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

decided the boy had earned better. “Probably. But I think she knows he’s safe.”

Owen nodded. “I miss him when I’m at school. Even though he’s safe.”

Scout moved past Finn and pressed her nose briefly to Owen’s hand.

The boy smiled.

That night, after they left, Cal sat on the porch while the sun sank behind the black pines. Scout lay across the top step continue reading …