Chapter 5
Jack, sitting on Dave's lap was able to look over the top of the duck boat. "Papa," he whispered, "look." Dave looked over into the cove and noticed a large group of ducks gathered.
He smiled. "Let's get back at it," he whispered back. Jack hopped off his lap and put the thermoses put away.
"That hit the spot Papa," he whispered, zipping up the backpack.
"It sure did Champino," Dave smiled.
Less than an hour later, Max dropped the sixth duck Dave downed on the deck and shook out his fur. "Come here Max," Jack said, as Dave doubled-checked his shotgun and put it back in the case. Jack took off Max's life vest. Max promptly sprayed Jack with another lake water bath, shaking out the fur that was under the vest. Jack looked at him, wiping his face. "Thanks Max," he sarcastically said. Dave lightly laughed, hanging the vest of the seat back to dry out.
They both looked up, hearing a boat approaching. Warden Valdez waved at them as he slowed his boat and pulled up, grabbing the side of the duck boat. "Hi Agent Rossi, Jack," he smiled at both of them. "How'd you do?"
"We bagged the limit," Dave said. "You want to check them."
Valdez shook his head. "I know better Agent Rossi," he smiled. "I just stopped by to see how you two did."
"Please, it's just Dave. I'm off duty this weekend."
Valdez smiled again, looking at Jack. "You have a good time Jack?"
"Yeah, I had a great time with Papa and Max," Jack beamed.
"And your Papa has got you dressed right," Valdez pointed at Jack's life vest. "I'm glad you had a great time. That's what it's all about out here. I'm just around so everyone does it safely."
"Thanks Warden," Jack said. "I like what you do," he smiled.
Valdez rapped the side of the boat. "Enjoy the rest of your day guys," he smiled. He started the motor of his boat and took off. Max barked a good bye, sending a new group of ducks in the cove scattering.
Dave pulled up the anchors and got the trolling motor going to move to the decoys. As the boat glided to a halt another small boat showed up. Cory smiled at them in him and Tina's small 12 foot runabout. "We've been watching," he smiled. "I'll pull up the decoys. You help Jack get them stored."
"Thanks Cory," Dave appreciatively smiled. "But hang on; it's getting warm and we're both overdressed. He took the time to get out of his hunting vest and jacket as Jack pulled his life vest off and then his jacket. Dave made sure he put his life vest back on, smiling as Jack buckled it back up.
One by one, Cory hauled up the decoys pulling off any lake bottom weeds, handing the decoy and the small anchor that held them in place to Dave. Dave wrapped the line around the decoy and handed it to Jack. Jack put the decoy in the storage locker. Max plopped down on the deck by the seat, yawning. He was snoozing less than a minute later in the sunshine.
Cory pulled up the last one and handed it to Dave. "Thanks again Cory," Dave smiled. "I really appreciate it."
"I'm always glad to help you out," he smiled. "That's you asked Tina and me to do." He moved to start the small motor, grabbing the starter rope. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend," he said, pulling the rope. The engine fired up. "Give me a call if you need anything else."
Dave smiled. "It's nap time this afternoon. We're good to go. Say hi to Tina for us."
"Will do," Cory smiled, pushing his boat away from Dave's and moved off. Dave pulled out his cell phone. Coming in with our limit.
Dave started the boat and sat down in the captain's chair. His cell pinged in his pants pocket and he pulled it out to look at the text. Been waiting for that. Dave smiled and got the boat heading for home.
Nearing the dock, Dave nodded at Jack sitting in the seat and pointed. Jack turned in the seat and got up on his knees to see over the high sides of the duck boat. He spotted Aaron waiting on the dock for them and waved. Dave smiled.
Dave slowed the boat down, waking Max. He stood up, yawned and stretched. A couple seconds later, Jack looked at Dave. "Good thing we're getting to shore Papa," he said shaking his head.
"Wow, that's bad," Dave smelled.
Jack giggled. "I think Max's farts stink worse than you and dad's." Dave roared as he slowed the boat, cutting the engine. He let the momentum take it the dock. Aaron grabbed the side, pulling it to the dock.
"What's so funny," he asked smiling.
"Our son's profile on fartology."
"Max's are the worst," Jack smiled. "But dad, he's really got to go." Aaron whistled for him. Max bounded up on the platform and jumped on the dock. He took off running past Aaron.
Aaron laughed, pulling Jack over the side. "Wow, you're right."
"So do I," Jack said, running into the fish shack. Aaron tied down the front of the boat. Dave climbed off and fastened the back.
Aaron pulled him into a hug. "You and Jack have a good time?"
Dave kissed him. "It was amazing Aaron and very special."
Aaron smiled at him. "I'm glad; you two need that together." The shared a long kiss until they heard the door on the fish shack slam shut. They pulled apart and smiled at each other.
Jack ran back onto the dock and powered into Aaron for a hug. "You have a good time buddy?"
"It was awesome dad." Jack gave Aaron a blow-by-blow recount of the morning, handing him his life vest he took off. Dave got back on the boat, handing items to Aaron. The jacket they both had taken off, Jack's mittens and finally, Jack's backpack.
"That," Jack pointing at it as Aaron grabbed it, "was a life saver dad," he smiled. "Thanks dad, he added, powering in for another hug.
Aaron smiled. "Any time buddy. I'm glad you and Papa enjoyed it."
"It all really hit the spot Aaron," Dave said, handing the shotgun case to him. The last things to come off the boat were the ducks. Aaron laid them on the dock.
"We need a picture of this," he smiled as Dave climbed off. Dave knelt down on the dock behind the ducks and pulled Jack to his shoulder. Jack whistled for Max. He came bounding up the dock and at Jack's command, sat down next to him. Aaron took two pictures, looking at the results with a smile. "Got it. Papa and Jack's first hunt with Max is now documented for posterity."
Jack looked at him. "Dad, can you take one of the three of us without the ducks?"
"Buddy?"
"For Penelope," Jack shyly smiled.
Aaron smiled. "Good idea Jack." He snapped the picture and smiled at it. "Come see Jack." Jack raced to him and looked.
He smiled. "That's great dad."
"Then why don't you send it to Penelope with a message?"
Jack got wide eyed and his brown eyes lit up. "Can I dad?" Aaron smiled rubbing his back, handing him his cell phone. Aaron proudly smiled at Dave as Jack didn't need any help spelling the words, except for one shortcut in the texting world.
Thirty seconds later, Penelope was fixing lunch for herself while doing some prep for the dinner she was going to make for Kevin that night. She heard her cellphone ping with a message and picked it up. She noticed the text was from Hotch and was addressed to the whole team including Cruz. She quickly pulled it up, thinking it was a case.
She smiled as she read the text. Hey Penny; it's me Jack. Thought you might like this. No pics of ducks tho. Luvs ya!
The whole team, enjoying their weekend, smiled at the text and picture.
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A/N: Thank you to everyone that once again stuck around to read this. I truly appreciate it and your wonderful reviews.
More good stuff coming soon!
*Knightly bow*