So Darby wasn’t thinking about anything except the pink-and-white-striped hatboxes until she opened the door and the dog darted out. “Oh no, you don’t.” Darby grabbed for Pip, but the dog had already slipped between her ankles. Leaving a whiff of floral doggy shampoo in her wake, Pip headed for the big dogs dozing in the ranch yard. The little whirlwind of a dog was trouble. Her newest, favorite victim was the orphan piglet Darby had rescued. Pip wasn’t headed for the pigpen yet, but her barks had already alerted the Australian shepherds. Pip incited the big dogs to follow her into all kinds of trouble, from tormenting horses to making Francie, the goat, faint. Because this habit was growing worse instead of better, Jonah had decreed that Pip wasn’t allowed outside alone. “I have more important things to do than be your chaperone,” Darby said, but then she saw Pip streaking toward Hoku. Running in boots wasn’t easy, or fast. By the time Darby reached the animals, Hoku was snorting and kicking.
