Love Unspoken

Unable to resist, Quinn stepped out of the car and ventured into the enclosure, her gaze fixed on the rescued pups.

Finn reached out and stroked the head of a golden retriever, then looked back at Quinn. "These are all domestic pets. They're all very gentle. Want to pet one?"

Quinn eyed the dogs, her expression flickering with the desire to reach out, but then she hesitated. "It's okay, they won't bite.

Look, they're not biting me," he encouraged.Quinn pursed her lips, mustered courage, and finally reached out to touch the retriever's head.Softer than she imagined, the fur was fluffy, and the dog was compliant, busy eating its food."See?" Finn said, smiling.

watched from the fence as they herded the dogs back into their kennels, then tucked each cage under the

blurred. They found joy in what they were doing, even without any obvious profit. It was

the pets, and Sam

van, and he maneuvered the vehicle out

Sam's profile as he drove; his expression was focused. She envied the sense of liberty that surrounded him; he seemed to live life on his own terms, free to pursue whatever

by the hospital for a checkup if you'd like to."She shook her head hurriedly, indicating that she was fine."Oh, right, who's Alexander to you?

or some kind of sibling-like relationship... At the mention of "sister," a bitter smile tugged at Quinn's lips.Sister...For twenty years, that's what she heard most when Alexander