Anton_Cloche

Yea @Laura S. Fox Ryder was certain he had understood Cassandra's message to him even though she was frequently difficult to understand in her "rambling"? But was he certain the message he heard was the message intended? "The clairvoyant had been clear: this tower belonged to his fated mate, and he lived on the top of it, like a king among humans, superior in every way. The old woman had warned him not to do what he was about to do next, but it was important that he got to his mate before his next heat began. Just any partner wouldn’t do this time, Cassandra the clairvoyant had warned him; he needed his mate more than ever". Let's examine that. "... this tower belonged to his fated mate, and he lived on the top of it, like a king among humans, superior in every way." Okay, so Cassandra was clear about the location of Theodore Pembroke, "...his fated mate..." but as we learned in 'Luna's Sentinels' , the Sentinels questioned what Cassandra was saying to find the true meaning. 😳 And there's the difference between "his intended mate" and "his fated mate." Ryder was fated to meet Pembroke, in his tower, and declare him as his mate. There is nothing (from previous stories) that says a fated mate must accept. Or they fight to determine. And in doing so discover that intentions are not always good, and that "fate" can intervene. Hmm?

Douche for The RUMP. Rinse Repeat. Get rid of musky odors. 🍑 💨

Thank you @Laura S. Fox for this wonderful story. From an editor's point of view it is well written without a lot of 'oopses' that catch my eye and bring out the dreaded blue pencil (thank you Beta readers?). In your chapter closing remarks you speak about hearing from readers: "There are a few awesome other people commenting on my stories in other places, and I love them, but they are so considerable less numerous than here. This matters because writing can be a very lonely business, and just hitting publish to hear crickets after is like singing or playing an instrument in an empty room". Your reference to "crickets" also invokes other similar words or phrases, like "the sound of one hand clapping". Writing, and being an author, are by their very nature a solitary endeavour (for the most part). And online publishing without the "normal" renumeration from book sales means the author has little feedback or thanks. Electronic 'clicks' that tally up the numbers of readers are just statistics. Selectable emojis are better (although GA could stand a few more 😉 ), but comments? They are the feedback writers not only crave, but indeed need. Not just as "thanks for writing this", but as inspiration to continue writing. And I urge readers often to leave a comment. Or it least that's my "two cents worth". Thank you.

It's never easy to find a true seer, sage or clairvoyant. And Ryder is accurate when he says to Jack, “You’re a fortuneteller and you couldn’t tell someone was going to come through your door today?” It's like when a psychic convention comes to town but has to advertise so "others" know where to find them. Once dated Claire Voyant, but alas she didn't see what was going to happen. 🙄 Will Jack be a helping hand to Ryder, or a roadblock?

Indeed @Paladin it seems there are still questions asked but pending answers (some in Courts proceedings) as well as yet to be discovered other related events and individuals, as raised by @empath: "now where are those other secret rooms…Daniel?" With new evidence provided by Daniel to "trusted" police and lawyers in AFP and NSW, more paedphiles and other criminals will be arrested, (and convicted), PLUS CyberCrimes are investigating the online and overseas criminals, means the net to capture those is expanding, as is finding the stolen insurance and other monies from Josh and Daniel's deceased parents that loving Uncle Phil and Aunt Beth have hidden offshore, and returning it. But more important are finding and helping the exploited children! So, what I'm laying out is the natural progression for the next 9-chapter book in this series -What Brings Us Together - Part 3 - before we reach a conclusion and an Epilogue (written 5 years on)? But there's an opening for even more offshoots / stories of key individuals as their lives go forward. One only need follow the fine examples of "continuing stories" provided by @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

Uh, it doesn't take being an Editor to read between the lines and parse something like this: "Cameron looked around at the inside of the house. “This is a very nice house with a wonderful view. It couldn’t be cheap to rent. I hope you didn’t blow our budget on renting this place for the week.” “I’ve got it covered. We’re not here during a holiday period and it’s a lot cheaper than you think.” I think Jordan's own financial portfolio, in addition to his "...grandfather's 1930's Californian bungalow" includes a summer 'bolthole' by the water. It was likely rented out for income since Jordan couldn't face staying there after Adam's horrible death by shark attack. (Or I could be completely wrong, and since I'm late in reading this @Paladin I trust you've already addressed it). Josh will no doubt be a part of Jords and Cam's lives going forward, 💕or at the very least they'll look out for him. 🤞

What is the story with Stingray Head? I'm thinking that a previous relationship ended badly there, perhaps tragically, but was it a just a break up, or a death? If it was the latter, the owner of the coffee shop would have recognized Jordan and known what happened. And how it mirrors the death of Steve Irwin from a strike in the heart by a String

