennis headed inside to grab himself a fresh cup of coffee and one of Momma’s sweet cakes, while the construction crew set up for the concrete pour.

The concrete crew focused on the 16-foot x 18-foot slab first since it would take the most time to pour. Their first action was to inspect the forms to ensure they were still square and had not loosened overnight. Then once the cement masons were ready, they had the concrete truck begin to pour the concrete into the form.

The Cover men watched as the concrete was poured into the larger slab area and how the cement laborers moved the product throughout the entire slab area. They did that with shovels and then they used a screed to level the surface at the height of the forms. Once the form was full, the men used a bull float to smooth the surface.

While one crew finished the first slab, a second crew began the pour on the 12-foot x 14-foot slab and they went through the same process as what happened in the first. Dennis, Wayne and Chris watched as the men moved all that concrete, screed it, leveled it out and then smoothed it until it was at a point that a trowel could be used to put on the final smooth finish.

After about a twenty-minute conference in the judge’s chambers, Amy Ozarker and the police lawyers came back into the courtroom. Kate asked her what the meeting was all about. But before the lawyer could answer her the judge came back into the courtroom.

After everyone was seated, the judge looked over some papers he brought in with him and then he looked out over the courtroom. The lawyers on both sides knew what he was going to do, but the rest of the people in the courtroom had to wait until he spoke.

“This was an interesting case,” began the judge. “It started out almost as a ‘He said; She said’ type of case. But with what the plaintiff brought with them today … it was shown to the court that the money the police seized … was surely not derived from drug sales.

“And, as unorthodox as it is, Lane Blankenhart … he has some wonderful friends who have befriended him for all these years by sending him money every month. This court saw, with its own eyes, sixteen envelops with a total of sixteen-hundred-dollars in them all from the same four men and a number of other envelops from those same four men that has this court convinced that the seized money was surely not drug related.

“So, with all that said this court … this court finds for the plaintiff and orders the police department to deliver $36,000.00 of the seized $50,000.00 to Kate Partlunds, as Lane Blankenhart’s court order child support responsibility. He will still be responsible for paying his monthly child support obligation going forward.

“I also order that the remainder, $14,000.00, go to Evelyn Blankenhart. The money is to be delivered within ten days, or no later than the close of business on the eighteenth of December. This hearing is now closed.” The judge then hit his gavel on the wooden block and walked out of the courtroom.

Ken came right up to the three women, but he hugged Kate. He then thanked Amy for her hard work in obtaining the perfect result. He then told Evelyn that she would at least have some money to replace what she’d spent over the years helping her son.

Amy then told both women that she wouldn’t be surprised if the police department appealed the judge’s decision. She added that if they do, they won’t see any money until the appeals court reviews the case and makes their decision, which could take upwards of three months, or maybe longer.

But Ken was happy that the case was resolved in their favor, so he invited them all out to lunch, which they all accepted.

Darrin and his friends were at lunch and they were all talking about Christmas and what all were going to do during the Holiday break. The Cover told his friends that besides all of the Holiday parties that Mr. Ken had planned, they were supposed to be going to visit his amusement parks.

The Cover’s friends asked him if he knew when he would be gone. But Darrin told them that he and his ‘brothers’ had to still decide if they were going to visit a few before Christmas and the rest afterwards, or were they going to visit them all during the same week. The teen told them that they needed to tell Mr. Ken what they wanted to do when he returned home later tonight.

Darrin also told his friends that they were pouring the concrete for the slabs for the two new storage buildings today. The boys kiddingly asked him if he and his ‘brothers’ were going to be able to put their initials in them. Darrin laughed along with his friends and told them that by the time they get home from school the slabs will be finished and probably too hard to do that. The Cover’s friends were disappointed that there would be no initials in the concrete.

Matthew was telling his friends during the lunch break about the building his ‘dad’ was buying for him to work his puppy and small dog training business out of. He explained that yesterday they prepared the area with the forms and that today they were pouring the concrete and when he got home from school the slab would be finished.

The new teen Cover told them that his new building would be delivered sometime next week and he couldn’t wait to get it, so he could set it up for when he can train a few more puppies or small dogs.

Matthew’s friends asked him what did he have to place inside his building, so he could set it up. The question stymied the teen Cover, as he didn’t have anything to put in it yet. He did tell his friends that he wanted to get a small desk, file cabinet, chair, and some plastic storage containers to put dog treats, toys and other things he needs to train the dogs.

When the four adults went to lunch after the courthouse win, they found a quiet corner so they could talk about the trial. The women couldn’t believe that they had won. Kate was the most surprised of the two and she thanked her fiancé over and over.

