Page 54 of I’ll Find You

Rose looks up. “What do you mean?"

Callie smiles, more certain this time. “He’s coming back.”

I blink. “What?”

“Didn’t work out,” she shrugs. “They weren’t ready for him. Said he was too temperamental. Too growly.” She snorts. “Called him a ‘nipper.’ He’ll be back this afternoon.”

Rose turns to me so fast, and suddenly we have our second chance. Hope radiates from her.

“He’s coming back,” she says, almost as if she’s afraid saying it too loud might ruin it.

I nod once. That’s all it takes.

“We’re not missing it this time,” I say. “This is our second chance.”

Because I remember the way he looked at her. The way he followed her, yet barely tolerated everyone else. Me, too. The way he chose us. You don’t walk away from something like that twice.

Callie crosses her arms, watching us. “Figured you’d say that,” she says. “He never stopped looking for you after you left for Texas. Both of you."

I catch Rose's eye, a subtle glance between us, maybe this isn’t a coincidence at all. Maybe it was meant to be.

My arm slides around her waist, pulling her closer as we settle into work, filling time until he returns.

When the door finally opens, I don’t need to look. The howl says everything.

“Watson,” Rose breathes. He breaks free at her voice. The handler barely has time to react before Watson bolts forward, leash dragging behind him as he closes the distance in seconds, coming straight to her. I don’t blame him. Me, too, buddy.

He jumps, paws landing against her. His tail wags so hard his whole body moves with it. His bark melts into that familiar, continuous howl.

Rose drops to her knees without hesitation, laughing softly as she wraps her arms around him. “Hey, buddy. I missed you, too,” she coos into his fur. He’s unable to contain himself. His nose presses into her neck, her shoulder, her face, trying to make sure it’s her and she’s real.

“I think he’s finally found what he’s been looking for.” I exhale slowly, watching it all. “I understand the feeling.”

Callie steps up beside me. “Yeah,” she murmurs. “About what I expected.”

I let out something close to a laugh, but my eyes stay on them. I watch the way Rose looks at him, and the way he looks at her. They’ve already decided.

Rose glances back at me, still kneeling with her hand buried in his fur. Her eyes are bright. “We can’t let him go again."

I don’t hesitate. “We’re not.” The words come out easily and final as I look at Callie.

She doesn’t look surprised, just pleased. “I’ll start the paperwork.”

“Do it,” I say. Because there’s nothing left to figure out. Watson relaxes just enough to press himself into Rose, his tail still wagging, and his head resting against her shoulder. I know he’s already decided, too, that this is it. This is home. And watching them, standing there in the middle of it, I realize something I didn’t expect. It’s not just about a dog. It’s about what we’re choosing together. Our family.

Rose stands slowly, with Watson staying glued to her side. Her hand finds mine. I look down at it, then back at her. At Watson, and our moment. “Guess we’re not leaving empty-handed,” I murmur.

Rose smiles. “No. Definitely not his time.”

Callie disappears behind the counter to grab the adoption paperwork for us. Watson doesn’t leave Rose’s side. Not even a step, as his body stays pressed firmly against her leg. I lean against the counter, watching them as Callie flips through the forms, glancing up every now and then with a small, knowing smile.

“You two just made his year,” she says, sliding the papers toward me. “Maybe mine, too, with an adoption in the first week of the new year.”

I take the pen and sign where she points without hesitation. Callie doesn’t need to do a home visit because we live in the same complex as they do, and she’s seen firsthand how we are with Watson. She knows we won’t be bringing him back.

“Glad we could help,” I mutter, a small smile tugging at my lips.

She pauses then, tapping the edge of the clipboard, debating asking something. “Actually…” Her eyes move between us. “There’s something else you could help Denver and me with.”