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

not to feed Penny toast. A librarian was discovering Hazel had opinions about furniture. A farm couple was finding Moose in some fresh disaster and laughing despite themselves.

Cal smiled into his coffee.

Scout bumped his hand with her nose, impatient for the morning walk.

“All right,” he said. “I’m coming.”

They went down the steps together, leaving two continue reading …