Earth and Sky

of connected to the place, on account of his daddy being buried in that soil, and his grandma and grandpop,” Grant said with an exaggerated Southern drawl. “And sometimes a man has to think of himself as well.”

    “Maybe that man could be talked into moving?”

    “I wouldn’t dream of asking him to do that. His job isn’t the sort of job you can just start up somewhere else.”

    Hunter squeezed Grant’s hand, and Grant felt his throat tighten. Damn, the pain was making him soft. He swallowed away the tears and didn’t dare look at his lover sitting next to him, afraid he’d totally lose it if he did.

    They sat together like that for a long time, with Hunter only letting go of Grant’s hand to switch gears, which wasn’t very often, since the traffic was light. Hunter pulled over every now and again to let Grant stretch his muscles. Sitting on the truck bench was torture, though, and Grant questioned his sanity more than once during the ride. Maybe he should have stayed in the hospital a while longer, but he couldn’t keep Hunter from his ranch any longer than absolutely necessary, and Hunter didn’t want to leave him behind. So Grant was bearing the pain and hoping they’d be home soon.

    Home.

    Hunter’s ranch.

    Would it ever really be home?

    “Why are you stopping? We’re almost there. I can last ten more minutes, Cowboy.” Grant looked at Hunter as the truck stopped by the side of the road.

    Hunter put the truck in neutral and turned toward Grant. He put his hand on the back of Grant’s head and pulled him closer, gently kissing him. When he pulled back, he looked sad, and something dawned on Grant.

    “I’ll be fine in my room in the crew block, Cowboy. The last thing I want is to come between you and your family.”

    “Are you crazy?” Hunter smiled sweetly. “Last night you couldn’t even find a comfortable position to sleep in until I helped you lie down.”

    “I must admit you did wonders.” Grant couldn’t resist smiling. “But you can’t just show up after five days and spring your dirty little secret on them. Drop me off at the crew quarters and then find an appropriate time to break it to them gently.”

    Hunter shook his head and grabbed Grant’s hand again. “I’m not saying it doesn’t scare me, Grant, but if I wait to tell them, I’ll lose my nerve. I’m not hiding you anymore. Right now, I’m not leaving you alone in a room. Unless it’s my room.”

    “As long as your mother doesn’t throw both of us out of the house.”

    “If she does, I’ll move in with you at the crew house.”

    “Hunter….”

    “Are you telling me you don’t want me? Am I just your casual piece of ass?” Hunter pulled his hand away with a frown.

    “Come on, Cowboy.”

    Hunter raised an eyebrow. “We’re back to the nickname.”

    “You don’t like it?”

    “I love it, but you’re not answering my question, Grant. I made up my mind when you were in the hospital. There’s only one answer for me, and that’s to be honest with my family and explain to them that I love you and that I want them to treat you like my partner, no different than if I brought a girl home.”

    Grant sighed. If it were only that simple. “It’s not the same, now, is it?”

    “Yes, it is. Mom might not like Miranda, but if I’d brought her home and told everyone she was the woman I wanted to marry, Mom would have had to get used to the idea and would have to treat her like a daughter.”

    “Right,” Grant answered with a slight snort. “But then Miranda would have given your mother a few other things I’m sure she would have appreciated. Like a big white wedding and a litter of grandkids.”

    “In that case, do you have pictures of Christy’s kids? I’m sure Mom will appreciate the fact you come with a family attached.”

    “I’m being serious here, Hunter.”

    “So am I. Grant, if you don’t want to be with me, I need to know right now, because I can’t keep lying to them. I can’t keep sneaking around. I want you in my bed at night, not just in the truck when we’re fixing fences around the ranch or in Gable’s hayloft. Especially now you’re hurt. I don’t see you crawling up there any time soon.”

    Grant felt a tightness in his chest. No matter how much he loved Hunter, he wasn’t sure if he could be as open about his sexuality as Hunter suggested. “I’m not a shout-it-off-the-rooftops type, Hunter.”

    “Neither am I, but I can’t lie to the