We reached Livingston about 20 minutes later and stopped outside of the library first.

"Looks like Ma is here," Hunter smiled, "thought she'd be on her break already. Wanna go meet her?"

"Um… um yes," I nodded.

"She's sweet. I promise," he twirled my ponytail around his fingers, "we'll go say hi to Mom, pick up Bear and Moose, then head down to Bozeman. Get your haircut and do some shoppin'. Get some lunch then head home. You'll probably be wiped by then, but that's okay."

"Right. Right okay," nodding, I opened the door and lowered the step, climbing out while fidgeting with my sleeves.

I followed Hunter into the library and he took his hat off as soon as he walked in.

Always respectful.

"Ma?" He called quietly.

"Hunt? Is that you baby?" She called back and came around the corner.

Allison Hope was a bit shorter than me, her hair as bright yellow as the sun, reaching the middle of her back in tight curls but where Hunter and Hazel's eyes were sky blue like their father, Joanna had beautiful emerald eyes. Her smile was wide, freckles under her eyes.

"Hi Ma," Hunter bent down and gently kissed her cheek as she stared at me.

"Are you Grayson?"

"That's me," I nodded, my heart racing, nerves overwhelming me.

"You're as handsome as Hazel told me. Oh, my goodness look at you," she rushed over and placed her hands on my cheeks, "oh sweet boy you're so thin. Judah told me everything. I'm so sorry."

"I'm okay. I'll be okay. It's just been rough, Mrs. Hope."

"None of that," she patted my cheek softly, "Allie is fine."

"Are you sure? That doesn't seem respectful of me."

"I'm all for respect, but call me Allie. I'd prefer that."

"Alright," I smiled, "thank you for the clothes by the way."

"Of course! What are you two up to today?"

"We just finished deliveries. Gotta go get Bear and Moose and head down to Bozeman. I just wanted Grayson to meet ya before Saturday," Hunter gently touched my upper back and I smiled up at him, "Gray stayed in the truck except at Mrs. Grady's."

"Oh, how is Mary?" She smiled, still fussing over me.

I see where Hunter gets it from.

"She's good. Imma start fixin' up her house in a month or so."

"Good," Allison reached up and patted his cheek, "how long until you're healed, Gray?"

"Uh… 2 weeks or so?"

"Can you start working in 2 weeks then? On Thursdays?"

"Sure," I smiled, "happy to do so. I worked at a bookshop for 3 years. I know it'll be a little different but that's okay. I'm a quick learner. I'll figure it out."

"It's not too hard. I'll show you what to do. But focus on getting better first. If 2 weeks is too soon, I can wait for another. I'm not in any rush."

"Thank you."

"Alright. Come to dinner Saturday. I gotta get back to organizing. Love you baby," Allison smiled up at Hunter.

"Love you too, Ma," he kissed her cheek one last time and I waved before we left the library.

We got back into the truck and I took a shaky breath.

"You okay?" Hunter pushed a strand of hair that had escaped my ponytail behind my ear.

"That was scary! But your mom is sweet. I like her."

"Told ya. No need to be scared of my parents. They're nice, gentle people."

"I can tell."

Hunter stopped the truck outside of the veterinarian's office and climbed out, turning back to me, "wait here. Ya shouldn't be walkin’ anymore right now."

"So bossy. Fine fine. I'll be here."

"I hope so," he closed his door and walked into the office.

I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Hunter carried himself with a mix of grace and respect. I could understand how his size would make people think he was gruff, but I had never met someone so opposite to the way they appeared in my life.

He really is a beautiful soul.

Gentle.

Caring.

Kind.

I'm so glad I met him.

What a great friend.

I was humming softly to myself when Hunter came walking from the office, Bear and Moose bouncing happily on their leashes, clearly grateful to be reunited with their dad.

He opened the back door and both dogs jumped in, sniffing me curiously and making me giggle.

"Bear stop!" I laughed as the pup tried to climb into the seat with me.

He barked softly and laid down and Moose then rest his chin on the back of my seat, licking at me.

"Oh my goodness okay! I love you too," I patted Moose softly on the head and he licked my palm before huffing and lying next to Bear.

"They didn't bark at you?" Hunter looked at me surprised, climbing in.

"No? They tried to give me love. Why?"

"They usually bark at strangers. They're so protective. Well. I'm glad. They like ya."

"Me too. Bear tried to climb into my lap."

"He'll do that. I wouldn't let him until your thigh heals."

"I know," nodding, I patted his arm.