Thank you @Bill W for another great chapter. Hmm, so Louella De Vile is not just a "busy body", she's now, according to Mac and Dev, a busy "... old biddy from next door was standing on the sidewalk in front of her place. When she saw us walking down the sidewalk and before reaching there, her face contorted into a sour, nasty expression before she turned her back on us and walked away". As the boys enter their 3rd year at college they are arranging many things in an effort to avoid potential problems, like Bear leaving Bailey 'pining' for him once they graduate. It's not like there"ll be any Bear pups littering the park (sorry for that bad pun). One thing keeps nagging the back of my mind: "As we were leaving the hunting camp, we saw a group of boys, that appear to be between 13 and 16, riding their bikes down the road. I eyed each of them as we passed by, then swiveled in my seat so I could look out the back window to see if they might have turned onto the trail leading to the cabin. However, by the time I asked Devin to slow down, we were too far away to tell if they had passed that area already or hadn’t come to it yet. Hopefully, they’ll just keep going to wherever they were headed when we first saw them". Did they turn down the trail leading to the cabin, or did they keep going? Since neither Devin or Mac saw the boys with backpacks, they're probably just local boys, and not some who are homeless and looking for a place to stay now that Fall had arrived with Winter in Colorado not far behind. Perhaps putting up a few solar powered trail cameras, linked to Mac & Dev's cellphone, tablets or computers would Beavertails a good idea?

Law school be damned. These four young men have discovered the definition of CPA ... Collective Penises Agree 😲

Will WS-IV awake from his comma 'intact', and be able to deal with his recovery? If he does, will he be able to help in what will be a long and painful recovery for Harry ("like his namesake" - DoS?) from frostbite, including likely lose of limbs or parts of, nerve damage for life, disfigurement and multiple corrective surgeries? Now that "Harry's" nurse knows about the connection to Liberty Academy (thanks to E & E) she will make a monumental and immediate decision that will alert Angelica and gain access to WS-III's wealth to get Henry the best medical care: "The woman ("lady in blue" aka Nurse) decided she was done waiting for the police to come looking for the poor boy. Several officers as well as people somehow associated an organization dedicated to helping abused boys were down the hall with the federal agent the mysterious twins knew by name. Medical aid would only address the physical issues young Harry was facing, and she vowed to do everything she could to expand his care team with people who could help him with the other problems clearly threatening to derail the boy’s future". Hang on Henry, help is on the way, and "Mom" is coming back ... STAT. 💕

Thank you for this chapter @irivera. It is well written, (like everything else so far). The characters are especially believeable, especially if you've ever spent time in NC. The Sweet Tea (done the right way, usually sun-brewed), that is just the right amount of sweetness. Speaking of sweetness, Karen Fulton is the best kind of Karen, and the right Foster 'Mother' for Jonah, immediately after the accident, and once again, as he tries to work things out. Even once he relocates back to NYC, he will make trips back to home with Karen, possibly bringing Will.

If all the rosaries and other 'prayer' beads in the hands of people like Rev. Matthew and Yale burst into 🔥 the conflagration would give Hell stiff competition. (most puns intended?) Whether CoE, RC, Orthodox, Mosque, Temple or other, ALL religions have within them people like Matthew, and temptation is always around. As for Matthew's nifty 🙄 nom de plume Nob Rainer could have been Ch. Alace, P. Ew or other. My prayers best attended to by St. Émilion 🍷

Question is how does Angelica "Rip him (w3) a new one" when he's already an asshole?

Texas 2-step song " Poop, Scoop and Boogie"? 💩 😳

"Bye, Nanny! Bye, Grandad!” Troy waved from the doorway as his grandparents drove off". "Bye" indeed to not a 'Lady' Penelope. More like prissy Penelope (how did that 'r' sneak in there?). She's much more a "Whinging Matilda" or 'mawking Magpie'. Alan and Lisa's solicitor has her work load increasing. Since Lisa clearly can't sign any authority documents now, her solicitor will need to see her at hospital, with a notary to legally record her wishes, and extending Guardianship to include Peter. This will protect her, Troy and Bradley, and additionally give Alan legal authority to change all the house locks including garage, AND get a "No Contact" order without Alan &/or Peter's permission and being present, including the school and / or Day Care. Better safe than sorry.

