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

Flynn smacked his forehead. “Oh, geez. How could I be so stupid? He needs to go out one more time, doesn’t he? I know he was just out, but…” Flynn crossed the room to squat down next to Barley, pet the top of his head, and then move down to massage his shoulders. “You need to go out, buddy?” Barley shook all over, so Flynn’s hand fell away.


Mac was already pulling on shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. “I don’t know that he really needs to go out again so soon, but a walk sounds really nice. We can both take him. It would be nice to get outside in the quiet and the cool before bed.”


“Time to recharge? Get ready for round two?” Flynn asked.


“Do you think of nothing else?” Mac countered good-naturedly.


“Not when you’re around, especially not after what just happened. I’m itching to return the favor.” Flynn pulled his clothes back on, all the while longingly eyeing the bed. But he knew Barley depended on him to get his own needs met.


“You’re such a flatterer. And I love it. Let’s go.”


Chapter 55