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

“Look, I’ll let you think it over and get back with you in say…two days?”


“Get off my porch. Now.” Jacob seethed, and if this asshole didn’t leave, he’d beat the living shit out of him.


“I’ll call you or stop by in two days, son,” he said with a smirk before stepping off the porch.


Jacob tried to pull himself together before he headed inside. He paced back and forth on the porch, lost in thought.


Jacob jolted at the quiet words, pivoting on his heels to find Luka on the walkway. He grinned. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear your bike!”


“You seemed to be lost in your own world,” Luka said as he took the steps two at a time and didn’t stop moving until he stood an inch from Jacob. He cupped Jacob’s face with his hands, and Jacob leaned into the touch.


Chapter 19