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

And, as much as it pained him to not have the dog with him, Flynn knew Mac needed him a little more right now.


“Ah, never mind. It’s asking too much,” Flynn said.


“No! No. I’d love to have him. No worries. You wanna leave him with me now?”


As though he understood the conversation going on, Barley stood on his hind legs in the backseat, paws resting on the armrest, panting, tail wagging. He looked out the window toward Mac’s house.


“Yeah, if that wouldn’t be too much trouble.”


Flynn exited the car to take Barley out. He leashed him and handed the lead to Mac. “You’re a lifesaver, bud. I can pay you whatever you think’s reasonable.” And Flynn was serious. He knew Mac couldn’t possibly make much. The money would come in handy.


“Oh God, no. You don’t have to pay me. It’s really my pleasure. Dee will be thrilled to have him back for a few days too.”


“Well, if you change your mind about payment, just let me know.” Flynn turned toward the car.


Chapter 42