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

rubbed him gently between her palms to stimulate circulation. She checked his gums again. The seizure eased after half a minute that felt much longer. The puppy went limp, then dragged in one thin breath, then another.

Cal realized he had stopped breathing with him.

“Come on, little man,” Claire whispered.

The puppy’s ribs lifted again.

Claire closed her continue reading …