Northern Dutch Guy

Loved these last two chapters. The way Tom is reacting to his punnishment. Turning the tables a bit on Taylan and Mitchell . Though he is starting to relax a bit... Tomcat is still so stubborn...

Yep and when our kids are around... there is never a dull moment.

Loved the chapetr. Tom is just like a.... Cat. Too stubborn to be forced when in such a mood... but being gentle and keeping a bit distance can work.

Yep. Sometimes that's how it workes. Been there . Done that. And even after 30 years together still sometimes the windows rattle and the house shakes...

Tom, so young so sad a history. Even without Tom's pain and painfull memories... Tom and Kit are.... in my POV .... like Cat and dog learning to accept and trust each other nearby.

It's fun reading this, and I guess it's fun writing these characters as well

Love those type of characters ! Never a boring moment

Hey 'Dutchy' Glad you are back. Started reading this story again. And love reading it again. Now be a good boy and keep going till it's finished Andy

Hi Androgene. Delighted to see new work from you here. Thanks for posting again. Almost gave up on seeing you here again. And yes you need a better track record here that's sure. Need a bit of time now to get back into the story so I cann't comment on the last chapter yet. . But I'm sure I will have fun reeding your older chapters again.

A bit sad for Will's feelings. Zach and Will they could have been good together but alas are too far away from each other and too young, I think, to make it work now when Zach is in College. Loved the tension building up during the attack. I guess this is only the 1st battle won, and not yet the whole game. Love to see what's coming next. Andy

Looks that lady Preston's scheme is the biggest so far... so she is my no.1 to be the Black Widow now. Still not sure on whose side Jake is. Was he turned in Mexico ? In my POV, either he will hire the security help keep 'the family' safe or he is part of the 'Blankford' operation and he will bring in the drugs lords people to make the kill.

Mark, Thanks for the chapter. Made a lot more clear what is happening. And Lady Preston's background... Ahhh You nicely combined it with your other saga ! Also surprisingly the Duke and Alex seemed unaware there are/were more competitors for the Duke's title. If I would have suspected someone to make a grab for the kids from the next generation, I would have expected Elisabeth to make a grab for her grandchildren to control them and their holdings, and sideline her own kids like she did with Nana before! Will, as a character is growing and somehow I suspect he is the guy who will be decisive in coming chapters. Look forward to the next chapters in this exciting story.

I was surprised by Brad, that he told Steff and JP about Jake's problems. I can understand he asked Jack for he is a docter. Brad talking about Jake's 'problems' with others than doctors before he has made up his mind (if he will continue with Jake or not...) It surprised me. I'm not sure Jake will like that Brad told JP, Steff and Cody. For if Brad decides that he does not want to continue with Jake it is none of their business. But I liked JP's comment why maybe Jake ran/left premature . “But he was suddenly intent on going to Washington, and it seems that he could have put that off until today.” Jake had made it seem like he’d been totally focused on working on solving the land problem, but I thought there was more to it than that. “Maybe he felt vulnerable after he revealed so much of himself,” Stef suggested. “That is possible,” JP said, but he sounded skeptical. “It is also possible that, in addition to that, he was leaving to give you some space to contemplate things.” JP's comment if they can trust Jake... and Steff asking if Jake is honest about Mexico... is still an open question. So far there is not yet an explanation why Maria Dalby called Steff with the message that Jake was kidnapped. So far Mark keeps me and probably many others on our toes waiting for what's coming next. Mark, I look forward for the next chapters in this great story.

This story has so many loose ends and possibilities... Look forward how Mark will complete this.

Most (stories) of the older Anthologies are completely new for me. But the theme sounds interesting

Alexandra did not warn Brad for nothing I guess. And part of Lord Preston's activities is his wife so... I'jj guess we'll see soon what her role is, if she has one. Might even be another Black Widow ! Some comments above about Will/JJ/Zach just remember they are not adults yet and...so... do not judge them as adults. At their age most people make still a lot of mistakes. And Zach and Will both are not yet there to commit themselves long term. Maybe when they're 25 or older I think. Mark thanks for the chapter.

Yep. I totally agree.

Loved it. Stumbled into it when MYR brought the 2006 summer anthology again for the footlight. I liked how 'Trev' and 'Jayce' met and connected in the following days.

Loved the story, the setting with so distict rules and norms. Stubled into it when MYR brought the 2006 Summer Anthology for the footlight again. The 'bonding' stuff of the Oren race.... OMG... I think it can lead to many strange/humourous moments.

Sweet and tender short story. Loved it. Good thing was Aaron was so persistent in a good not too hurried way, so they both had time to see how good they matched.

Loved the chapter. Even more pressure on 'the family' now drugs lords/cartels are involved. And Lord Preston, and with him Lizzy maybe as well, being involved with them... somehow. I can only guess we're up to something big soon. Look forward to the next chapters.

Certainly worth reading ! Love story line and the 2 main characters already. Ended reading the 1st part of the story, the 1st 4 chapters. Loved it. But I still have lots of chapters to go. There is also a 2nd book, a follow up in the series I saw. Jake's side. Have fun reading.

lovely chapter. Like the 1st part of your story ! Such a big chance missed to find real love. But I guess those were the days for many boys. Well you could not be gay... hmm could you. Maybe in some places but in most not. And yes I'm old enough to remember 1969. Yes I was 10 yo and had my 1st big crush that summer. But... I did not live in Amsterdam, so I could not be gay... well I thought.

Thanks for bringing this story here. Sounds like a story I might love to read. I will put it on my reading list for next week, when I'm having a lazy sunny holiday in Spain. 1969 the year I had my 1st big crush on a boy ! So a story set in 1969 will have some nostalgia as well for me. 1969 may be for lots of people here almost prehistoric. Imagine a life without mobile phones/computers and where I grew up most not even had fixed phone lines nor had television yet ! Television I could only see at this boys house or at my granmothers place. And it was still black and white.

I'm certain all off us who comment here about JJ grew up different. So is the character of JJ and JJ is not a standard character. A neglected child with some horrible past times. 9-11 Loosing the mother figure he had and father figure he had... the guy is more insecure and Alex almost turning him away... OMG the guy has reasons to be angry ... but his only outlet is towards the people he trusts. JJ is insecure but also hurting deeply... in my POV. And socially it makes him act like he is almost authistic. And yes at the moment his character is a guy most people would not like and even less would understand. But hey in my POV characters like JJ also make stories different and more exciting.