Chapter 4

"Where were you, Bree?" Patrick asked as Bree arrived back home with her father. Patrick had heard Justin's SUV pull up and he had run to the Kinney-Taylor side of the house to greet Bree. Beau was close on his heels. They arrived at the same time that Justin opened the front door and let himself and Bree in.

Bree smiled happily. Even though Patrick still had Beau to play with, he now seemed very interested in playing with her once again. She wondered why she had been worried. Her Dada had told her the truth.

"Hi, Patrick," she said beaming at him. "Hi, Beau. I was at Gamma Susan's."

Beau nuzzled Bree's hand and Bree patted his head.

"Who's Gamma Susan?" Patrick asked with a frown.

"Susan's married to my father," Justin said as he carried in the groceries from the SUV.

"Your father?" Patrick asked. "Where is he?"

Justin gave a wry smile. Patrick had never met Craig, and that was just as well. "He lives in Pittsburgh."

"Why doesn't he ever come here?"

"He … we don't get along very well," Justin said hoping that would satisfy the inquisitive boy.

"Why not?"

Justin sighed. So much for thinking that answer would satisfy Patrick. "It's a long story," Justin said as he dropped the bags on the counter and started putting things away.

"That means I'm not old enough to know about it," Patrick said matter-of-factly. "Okay. Can Bree come and play with Beau and me outside?"

"I guess so. Try not to get too dirty before dinner, and stay in sight of the sun porch."

"Okay," Patrick agreed.

"Bree, here's your snack. Want some carrots too, Patrick?" Justin asked.

"Sure."

Justin handed Bree a little baggie with several small carrots in it. He quickly made up another one for Patrick.

"Come on, Beau," Patrick said as he headed for the sun porch. Beau followed him.

"When will Dada be home?" Bree asked.

"Soon."

"'Kay," she replied and went after her cousin.

"Patrick," she called as she opened the sun porch door. Beau bounded around from a corner of the house, Patrick close behind.

"Let's go to the playhouse," Patrick suggested. They ran across the yard and into the playhouse which John had recently got ready for them, removing all the winterizing shutters and boards. They sat down on the floor and started to munch on their carrots.

Beau lay nearby watching them.

"How come you have so many grandmas, when you don't have a mother?" Patrick asked with a thoughtful look on his face.

Bree frowned and thought about Patrick's question. "I don't know," she finally admitted.

"I'm sure you can only have two grandmas. I have Grandma Claire and Grandma Emily. They're my fathers' mothers. We learned that in school," Patrick said knowledgeably. "I had to make a family tree."

"What that?" Bree asked.

"You make a … a dia … lines on a paper with the names of Poppa and Daddy and their parents."

"Oh." Bree wondered when she would get to do that at her school.

"So, how come you have so many grandmas?" Patrick asked again.

"I could ask Daddy," Bree suggested. She didn't like not knowing things especially when Patrick seemed to know more than she did.

Patrick nodded, ready to leave it at that. "Beau," Patrick said and held out a carrot to the pup. Beau got up and quickly inhaled the carrot.

"Daddy said dogs aren't apposed to get people food."

"My Daddy says that Beau can have vegetables," Patrick said patiently.

Bree took her last carrot and held it out for Beau. He quickly snapped it out of her hand. Bree wasn't sure she liked Beau's teeth so close to her hand, but he hadn't hurt her. She stood up and ran her hand down his back.

"Let's go down to the stream," Patrick suggested.

Bree frowned. "Daddy said I hafta stay close to the sun porch."

"It's not that far," Patrick explained. "We'll still be close to the house."

"But…"

"Come on, Bree, don't be a scaredy cat."

The last thing Bree wanted to be called was a scaredy cat. She got up and headed for the path that led to the stream. Patrick smiled and followed her.

Beau watched the two children. He had a feeling something wasn't right. He glanced back at the house but couldn't see anyone. The children were already part way down the path but not quite to the trees. Beau raced down the path and quickly passed them. He could hear the stream still swollen from spring rains rushing over the rocks. He turned and faced the children baring his teeth at them and growling.

Patrick and Bree came to an abrupt stop as they got a look at Beau's teeth. Bree stepped closer to her cousin.