We made our way to Bozeman, the dogs taking turns trying to lick me as I giggled, making Hunter smile.

Once we got to the store, we unloaded the dogs, Hunter taking Moose's leash as I took Bear's and we headed inside.

"I really hate that I have to use this," I sighed, climbing into the riding cart, Bear's leash still in my hand.

"It'll be fun! Come on," Hunter smiled and we started our shopping.

We were in the store for the better part of two hours and I was constantly putting things back that I liked, not wanting Hunter to spend money on me. He would then pick the item up, ask me if I truly liked it, and if I said yes, he would place it in the cart he was pushing.

After gathering a few jackets, gloves, beanies, 15 different shirts, 10 pairs of pants, 3 new packs of underwear and socks, 2 pairs of tennis shoes, a pair of boots for working on the farm, and 6 sets of pajamas, we headed into the hygiene department.

"You have everything I need in the bathroom though?" I looked up at Hunter confused.

"There's gotta be somethin' I'm missin' that ya want," he squatted down, grabbing shampoo for himself.

"Hm. I don't like your toothpaste. It's weird."

"It's cheap that's why. No one ever uses that bathroom. Get what ya want."

"But we already have-"

He covered my mouth with his hand, "I want you to get what ya want. It's okay if we have it already, but if ya don't like it, then grab what ya want. Please. You deserve to be comfortable too."

Moving his hand from my mouth, I squeezed it softly, "Right. Okay."

"I'm gonna go grab something. Will ya be okay alone for a sec?"

"Duh," I smiled and he poked my nose, heading off with Moose.

Taking Bear around the corner, I sighed softly as I scratched him between the ears, "I have no idea which toothpaste to get."

Bear barked softly and poked a blue and purple toothpaste with his nose, making me laugh.

"Thank you, silly boy. I'll get that one."

After grabbing the toothpaste and mouthwash, I went out into the main aisle and Hunter came back over, a small smile on his face.

"That didn't take long," I poked his leg.

"I ordered it last night. Needed to go pick it up. That's all. Come on. Let's get groceries and head to the barber."

We finished our shopping and as I sat in the truck with the dogs, Hunter loaded everything he could into the bed, before putting some of the bags onto the floor in the back with the dogs, tying the tops to keep them from getting into them.

As soon as we reached the barber, I climbed out, excited.

"When's the last time ya got a haircut?" Hunter smiled, still in the truck.

"A year ago."

"I'll wait with the dogs. Stick your head out when you're done and I'll come in to pay."

"Right. Thanks," nodding, I headed into the shop and took a seat, my leg throbbing.

"Welcome to Superior Snip!" A loud voice boomed from the back and I lifted my head.

The barber was a shorter man, maybe a head smaller than me, but he was as muscular as Hunter, his hair a deep gray matching a thick beard.

"Thank you," I smiled, "I just wanted to get a haircut. I haven't gotten one in a year."

"You got it. Come on over son," he patted the seat.

"It'll take me a second," laughing, I pulled my jacket off after I got up, "got attacked a few nights ago. A man named Dr. Hope stitched me back together so I'm a bit weak in my feet."

"Judah is the best," he nodded as I sat down, "I'll do my best not to upset the one on your neck. So what am I doing?"

"I normally keep the sides and back shaved at a 1. I like it short. The top I like long enough to still be able to put it up in a small ponytail."

"Easy as pie," he patted my shoulder softly.

It didn't take him long to cut my hair, talking about the area as he went and I'd ask simple questions. He'd gone to high school with Hunter's father, that's the reason he knew him and Hunter came down every 2 weeks to get his beard cleaned up.

"Alright. I'm done," he spun me around so I could see myself in the mirror and I gasped.

My waves were all pulled above my left ear, looking far lighter than they had in years. The sides were the exact length I loved, and it felt fantastic to be cleaned up.

"Thank you. So much. I feel like me again," I wiped a tear away.

"You okay son?"

"Been a rough year. That's all."

"It gets better. Just keep looking for the sun."

"I am. I need to go get Hunter, he's paying."

"I'll get him. Your thigh is twitching, hands are shaking. I'm guessing you're in pain. You just rest."

"Wait! I never asked your name."

"Ed. Ed O'Shaunessy."

"Grayson Walker."

"That's a fine name. Rest for a moment."

He went to the door of the shop and waved to Hunter who climbed out and came inside, freezing when we made eye contact.

"Oh," he whispered softly.

"Hm?" I smiled.

"N… nothin'. How much do I owe ya, Ed?"