As they sat and talked, Evelyn got Ken’s attention and told him that she had something she needed to say to him.

“Ken … I must apologize to you for the way, well, for the way I acted towards you. As a mother I was protecting my child, and … and I had always hoped that Lane and Kate … that they would, you know … that they would eventually get back together.

“I know it was wishful thinking, on my part, with all the trouble he was always getting himself into, but a mother … she can always hope and pray that her wayward son would one day realize that he can’t keep going on as he was.

“When you came onto the scene, I saw my dreams … I saw them come crumbling down and I was … and I was totally against you, in every which way I could think of. I didn’t want you to take my future daughter-in-law and my grandsons away from me. And I held that grudge in me for a long time.

“But it wasn’t until Amy … it wasn’t until Amy explained to me what my … what my Lane … what he had done to Kate some ten years ago that I came to realize that he would never, ever change who he is. Amy … she also told me what you’ve been doing for Kate, and her boys, ever since you two met and it was then that I came to realize that I was wrong about you.

“So, Ken … I hope that you will accept my heartfelt apology for being such a … such a bitch, when it came to the way I acted towards you. I thought … I thought what I was doing was protecting my Lane. That I was supporting him against you and his getting back with Kate. But time and the truth … they have shown me to be wrong,” finished a contrite Evelyn Blankenhart who had tears streaming down her face.

Ken Thomas didn’t say anything to the woman. All he did was get up from his seat and go around to where Evelyn was seated and pull her up and hug her. The two hugged for quite some time before Evelyn thanked Ken for doing that for her. She then excused herself to use the woman’s powder room. Amy decided to follow to make sure Mrs. Blankenhart was goingto be OK.

That gave Ken and Kate some time to talk without the other two women there.

The three Cover men watched the concrete crew do their magic on both slabs and it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that the concrete crew had put the final touches and the smooth finish on the lawn storage building slab.

The construction supervisor explained to Dennis that the slabs would be dry enough after 24 to 48 hours for people to walk on, but he recommended that everyone stay off of them until after the weekend to be doubly sure. The two men also talked about when the new storage buildings could be set up on the new slabs. The supervisor told the Assistant Estate Master that it would be OK to set the new storage buildings on the slabs by next Tuesday or Wednesday.

The supervisor then told the Cover men that a few of his crew would be back tomorrow around noon to pull the forms away, clean up the area and then back-fill all around the slabs. He told them that they should be there to ensure they back-fill the area the way they want it. He also explained that the soil will settle over time, so they will leave extra soil there when they leave for them to use when that occurs.

The concrete crew did clean up the excess concrete from around the slabs, they picked up all their tools and loaded their equipment on the flatbeds before they left for the day. The men thanked the Cover men for the coffee, water and Momma’s sweet cakes they brought out to them and before long the construction people were all gone.

The first thing Chris asked his companions was who they thought would be the first one to try to put their initials in the slabs. That made all three men laugh. They saw that the surface of the slabs had already begun to dry and become stiff and they knew that if any of the boys tried to scribe their initials they wouldn’t succeed.

Ken followed Kate home after lunch. The two went inside and there Kate wanted to talk to her fiancé about her, the boys and her mother going to The Cove for the Holidays. But first, Kate asked her mother, Edith, to come and sit down with them as they talked.

Kate’s first question dealt with how she would handle getting the boy’s gifts to The Cove, if they were to come to The Cove for the Holidays. Ken told her that all she had to do was to give him her list and he would have his gift buyer get them, wrap them and have them put away for when Santa comes on Christmas day. Ken then explained how Sandra Dominions, Chris’ wife, had bought the boys gifts for him over the past few years and how she and Momma took care of wrapping the gifts, as well.

Kate then asked Ken when would they would get there. Ken told her that he would schedule a flight for them to arrive that Thursday, as his first Holiday party was that Friday the 22^nd. He told her that all she needed to do was let him know what time she wanted to leave and he would fit it in around their schedule.

Kate then asked Ken if they would also go with him and the boys when they went to visit his amusement parks. Ken told her that he would love for them to go with them and see what he owns. He also told his fiancée that, as his wife, he would want her to know all about his businesses, so she would understand any problems that may arise, as time goes on, and not be surprised about something. Ken saw a smile on Edith’s face when he said that.

Ken’s fiancée then asked if her mother would also have to go with them to visit the parks. Ken told Kate that if Edith wanted to stay at The Cove, he would make sure that Momma would come by and cook for her. He would also introduce her to some of the other women close to her age to see if they could keep her company, while they were away.

