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

“Boyfriends already, though, Morrison?” Father demanded. Wheat knew he was studying Laurie’s clothing. They was in good condition, but they were a little large and had probably been purchased at a department store like the one Adam had had planned for the Laurel Hill Mall and not from a personal tailor.


“Actually, yes.” He hated when his father questioned his judgment. He hated more that Laurie was pulling away from him.


“This is hardly the time—” Father started to say.


“The world is ending, Father. When would you suggest was the time?”


His father opened his mouth, but instead of responding, he started to cough, deep and hacking


“Edison.” Mother began fussing over him, searching her pocketbook until she found a handkerchief and then offering it to him, along with a bottle of water she’d also taken from her own version of the Bag of Holding.


“Are you all right, Father?” Wheat asked.


Chapter 46