On a bright autumn day, Flynn Marlowe lost his best friend, a beagle named Barley, while out on a hike in Seattle’s Discovery Park. On a cold winter day, Mac Bowersox found his best friend, a lost, scared, and emaciated beagle, on the streets of Seattle. Two men. One dog. When Flynn and Mac meet by chance in a park the next summer, there’s a problem -- who does Barley really belong to? Flynn wants him back, but he can see that Mac rescued him and loves him just as much as he does. Mac wants to keep the dog, and he can imagine how heartbreaking losing him would be -- but that's just what Flynn experienced. A “shared custody” compromise might be just the way to work things out. But will the arrangement be successful? Mac and Flynn are willing to try it ... and along the way, they just might fall in love.

Lost and Found

“Clara asks in her best cheerleader voice.” Flynn laughed.


“Right. And you’re still going to do everything possible to find Barley again. Thinking positive is planting a seed, but in order for the seed to grow, you have to keep things watered and free of weeds.”


“Oh God,” Flynn sighed. And grimaced.


“Hey! Don’t mock me. Just listen. So maybe you need to start by doing what I said, going to Green Lake as often as you can. But you’re not just gonna go there. You know what you’re gonna do?”


“You’re gonna make up some flyers with Barley’s picture, and you’re gonna get yourself a staple gun, and you’re going to tack that sucker up anyplace there’s space, especially along the lakefront trail. You’re going to increase your odds for the best possible outcome.”


“That’s not a bad idea,” Flynn said. “Will you help me?”


“Sure. If you promise to not be negative and instead focus your energy on the good.”


Chapter 9