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Norm returned to Dave, and the two of them rounded the slight bend.

When we caught up to them, the driveway opened up to a modern brick farmhouse with smoke curling from the chimney. The gardens running along the front were neat and free of weeds, and a gravel lot sat off to the side with a Customer Parking sign for the adjoining café.

Caravans and cars were lined up there now.

One of the van doors opened, and a bald man in a grey hoodie leaned out, coffee mug in hand. “Everything all right, Dave?”

“Yeah, all good, Alan.” He gave a brief wave and continued walking.

The man gave our car a curious look before retreating inside again.

Dave gestured to an empty spot on the right where we could park, and I swung around, reversing into the space.

When I killed the engine, a surge of emotion took over, and I reached for Ava, clasping her hand.

Tim wheezed in the back seat, and Varesh murmured reassurances no one believed anymore—but we’d made it.

We were finally here.

Thirty-Three

ava

Dave pushed the front door open, and Norm shot around his legs before any of us could step inside.

“Don’t mind the dog,” he said. Norm’s paws slid on the timber floor as he disappeared around the corner. “He does whatever the hell he wants.”

Wishing I could barge through the door, too, I hung back and waited for the guys to cross the threshold with Tim.

“We appreciate this,” Varesh said.

“Glad to help.” As soon as they’d passed by, Dave’s attention came back to me, his gaze sharp. “Why is he being carried?” he asked. “He doesn’t look injured.”

“He was bitten,” I said. “Yesterday.”

He threw a look over his shoulder as they reached the next doorway. “We have kids here. A baby.”

“I get it.” The urgency tearing through me made me want to dance on the spot. “But we’ll make sure someone stays with him until…”

Dave’s posture relaxed a little, even if his expression stayed watchful. “We’ll get him settled in one of the spare rooms and figure out the rest later. No one’s up yet.”

My shoulders sagged. “Thank you.”

He led the way through an entry foyer crowded with shoes that had been kicked off and left wherever they landed, mud and gravel stuck to the soles.

Except for one pair, lined up against the wall, toes first.

Pressure built inside my chest, and I had to concentrate on breathing.

Sadie.

Puffer jackets and raincoats hung from a row of hooks, and I glanced back as I followed Dave into the main part of the home.

Her jacket hung there, too.

It wasn’t a cruel joke. She was actually here.

As I rounded the same corner where Norm had skidded, the house opened into one large living space.