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

“Thank you. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.”


“You’re welcome.” Laurie eased an arm around Wheat’s waist and gripped the handle of the suitcase with his other hand. “Onward.” And they began the walk to where the bunker was located. 9


“Don’t be so hard on yourself,”Laurie had said.


“You’re too kind,”Wheat had responded. He hadn’t meant it to come across as chilly as it probably had, but whenever anyone said that phrase to him, they hadn’t meant it kindly. Damn. He wished he didn’t feel so miserable. Laurie’s reasoning behind not trying to find Wheat’s parents now made perfect sense.


Chapter 24