"What's wrong with Beau?" she asked in a tiny voice. The big dog scared her.

"Beau, get out of the way," Patrick ordered.

Beau growled and stood his ground.

"Come on, Bree," Patrick said taking her hand. He tried to walk around Beau.

Beau growled and nudged the boy with his nose. Patrick told him to stop and tried again to get around the dog. Beau gave him a butt with his head sending Patrick onto his bum. Bree shrieked and ran for the house yelling for her Daddy.

Justin heard the cries and came racing out of the sun porch door. He ran towards the playhouse when he saw Bree running up the path that led from the stream. She ran into Justin's arms.

"What's wrong, sweetheart," Justin asked as he hugged the frightened girl.

"Beau growled at us and he knocked Patrick down," she said between sobs.

"Where's Patrick?" Justin asked with concern evident in his voice. Just then Patrick ran up the path followed by a bounding Beau.

John came flying out of the house at that moment to see what all the shouting was about. "What's going on?"

"Apparently Beau knocked Patrick down and growled at Bree," Justin explained.

"Beau, sit," John ordered. Beau was by his leg and immediately sat down.

"What were you two doing?" John asked looking sternly at both children.

"Um … we…" Patrick began but he didn't want to tell his father that they were on their way to the stream.

"We going to the stream," Bree admitted with a last sob. She was safe now that her father was there and had his arms around her.

"You were what?" Justin demanded.

"Patrick, you know you are not to go near that stream without an adult," John said forcefully. "The water's very high right now. You or Bree could have drowned."

"Sorry, Dad," Patrick said staring at the ground.

"Sowwy, Daddy," Bree said in her baby voice.

"I told you both to stay in sight of the sun porch," Justin felt compelled to add.

"Beau was protecting you," John said. "He knew you weren't supposed to go near the stream. Good dog, Beau, good dog," he told the pup giving him a chin rub and then a scratch to both ears.

Beau's tongue hung out savoring John's rubbing. He had been afraid he had done the wrong thing, but apparently he had been right to stop the children from going near the water.

"Tell Beau thank you," Justin told his daughter. "He was looking after you."

"Thank you, Beau," Bree said hugging Beau's neck. He licked her face as she showed that she still loved him in spite of what he had done.

"You too, young man," John told Patrick.

"Sorry, Beau. Thanks for stopping us," Patrick said taking his turn to hug the pup.

John and Justin shared a smile. "Let's go inside and get some dinner," John said putting his hand on Patrick's shoulder.

Justin picked up Bree and they all started for the house. "Good boy," Justin said giving Beau a pat.

"Woof," Beau replied.

*****

Later that night, Beau patrolled the grounds then each side of the cottage. Satisfied that his kingdom was secure, Beau settled in his bed. He nuzzled his rope of socks, took one more look around then fell asleep.

[good boy...big boy...warm...safe...mine...protect...good boy]

"I heard you had a little excitement here this afternoon," Bobby commented to John. Edna's Treasures was settled in for the night. Beau had just finished his patrol.

"Mmm. Beau proved what a good dog he really is," John replied as he snuggled next to Bobby, his hand tracing lazy circles on Bobby's chest.

"Care to share?" Bobby said with a nip to John's chin.

"Patrick was feeling brave and maybe a touch defiant."

"Defiant? Our son, defiant. I find that hard to believe," Bobby mused.

"With you and me as parents, it was inevitable. And he led Briana down the garden path with him. Or should I say, down the path to the stream. But Beau stopped them."

"How?" Bobby could feel John tense up at the memory. He cuddled as close as he could, placing one leg in between John's.

"He put himself in front of the kids, bared his teeth then gave Patrick a little head butt. Sonny Boy landed on his rump and Bree went running for home. Beau's still young but he knew instinctively what to do. He's protecting his pack."

"His what?"

"His pack. Us. We're his pack."

"You make us sound like wolves."

"To Beau, we are, in a way. Take a good look at him some time. He may have a touch of the wolf in him."

"Should I be worried?"

"No, Baby, not at all. He's far from wild but he has the wolf smarts. And a fierce loyalty that most dogs have when brought up in a loving environment. And you have to admit, this dog is loved."

