He thought he was stopping for a stray dog in the snow-until he saw what she was hiding beneath her body

Cal in the first paragraph. She did not make him a hero. He was grateful for that.

The town made up its mind in the slow, uneven way towns do. A few people muttered that Crowley deserved his day in court. Most people brought towels.

The first puppy opened its eyes the next morning.

It was the big female, the one Claire had marked with a red thread. Cal continue reading …