When Koda would arrive it’d be much different than Chess. He’d manage to get himself all the way to the house on his own. Dale was meant to show up later to take him back to his place that night. He was bunking there. He wasn’t staying long. But, for now he’d have his luggage in hand and drop it on the floor. There was a quick, “Hello Dug” and then Scout would pulverize him before Valerie even finished stepping aside to fully let him in the doors.
Koda would look over her shoulder and see Thomas over there and give him a little nod, but would refuse to let go till Scout did. Valerie backed up and let that happen.
They all saw what Koda, Chip, and Elsa did, at least as much as Chip saw with his own eyes. Koda knew by the way Scout wouldn’t let go that coming right now was the right thing to do.
Valerie would step over by Thomas and wait for it to play out.