Earth and Sky

15

    Grant sat on the bench, trying to stay awake. He’d had to ride his motorbike all night and most of the day to get here, and now the door he was staring at remained closed. Not that this was anything unusual, but he had come running as soon as he was asked, so he felt betrayed again. He looked up at the window. The light was on and the curtains were still open, but he couldn’t see what was going on inside.

    It was dinnertime, so they’d probably be getting ready to eat, all of them sitting around the large table, sharing food. Grant felt his stomach growl, but he ignored it, knowing he couldn’t leave yet. Not while there was still a chance the door would be opened to let him in, just to say hello. He’d stopped expecting more a long time ago, but there was no way he was going to squander his chances. A few more hours and then it would be too late for today. He’d be back early the next morning, sitting on the bench where he couldn’t be seen from the window but where he could spot any movement inside or see them leave the house.

    Wrapping his coat tighter around himself, he tried to stay warm, hoping, wanting desperately to see them, not knowing whether he’d get a chance this time.

    His nights in the cheap motel were restless, filled with longing—not just for what he’d come all this way for, but also for Hunter. He’d never met a man who was his equal: tall and strong and fairly self-assured. Although he knew Hunter was still full of self-doubt about what he wanted in a partner, there was no doubt in Grant’s mind that Hunter would grow into the feelings, just like he had, after years of insecurity. Grant knew he had Gable to thank for helping him make up his mind. Not that Gable had been the love of his life. Far from. Gable was too quiet, too introspective, and way too closed off for Grant, but they’d worked together well, and for the first time in his life Grant had understood that although their relationship was far from ideal, he did see himself building a life with another man. One of the few things he’d learned from Gable was that it was possible, even without compromise.

    After a frustrating weekend of missed chances, Grant started on his way back to Hunter’s ranch. After several hours of driving, he finally stopped for gas and found a missed call on his cell phone. After returning it, he knew Hunter would have to wait a little longer for his return.

    It wasn’t much of a detour; in fact, it was practically on his way. He hated hospitals, though, had hated them with a passion ever since he’d had to say good-bye to his mother at the tender age of eight. Being left an orphan after his mom had promised she wouldn’t leave him was something he’d never been able to shake. This hatred of hospitals had cost him a lover. When he’d found out Gable had been hurt, he hadn’t been able to get over his dislike of the whiteness and the smell and had left town instead of being there for Gable. He’d lulled himself into believing Gable would be home in a few days, but when he didn’t recover, Grant had been so ashamed he’d left. It wasn’t until much later that Calley had told him the truth about Gable’s injury and how hard they’d have to work to keep Gable’s ranch afloat.

    Now was his chance to make amends of some sort. He knew Gable wouldn’t want to see him, and he couldn’t blame him, but Gable was back in the hospital, and Calley had told him it was touch and go.

    With sweaty palms and shivering with irrational fear, Grant walked into the overly bright white environment. He had to ask for directions and eventually found the waiting room outside the ICU where Calley had said Gable was being taken care of. It was deserted, and on the plaque outside, it said visiting hours were short and didn’t start for a while yet. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and glanced around the waiting room. Although he was usually very perceptive, it took him a few moments to recognize the tall, thin woman sitting in the corner.

    “Calley?”

    She looked up at him and her face started to shine. She looked tired, though, as if she hadn’t slept much.

    “Grant, darling.” She got up from the uncomfortable-looking PVC seat and walked toward him, pulling him into a hug before he could react. Her touch was soothing, and to Grant’s surprise, it helped calm his nerves.

    “How bad is it?”

    Her smile disappeared. “They still don’t know whether he’ll make it. Flynn and