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Then AJ went out to greet Mr. Winkler and Dennis, who had both been invited to spend this Thanksgiving with their family.

In a few short days, Dennis was leaving Three Mile Bay to join his dad in California, where the main offices of "Bassin' the Weeds," was located. It was an exciting time for Dennis. His famous father, Archibald Beckman, was handing the reigns of the family business over to his son, and Dennis was eager to prove that he was equal to the challenge.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" smiled Mr. Winkler, as he saw the young couple enter the living room.

While Dennis and Mr. Winkler made themselves comfortable on the couch, John pulled his daughter aside to the kitchen.

"Is Jake all right?" he asked in concern. "He looks as though he's been crying."

"Please, Dad," she begged him, "don't let Jake know that you've noticed. He was a bit shaken up, but he's fine."

"Is everything all right between you two?" pressed her father, uneasy that this might be signaling another departure on Jake's part.

"We're good," she smiled, seeing John's reluctance to leave it at that.

Just then, Terry entered the kitchen to carry out a large tray of appetizers that Jake had prepared earlier that morning. As he was about to leave, Terry caught sight of John's concerned face.

"Is something bad happening?" he asked, balancing the tray on one hand, while trying to hold onto a fistful of napkins with the other.

"Only if you drop that thing!" laughed Abby. "Here, let me take in those napkins, Uncle Terry!"

Terry left with the tray, while John searched his daughter's face to see if there was anything more she wanted to tell him.

"Believe it or not," Abby smiled, "Jake's happy!"

Satisfied with this answer, John went back to their guests.

To Abby's pleasant surprise, Jake behaved as though he were mildly enjoying Dennis' presence, instead of merely tolerating him. Whatever had transpired to make this change, Abby was glad that Jake had finally made friends with her new boss.

"Will you be returning next season, Dennis?" asked John, placing an assortment of appetizers onto a plate for Izumi, who was trying very hard to enjoy her Thanksgiving while being stuck in bed.

"No," replied the former casting instructor, "this year was it for me."

"On to better and bigger things, eh?" smiled Terry, biting into a cracker topped with cheese and sliced olives.

"I hope to," Dennis grinned ambitiously. "I want to introduce our publication to the next generation of fly casters. There's a large, up and coming readership of young people out there who are discovering that fly fishing isn't only for their dads and grandparents. It's the future, and 'Bassin' the Weeds' needs to change with the times. The trick is to attract a younger audience, while still hanging onto the older subscribers that Dad worked so hard to get. That's where I hope to use Abby."

"Our Abby?" piped up John, who had just returned from the master bedroom. "What about her?"

"Mr. Johannes," explained Dennis, enthusiastically leaning forward in his seat, "she's going to be the new face of 'Bassin' the Weeds.' Abby's a gifted fly caster, she's young, attractive, only beginning to set records in tournaments, and she's extremely knowledgeable for someone her age. Why, people at the tackle shop often return simply because of her! I know a good thing when I see it, and Abby is good for business!"

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