Chapter 54

Pippa's POV

I walk ahead of Denise and her children, mindful of the fact that the she-wolf is injured and won’t be able to keep up with me if I rush her. The littlest one keeps complaining and begging her mother to pick her up.

Halfway to the cottage, I stop and turn to the little girl. “What’s your name?”

“Penny,” she says and sticks a dirty little finger in her mouth.

“Penelope,” Denise says with a smile.

“Penny suits her just fine,” I reply and scoop the little girl up.

I’ve always had a soft spot for lost and wayward children. Back when I still worked at the church, I’d spend as much time as I could with the orphans. Looking back now, I realise that they were my only true source of joy.

I sit the small girl on my hip and tap her nose. “How old are you?”

“Sixth,” she says with a little lisp.

“Six? Oh, but then you’re a big girl. Too big to ask Mommy to carry you around.”

“I’m tiwed,” she complains.

Denise shakes her head at me. “I’m afraid I spoiled her a little. I though