Laurie Parkinson, who’s lived in Laurel Hills all his life, is a gay sheet metal worker who’d rather be a gay hairdresser. Wheat Dupuis, who’s also gay, is the scion of one of Laurel Hill’s wealthiest families. He’d rather grow grapes than become CFO of Dupuis International. Laurie wakes one morning to discover his family gone and his town decimated by a bacteria that has lain dormant for millennia, incased in ice. With the melting of the ice caps, the bacteria is released, and mankind faces a pandemic that could surpass the Black Plague. Wheat and his family are on their way to safety when the unthinkable happens and he’s left behind. Laurie knows of a bunker in the woods outside Laurel Hill, where he intends to take refuge. On the way there, Laurie finds and rescues Wheat. Can two such dissimilar men work together through a pandemic to find their families ... and possibly find love, as well?

Pandemic

Please, God, don’t be locked. He crossed his fingers and backed a few more steps, not wanting to turn away and lose sight of the mob until the last minute. Another step, and he jumped when an arm came around him from behind and dragged him into the store. “Shh,” someone whispered in his ear. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” He urged Laurie farther into the store. “You don’t want to be out there.”


“I sure as hell don’t. Thank you. I don’t know why you’re helping me, but thank you.” But Laurie had no intention of letting his guard down. “Who are you?”


“I’m Rod, the pharmacist.” The man was short, chunky, and balding, and he wore a medical face mask. “This is my store. As for why I helped you, I wouldn’t let my worst enemy face a mob like that, but…you’re a customer. I recognized you.”


Chapter 17