Earth and Sky

Until I can save some money so I can take care of them.”

    “Or until he finds you and promises you everything will be better next time.”

    She shook her head. “No next time.”

    “That’s what you said before!” Anger boiled up inside Grant, but he knew he couldn’t shout. The last thing he wanted was to wake up the kids. They’d been through enough. He looked at them, and Robby stirred but soon stopped moving. “Where will you be?” he asked her, trying hard to make his voice sound calm.

    “I have a friend who works for a big hotel in Vegas. She says she can get me a job cleaning rooms.”

    Grant sighed but moved his hand just a bit so he could touch hers in support. He didn’t know what to say. Christy was too good for this.

    “She says the tips are good, and I can get affordable housing there too, but I can’t do it with the kids in tow.” She looked at the children, who were draped all over Grant. “I’ll have to work odd hours at first, and Lindy’s not in school yet, so I’ll need to find her daycare, and I don’t think I can afford that.”

    “I’ll take care of them, Chris,” Grant said softly. “ We will.” Grant looked up at Hunter, and Hunter nodded without hesitation. It made Grant smile just a little. Knowing Hunter had his back was invaluable right now. “Just let me know where you are. And tell them what you’re planning to do.” He nodded toward the kids. “They need to know you didn’t abandon them.”

    “They know I need to leave. I told them they were going to stay with you, and that’s the first time I saw them smile in a long time.” Her look was a strange mixture of hope and desperation.

    Grant wanted to tell her everything would work itself out, but at the same time, he was desperately happy she’d escaped her violent husband and brought the kids to him. He hoped the kids would be safe here and was looking forward to playing dad and showing them that not all men were bullies. He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but he was already making plans to do things with them to make them smile and let them leave all their worries behind.

    When he felt a hand on his knee, he looked up into Hunter’s hazel eyes.

    “Let’s get them into bed and get some sleep ourselves, okay? It’s been a long day.”

    Grant nodded and looked at Christy.

    “Should I carry this one?” Hunter suggested, pointing at Robby, who was between Grant and Christy. He didn’t wait for an answer and easily scooped Robby up.

    “You look like you’ve done this before,” Christy said lovingly.

    “Maybe once or twice, but it’s easier than carrying a dog,” Hunter replied with a chuckle. This woke Robby up, but all he did was briefly look at Hunter and drape an arm around his neck before settling his head on Hunter’s shoulder. “At least this one doesn’t struggle.”

    “I’ll take Lindy,” Christy suggested.

    With a child each in their arms, they walked up the stairs, where Hugh met them. He was carrying two pillows. “Mom’s instructions were clear. The two boys in Danny’s room, Christy and Lindy in the back guestroom, and—” he sighed theatrically and mimicked his mother-in-law like a pro “—I suppose I’ll need to tolerate Grant staying in Hunter’s room.”

    Grant’s eyes went wide as he looked from Hugh to Hunter. “That’ll be a hardship.”

    “I figured that much,” Hugh replied with a chuckle. He nodded toward his son’s room. “Danny’s awake. We put up two camping beds in there, and I told him not to wake them. Christy? Izzie’s in there, getting the guestroom ready. She’ll help you settle Lindy. We brought your bags in from the car.”

    “Thanks,” Christy said. She kissed both her boys on the head and then headed for the guestroom.

    It didn’t take Hunter and Grant long to get Robby and Lewis in their makeshift beds, and after saying goodnight to Danny, they retreated to Hunter’s room. While Grant undressed, Hunter walked back out to go to the bathroom, and when he returned, Grant was lying facedown on the bed.

    “You still awake?” Hunter asked softly.

    Grant nodded and turned just in time to see Hunter slip under the covers. He was wearing only his boxers, and Grant enjoyed feeling him snuggle closer.

    “You okay?”

    Grant nodded again. He was once more at a loss for words. He loved this man so much, but to burden him with this new complication in his life and at this stage of their relationship wasn’t