The front door opened and Tess ran up to me. The chilled shadow of late winter clung to her fur. She burrowed her nose in my hands, and I felt pure sour panic rise up my throat. Choking, I hid my face in her thick coat. Oddio! I inhaled brisk winter and damp upturned soil.

She felt soft and alive.

Gabe added wood to the fire and then sat down next to me to unleash Tess.

Enveloped in panic, I barely lifted my head; in a whisper I asked him about the Oz ...