After about two hours, we received a call from Reese confirming arrival in Catalina. Rosie and her family greeted us warmly and Roy whizzed on Scotty as he whimpered pathetically. (Roy, not Scotty)

  After a complete canine sniff down session, they chased each other around for a solid five minutes and were exhausted in the afternoon heat. Jillian and Helen tended the gardens with Ginger and Becky while Scotty and I walked the perimeter with the rest of the pack, who managed to spook two rabbits from some bushes who were invited for dinner.

  The pups were getting big and we only had to wait a couple of times for them to catch up as we identified maintenance items and possible improvements. Neither of us said anything for a while, but we both knew the fate that awaits Mark, James and the surviving members of the Movement.

  A mouse ran across the path in front of us and in full view of the pack. It hesitated for a moment causing the dogs to momentarily freeze in their tracks.

  “There’s a bad decision.” Scotty commented as Jeff caused the mouse to retreat back across the path as the pups engaged.

  “Interesting choice of words.” I said.

  “How so?” Scotty asked.

  “Decisions. Do you think a poor decision affects more people than a good decision?” I asked Scotty watching the mouse zigzag back and forth as Jeff corralled it towards the pups. Rosie and Pete watched with only half interest, just happy being together.

  “Hmm. I guess it depends on how selfish the person is, making the decision.” Scotty said as the pups all wanted to make the kill.

  Jillian and Helen were in the Gazebo with a couple of baskets of green beans. “Wow! Two rabbits.” Helen said seeing us approaching. The Pups squabbled as they all wanted to show Helen and Jillian, what was left of the mouse.

  “What is this?” Helen said cheerfully as the pups gathered in between Helen’s and Jillian’s legs as Helen looked at Scotty.

  “It used to be a mouse.” Scotty whispered to Helen and Jillian as they shared their appreciation to all the pups as they seemed satisfied and chased each other toward the herb gardens.

  Beep. Beep. Beep, was heard from the driveway alarms. “Must be one of the dogs.” Scotty said as he was starting to prepare the rabbits with the Wolf pack in full attendance and Ginger and Pete relaxing on the couch cushions.

  “All present and accounted for.” Helen said looking up from cutting Cilantro. The dogs were all aware of our concern as they all turned toward the driveway, tires slowly grinding the gravel could be barely heard in the silence. The wolf pack scattered quietly as Ginger and Pete got up and took point, followed by Scotty and his 45 and me with my AA-12.

  A golf cart was approaching as we rounded the tall bushes that lined the driveway. Male driver, approximately thirty-five years old, smiling. Female passenger, same age, smiling. The golf cart stopped and they showed us their hands. A young boy struggled in the back seat as a Golden Retriever got loose and ran toward us. Ginger’s tail began to wag as this dog ran at full speed towards us as happy as a dog could possibly be. Pete was having a hard time sniffing the back end of the Golden as Ginger and he greeted each other.

  “I knew we would meet up one day!” The man yelled as he and the woman slowly exited the golf cart with hands in the air rotating, showing no weapons. The man turned his head and said something to the boy and he did the same.

  “We have two shot guns, a rifle and a couple of pistols in the golf cart.” The man said still smiling as we approached, not pointing our weapons at them and the Golden laid on his back to let Pete give him a complete sniff down. Pete turned to us happy and tail wagging when he was done.

  “Sampson here, and your female, we call her ‘Lady’, have been having… premarital affairs, I’m afraid.” The man said laughing a little. I sensed no threat from any of them, their disposition was genuine and a strong interest for being friendly. Scotty looked at me and raised his eyebrows seeking a ‘friend or foe” response.

  I shouldered my AA-12 and approached as Sampson engaged me. I allowed him to smell my hand, legs and shoes. “We’ll be with you in a minute.” I said as Sampson continued. He finished with me and moved on to Scotty as Ginger and Pete inspected the family.

  “I hope we pass the inspection.” Scotty said quietly smiling as Sampson found Scotty more interesting than I as I caught slight movement in the nearby bushes. Sampson was happy and we all moved slowly forward for the formal ‘human’ introductions.

  “My name is Scotty.” Scotty said extending his hand to the man.

  “Hello Scotty! May I introduce Joan and Blake. My name is George.” Scotty shook hands with all of them.

  “My name is Greg, pleased to meet all of you.” I said as information poured in from each of them as I shook their hands. I felt a peculiar energy from Blake as he blinked just as we made contact. Sampson, caught up in all the excitement, smelled the wolf pack. Nose sweeping the air and going into defense mode. One by one the wolf pack appeared in a circle around us.

  “Oh SHIT!” George said looking at all of them.

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  “Don’t move or make eye contact, they’re with us.” Scotty said.

  “Seriously?” Joan whispered as Ginger and Pete approached Rosie and let her smell them with tails wagging.

  Sampson laid down and submitted immediately as the wolf pack slowly inspected him. The pups approached cautiously and Sampson’s bushy tail began to sweep back and forth.

  “We have seen that one before, the male, about a month ago.” Joan said gesturing toward Jeff as the pack, Ginger and Pete approached George. George was very frightened for the safety of his family.

  “George, just relax and breathe. People do stupid things when they are frightened, canines know this.” I said as George closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  Blake started laughing as Ginger licked his face as Sampson was carefully being inspected by each of the pack and satisfied with his position. If only humans could be more like canines and acknowledge the need for balance, harmony and one’s position within a group in a matter of seconds.

  “Somebody had something interesting for lunch.” Scotty said smiling. Blakes laughter brought the attention of the wolf pack and the pups as they converged with tails wagging. Jillian and Helen appeared on either side of the golf cart startling Joan and George. Jillian with her crossbow and Helen with a small machine gun as she handed it to Scotty.