Smile ? Will a heavenly event melt a Glacier? Or send 🐍 after Kai? (Perhaps be a cobra, Kai?) Sorry, it's Friday bad puns. Have a good weekend J. A

Maybe there was something lumbering around back in Abe's day to help erect those "Lincoln Logs"? And was Abe truly honest as he shared a bed with his "good friend" Joshua Speed for 4 years in Springfield IL? Only to become suicidally depressed when Speed left? Kind of sounds like a bad circumstance for Brendan and Tyler to fall into. (Perhaps Brendan's father will break down, spend the money to add a kitchen and full bathroom to the room over the 3-car garage, turning it into a proper 'Carraige House' for Brendan?). As for your closing chapter comment: "I know I said this was the last chapter, but I kind of got inspired and to bridge the gap between Part One & Part Two, there will be two more chapters. Next Tuesday join us for Nana's House"; will Nana be a prim and proper lady of the manor, or will she be a rebel like her grandson? Someone who would financially endow and encourage a 'free spirit' artist like Brendan? Tuesday can't arrive soon enough.

Ask and you shall receive (prepare to be amazed, amused and absolutely "blown away"). As a bit of a teaser, I can tell you other flavours are available, including a really decadent MOCHA chocolate for those who prefer that ?. www.whipshots.com

To @drsawzall comments about the coins etc., some 1854 - 1870 $3 gold coins with 'S' mint marks in Proof Condition sold for $100,000 - $260,000. As for Gladys Kravitz, aka Duncella, first suggestion for "Proof" would be use a doorbell cam that can be turned on by cellphone, BUT, CO 'Evidence Laws prohibit video / audio recordings without 2-party (Louella's) consent if camera's are on private property; UNLESS if the recording is made on or from Public Property. So doorbell / cellphone cams a hard NO. HOWEVER, mount a CCTV micro-cam (lipstick / spy) on post holding up mailbox next to curb or sidewalk, first 6-10 feet next to 'public' street is Public Property and a recording may be ADMISSABLE. As always, consulting with a lawyer might be advisable, and a really good one may be (dare I say it 😉?) worth their weight in gold. 🙄. Just find one who runs marathons and is whippet thin.

Life proceeds on the mountain, Not sure we can call it "Mount David" since we don't know if he and/or David Snr bought it all, thereby stopping 'Cabin Construction Company' from its development schemes. Or is it 'Crystal Mountain' next to 'Crystal Lake'? Or an indigeneous / Indian named mountain? David's building and proper development of his properties (sewage etc) continues with the cabin / home for new 'Uncle' Bobby 's brother, wife and son. Bobby temporarily moved in with David (leading to a long term 'partnership' or is that too soon to tell with Bobby still in school?). Thank you @CLJobe for this continuing 'Book II' in the David McLavic family tales.

Hmm. “Yes, it is. What does it look like to you?” “It looks like a wolf that’s been in a shitload of fights.” “Do you think it might be the evil skinwalker in his animal form?” “Yeah, that’s very possible, even though we’ve always spotted him in his human form.” So more questions about a potentially "wounded wolf", and seeking help?

“Mom!” He tried to call out, but still his voice refused to work. He couldn’t move, although the frozen concrete had disappeared with the older boys. “Walter needs me, so I’ll leave you alone.” His mom’s voice was moving away. “No, no, no! Don’t leave me!” Henry’s silent pleas didn’t bring his mother back. 🥺😳😥 'Henry, only half coherent, felt utterly and completely alone, ... and his despair dissolved into numb resignation. Henry simply didn’t feel anything as the momentary light faded. His heavy eyelids slid closed, and he slipped into the silent, all-consuming darkness'. NO ! OMG poor Henry. After surgery to save his life, and still at risk of losing limbs (or parts of), due to: '"Poor child was found wandering alone, badly beaten, nearly naked, and well on his way to freezing to death. The nurse that brought him up said she’s never seen so much frostbite damage on a single body before." Henry, still heavily sedated, would be in ICU and on constant monitoring would automatically sound alarms 🚨🚨🚨 as his heart raced and blood pressure increased due to his semi- unconcious reaction to hearing his mother's voice. That would immediately have that "senior nurse" and trauma team race to Henry's side and with the curtain momentarily pulled back Angelica would have seen Henry's face and rushed to him, or at least screamed his name. Which Henry would hear and bring him back from the brink of... 😦😮

Professor "I am the most important person in the world, and no other mathematician comes close" is like many I've had, that likely wore elbow patches not on their sartorially perfect coats but on their knees. (Too often it's not what they know, but who they blow, that assures their tenure. And once they have that, nothing short of a school funding threat can dislodge them. With the exception of a psychopath shit cannon who couldn't spell 'Ivy League' let alone attend/graduate one). Methinks Tyler and Brandon will works things out, or at least find dètente, perhaps with Devin along for the ride. Less ménage à trois and more three musketeers. As to whom plays the role of D'Artagnon? Dylan? Billy? Ou une quelle surprise, Christine? Ou, la la!

Or misconfabulation?

Thank you @irivera for this chapter. Sometimes you find who you need just when you need them. Jonah gets an answer to his prayers? Better Caputo than Kaput?