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“Why would dogs want painted nails?” Archerr asked

“They don’t,” Gray replied “But apparently Scelties who live with young girls end up with painted nails, and this is the only nail paint that should be used”

Shira uess that means Wynne and Keely will have pretty toenails

Cassidy pressed her lips together and didn’t answer

“These braided ropes are good for playing tug or toss or chase—with or without humans,” Gray continued “And these rawhide strips are for chewing We’ll be able to figure out how to ht plenty for everyone”

Archerr tapped one of the bright-colored balls on the table “These things are as big as the dogs”

“But lightweight,” Gray said “These are the kinds of toys folks in Scelt buy for the Scelties”

“And this?” Shaddo picked up a stuffed baby bunny

“I thought you ive that to Darcy for Winsol,” Gray said “That way he’ll have a pet Soli will let him keep”

Shaddo laughed “Yeah, they had this ‘discussion’ two or three ti ho to keep it as a cuddly, and she couldn’t find a way to explain that the bunny he wanted to keep as a pet would grow up into the rabbit he’d catch for dinner This just ht satisfy both of them Thanks, Gray”

“That’s why I bought a variety of things,” Gray said “Everyone living with a Sceltie will have a gift that’s appropriate so they won’t feel left out of the celebrations We choose ant, and the rest goes to Merchants as stock for future gifts or treats”

“Well done, Gray,” Powell said, looking bemused

Gray called in a stuffed toy and held it out to Ranon “I thought Khollie would like this”

A lah to cuddle with but sh that Khollie could carry it around with him

Khollie, as still afraid to be alone Who had been so terrified to go outside one day that he ended up peeing on the floor and then hid in a corner and whined all day until Ranon came home

Gray shifted, still holding the toy that Ranon hadn’t taken “Las, so he can have a bath whenever he needs one Might need some Craft to help the insides dry, but”

Cassidy saw Ranon’s throat work, saw his dark eyes fill with tears A ht

She glanced at Shira Anot to blubber Didn’t help to see Powell knuckling away a tear

“Thank you,” Ranon said hoarsely, finally stepping back Gently holding the toy, he turned and offered it to Shira, who took it and vanished it

“Why don’t you vanish those toys and things, Gray,” Talon said “You and Shaddo should talk to the other folks so they can pick out what they’d like”

“All right” Gray vanished the Sceltie gifts, then rubbed his hands “That wasI do have some crates to deliver to Merchants But these are to be opened by Cassie, and she is to do with the contents as she pleases”

He called in several crates and set theht “That one first”