He didn’t expect a welcome.
Most of his family was gone.
Friends scattered.
Life had changed too many times to count.

He headed toward the exit, steps slow, mind drifting back to all the faces he’d lost overseas — including the one with brown eyes and four paws.

Shadow.
The dog who saved him.

Ethan took a deep breath.
Then he heard it.

A bark.
Sharp.
Echoing.
Too familiar to be imagined.

He froze.

Another bark — closer this time.

Passengers turned. A few people moved aside, creating a strange, widening path between rows of seats.

And then Ethan saw him.

A fully grown German Shepherd, graying slightly around the muzzle, eyes glowing with recognition so fierce it hit Ethan like a punch to the chest.

Shadow.]