Austin Inverness loves dogs and his wife, Erika. Erika was the only girlfriend Austin ever had who didn’t judge him for being bisexual, and dogs never judge, period. Unfortunately, Erika isn’t much of a dog person. Airman Neil Stafford has been deployed to Turkey for a six-month tour and he enrolls his schipper-poo, Bunny, in the Fosters for Fighters program that arranges fostering for soldiers' pets. There he meets Austin, who will foster Bunny while Neil is overseas. The two men keep in touch via Skype and Austin is delighted by how well they get along. Erika, on the other hand, is delighted by how little she has to do to take care of Bunny. That is, until Bunny needs an emergency trip to the vet. By the time Neil returns home, Austin has noticed key differences between his wife and the new friend he can’t stop thinking about. As for Neil, he knows for sure he wants Austin in his life, but not at the cost of his friend's marriage. When Austin realizes Erika questions his bisexuality, the cracks in their relationship quickly spread and Austin questions everything, including if he can make the right choice. Will Austin and Neil be able to overcome the bumps on the road to happiness?

Fostered Affections

Austin smiled. “That’s why I love you.”


Neil wasn’t able to Skype chat until a few days after he had arrived in Turkey and adjusted to the time zone difference. He sent Austin an e-mail that arrived around one in the morning California time.


I’ll have some time to chat tonight. It’ll be late morning or midday for you. Can you do it?


Fortunately, Austin always checked his e-mail right before he went to sleep, and he often stayed up late writing, researching, or watching videos on the internet. Sure! he replied. Bunny will be happy to hear your voice again!


Chapter 6