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

Not soften, exactly. They would never become soft. But they had found a place in him that did not bleed every time he touched it.

Scout sighed and shifted closer.

Cal rested his hand on her back. Beneath his palm, her breathing was steady and warm.

“You staying?” he asked.

Her tail thumped once against the boards.

The answer was obvious, but he liked hearing continue reading …