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

“I said heartless. Did you hear me before? Your mom is in serious condition. I hate to alarm you, but I think we’re facing a very real possibility she might not make it. Your work can wait. Your daughter will get over her flu. But you might be looking at a decision you could regret for the rest of your life if you don’t get your ass up here and see your mom. Do you really want the next time you see her face to be in a coffin?” Okay. Maybe I went too far. But damn it, these kids are unbelievable. I had no idea. And Dee is such a sweetheart. She doesn’t deserve this.


“Look, Mr. Bowersox, you don’t know me. You don’t know my sister. And you sure as hell don’t know our history. You want to know where this attitude of mine comes from? Why neither me nor my sister can muster up much feeling for someone it hurts my mouth to use the word ‘mom’ for?”


Chapter 47