Thom Baron has been struggling with social anxiety his entire life. He's taken the medications, gone to the therapists, followed the programs, and concluded his best life is a solitary one. When he comes across a dog in obvious need at his local market, it rekindles the desire to have some company around. It may come with a dishevelled coat, a notched ear, and a refusal to respond to anything but its given name "Ugly," but it could still be a friend.<br><br>However, Thom's new fur buddy has no such need to keep to itself and immediately befriends the man Thom has secretly coveted since he moved in -- Justin, Thom's gorgeous, bright-eyed neighbour. No matter how Thom tries to evade the man, the dog keeps drawing them back into each other's lives, and it doesn't take Thom long to recognize it's simply pursuing the demands of Thom's own heart. With the dog giving him the courage to try, Thom reaches out to return the love being offered.<br><br>Until a stranger shows up insisting the dog is his and demanding its immediate return ... a loss Thom knows will take all of his efforts and newfound confidence with it.

But by the Grace of Dog

“What?” Thom waved at the house. “We’re here.” He braced himself against another yank. “No, the walk is over and we’re…”


Thom let the comment die as he looked past Dog. In the late afternoon light, Justin’s house looked as dreary as a house could. Thick heavy clouds drifted above it, casting long grey shadows. The drapes were pulled, and the lights appeared to be off. Dried leaves skittered across the yard, flicked by the strong cold fingers of the wind. That same wind rattled the aluminum garage door and snapped at the mailbox hanging by the front door, causing an oddly regular but not at all appealing percussion movement. Clatter, rattle, rattle, snap. Clatter, rattle, rattle, snap.It sounded even colder than the wind was making it feel.


Chapter 43