Moments later, the dragon family soared into the sky, calling, “Bye, Lily and Jess! Bye, Goldie!”
Once they were out of sight, Lily sighed. “I guess it’s time for us to go home, too.”
She and Jess hugged Rosie, the Gigglepips, and all their other friends. Then, waving good-bye, they followed Goldie through the trees.
“The forest looks lovely again,” said Jess. The last raindrops were glittering like diamonds on a starflower bush.
“And look, the Friendship Tree’s golden leaves are as beautiful as ever,” said Lily, as they arrived.
Goldie took their hands in her paws. “The forest is safe thanks to you!”
Jess and Lily exchanged glances.
“Grizelda will probably come up with a horrible new plan,” said Lily.
“But we’ll be ready to stop her,” added Jess firmly.
Goldie smiled. “I know you will.”
She touched a paw to the tree trunk, and a door appeared.
The girls hugged her, then stepped inside, into the shimmering light.
When the golden glow disappeared, Jess and Lily found themselves back in Brightley Meadow.
“What an adventure!” said Jess, as they walked back to Helping Paw.
“It was amazing!” Lily said with a grin. They went into the barn and peeped into Coco’s hutch. The guinea pig was asleep in her nest of sweet-smelling hay. But there was something else there, too, nestling beside her.
“She had a baby!” whispered Lily.
Jess grinned. “So that’s why she wasn’t feeling right!”
The tiny creature was a little smaller than Lily’s hand, and had golden-brown fur. She blinked up at the girls.
“She’s so pretty!” said Lily.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Hart came into the barn, too.
“Mom! Dad!” said Lily. “Guess what? Coco had a baby!”
Mr. and Mrs. Hart just smiled.
Lily gasped. “You knew!”
“We wanted it to be a surprise,” said Mr. Hart, with a grin.
“Jess has her kitten, Pixie,” said Mrs. Hart, “so we thought it would be nice for you to have a pet, too. Would you like to keep the baby?” she asked. “And Coco, too, of course, if no one claims her.”
Lily hugged her parents. “Yes, please! Thank you!” she said happily.
Jess was thrilled for her. “What will you call the baby?”
Lily looked at the tiny creature. “Her fur’s lovely and golden,” she said, “so I think I’ll call her Honey—Honey Rose!”
Jess grinned. “Perfect!”
As Mr. and Mrs. Hart started cleaning out the other hutches, Coco woke up and nuzzled Honey.
Lily laughed. “She’s such a good mom, just like Saffire!”
“I hope Goldie visits us again soon,” Jess said.
“Me, too,” Lily agreed.
They shared a smile. They couldn’t wait for their next adventure in Friendship Forest!
The End