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 boys wanted to watch a movie on Netflix, and since it seemed the snow would not end anytime soon, Jacob and Luka joined them in the living room. Marcus helped them narrow down the movie choice.


As they all settled in to watch Captain America: Civil War, the door flew open and Garrett stepped inside, snow swirling around him.


Peter closed the door behind him before more snow blew in. “Man, you look like the abominable snowman from that Christmas show!”


“Thanks, Peter. I feel like one,” Garrett replied, shivering.


“I didn’t know you were coming over tonight,” Jacob said.


“I wasn’t, but I was at the hardware store picking up a shovel and I saw they had Christmas trees on sale. So I grabbed one for home and one for here.”


“A Christmas tree?” Shelby asked excitedly as he rose from the floor. “A real one?”


“Well, no, not real. It’s artificial.”


“Can I help bring it in?” Shelby could barely stand still.


Chapter 36