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Once again, simply by their actions, the Crawley's have proven their worth. August thought he would sneak out without seeing his Pa, but the man was waiting. I think old man Cooley has some pride in August because he stood up to him some and is going out on his own, even if Fletcher is going with him; because he thinks so little of the Crawley's Albert doesn't see Fletcher being any help or contributing to August and his success. Albert did give him another 20 dollar gold piece, and as tight as he is, that is saying something as well. The Crawleys sent the boys away with more than they needed. But I think the boys will find they need it all, LOL. I hope that Willie James and Runyon get there safe as well. I worry about Willie James some, he just doesn't seem as equipped as the others to deal with things. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Not sure that Levi's idea of downlow and Casey's really match up, but we will see. Even if Casey isn't as bad as everyone has said, he hasn't done anything to stop any of the comments and lite bullying that Levi has faced, and that is a black mark all on it's own. Glad that Levi has found another friend in Brooke, even if they only end up being friend's, she seems to be good for him as well. Levi, Jimmie, and Dan had a great time at the Winter Festival. Glad that Levi and Matt and even Luke have been able to bond over the driving lessons. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Ack, I have to finish these stories so I can play... LOL

Alex and Neil both seem to be progressing in their chosen fields and thinks are definitely looking up for both of them. Alex and Liam had lots to talk about, so the Dresden festival had a few reservations, or at least someone board level did. Well, glad they overcame them and decided to move forward. Berlin will have a lot to offer both of them to see and do; more than a few days would cover, but they can find a few things that might interest them and then plan a return trip. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Texas is hot, with continued hot until around January... Then two weeks of miserable cold, then hot again... You must take care of yourself. A balance in all things is important; while most of us have to work, even if we enjoy the work we do, you must balance that with personal time to relax and refill the tanks. As always, thanks for the look back at this week.

And just how old is Troy? Well, locked eyes aside, they both seemed to find something to admire in each other. We seem to have meet the ranch bunch, but how about those outside? From the comment by Mr. Riggs, I am assuming there were a few issues when Troy came out? Doesn't sound like Mrs. P lives on site, but sounds like she runs a tight ship and puts out a good spread. Can't wait to see where you take this.

Well, not shocked at all that Will picked up on Travis using something; wish he had been a little more forceful in getting more info. I know part of Will was not wanting to have Travis blow up and it turn into something; but damn, sometimes you just have to blow everything up to get to the bottom of the problem. Travis needs to be in counseling. His childhood was way to screwed up and he is facing a ton of pressure both internally and from a business that caused more than a few to burn and crash. I am really shocked that none of the west coast crew, Jake, JP, none of them are not keeping a closer eye on Travis. Loved how they rocked both games and won the championship. Will and Marie have some great friends.

And so, it begins...

I learned on a souped up Chevy pickup, mid 60's model, most gorgeous shade of red, and damn could it move... The guy that owned it also wasn't bad, and he moved really well too.

Delightful chapter, well written and such interesting characters popping up here and there. I do worry about Charlie, don't want him to backslide, but sounds like maybe working at the Centre has given him some focus and maybe a bit of balance. Glad that his mother seems to be handling things okay with him, have to wonder how she really feels about Neil and Alex though. Happy that Alex and Neil continue to move ahead, taking their time, but getting more involved in each other's lives and still finding time to do their own things. I think having something you do yourself away from whomever you are involved in is always a good idea. As always, can't wait to see what delight you have for us next time.

Very few people would ever be willing to do what Taggert did, he used almost all of this new worth acquiring something that he will never be able to control. Now that is one hell of a man and one hell of a decision. Of course, he has gotten to know Bert and James and knows this is a safe investment but just giving up that much says a lot about Taggert and a lot about his level of trust in the Nasser's. Zane got faced by his own son, and nothing better could have ever happened. Zane will watch the last words from his father, but will it change anything, I somehow doubt it. He is the man he became and will have to live with it. Eric got his family home back and enough money to make a difference, plus, he gets to run his home place for Nasser. I wonder if he will take Dale with him to help him out. James will always have someone that was raised just like him, and will always have someone he can turn to when he needs to bounce something off someone. Bert got to help do the right thing, for the right reason, and still grow his ranch. Bert is a good man, maybe Zane could learn something from him. LOL Taggert and Ash are just starting their life together, where will it lead, no one can say for certain, but I choose to believe it will be a happily ever after. Wonderful story, simply wonderful...