  “That’s enough!” Helen said loudly as she helped Blake to his feet.

  “Sorry about that, they just love kids. My name is Helen and this is Jillian. Welcome.” Helen said shaking everyone’s hand followed by Jillian.

  We all walked back to the Gazebo as Rosie, Becky and Jeff took turns smelling Joan, George and Blake as Sampson was eager to play with anyone.

  “We usually don’t come this far south. We have a place we stay at and make trips with fresh produce. Usually takes a full day of travel.” George said still nervous.

  “We see tire tracks once in a while, but usually lose sight of them. Sampson was acting really excited, more than normal. We were a couple of blocks away when we heard the explosion. Then we saw the smoke and followed it to the storage area. Sampson was just so excited smelling the ground!” Joan said, not mentioning the blood stains and carefully looking toward George.

  “Do you know what happened?” George asked with genuine concern as we all sat at the table. Scotty outlined the events and referred to Rebecca, Reese, Mark and James as friends. No names or locations.

  “We have heard about Oklahoma and actually saw a spray-painted billboard on the Highway. Didn’t give it a second thought really, good thing.” George said.

  “What else did you see?” I asked sensing he was apprehensive in supplying too much information. Joan and George exchanged looks.

  “Tell um about the helicopters!” Blake said running over for a drink of lemonade as Helen began to pour glasses at the table.

  “We found two ultralights; someone did a poor job of trying to hide them. We just followed the foot prints.” George said.

  “How far away from the storage unit?” Scotty asked.

  “About three blocks east.” Joan replied.

  “Do you think someone might be looking for them?” George asked.

  “Hard to say.” I said as George was struggling with a topic and not exactly sure how to bring it up.

  “Would you care to join us for dinner? We’re having Rabbit stew, I think.” Scotty said looking toward Helen as he put his apron on.

  “Thank you very much, but we’ll have to take a rain check.” Joan said smiling. “We have a long drive ahead of us, it’s getting late and we want to be home before nightfall.” George said.

  “Rain check?” Blake questioned as he looked at the ground and walked slowly a couple of paces then turned to his right, took another couple of measured paces and turned left, then backward as Joan and George looked at each other as we all watched Blake. The dogs no longer bothered with him as he sat down and adjusted his position. He placed his hands, palm side down on the ground and closed his eyes. I felt an energy build from him. Blake stood up and turned toward us. “Two days, coming from there.” Blake said pointing southwest as Sampson went over and sat next to him.

  “Interesting skill, Blake!” I said as we all exchanged looks and started laughing.

  “How long has he had that rash?” Jillian asked Joan and George. I did not notice but since Jillian brought it to our attention, Blake had a patchy red rash on his neck.

  “He gets that sometimes; I think it’s a heat rash.” Joan said.

  “Would it be okay if I take a look?” Jillian asked concerned.

  “Are you a doctor?” Joan asked. Jillian did not immediately respond so I intervened.

  “She is a Doctor, a Dentist and a Veterinarian.” I said proudly.

  “Blake? Is it okay if Dr. Jillian here takes a look at your rash?” Joan asked Blake as he just shrugged his shoulders like a typical kid.

  “Come here sweetie. Let’s take a look.” Jillian said with a big smile and open arms. Helen, Scotty and I walked away giving them some privacy. George followed as we all walked to the Herb Garden and Helen picked a box of fresh Herbs and handed it to George.

  “Are you sure? This looks beautiful! Thank you very much!” George said as he smelled the aroma a couple of times. Joan and Blake joined us in the Gardens after a few minutes as Jillian called for Helen and both went inside the house.

  “What’s the question you want to ask, George?” I asked looking at him.

  “It’s that obvious huh?” George said looking towards Scotty and I.

  “When Lady, sorry, Ginger has her pups, we could really, really use, I mean, we really want…” George stammered and was nervous looking toward Scotty and I as I interrupted him by holding up my hand.

  “Ginger is my dog, let me discuss it with Jillian.” I said.

  “Fair enough.” George said with a smile as Jillian came out of the house with Helen and two medical journals comparing pictures and symptoms.

  “It’s a food allergy. See, look here.” Jillian said as she showed Joan and George her best guess based on the information provided and it was definitely similar.

  “Keep track of his diet.” Jillian said looking toward Joan and George.

  “Blake. Does the rash bother you?” Jillian asked gently touching his shoulder.

  “Yea, kinda.” Blake responded looking down.

  “Then you need to tell Mom and Dad everything you eat so we can find out what causes this and we can fix it. Okay?” Jillian asked smiling.

  “No secrets!” Jillian added looking at me.

  “What!?!” I said acting surprised.

  “The chocolate?” Jillian said.

  “How! How did you know?” I asked quietly.

  “Oh please!” Jillian said rolling her eyes as Scotty said; “You're busted!”

  “Blake laughed a little and looked toward Joan and George as Jillian gave me a little wink.

  Jillian and Helen gave them some take home ointments and the box of herbs. Jillian and I discussed Gingers litter and we agreed on half. We also scheduled a fishing trip next week to get to know them all better. This brought smiles from all of them as we watched them drive away.

  “He’s allergic to lactose.” Jillian said quietly, waving goodbye.

  “What?” Scotty said as his eyes opened wide.

  “Dairy.” Helen said excited.

  “My Mom had the exact same reaction.” Jillian said.

  We called the Catalina folks and told them all about Joan, George, Blake and Gingers escapades with Sampson and they congratulated us on our expanding family.