Edith then asked Ken that if she went with them to visit the parks, would she have to walk around, or could she just stay at the hotel, while they went to the parks. Ken smiled and told his future mother-in-law that if she was going to be with them, he would make sure she had one of those electric power chairs, so she could get around the parks with ease.

And even though Edith wasn’t all that old, or had walking problems, she smiled at hearing that she wouldn’t have to walk all day long trying to keep up with the boys, as they traipsed all around the amusement parks day after day. The smile on her face told Ken and Kate that she would be on board when they went to the amusement parks.

As the three younger boys rode the school bus home, they each got a text message from both Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis. Each of the texts told the boys, Do NOT Walk on the Slabs, and Do NOT Try to Put Your Initials in the Concrete. The boys knew that with them each getting a text from both men that they better not do what the texts tell them not to.

But when the boys did return home from school, their first stop was to look at the new slabs. They wanted to see what they looked like and how big they were. And seeing how big the one slab was Darrin and Phillip thought that Matthew’s building was going to be huge.

But their ‘brother’ told them that his building wasn’t any bigger than what the other slab was, but the their ‘dad’ added extra space at the side and the front, so he could have a table and chair. The boys then went inside to have their afterschool snack.

The older boys also received the same texts and they, too, stopped by the slabs to see them before going inside to have their afterschool snack. But before they went inside, Charles checked the slab to see how firm it was and it was then he knew even if he tried, he’d never get his initials in the concrete. His ‘brothers’ laughed at him for even thinking that.

As the teens were eating their snack, Mr. Wayne came in to talk to them. He told them that dinner was going to be early and simple, as they were going out later to start some of their Christmas shopping, so he said he hoped they had been working on their lists as their ‘dad’ had told them too. He added that their ‘brothers’ already knew about going out.

With the decision made to be at The Cove for the Holidays, Kate’s boys were super happy to hear that. Mr. Ken also took the entire family out to an early dinner that evening, as he had a flight to catch back home.

The boys had hoped Mr. Ken would have taken them out to the Crystal Lake Amusement Park, but when they heard that they would be visiting all of his amusement parks while they were visiting their big brothers’, they were even more so looking forward to having Christmas at The Cove.

Of course, the group went to a buffet type restaurant so the boys could have their chicken nuggets. Kate did make sure they had some vegetables on their plate and that they ate them.

The adults took advantage of the many beef and chicken options along with the different types of potatoes and vegetables, so they had a good dinner, even if it was a buffet versus a sit-down restaurant that the women would have preferred.

And as the five ate, the boys wanted to know what it would be like for them to be at The Cove for Christmas. Mr. Ken smiled and told them that starting that Friday night there would be a Holiday Party for his neighbors and another Holiday Party for his important contacts in the community the following night. He then told the boys that Santa Clause would appear at both parties and they will be surprised how he gets all those presents out of his small bag.

The boys soon-to-be-step dad told them that on Christmas Eve they would have some fun by the Christmas tree when they exchange gag gifts. The boys had never heard of gag gifts, so Mr. Ken told them that they were something funny that says something about the person they were bought for.

But the boys still didn’t understand and they wanted an example. So, Mr. Ken told them that one time the boys bought their ‘brothers’ a light that you put under the toilet seat for when you might use the toilet at night. He then told them that they also bought some Poo-Pourri, Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. Then he explained that the boys teased one another about how bad the bathroom smelled after their ‘brother’ used it. Rusty and Jessy both laughed at hearing that as they both would tease one another about that, too.

Mr. Ken also explained that when they visited this amusement parks, they would all have Fastest Passes, so they wouldn’t have to wait in line very long to ride. But he warned them that they only stay one day at the parks, which meant that they get up early, ride to the airport, fly to the next park, ride to the hotel, unpack, go to the park and ride the rides, then go out to dinner, sleep, then repeat. He warned them that it will be a busy time, but they will get to see all of his parks this way.

Mr. Ken then told them that for New Year’s Eve he has a really big party with the movers and shakers of government. He then explained to the boys that he sponsors a vocational school decoration contest between four high schools and their designs will be voted on during the three parties. He told the boys that the students will have their own New Year’s Eve party out in the garage and the winner of the decorating contest will be announced before the stroke of midnight.

The man told the boys about the last big party that he hosts on New Year’s Day. He explained that to help eat up the leftovers from the New Year’s Eve’s party the boys invite their friends and their families over to socialize, skate and swim and have a good time together.

Mr. Dennis joined the boys as they went out to buy some gag gifts for their ‘brothers’. Mr. Dan also joined them and this way the boys had a different adult with them, so they wouldn’t know what they were buying one another.

