Jacob Baumgardner is struggling to get his nonprofit shelter for gay teens off the ground because the building needs a lot of help before it can pass inspection. Raised by his grandparents for part of his life, Jacob feels that the shelter is his chance to honor them, but someone is making things difficult. An anonymous extortionist seems determined to ruin Jacob’s late grandfather’s good name and keep the shelter from opening.<br><br>Luka Smith is struggling to find his place in the world after a traumatic event in his teen years pushed him to run. When Jacob hires him to help with repairs at the shelter, Luka falls for his new boss hard. Luka wants nothing more than to help Jacob realize his dream.<br><br>As they work together to ensure The Promise of Hope Shelter gets off the ground, their feelings for each other only grow. But will a calculating blackmailer close the shelter before it even has a chance?

The Promise of Hope Shelter

The doorbell rang, and Jacob glanced at Luka before he hurried downstairs. He opened the door to find a petite woman with short blonde hair, styled in a fashionable coif. She wore large sunglasses and a gray wool coat cinched at the waist.


The woman slid her sunglasses down her nose to peek over the rim. “My name is Ava.”


Jacob searched his brain, because clearly she thought he should know her, but he came up blank. “Ava. I’m sorry. Have we met?”


Her eyes flickered, irritation quickly replaced with cool acceptance. “Ava Anderson. My husband, ReverendAnderson, came to see you the other day.”


Chapter 10