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

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.


Yet here stood Merl, looking at him with bright-eyed interest, maybe a hint of amusement or a bit of a dare. He hadn’t been sure how his guest would react to being spied on, even by accident. He’d thought the big man seemed private and reserved, perhaps even modest. You just never knew, he realized. Right now it didn’t seem Merl had minded a bit.


The other man’s hands settled on Nate’s shoulders, fingers curling around behind them, exerting a gentle but compelling pressure. Nate took the last half step and came up against the hot, solid wall of the larger man’s body. He ducked his head and burrowed against that steady, comforting presence.


Chapter 28