"What do you think I'm doing?" he asked Kinn with a last laugh. "And besides, that money was earned and spent long ago." He balanced the box a little higher while reaching with his free hand to greet the dogs, petting each one in turn.

"Bribe is such an unpleasant word," he answered, coming further into the room. "Let's consider this a gift, a gesture of good will." With that he gave the box to Will then crouched in front the still scowling Kinn.

"Looks like my seat is already taken," he teased as he made his introductions to the cat.