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

behind, but he rooted for the bottle with stubborn little nudges that made Cal’s throat tighten if he looked too long.

Claire was examining the biggest female when she stopped.

“Cal,” she said. “Bring that lamp closer.”

He moved it without asking why.

Claire folded back the puppy’s tiny ear. Near the inside edge was a faint gray-blue mark, barely larger continue reading …