Ruby continued, “When I heard the gunshot and Luna didn’t come back, I was terrified. I went out to look for her—if I’d come on that awful woman then, I would have done her a damage—and found our dear doggie huddled against the foundation at the back of the house. She was bleeding in so many places and panting with the pain.”

“What did you do?” Rae’s eyes were wide in horror.

“I called her. Dear Luna struggled after me, up the steps and into the house. She collapsed in the kitchen. I didn’t know what to do, so I gave her water, found a blanket in the library and spread it on the floor. She dragged herself onto it. I got towels, wet them, sat down on a chair and cleaned her. She cried when I touched her, and I cried, too.” Ruby extended one shaking hand to pet Luna’s head, and one to smooth Rae’s hair.

Kellen understood what Ruby didn’t say—that the emotion and the effort had exhausted her almost beyond the reserves of her strength. Kellen pressed Ruby’s hand between Luna’s head and her own hand. “Thank you. Thank you. We all thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do enough. Simply sat with her, and wondered if we were going to die there. Then I heard the helicopter that your dear husband sent.” Ruby glanced toward the door.

Max and Verona stood there, listening.

“Kellen wouldn’t rest until I understood you were here and needed help.” Max gave credit where credit was due.

Kellen gave a watery laugh. “Max, you jerk. Why didn’t you tell me Luna was alive?”

“I didn’t know until this morning when I spoke to Tichi. The medical team didn’t realize we thought Luna was dead. At that point I thought you should really see our dog.” Translation: Max didn’t want Kellen bursting into tears when he was alone with her.

Ruby watched them fondly. “What a lovely couple you are.” She extended her hand to Verona. “You must be Rae’s beloved grandma.”

Verona carefully shook the twisted, arthritic hand. “All I’ve heard about since I returned is the brave and strong Ruby Morgade.”

Introductions were made, Max set chairs around the bed, and he and Verona seated themselves. Rae remained close to Ruby, and Kellen stayed where she was, crouched beside the bed to pet Luna.

“Please, Miss Morgade, tell us what happened next,” Verona said.

“Dear Tichi found us first. She came through the kitchen door, saw me and Luna, and in no time she had the whole medical team working on Luna.”

Tichi popped in from the outer room. “She insisted we help Luna first.” Seeing how Ruby sat up to talk, how she gestured, Tichi came in, fluffed the bed pillows, pressed Ruby back and urged her to relax.

Ruby smiled tremulously. “Tichi is fierce.”