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

“Our property is also gated, and it’s far enough out of town, I think it should be fairly safe,” he told Laurie.


“We still better make sure no one’s broken into the cottage.”


“So everyone else stays in the SUV?”


“Sounds like a smart idea. Althea?”


“I wish we’d brought a few of the oil lamps we had in the bunker,” Wheat said to Laurie.


“I’ve—” Athea started speaking, but Mother interrupted her.


“Oh, the electricity should be turned on,” she murmured absently.


“What?” Wheat braked sharply and whipped his head around to stare at her. She met his gaze as she stroked the hair off Father’s forehead.


Chapter 56