CincyKris

Great news about the solicitor, but it seems as if Natasha was not a conspirator, so she probably won’t go to jail, unfortunately. I think I would be rewatching that drone video. There might be something very interesting if whomever this Harlan Black works for is so interested.

I was thinking that Sir Malcolm seemed like Uncle Edwin on steroids! At least Oliver and Julian were able to make their own happiness from a rather unpleasant dinner party.

Everyone that really matters to August and Fletcher love and approve of their relationship, and will feel the same about Runyan and Willy James. The layout of their new land not only works for their futures, it looks less "suspicious" than 4 grown men living together in the one house. I can see Runyan's businesses (horses & hats) being successful immediately. I am excited for them to get started on their plans. And for Fletcher's family to see their spread.

Welcome back! We see a big shift in Oliver's thinking in this chapter. He spent more time consumed with Julien than with walking. He is also working on restructuring his way of thinking. That's not easy.

Am I the only one that noticed a similarity in the last sexual encounter between Miles and Troy and the recent one between Owen and Troy? The first precipitated great change. What will the latter bring?

Very intriguing start! Julian seems to have many layers. Oliver has a good head on his shoulders, very smart and practical. Rupe is an ass!

If that damn pooch would quit piddling on the rug we could have nice things! First on 4!!!!

Great chapter! Both boys are fitting into the whole extended family and had the best Christmases they've ever had. The only bummers were Casey's looming threat and uncertainty, and of course for some of us readers, Brooke's sheer existence.

FWI, Wally was my favorite Cleaver! And I agree with you comment.

Omg!!!! Kevin! And Dawson, but Dawson ended well. The vitriol for Kevin was crazy, and fun! These fellows are much nicer than Kevin! I feel connected to these gentlemen.

I expected a sister, but not a living one! I found the explanation for “the abandonment “ very reasonable, but of course I’m already supportive of Miles. He has gone through even more shit than we thought, and has not only survived but thrived. I’m looking forward to Virginia!

You can feel the love that August's grandfather put into the house. And the love that lived in the house, especially his mom's room. And the love that Harriet has for her grandson in the preparation of the house. It is all fitting for the home that August and Fletcher will fill with their own love.

I think Natasha just made a monumentally stupid decision! I smell jail time in her future! Great ending to a happy chapter.

I liked the gentle, loving manner in which they shared themselves with each other. They come from vastly different lifestyles, but had similar experiences with their rather severe authoritarian fathers. Better by far to be out on their own. Best to do it together.

This chapter felt warm and full of emotion. Wonderful!

I was irritated at Owen's overt and over the top jealousy to start out with. But, I don't know his history. I also suspect that he has felt a slight imbalance, especially at the beginning of their relationship. I've been in a long relationship in which I was more in love than my partner. Hell, I've got a niece and two co-workers going through it right now. It's hard, and when you get to year 6, 7, 9, you're getting close to commitment or ending. I think Owen has one foot out the door, but hopes he doesn't. Part of his jealousy could stem from his own attraction to Miles. If he already felt 2nd best, finding out the ex is super hot with a cool life would be intimidating. Troy doesn't know who he wants, what he feels, maybe even who he is! Will he know more after Miles finally discloses his reason for his breakdown? I hope so. I loved the unsure, tentative, tense chapter. Anything else would have felt unrealistic to these characters at this stage in their journeys.

Um, weinerdogs are kind of the cats of dog species! Think about it, low to the ground, possessive (or possessed!), could be aggressive, or lazy, or whatever.

The "feel guilty" part referred to his lack of communication with Owen. Agree to disagree on the hate part.

I think I caught some of @Summerabbacat's allergies in the first part of the chapter! All great things until the end. Even the awkwardness was handled well by the new family. But the ominous ending! I wonder who's car Casey torched this time? It was a sedan, so not Matt's new car. We know he has previously targeted other boys, how many people is he preying on?! I don't think he will go down without some chaos and damage.

I was happy to see less hate for Miles! Troy has been taking it on the chin for his lack of communication with Owen. Here's the way I see it, so far. Miles realized, when he was on the boat, that he screwed up, but wasn't mentally equipped to fix it when it counted. By the time he was in a better psychological headspace, Troy had moved on. Miles chose to accept his mistake and not disrupt Troy's new stable life. Troy was devastated, but sort of understood (not the details, but the mental health issues). He slept his way through Grindr, until he met Owen. Owen, who was stable, sweet, and good for him. The love of his life? Not really. He has grown to love Owen, enjoys his life with him, but still lacks the tumultuous passion. He chose to lock away the strong feelings for Miles for the betterment of his own mental health. Not dealing with it was a choice, one that probably didn't ever have a great chance of succeeding (evidenced by the secret online watching), but at the time it was what he needed to move on. Will Owen be hurt, most likely. Miles is short circuiting, I can guess that Troy is feeling shock and guilt. I can't wait for the fallout! Great chapter!

One the best sci-fi stories I have ever read anywhere!

Everything is ok, a few branches down from the trees way back by the pond. I kind of forget that people in other parts of the world are not so used to tornadoes. When you live your whole life in the South/Prairie/Midwest US, it's easy to forget that tornadoes are not common. Because of our topography and weather patterns, there are more tornadoes in the US, by far, than the rest of the world combined. It's just part of life here, we've had 3 warnings and many watches this summer. But fall is finally here! When you work outside for a living, a September full of 90's (that's low to mid 30's Celsius) makes for a long summer. While I'm not a farmer like our young men, (I Just grow veggies we eat, but do not sell, and flowers), I do understand living by the weather. Farmers live closer to pre-industrial life than any profession on earth. One terrible season can break a family living close to the edge. Starting with great structures, great tools, good rich land, and 4 able-bodied men is a blessing.

Great job of recapping the recent events without paragraphs of boring exposition! It was just enough to remind me. Mr Angry will probably regret his outburst, once our team gets done with him. Also, great job @Summerabbacat recapping our characters. You couldn’t be boring if you tried!

Levi has been in his own head since his mom died. He has slowly let people, and their thoughts and opinions in. Now, working with Jamie has given him a whole new viewpoint. Feeling responsibility for another person is powerful. I think his old mental framework developed by his grandpa and mom of either "sinful" or "not sinful" has gone by the wayside. Jamie is obviously not an evil person that chose to sin. Now Casey, on the other hand......

I got interrupted in reading and commenting by a tornado warning! No tornado, fortunately. Won't know about wind damage until it gets light out. I don't have a basement (or a root cellar!). I'm so happy that they are starting out with the top of the line for structures and tools. Those solid barns and that cellar could be life savers some day.