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

“What?” Jacob asked, eyebrows raised. “What are you smiling at?”


“Honestly? I just love that you’re thinking like me…long-term. My mom was really right about soul mates.”


Jacob smiled and put his hands on his hips. “I completely agree,” he said, then pointed to the bowl. “Now eat up, Mister!”


Luka tried the soup and smiled. “Delicious!”


“The bakery nearby makes awesome soups. When you’re better, we need to have lunch there someday. They mainly do baked goods, breakfast items, things like that, but they started serving soups and sandwiches and they rotate them each day. My favorite is their clam chowder.”


Chapter 24