Looking around the bedroom, I couldn't stop my jaw from falling open. There was a king-sized 4 post-bed made of light wood in the middle of the back wall, with a soft lavender comforter and matching sheets. On either side of the bed were nightstands that matched the bed frame, a dresser under the window also matched, and mounted on the wall across from the bed was a massive television.

"Hunter… this room is bigger than the apartment I had," wiping a tear away, I smiled up at him, "thank you."

"This is the second biggest bedroom. Mines a bit bigger because I got a bathroom and walk-in closet in there. Ya have a big closet too. We'll get you plenty of clothes for it and the dresser. Feel free to ask me to move stuff in here if ya want."

"It's perfect. Don't change a thing. Although… I hate the dark so maybe some lights on the ceiling."

"I can do that tomorrow. Use the TV for tonight. Get some rest. Don't worry about gettin' up when I do. I'll leave that walkie-talkie on the kitchen counter. I'll probably be in the far pasture when ya get up and I'll have no idea. Just let me know you're awake so I can start loadin' up for deliveries."

"What do you deliver?"

"Milk, eggs, and wood I've chopped. It's a steady way to make a livin' out here. When you're better, not just healed but adjusted, maybe ya can start helpin' with the chickens to have somethin' to do. Anyway," he yawned softly, "I need a shower and sleep. I'll see ya tomorrow," he softly touched my cheek, "get me if ya need me. Goodnight, Gray."

"Goodnight," the heat rose to my cheeks and he smiled before walking to the bedroom door.

"Oh and… welcome home."

Hunter closed the door quietly behind him and I made my way over to the bed, leaving the bags on the floor next to it. Grabbing the TV remote, I propped myself up and tried to find something to watch.

Home.

This is my home now.

I've never felt so welcome before.

Finally settling on a documentary about baby animals, I held one of the pillows tightly to my chest, doing my best to relax. My usual routine of moving every hour or so was making it impossible and I simply laid there, enjoying watching television in bed.

About 2 hours after I had laid down I started to get thirsty and made my way into the kitchen carefully, my thigh burning with every step. It took me a while to find a glass and after two glasses of water, I made my way back to my room, passing Hunters. I could hear him snoring loudly, and I smiled, finishing my walk down the hall and climbing into bed, finally tired.

The sunlight shining through my window woke me slowly and I stretched carefully, a whimper escaping me when the stitches in my side pulled. Climbing out of bed, I grabbed the sweater from my bag and left the bedroom, heading out to the kitchen. Looking at the stove, I saw that it was only 6 am, meaning Hunter had been working for an hour now.

Making my way to the dining room windows, I stopped when I realized it had snowed the night before. The farm was covered in a thick layer of fresh powdered snow, glittering softly in the light of the rising sun. I could see Hunter walking around the chicken coops, a gentle smile on his face as he gathered the eggs. His thick blonde curls clashed against the snow, his coat a soft tan, matching the leather of his boots as he squatted down to look into the coop.

Walking over to the counter, I grabbed the walkie-talkie and cleared my throat.

"I don't think you're supposed to squat in the snow like that. I'm not strong enough to help you if you fall," I giggled softly.

Hunter turned toward the house and I waved, making the smile on his face grow larger, as he grabbed his own walkie-talkie from his jacket, "well now, aren't ya an early riser? Good mornin’."

"Good morning. Aren't you cold?"

"A bit. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me too much. I made ya breakfast, it's in the microwave so you can heat it up. Take your meds, check to see if ya need to change your bandages, and get dressed then we can head out for the day."

"Alright. Thank you."

"Don't come out here without shoes and a jacket on. It's colder than ya think. The shoes ya had are in the closet by the front door and Hazel sent a new jacket. It's in there as well. I'll be done soon."

"Take your time."

He waved once again before heading off to the stables.

After eating my breakfast, I slowly started getting ready, smiling when I realized all of my bandages were holding well. Once I was dressed, I went to my bathroom, brushed my teeth, and put my hair into a ponytail, knowing I couldn’t brush it right now. Heading to the closet Hunter had told me about, I found my beat-up tennis shoes, sighing as I put them on and grabbed the new jacket from Hazel, sliding it on and smiling when I realized it was the same as Hunter's but far smaller.

Heading onto the back deck, I watched as Hunter took Ridge and Fawn from the stable, Teddy trotting slowly behind them before the cold was too much and he ran back inside.

