Cyrus started to bark at the turnaround and kept it up until LJ’s fingers touched the edge of the pool, the clear winner in Jack’s eyes. He about choked up when he saw LJ reach up for the big dog and pull him into the water. If there was a rule against it, no one knew what it was. The spectators watched as LJ dove deep and struck out for the opposite end of the pool. When he surfaced and saw Cyrus a length ahead of him, he did a somersault and floated the rest of the way to the edge. Boy and dog leaped out to a rousing round of applause from everyone in the pool area.

“Damn!” was all Jack could think of to say, other than, “Espinosa, if you missed even a second of any of that, I’m going to personally strangle you.”

“Got it all! Man, that was something. What’s the prize?”

“A basket of junk food,” Maggie said.

The gang was gathering their gear together before saying good-bye to LJ and heading for the airport when conditions by the pool became tense for a few moments. The male counselors were arguing with the female counselors about Cyrus. Cyrus pranced around, allowing himself to be petted and scratched, mostly by the girls, and Emily in particular. He loved every minute of it. The counselors looked at one another and just shrugged. No two-legged winner here. They walked away, smiling.

“We gotta go, Jack,” Dennis said, pointing to his watch.

“Just give me a minute, okay?” He ran down the bleachers, hugged his godson, and congratulated Cyrus and Emily, who looked like she was going to cry. He watched as his godson picked up the basket of goodies and handed them to her. “You and the girls deserve this. I couldn’t have won if I hadn’t eaten all those brownies you made for us guys. I lost five pounds this week and picked up two seconds. See ya next year!”

Jack stared at LJ. God, I love this kid.

“Gotta run, kid. Stay in touch, okay?”

“You bet.” LJ leaned up to whisper. “So, Uncle Jack, whatcha think about Emily?”

Jack whispered back. “You know what I think? I think next year that girl is going to blow your socks off.” Cyrus barked to show he agreed.

“I’m thinking the same thing, Uncle Jack.” LJ giggled.

“Come on, guys, time to go home! Our work here is done!”

“Amen!” Maggie said.

Teaser chapter

Old friends reunite for an adventure unlike any they’ve faced before in the latest novel by beloved storyteller and #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.

FAR AND AWAY

As Sophie De Luca has learned, many things really are better the second time around, whether that’s a wonderful year of marriage with Goebel, her sweet second husband, or strengthening her bonds with childhood friends Toots, Ida, and Mavis.