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

at the puppy. Scout eased forward when he moved his arm and touched her nose to the pup’s side, once, twice, counting breath through scent. The puppy twitched faintly. Scout curled around him without putting weight on him.

“What did you call him?” Claire asked.

“I didn’t.”

“I’ve been calling him Finn in my head.” She gave a tired little shrug. “He needed continue reading …