"Why are you bringing them out?" I called softly and Hunter turned, a breathtaking smile gracing his face when he saw me.

"Ridge has to run. Or he'll be an ass to Fawn later. She follows him everywhere. I'll just let them out for a minute. Did ya eat?"

Slowly walking over, I leaned against the fence watching him, "I did. Thank you. You don’t need to cook for me though."

"Grandma always told me that the best way to heal besides sleep is warm meals," he came over and stopped in front of me, "did ya get any sleep?"

“A few hours off and on. I’m okay,” I smiled, “thank you.”

“For what?” he laughed softly, resting his hands on the gate on either side of me.

“You’re the nicest person I’ve met. That’s all,” I gently rubbed his hand and he smiled, his cheeks a bit pink once again.

“I’m just doin’ what’s right but I’m glad ya appreciate it. Are ya ready to head out for the day?”

“Mhm. But my leg is killing me so I don’t think I can get out of the truck for deliveries.”

“Ya don’t have to,” he shook his head, “just be nice to have someone ride along with me. It’s usually just me and the dogs.”

“Can I always come?”

“Sure,” he smiled once again, his eyes twinkling, “I’d really like that. Other than when you’re workin’ at the library. I’ll take ya and bring ya home until you buy a car.”

“Alright,” I squeezed his hand softly.

“I’m gonna put the horses up, why don’t ya go lock up the house for me? I need my wallet and phone. They’re in a basket on the kitchen counter. Can ya lock up and start the truck? It needs to be heated up.”

“Absolutely.”

Hunter handed me his keys and I did as he asked, grabbing both of our wallets and his cell phone before heading out to the truck, carefully climbing in. It was hard on my arms, exhausting me, and I started the truck before leaning back, panting.

Fuck.

I need my arms to heal.

This sucks.

Hunter joined me a few minutes later, loading milk and wood into the bed of the truck before setting a few pallets of eggs into the backseat. He climbed in and immediately a look of concern flashed across his face.

“You’re so pale,” he started fussing over me, softly touching my cheek.

“All of the swelling’s gone down. So I’m just really sore. Getting into the truck is going to be really hard until my arms and leg heal. That’s all.”

“Shit. I forgot to tell ya, on the inside of the door by the seatbelt, if ya press a button, a step will come down. It’ll make it easier for ya.”

“You remembered this now!” I huffed.

“I don’t need it. So I forget that it’s there. Sorry,” he rubbed the back of his neck and I reached over, poking him in the side.

“I’m just messin’ with you. It’s okay. I know now, and that’s what matters.”

“Alright, I’d be upset if you were mad at me.”

“You haven’t done anything wrong,” I laughed softly as he pulled away from the farm.

We headed to a few homes that Hunter delivered to between the ranch and Livingston and I’d sit in the truck as he unloaded, talking to people, a gentle smile on his face. A few people saw me and looked at Hunter in shock before giving me a wave and I would return it, a nervous smile on my face.

The last house we went to was a bit run down compared to the others, the windows boarded, the porch full of holes.

“Hunter? Someone lives here?” I looked at him in shock.

“Mhm. Her name is Mrs. Grady. She refuses to leave, to live somewhere nicer. Now that it’s getting closer to summer, I’m plannin’ to start fixin’ up the place for her. She’s lonely. Maybe, when I’m fixin’ stuff, you could sit and talk with her? I think she’d appreciate it. I’m the only person she sees on a regular basis and I only come out twice a week right now.”

“I don’t mind that at all.”

He came to a stop and hopped out of the truck, grabbing what he needed for Mrs. Grady and she slowly came out of the house. She was tiny, half the size of Hunter, her hair black with silver strands running through it. She was using a walker, clearly unsteady on her feet and Hunter was fussing over her, trying to get her to go back inside.

Mrs. Grady made eye contact with me and smiled and I gave her a small wave. She gestured to me to get out and Hunter shook his head, clearly explaining that I was hurt.

Sighing gently, I opened the door and pressed the button for the step, carefully climbing down and making my way over to them, “I can get out once and a while,” I smiled up at Hunter, “I’m just hurt. I’ll be okay. Hazel told me I have to stand now and again anyway.”

“I’m just worried,” he softly touched my cheek, “this is Mrs. Grady. Mrs. Grady, this is my new friend and roommate, Grayson Walker.”

“Hello ma’am,” I nodded politely, “it’s just Gray.”

