Ethan dropped his duffel bag.
His knees nearly buckled.
His breath vanished.

Shadow sprinted.

Not to security.
Not to a handler.

Straight to Ethan.

The dog leapt into him with such force he stumbled backward, arms instinctively curling around the familiar body. Shadow whined, barked, pressed his head into Ethan’s chest again and again — like he was trying to make sure the man he loved was real.

Tears spilled down Ethan’s cheeks before he could stop them.

“Shadow… how—? How are you here?”

A woman stepped forward — mid-40s, warm smile, volunteer vest on. She cleared her throat as Ethan wiped his eyes.

“Sergeant Cole?”

He nodded.