Annie's POV:
"Okay," I said before we reached the cabin. "I promise. I'll stay in the rear. I won't follow tracks. I won't go looking for the gang. I'll stay where you put me."
Jasper looked at me, and something in his face eased. "Thank you, Annie."
"Where are you going now?" he asked. "I'll walk you."
"The market stalls," I said without thinking. "Jack's birthday is tomorrow. I need to get him something."
His face lit up, the way it always lit up when I mentioned Jack. "Tomorrow? We'll have to make it a good one."
"We ride out at dawn," I said. "So it will have to be tonight."
"Then tonight it is."
We went to the stalls together. I bought Jack a carved wooden wolf with real fur on its back, a twist of honey cakes, and a small pouch of dried berries. Jasper watched me haggle with
