“Go ahead,” the nurse said quietly.
The leash slipped from the tech’s hand.
Barnaby didn’t rush.
He walked to the side of the bed, looked up at me, and for a second—just a second—I saw it.
Recognition.
Relief.
His tail thumped once.
Twice.
Slow, but certain.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, and my voice cracked like it hadn’t been used in years.