Lucky for Darrin, his friends had already given him some ideas of what he could buy his ‘brothers’ as gag gifts. That way he didn’t have to rack his brain to try to figure out what to buy.

The teen did have to think about what to get Rusty and Jessy, as Mr. Wayne told them he’d gotten a call from their ‘dad saying that Kate and family would be there for the Holidays. Unfortunately, the teen didn’t know the two boys, so he had to rely on Mr. Wayne for some ideas.

Darrin was also surprised to see Mr. Dan there helping them with their buying the gag gifts. He really didn’t know the Sheriff’s Lieutenant either, as the man didn’t come to The Cove much and the man didn’t interact with him as he had with his ‘brothers’, who told him about all the things the man had done with them over the years.

Buying the gag gifts was fun for all the boys. It was something different from what they would normally do, especially for Darrin and Phillip, who really never did this type of thing with their families, or mom even. The boys had to be creative when it came to buying the gag gifts and the three men were helpful in that regard.

As the large group was shopping, Dan asked Dennis what brought him out with the boys. The older man told the Lieutenant that Wayne had told him that Mr. Ken wanted him to be more involved with the things that Wayne did around The Cove.

Dennis continued and told Dan that he eventually would be staying with the boys when Mr. Ken goes away. He explained that, so in case Wayne was sick or unavailable for some other reason.

After dinner, Ken Thomas spent some more time with Kate. They talked about the wedding and where they should go on their honeymoon. Ken told Kate that if she wanted to continue selling real estate, he would support her with that, but he also stressed with his fiancée that he was honest with her when he said that he wanted her to know about all of his businesses.

Eventually Mr. Ken had to say good bye to his fiancée and her family and catch his charter flight back home. He was a little disappointed that he had to leave, but he knew that the love of his life would be with him in about two weeks, so this leaving wasn’t so bad, as the ones he experienced before. He also knew that in about four to five months Kate would be his wife and they would never be separated again.

As the boys finished buying all of the gag gifts they could think of for their ‘brothers’, they talked the men into taking them out for ice cream. As they all sat around eating their cold concoctions, Robert told his ‘brothers’ that they needed to decide how they were going to visit their ‘dad’s’ parks during the Holidays. He also reminded them that Rusty and Jessy would be a part of their group.

Robert told the boys that their Holiday break actually began that Friday the 22^nd, so they would not be able to visit any of the parks before Christmas, like his dad thought that may be able to. The teenager then asked the boys how they felt about visiting all the parks at one time, or breaking them into two trips.

Matthew started off by saying that they wouldn’t be rushed if they broke the trip down into two trips. But Charles countered that argument by saying that they do two trips they would have to be away twice versus only once if they visit all five parks in one trip.

Billy spoke up and mentioned that when they did five parks there is a lot of moving parts with the unpacking, visiting, sleeping, packing, flying, unpacking, over and over again. He argued that by the end they are all quite tired.

Phillip spoke up and asked if Mark was going to be invited along with them. The young Cover reasoned that if he was then shouldn’t he be included in their discussion. That got all of the boys talking on top of one another about the trip.

Robert then got his ‘brothers’ back on topic. He then asked them if they should ask Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis what they thought about doing two trips versus one, as they would also be asked to go along and they have to deal with it as much as they do.

Mr. Dennis and Mr. Wayne were surprised at what the teenager said. But it was Mr. Dennis who told the boys that if he had a vote, he’d want to visit the parks in one trip. The Assistant Estate Master added that he’d rather be back to enjoy the remaining days of the Holidays, than to think about having to go out on another trip, which will break up the special time.

Dan Fischer watched the interaction amongst the Covers. He also noticed that Darrin hadn’t spoken up during the discussion, so he asked him what he thought. Darrin was surprised that he was singled out and especially by the man that he didn’t know, and who didn’t know him.

Darrin, knowing he was asked a question, and that his ‘brothers’ were looking at him, also knew he needed to say something. So, the teen told the group that since he’s never been to any of the parks and experienced going from one to the other over a five-day period, he doesn’t have any opinion to share. He added that he couldn’t ever remember going on a long trip that was five days long, which was why he was just listening and would go along with whatever his ‘brothers’ decided.

Robert again brought the group back on topic and reminded them that their ‘dad’ wanted an answer by the time he returned from this trip. So, the teen, knowing they needed to get back home, asked them for a show of hands of who wanted to do two trips.

Not one hand went up.

“OK, its unanimous. We’ll tell ‘dad’ that we want to do one trip to all five parks. Now … when do we go? Right after Christmas, or right after the New Year? We don’t go back to school until the eighth of January,” now asked the Cover teen.