"That he is. Even by the other side."

"Other side?" John smirked.

"Brian, Justin and Bree. Justin's a little distant though."

"That's because he's afraid that his allergies may act up and you know he can't take most medication. Bree was jealous and Beau can be intimidating, but I think she respects him and loves him in her own little way."

"What about your brother?" Bobby giggled softly. They both knew that Brian was an ole softie when it came to Beau. He was caught on several occasions sneaking a treat to the dog under the table. Brian always played the innocent.

"He's just as fond of Beau as we are, although he may not admit it. It was his suggestion that I make the doggie door."

"It amazes me that Beau hasn't lifted his leg on one of Brian's precious plants," Bobby's giggle became louder.

"I think Beau and Brian came to an understanding. Wolf to wolf." Bobby's giggle was infectious and John joined in. Then John pounced on his mate, capturing Bobby's lips, pinning Bobby's arms to the mattress.

"Mmm, methinks someone is trying to tell me he's top dog for the night," Bobby purred in John's ear.

"Do you mind?" John asked softly, sucking at the sweet spots on Bobby's neck and settling himself between Bobby's legs.

"Not at all. You can be top dog anytime you want." Bobby's words were coming in stuttered pants as John's ministrations increased.

"I love you, Bobby." John captured Bobby's lips again then he slowly laved his way down Bobby's firm body. "Love you so much."

"Love you," Bobby said blissfully. Neither man spoke further; the only sounds to be heard were the sounds of love.

*****

The next morning, Brian and Beau were at the construction site. A makeshift driveway had been cleared as well as the perimeter for the stone foundation. Brian was in awe at how well organized John, Gordon and their crew were. Beau sat quietly at his heels waiting for some indication that they were to continue their walk. Just then Beau stood up and started wagging his tail.

"What is it, Dog?" Brian asked as he patted the top of the dog's head. Brian turned when he heard John's footfalls. "Ah, that early warning system you have," Brian snarked. "Morning, brother dearest," Brian called out over his shoulder.

"You have bionic hearing now?" John responded.

"Nah, but Beau does. He could hear those boats of yours tramping through the grass a mile away." Brian did a double take when he noted a little extra bounce in John's saunter. Brian arched a brow. "Someone got lucky last night," Brian said smugly.

"I'm lucky every night." John tried not to blush.

"That's not what I mean and you know it. Someone took a trip to the top."

"Well, I am the alpha dog around here." John couldn't hold back his smile.

"Way to go, big brother! I'll make a top out of you yet." The boys broke out into belly laughs. Beau jumped up then scampered around them joining in their mirth.

"See, even Beau recognizes the leader of the pack!" John said proudly.

Just then Gordon walked up to join them.

"Do I want to know why you boys are cackling like a bunch of old hens?" Gordon asked the still giggling brothers.

"Some things are better left unsaid," John counseled his friend.

"I'll take your word on that." Gordon thought the advice worth listening to so he didn't pursue it. "Come with me, I'll update you both on our progress." Gordon led the brothers closer to the site. John, Brian and Beau followed dutifully.

*****

"Hi," Bobby said lazily to John when John entered their bedroom. Bobby was languishing in bed. John had loved him thoroughly last night and well into the morning. "Where did you get the energy to get out of bed so early this morning?"

"I think you re-energized me." John sat on their bed and bent low to give Bobby a kiss.

"And I think you wore me out; you're one hell of a top dog, John Anderson." Bobby circled John with his arms.

"You taught me everything I know." John nestled into Bobby's arms.

"I taught you the basics. You are one creative lover."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Did you get some pointers from Brian?"

"Maybe, I just know what I like and I want to please you." John dipped his head, slightly blushing.

"You do please me, John, you please me so much that I ache sometimes. It's crazy, I know, but I love you more each day. My whole life began the day I met you." Bobby pulled John on top of him. "Can you come back to bed? Where's Patrick?"

"Patrick's with Brian and Bree. I think there's some serious gar-gar going on outside."

"Good, get naked and your fine ass back in this bed. I want you again."

"Your wish is my command," John said as he shucked off his clothes then got back into bed.