Homeless for over two years, Merl has hunkered down to endure a second winter in Eden, Colorado. He has lost the ability to trust or accept kindness as anything but a sneaky attempt to weaken for an attack. He sells aluminum cans and other trash to survive, knowing he should attempt to get back into the mainstream but he lacks the will to try.<br><br>Nate has led a sheltered and privileged life as the only child of wealthy older parents, now deceased. He is working on a photo journalism piece about the homeless people in Eden when he first encounters Merl. The big man impresses him so much that when an early blizzard hits, he goes back to the camps try to bring Merl and others to shelter in his own home.<br><br>Can he win Merl’s trust and cooperation in an effort to provide positive long term help to other homeless people in the area? Even more important, can he forge a real partnership with the suspicious older man?

Homeless in Heaven

“Why don’t you come here? It looks like you want to.”


Merl’s low voice sounded like a siren song, an irresistible temptation and enticement. Nate barely sensed himself standing, taking one step and then another and third one until he stood in front of the other man, just short of touching him. Then he blurted his own concern. “The real question is, do you want me, too?”


Actually Nate knew the answer already. At least he thought he did, but he needed to hear the words. He hadn’t been with anyone for a long time, only a few times since he’d broken up with his college boyfriend not long after they graduated, right after his folks died. Except for Jon, he’d never brought anyone home, before or since.


He knew his parents hadn’t approved of Jon, but they had made nice and tried to cover up their discomfort the two times Nate had brought him along on holiday breaks. Once they were gone, even though this was now his home and his alone, he couldn’t quite allow himself the privilege.


Chapter 10