Once the Margot had been secured, the captain got his gear from below and stepped onto the dock. He gave Brigitte a big hug. "This cat seems to be on a journey of some sort, and we wouldn't want to interfere with her plans by bringing her home," he said. Reluctantly, Brigitte agreed. She patted Tate on the head several times, then she and her father walked up the road from the dock toward their house in the village.
"Well," thought Tate, "that was a close call, since I already have a home." This made her think of Farmer Pierre. "I miss Pierre," she thought to herself, "especially our quiet evenings in front of the fireplace." Suddenly, Tate noticed that it was growing dark, so she started up the road toward the orchard and Great-Aunt Eloise.
Half an hour later, she came around a bend in the road and saw a magnificent sight - the trees in the orchard had been decorated for Christmas. Tate crouched in the grass at the side of the road, and gazed at the blinking lights.