Earth and Sky

was the father of his children and to give him a chance to take it out on them or Christy.”

    Hunter nodded. “Do you want to go in and say hi to them?”

    “No,” Grant said. “Christy saw me. She knows I’m around. I’ll call her later tonight and ask her whether there’s a chance I’ll be able to see them. Then again, they might run away screaming, seeing the way I look.”

    Hunter pulled Grant closer, and Grant felt the pain shoot through him. He also felt incredibly tired. “Do you think we can find a place to stay and maybe sleep? I think I need a good dose of painkillers and a decent bed.”

    “Sure thing,” Hunter replied softly, letting go of Grant to start the car.

Chapter 28

    Hunter had too much going on in his mind to be able to sleep, although Grant was lying next to him, softly snoring under the influence of a dose of strong painkillers. Hunter couldn’t help but look at Grant’s face, still swollen and dark in places. It was the face of the man he loved.

    Grant’s story had wiped away the last doubts Hunter still had. He now knew what he’d felt all along: that Grant was a good man and that he was worthy of his love. The more he thought about it, the more in awe he was. Grant had consistently done unselfish things that, on the surface, had seemed not at all altruistic. He’d risked being labeled as undependable because of his need for extra days off, while they were meant to serve the protection of innocent children who didn’t even know he was their father. He’d unselfishly given a woman the children she craved without making any demands. Hunter was pretty sure that, given half a chance, Grant would make an amazing father to these children, yet he seemed content to be known as a friend of their mother’s.

    Grant stirred in his sleep and then woke with a start, rolling to his back and gasping for air.

    Hunter gently placed his hand on Grant’s chest. “Sssh, it’s okay. I’m here.”

    Grant turned wide eyes in Hunter’s direction and then seemed to realize where he was. “Hunter,” he acknowledged, his eyes softening.

    “I’ll get you a drink,” Hunter said after seeing Grant swallow with some difficulty. “Do you need more painkillers?”

    Grant shook his head. “Too early. Wish I could, though.”

    When Hunter returned with a cold glass of water, Grant was sitting on the side of the bed, breathing with measured breaths.

    “Here you go,” Hunter offered, holding out the glass.

    Grant drank a large gulp and then paused to catch his breath. “Thanks, Cowboy.”

    Hunter could tell even sitting down hurt his lover. He knew Grant hadn’t wanted to admit it, but he’d seen the bruises around Grant’s hips and could tell they gave him grief. All those hours sitting on the bench of the truck on the way to Christy’s house couldn’t have helped either.

    “Why don’t you lie down again?” Hunter suggested.

    Grant shook his head. “I can’t find a position that doesn’t… that feels comfortable.”

    Hunter didn’t want to tell him that it was okay to say it hurt. Grant’s pride didn’t need to be as bruised as his body was. He took the pillows from the other bed and placed them around Grant while Grant watched him with an amused look on his face. The room was semi-dark, but the reflection of the light from the bathroom gave Hunter a good look at Grant’s expression.

    “What’s so funny?” Hunter asked as he gently helped Grant to lie down on the pillows.

    “You’d make a good nurse. Although I hate hospitals, I could see you in one of those white uniforms.”

    Hunter chuckled and took the last pillow. “Can you spread your legs?”

    “I’m flattered, but I don’t think I can…,” Grant replied a little hesitantly. “How did you know how to do this?” he continued after Hunter put the pillow between his legs and the tension immediately left Grant’s body.

    Hunter just smiled and tucked the blankets around Grant before walking around the bed and carefully crawling in behind Grant. When he put his arms around Grant’s shoulders and gently pulled him back against his chest, Grant moaned quietly.

    “How does that feel?” Hunter asked a little apprehensively.

    “Like I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Grant answered. “Only you’ve left the light on in the bathroom.”

    Hunter chuckled and started moving again.

    “Don’t you dare get out of bed to turn it off!” Grant insisted. “I haven’t been this comfortable