Earth and Sky

ask what he needed. “I was actually here to ask for some days off, starting tomorrow.”

    The smile on Hunter’s face disappeared. “It’s kind of the wrong time of year, Grant. We need you here.”

    “I know.” Grant sighed. “I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”

    “Can you tell me why it’s so urgent that you do whatever it is this weekend? Can’t it wait?”

    Grant stared out to the open plains before them. “Like I said, if I could have it any other way….” He couldn’t tell Hunter why he needed to leave. Not without going into a lengthy explanation.

    Hunter bit the inside of his lip. Grant could tell he was weighing his decision. “When will you be back?”

    “Tuesday at the latest.”

    Hunter nodded, silently giving his not-entirely-wholehearted permission.

    Grant got up, knowing he wasn’t in Hunter’s best books after asking him for yet another favor. After a few moments of hesitation, he started walking away.

    “One day I want to know what you do when you run off like this, Grant.”

    Hunter’s voice sounded loud on the abandoned porch, and Grant looked around to see if anyone else had heard him. Maybe that was the point? Maybe Hunter felt he’d given in too easily and needed to appear to be the boss by asking him for an explanation.

    “I will,” Grant said before walking off the porch. He meant it too. One day, when he and Hunter were a little further along into their relationship, he’d explain where he went. He just hoped Hunter would understand.

Chapter 14

    It was raining cats and dogs when they arrived back at the stables. Izzie looked exhausted, and Tim didn’t say much either while they took care of their horses and wiped the mud off them. Danny had been out to help them, and Hunter’s priority was to get the youngster inside and into a hot bath before his mother could give Hunter any grief.

    “I’ll take care of Belle and Honeybee,” Izzie offered.

    “Maybe you should take Danny inside?” Hunter suggested.

    “No way, José,” Izzie replied with a teasing smile. “I may be a woman, but I’d much rather muck out a whole stable block than argue with Lisa about why we took her precious boy out in this horrid weather.”

    “She knows we’re a hand short. In fact, we’re two hands short.” Hunter handed the reins to his mare over to Izzie and noticed Danny standing in the doorway, looking forlorn. He instantly realized he’d heard their conversation.

    “Come here, cowboy,” he said, wrapping his arm around the boy and marching him out the door. “Let’s go tell your mom who the new foreman is going to be.”

    Danny’s eyes lit up. “Who? Is Grant going to be the new foreman?”

    “Nah, I think I should hire you,” Hunter said, squeezing the kid as they walked off toward the house.

    “I’m too little,” Danny replied, sounding sad again.

    “You are now, but you’ll grow up. And you did one hell of a job today. I’m telling your mom how proud I am of you.”

    Danny smiled. “Are you sure I can keep Honeybee? She’s really sweet, and I’m not so afraid of falling off her. Belle’s kinda big,” he admitted.

    “Why don’t I hang onto Belle until you’re a bit taller, and in the meanwhile, you can ride that little tan mare. She’s quick on her feet, isn’t she?”

    Danny nodded fervently. “Think I could train her to barrel race?”

    “You know, I think she’d be perfect for that.”

    While they were walking toward the house, Hunter smiled. After Grant’s taunts about the size of the horse, Hunter had sung her praises to Danny. Hunter knew Danny was putting on a brave face every time he rode out on the back of Belle, who was a huge mare even for a grown rider, so he’d suggested switching horses. Danny had leapt at the opportunity, and Hunter had observed Danny riding Honeybee all morning. The two of them seemed to move together quite naturally, and it hadn’t escaped Hunter that Danny was a quick study, making the horse ride fast and turn sharply whenever one of the horses they were rounding up strayed from the pack. He could easily see them competing in the junior barrel races when the rodeo came to town. He also had to admit that Belle suited him just fine as well. She was a calm, easy-to-manage horse who seemed very attuned to her rider. Hunter could easily direct her with his thighs, something he knew Gable taught all his horses, leaving his hands free. All in all, it was a very good