I just don't trust Casey, and it isn't just what others say, but mostly the fact that he does nothing to stop those in his group from going after Levi. And I know that his family ties cause some of the comments, but there has to be some fire with that much smoke. So glad that Levi and Matt got to share this experience, such a touchstone in so many father/son relationships. I learned to drive on a stick shift on the steering column. But once I learned how to drive on the stick, automatics were a cinch. Haven't driven a stick except out in the country in several years, part of that is because the volume of traffic in my area.

Truly hate to hear this.. A dedicated and gifted writer.

Morgan should have stayed, the uncle was bigger and drunk; so, I doubt that he would have been blamed. But of course, if he had stayed, there would not be a story, or at least a very different one. Can already tell this will be one hell of a ride, can't wait to see where you take this.

Some truly outstanding stories from some of the best authors on the site.

Johnny remembers the time before, when he was faking it to make it. Perhaps, if he continues to remember it will keep him on an even keel, one that allows him to remember where he came from. Love how Johnny and Sam both enjoy the little moments, the ones that it is easy to overlook, but they don't, they savor each of them for what they are, the ones that really matter. The imagery and writing in this chapter were very lyrical, poetic.

No, that is what I meant, Taggert can't buy Flemings, simply doesn't have the funds; but he can do two things. He can make sure that Nasser has the money to get the ranch without overextending themselves or borrowing from the banks; and because of the Pillars, he can keep Yoder from running the price up so the purchase doesn't become more expensive than it is actually worth.

Well, the argument was well timed, maybe not when expected but those that needed to see it have done so; and appear to believe the truth of it. Glad that they both agreed to help Wilie James and Runyon, and even better Roland offered to help and said they were doing the right thing. Moving from dairy to beef isn't as easy as it sounds, but let's hope it works for the best for them all. They may need to expedite some of their plans but let's see what happens next. Excellent chapter, can't wait to see what happens next.

Neil and Alex continue to deepen their relationship in unexpected ways. Loved the Sunday dinner, the conversation was lively and interesting. Glad the Neil decided to go to the concert with the ladies to support the young man, never understood parents that take no notice of their children doing things they enjoy, only when it is convenient for them. Charlie and Neil are getting on a more adult setting, and that bodes well for both of them and their brotherly relationship. Can't wait to see what happens next...

Levi realized that this new family, blood and not, cares for him deeply. He is important to them on levels that he hasn't even realized fully yet. Levi has never experienced a birthday like this one, and it isn't that his mother didn't love him or that Matt loves him more; but she had restrictions with money, and after they were back with her father, his ideas of what was right and wrong. I am glad that both Jimmy and Dan were there. Levi needs solid friends and he has them in this pair. I had a restricted license when I was 13. In Texas at the time, you had what was called hardship driver's license. I got mine because I lived on a small ranch a bit out of town. I could only drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and not outside of the county it was issued in, except in an emergency. Never knew what the emergency was you had to have to do so, but... They raised the age limit to 15 to get the hardship license in the late 80's and made it harder to get.

Taggert doesn't have enough to buy Fleming outright, not without a long period of being able to liquidate basically everything he has except the Pillars, and he can't ever let those go. But what he does have is enough to make sure that Nasser gets Flemings and the ability to keep Yoder from making it too expensive. Taggert has Ash, and that is the most important thing he needs. Bill Yoder may have loved his son, but he knew that Zane wasn't a good person. He understood that Zane saw Taggert not as a son but as competition. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

How brilliantly devious. Never would have thought that Thokk had it in him. And he is right, Korgar will get what he wants, and Thokk will be in a position to get what he wants; plus, maybe continue his research.

As always thanks for the look back at this past week. Can't wait for the secret authors reveal, always one of the highlights of the year for me. I am a wannabe night owl, but never found myself very good at it, grew up in the country and for the most part my first 20 something years it was up by 5:30 a.m. and that habit continues to this day. Hope everyone has a great week and no matter how busy, take a few moments for yourself.

No, we are still a way off. Travis hasn't really succumbed to what is coming. Kendo is just starting to get him to mix and match the drugs, that is when the slide will really start, then we have to see how Kendo wiggles his way in deeper, of course the drugs will help with that. Then you figure at least a chapter or two of Will figuring out what is going on and how to react to it. Then BAM... Will is going to go postal, which of course will trigger Travis even more, and Kendo as well depending on how deep he has his claws into Travis by then. Honestly, surprised that Jake hasn't been checking in more on Travis.

Kendo is playing Travis like a violin. He always seems to have just what Travis needs as the last drug of choice is starting to not work as well. Then we are mixing them to get a better result. Travis is going to crash, and it isn't going to be pretty. Not sure how much Travis wants Will or even Marie around when he is using this much, Will would definitely know something is up, and I would bet on Marie being able to tell something is off. Can't wait to see what happens next.