Well McCormick decided to go in the ring with Hardcastle and he trusted Hardcastle.
Mark never stopped to realize what he was getting hisself in to,but he really should've taken the size and weight the experience the judge had in situations.
Loved this story Denise.
Keep on writing these great stories.

JeanneZ84

Oh yeah...just keep them coming! I, too, really liked the Calico characters. I think they continued to hang out with the Judge and Mark...they had that father/son thing in common, and Milt definitely needs a contemporary.

And the thing is, I think the punch hurt the Judge more than Mark.

Favorite line? "You're big and strong. You can help me!"

THANKS--and, seriously, KEEP THEM COMING!
Georgi

How nice to see a new story from you so soon! Glad to see you're playing catch up. This was very well-written - the extra care you take shows.

And of course Mark would have pulled his punch, and Hardcastle would probably take him down (albeit unintentionally) every time, despite the age difference. He's got 'some powerful arms' there indeed. :-)

Thanks for giving us another one to enjoy!

I really like the way you brought the Calicos into this story. They were the focus of the episode and it's nice to see them both contributing to the byplay on this occasion. The ending was very nicely done and I'm so glad to see more of your work so quickly!

It's raining stories tonight. Yay to that.

Ah, the freeze-frame--yup, McC pulled his punch. I buy that entirely, just as I buy it when Mark says, "...I should’ve known you wouldn’t pull your punches. You’re Judge Milton C. Hardcastle, after all." That goes a long way toward defining the man. And I like Mark's persistent insistence that if he didn't get his count, it doesn't count.

Thanks for giving us another one!