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

“My pleasure. Stay here a minute, okay? I’ll be right back.”


“Sure. I’m not going anywhere.” He wasn’t sure if Laurie heard him or not, but Laurie grinned at him and winked.


He glanced up at the sky, but this time Wheat didn’t think it was to check the weather. He paced off a number of steps before he stopped in front of the wall of shrubs and peered into it. He reached for a branch and tugged it aside. “This is it! Hang tight. And don’t fall asleep.”


He disappeared into the underbrush before Wheat could assure him he wasn’t about to do something so stupid.


He tipped his head back and stared at the darkening sky for a moment, then closed his eyes. After that long walk, he just needed a breather. He wasn’t going to fall asleep.


For a second, Wheat was confused, but then he recognized Laurie’s voice. Laurie sounded worried. About him? That was nice.


“No, you’re not. I told you not to fall asleep.”


Chapter 25