Joshua’s heart pounded. He expected a punch, maybe worse. But just as the man pulled back his arm, the same scruffy dog stopped licking and let out a sharp, loud bark. Then another. It rushed at the man, growling, teeth bared—not attacking, but close enough to make him pause.
The man hesitated, scowled, and finally dropped his grip. “Crazy mutt,” he muttered, stepping back into the line. Joshua staggered, adjusting his coat, still stunned. He looked at the dog, now calm again, sitting by his feet like it had done this a hundred times before.