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

Merl put the man down and they spread the other blanket over him.


“Now for you,” Nate said. “There’s one more room down here or you can go upstairs.”


“This’ll be fine,” Merl said. “I know none of your clothes will fit me, but if you have a robe or something for temporary, I can wash these and maybe mend them some. I have a sewing kit in my stuff out in the car. You do have a washer, don’t you?”


“My dad wasn’t real tall, but he was husky. I think I can find you some sweats. They may be short, but they’ll work for right now.” He led Merl through the connecting bath to a room almost identical to theone where they’d left Dane. “You get first crack at the shower,” he said. “It looks like Dane is down for the count.”


Chapter 26