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

“You must be Shelby,” Officer Branton announced as he approached.


Shelby pushed himself up from the steps, trembling a little under the officer’s gaze. Jacob wasn’t surprised. For all the kid’s bluster, and all that he’d been through on the streets, Shelby was not as street-tough as he pretended. Jacob stood beside him, silently offering his support. As the boy told his story to Branton, Jacob still found it amazing that the boy on the video had lived in this very shelter. Mind-boggling.


“Do you know how the reverend acquired the video?”


Shelby shook his head. “But back then, the manager was an addict and he would do pretty much anything for drugs. Or for money to buy drugs. He didn’t last too long at the motel, but none of them ever really do.”


Jacob turned at the sound of footsteps, and was surprised to see Mike McReynolds, Garrett’s friend. Jacob stuck his hand out and Mike shook it.


Chapter 44