“Well you are just the cutest dang thing I ever did see,” she smiled, patting my cheek softly, “Hunter told me what happened. Those damn kids. Are you okay dear?”

“I’m going to be okay, yes,” smiling at her, I looked up at Hunter, “have you been telling everyone?”

“No,” he laughed, “I just don’t hide things from Mrs. Grady or she gets mad. She was best friends with my grandparents after all. She always asks me to call her Grammy but I won’t. She deserves more respect than that.”

“Oh Hunter,” she smacked him softly, “we’re family. I see your Mama and Dad every week too. How are they?”

“Dad is good. He saved Gray. Mama is hiring him to work at the library once a week so she can rest and he’s gonna work the ranch with me, take care of the chickens, clean, and cook. It’ll all be good.”

“I’m glad you aren’t alone anymore. You had me worried. You’ve been alone for so long.”

“I’m only 24. Not too long. Just the last… 6 years or so out on the farm. But… I won’t lie to ya ma’am since I never do. It’s nice to have company.”

“Good. Take care of each other. Hunter, can you help me take this inside? I can’t lift the wood.”

“Absolutely,” he nodded and started gathering things and Mrs. Grady pulled me aside.

“He’s stubborn as a mule. He will refuse help. But take care of him for me? When I could still drive I’d bring him dinners. Now, I can’t. So if you could do that for me… I’d be forever grateful.”

“That was my plan,” smiling, I gave her a nod, “although, he’s cooked for me twice and it was really good.”

“He cooked for you?” she looked at me surprised, “well I’ll be damned. He ain’t ever cooked for Hazel and he adores his sister.”

“I can’t cook right now. I can barely lift my arms, lean over, or walk. I have these,” I pulled the sleeves of my jacket back, “and one on my ribs, and my entire right thigh is stitched and deeply purple. There isn’t a lot I can do. I’m worried about how people will react when they heal. They’ll… think I tried to kill myself.”

“Well… you got any family that’s going to judge ya?”

“No. I lost my mom a year ago today. I’m an only child.”

“So you just got me and the Hope family then. We know what happened. We ain’t gonna judge you. If anyone says anything, you tell ‘em Mrs. Grady will give them hell.”

“Alright,” I laughed softly, “thank you, ma’am.”

“Happily. Been wanting another grandkid. Since I lost Jimmy, I've been alone. All my kids left me, moving out of Montana for better opportunities. I got Hunter, Robin, and Hazel though. And you now. Hunter has my phone number by his house phone. Call me if you need, or just want someone to talk to. I've been alive for near on… 75 years now. I've got plenty of advice."

"You're a wonderful lady," I smiled and softly kissed her cheek, "my mom would have been grateful to have a mother like you. My grandpa… anyway. Thank you."

"You can tell me later. I'll pray for your mama. How old was she?"

"37."

"Oh… a baby. How old are you dear?"

"21 ma'am."

"She was a baby with a baby? Was she a good mom?"

"Wonderful. She had to work a lot, I barely saw her, but when she could be home with me, we played and watched movies. She taught me to cook and bake. Supported me fully when I… told her I was gay. Just wants me to be loved and cared for. She's still watching over me."

"She did her best and that's what matters. Seems like she raised a wonderful young man. I won't keep ya, you're starting to shake I'm guessin' it's hard to be on your feet so go get back in the truck. I'll see you at the next delivery."

"Okay. Take care of yourself," hugging her gently, I made my way to the truck, climbing in as the muscle in my leg started spasming from standing.

Hunter joined me a few minutes later and once again started fussing over me.

"Hunter. I appreciate the concern," I placed my hands on his cheeks, "but I'm not going to die. I'm just in a bit of pain. That's it. My goodness, you worry so much."

"I… I'm sorry. I'm honestly just mad this happened and I don't know how to make it better. I'm frustrated."

"You are making it better," I smiled, rubbing his cheek, "letting me ride around with you, giving me a safe place to live. I wouldn't have that if this hadn't happened to me. So calm down. I'll be better in 2 weeks."

"2 weeks. Right. I'm not tryin' to fuss over ya. I'm just worried."

"I know. But I'm not gonna die suddenly or something. I'm okay. You saved me and that's what matters."

"I'll do my best to not fuss so much but I can't promise anythin'."

"I know," laughing softly, I let go of him and he started the truck, heading to Livingston.