Earth and Sky

and then all of a sudden, the love seemed to have cooled again.”

    Grant knew Izzie well enough to know she was an incredible tease, but her face was serious now, and her use of the word “love” in relation to his friendship with her brother made Grant extra careful. Had he and Hunter been that transparent, or was this Izzie’s way of luring him out of hiding?

    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Grant replied, walking next to her and looking out over the wide, grassy plains so she couldn’t see his expression.

    Izzie stopped, forcing Grant to turn around as soon as he noticed she was no longer walking next to him. “What?”

    Izzie shook her head. “I keep forgetting how dense men are. You’d think I’d know better by now.” An understanding look spread over her face as Grant didn’t take the bait. “Hunter screws around with Miranda,” she explained. “He’s never had a girlfriend, though. Don’t think he’s ever been out on a date. At least not the kind where you take a girl out to dinner and have an actual conversation with her.”

    “So?” Grant replied, hoping she’d change the subject.

    Izzie sighed. “Just between you and me… I know what kind of relationship you had with Gable. I know it was more than that he was the boss and you were his ranch hand. I know, Grant, and it doesn’t matter to me.” She left an uncomfortable pause. “I think Hunter wants it to be like that between you and him too.”

    “And what makes you think that….” Grant found he couldn’t finish the sentence. He knew what Izzie meant, but actually saying it aloud was another thing altogether. Especially because Izzie was speculating about something he wasn’t sure about, and as far as he could read her brother, neither was Hunter.

    “… Hunter is gay?” she filled in Grant’s missing words. “I’m his sister, and sisters know. Of course, he’ll never admit it to us.”

    “I don’t think he even admits it to himself,” Grant replied thoughtfully. “If it is true, of course,” he added quickly, hoping it wouldn’t give too much away.

    Izzie gave him a sideways look, making sure Grant knew just how dense she thought he was. Then she sighed again. “Listen. I don’t care if Hunter is gay or straight, as long as he’s happy and stops being so cantankerous. I think Lisa and Mom and Bernie are actually glad he rarely joins them for breakfast or lunch and are only subjected to his temper at dinner.”

    “I hear you don’t join them that much anymore either these days?” Grant interjected, hoping to sway the conversation away from Hunter’s sexual preference for a moment.

    Izzie shrugged. “I don’t like the tension when we’re all together. I try to pretend I’m late for dinner because of all the work around the ranch so that I can eat alone in the kitchen afterward. Much more peaceful there.”

    “You can always come and eat at the crew house,” Grant suggested. “We’re a pretty friendly bunch.”

    “Maybe I should do that,” Izzie answered. “But I’d prefer it if Hunter was a little happier. I wish you two would kiss and make up. So to speak.”

    Grant smiled. On the one hand, he wanted to confide in Izzie, but he knew Hunter would never forgive him if he did. “It’s not that easy, Izz.”

    Izzie flung her arm around Grant’s shoulders and gave him a squeeze. She didn’t say anything and Grant was glad.

    “So, are you over Delco?” Grant asked, hoping they could leave their earlier train of conversation alone now.

    “You can’t imagine how happy I am to be rid of him,” Izzie confessed. “I always knew he was trouble, but when we were alone, he was a really nice guy. Considerate, even.”

    Grant eyed her suspiciously and Izzie noticed.

    “Honestly!”

    “He’s a psycho, Izzie.”

    She shrugged. “I know. I’m just glad he’s leaving me alone for now.” They walked along, in between the horses, Izzie hanging on Grant, her head on his shoulder. “Hugh’s confession was a bit of a shock, though.”

    “To say the least,” Grant agreed. “I thought he and Lisa were a good couple.”

    Izzie let go of Grant’s shoulders and grabbed his arm instead, hooking her hand around his elbow. “I knew it wasn’t all smooth sailing there. Lisa used to shout at him, and you know Hugh. I don’t think I’d ever heard him raise his voice before that first time he confronted Delco. He certainly never shouted back at Lisa.”

    “Don’t