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

“I don’t know how you can be so prepared—”


“It was my job,” Althea said ambiguously.


“Never mind. It’s not important.”


“Maybe not, but I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you are. I’ll…I’ll really be okay?”


“You really will. Now come sit over here, and I’ll clean this off.” She led him to the breakfast nook and pushed him down onto a chair.


Wheat sat beside him and took his hand again. It felt so comforting Laurie thought he’d start to cry. “I’m so relieved you’re okay. I’m…” He lowered his voice, even though Althea had returned to the kitchen to get some antiseptic wipes. “I’m so sorry. I can never forgive my father for putting you in danger like that.”


Laurie squeezed his hand. “It wasn’t his fault.”


Wheat rested his head on Laurie’s shoulder, and the realization settled around him like a warm coat in the middle of winter.


Chapter 62