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

Luka turned and smiled, opening his arms.


Jacob hurried into them and tucked his head under Luka’s chin. “Do you think they’re happy?”


Luka lifted Jacob’s chin to look in his eyes. “How could they not be? Look what you’ve done.” Luka let go and swept his arms, gesturing to the shelter.


Jacob took in the view. The Christmas decorations were still up, even though New Year’s was more than a week ago. The boys had begged to keep them up a while longer, and he’d caved.


None of the many guests from Nixon City seemed to mind that it still looked like Christmas, though, more eager to get a look at the shelter as Marcus and Garrett gave tours throughout the building.


Chapter 52