He thought he was checking out illegal logging in the Idaho mountains-until he found a German Shepherd locked in a frozen cage, staring at him like it had been waiting for exactly one person

He only held Ray’s gaze for a moment, then looked past him toward the window facing the trees.

Later, after Ray left, Grant carried the empty water bowl to the sink and heard a sound behind him so slight that most people would have missed it: nails touching wood, then stopping.

Atlas was standing at the front door.

His nose was nearly pressed to the continue reading …