Another discussion ensued, but this time it was cut short by Mr. Wayne who told the boys that they could finish their discussion in the van as they drove home.

Mr. Ken’s flight got to the Austin-Bergstrom General Aviation Terminal around 9:45 that Friday night. But until he deplaned, waited until they off-loaded his bags, he used the men’s restroom and then loaded into the waiting limo, it was ten o’clock when he started on his way back to The Cove.

The owner of The Cove called his Estate Master to let him know where he was and for him to expect him home around 11:15 barring any major traffic issues. The two talked about what transpired at The Cove that Friday, which made the owner of the estate chuckle.

Mr. Wayne didn’t hold a meeting that night as he and the boys were out doing Christmas shopping. But what he did tell the boys was that they were to hide what they bought and that in the coming days they would have to wrap them. He also told the boys that they were not to go looking in their ‘brothers’ room to see what they had bought, as it would ruin the surprise when their ‘dad’ holds the Gag Gift opening Christmas Eve.

The Estate Master then asked to boys to go up to their rooms and relax before bed and that he’d be up there shortly. Robert asked the man if he knew when his dad was due home. Mr. Wayne told the teen that he expected him home around 11:30.

Mr. Wayne visited the boys in the same order Mr. Ken did. He stopped at Billy’s room first. They talked about the gag gifts he bought and then the man walked over to Robert’s room where he did the same. He also talked about the gag gifts in Charles’, Matthew’s, Phillip’s and Darrin’s room.

In Darrin’s room, Mr. Wayne talked to the teen about the conversation he had with Mr. Dan. The teen smiled and told the Estate Master that he was surprised that the Sheriff’s Lieutenant talked to him, as they hadn’t had much, if any, interaction the entire time he’s been at The Cove.

Darrin told Mr. Wayne that it wasn’t much of a conversation. He told the man that Mr. Dan had asked him what he thought about the discussion his ‘brothers’ were having about whether they should have one or two trips to visit the parks. The teen said that he told the lieutenant that he’d never been on a long trip before and that he was just listening and would go along with whatever his ‘brothers’ wanted to do.

Mr. Wayne told Darrin that Mr. Dan is an important person in Mr. Ken’s life and that he usually spends more time here, but as of late he’s been very busy with his work. Darrin told the man that his ‘brothers’ told him how Mr. Dan was shot in the line of duty and recovered there, and how he helped save a guy who fell off his boat. The teen then mentioned how Mr. Dan took Charles and Robert and a few friends to Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld when he was staying here.

Mr. Wayne smiled that Darrin knew so much about the lieutenant. He then told the teen that it was a shame that he didn’t get to know the man as well as his ‘brothers’ have.

As time moved on, the boys eventually drained their dragons and then turned their lights off and went to bed. Mr. Wayne had already gone to his guest suite and was reading, as he waited for Mr. Ken to arrive home.

It was when the limo drove down to the circular drive and stopped that Chief and Sarge, both heard it and went to their bedroom doors, opened them and went barking down the hallway, and stairs to the Foyer Door.

That level of noise immediately awakened Robert, Matthew and Darrin who followed the resident pet’s downstairs to meet ‘dad’ Ken. They opened the door and went out to greet the man back home.

“Why are you three out here in your underwear? And aren’t you cold being dressed like that out here?” teased ‘dad’ Ken.

And just then Billy, Charles and Phillip arrived, again, dressed only in their underwear, who were closely followed by a somewhat dressed Mr. Wayne.

Billy took the man’s bags from the limo driver and the group walked into the house. Inside there were lot of hugs, ear scratches and a belly rub as everyone greeted the owner of The Cove home.

The boys wanted their ‘dad’ to tell them how the court hearing went, but all he would tell them was that Kate won and he would tell them more about it tomorrow. Then he made them all go back to bed.

Mr. Ken was beat from his long day from being at the courthouse, his lunch with the three women, his conversation with Kate and Edith, and then his dinner with Kate and her family before he flew home. He was so looking forward to getting back into his own bed.

The man got ready for bed and then he sat on the edge of that king-sized sleeping envelope and looked back at the previous week. He saw that a lot had been accomplished and that there was a lot more yet to be done, before the Holidays took over his life. He smiled at that last thought as he loved the Holidays, and this one would be even better with his fiancée and her family there with him.

The owner of The Cove then decided that he better get some rest, as he knew the boys would be wanting to know what happened at the courthouse with Kate, and when she and the boys would be there for the Holidays.

So, the man turned off the lights in his private retreat, crawled under the blankets and closed his eyes. It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep. Before long the home was quiet as everyone inside, including the resident pets, were all fast asleep.

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

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