ern. "It's not my fault. Lily simply detests her tutors. She f

, smoothing her dress over her pregnant belly. "But she threw such tan

Robert if you don't belie

rs being a mutt to getting an education. She's no

voice was a dry rasp. "Sister... I don't like

all fours and barked

You're a human bei

ld gardeners, Mom's personal security detail – all gone. Replaced by these hard-faced stran

ice regaining its strength. "But I'm back now. My

e. "Well, Ava, perhaps you can man

my tennis ball from the dirt,

ing it. She snatched the ball in her teeth a

threw it again. Lily started to chase it,

You walk on two legs! You use your

her eyes wide with fear. "No!

She dangled the ball. "Wan

er tongue loll

m trusted you to care for Lily. T

ent. "She's a lost ca

nlock that chai

ne m

taff. "Are you all de

aid casually. Only then d

ad no authority h

came frantic. She tried to scurry back into the filthy woode

surprisingly light. "Lily, don't be scare

er up, no time to pack. I ca