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“What?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“Nothing.”

Rylie touched his arm.

“Ranger?”

Trigger swallowed.

I knew the name.

Every Ranger did.

Ranger had been Trigger’s dog long before the Last Stand Tavern. Before Eagle River. Before Rylie.

The dog had saved lives.

Then lost his own.

Trigger placed one hand on Max’s head.

“Ranger would have liked him,” he said.

Max looked up.

“He would have,” I agreed.

Trigger rubbed Max’s ears before turning to me.

“You trust him with her?”

“With my life.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

“Yes,” I said. “I trust him with Rylie.”

Trigger nodded.

“Then he stays beside her.”

Max rested his head on Rylie’s knee again.

The decision had been made.

Judy gathered her notes.

I remained near the door while everyone left the room.

Rylie went upstairs with Trigger, Max, and her father.

Wolf began assigning overnight security positions.

Carson carried the camp records to the sheriff’s department.

Will took possession of the old photograph.