BONUS SCENE
Saoirse walked ahead, shoulders relaxed, boots sure on the narrow trail. Pippin rode high in the carrier on her back like royalty—tail curled, ears flicking, eyes full of judgment. He hadn’t stopped glaring since we left the cottage. Still wasn’t speaking to either of us for the sin of going off-grid without his approval, even though we both knew he loved being taken along instead of left behind.
Ajax ranged a few paces farther, nose to the breeze, tail up and alert. He was fully healed now, scar barely visible beneath his coat. That didn’t stop him from limping now and again when he wanted sympathy. The old lad was shameless about it. Not that I could blame him. He’d earned the theatrics. And the extra treats. Mrs. Byrne at the bakery had needed to up her production of the fancy biscuits to keep Ajax, Havoc, and Falkor supplied in the manner to which they’d all become accustomed. Spoiled, the lot of them. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.