"I'm aware of the hygiene factor." Devon washed her hands at the sink. "Where's Nick?"

"He went down to feed Casper and the cats. Though those cats should be earning their keep being mousers in that barn. I saw a rat the last time I went down there."

"They were raised as house cats." She sat down at the table and started eating. "They'd be here with us if they weren't afraid of the dogs."

"They just like having their own kingdom in that barn, with all of us waiting on them." Janet poured her a cup of coffee. "You spoil them."

"Maybe." She was looking at Ned. He was bright-eyed and moving with only a little stiffness. "Your friend, Marrok, wants you back. What about it?"

Ned's tail thumped hard on the floor.

"Is that a yes? I'm not so sure. I certainly won't turn you over to him until I'm sure you're well on the way to healing."

"He looks good to me," Nick said from the kitchen door. "Better than good."

"I'll take him in and have him checked over just to make sure. Are you going with me?"

"No." He grimaced. "I have to get in the truck and see if I can find Casper."

She stared at him in bewilderment. "What?"

"I must have left the gate ajar when I went into the paddock to feed him last night. It was half-open when I went down this morning." He held up his hand. "Don't worry. No one is going to take Casper. Everyone knows he belongs to you. If I can't find him, I'll leave word with all the farmers in the neighborhood to let me know when they see him."

"I'm not worried about him being stolen. Casper's not too bright. He has a tendency to charge if he gets ner vous. Maybe I should go with you."

"He'll be fine. I think I can handle that donkey. He'll recognize me as the bringer of good vittles." Nick took the keys to the truck from the cookie jar on the counter. "I'll call you when I locate him. Otherwise, I'll see you at the clinic later."