"Nah. It's on me this time. Grayson needed it. I just called you in because he's struggling. I think he needs to get into bed and could use help getting out to your truck. You owe me next time though," Ed smiled as Hunter came over to me.

"Here," Hunter took his wallet out and handed Ed 20 dollars, "it's a tip. You're the best barber I know."

"I do what I can. Get Grayson to his house. He ain't looking so good."

"He lives with me," Hunter helped me and I leaned into him, the pain in my leg overwhelming.

"Thank you, Ed," nodding, I let Hunter lead me from the barber shop and into the truck.

He rushed around and climbed in, reaching into the center console, "I brought your medicine. I didn't think about the time we've been out here."

I took my pills from him and relaxed into my seat, sweat pouring down my face, "thank you."

"We'll be home in 45 minutes. Just rest."

"Okay."

Leaning against the window, I closed my eyes and did my best to nap. The sound of the radio, the gentle breathing from the dogs, and the wheels rolling on the road lulled me to sleep, my pain finally lessening.

I woke up, the comfort of my bed shocking me and I sat up quickly, feeling confused.

What in the?

Oh.

Hunter must have brought me inside.

There was a soft huff and I realized that Bear had cuddled onto my bed, laying against my leg. Reaching down, I gently scratched between his ears and climbed out of bed, grabbing the small blanket from the end and wrapping it around myself, heading into the main part of the house.

The lights were off and the house was silent. I heard a small snore from Hunter's room and when I looked at the stove, I realized it was past midnight.

I slept for 8 hours!

What the fuck!

Groaning, I turned the kitchen light on, Bear right behind me, plodding along. Finding a note on the counter, I read it with a smile.

Gray,

I didn't want to wake you. You were finally sleeping well. I didn't make dinner because I didn't want to eat something new without you, so there's still leftover soup in the fridge if you wake up hungry. If you need anything, wake me up. I already hung and folded all your new clothes. Your shoes are in the closet by the door along with your jackets. There's a surprise for you in the bag on the counter as well. Don't get mad at me. It's nice to buy something for someone.

Sweet dreams,

Hunter Silas Hope.

Oh.

His middle name also starts with an S.

How funny!

Hunter Silas.

Grayson Sawyer.

They're similar.

Opening the fridge, I heated up the leftover soup and took a seat at the dining table, Bear lying down at my feet.

"Why are you following me?" I laughed softly, rubbing the pup with my foot and he licked my leg, "Fair enough."

After eating, I went in the bathroom and fully got ready for bed, knowing I'd not fall asleep but wanting to be clean and climbed into bed, Bear standing at the side of it, his head tilted to the side until I patted the spot next to me and he jumped up, laying his head on my stomach. Smiling, I scratched between his ears and turned the TV on.

I'd been there for a few hours when I heard Hunter get up and slowly, I made my way into the kitchen where I found him making coffee. He was shirtless, his chest covered in a thin layer of blonde hair, a twisted scar running along his side and he looked up as Moose came running over to me, wiggling happily.

"Oh. Shoot. I didn't think you'd be up. Give me a minute," Hunter blushed and ran off to his room, returning with a t-shirt on, "sorry about that."

"Didn't bother me," I smiled as I scratched Moose, Bear growing jealous and shoving my hand away with his nose, "he's so clingy!"

"He's easily jealous. He likes ya and doesn't want you to pay attention to Moose if he's standing there. I couldn't get him away from ya. He stood outside of your room, staring at me as I sat on the couch and I opened your door to see what he'd do. He ran over to the bed and licked your hand softly and ya never moved so he jumped up there and laid down. Refused to leave ya. I think he's more your dog than mine now," Hunter laughed, getting coffee, "want some?"

"Please," I nodded, taking a seat in the dining room, a hiss escaping me when I bent my leg, "my arms are fine but fuck my leg is killing me."

"Take your meds," he set the bottle and a mug down in front of me, "I got things to do out back today. Ya pushed yourself too much yesterday. Rest today. Sit with Bear outside if ya get bored. Do whatever ya want. It's your house too. Just be careful."

"I will be," nodding I took my pill and drank a bit of coffee, watching as the sun started to rise over the mountain.

Hunter was cooking something in the kitchen and I sighed gently.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot about my mom. I was having such a good day with you that I…"

"I didn't forget," he brought my breakfast and sat across from me with his own, "when you were asleep, I put a small wooden cross out by Grandpa and Grandma. Carved her name into it. I'll pick ya wildflowers later and use the cart to take you out there since ya can't walk."

"You did that for me?" I whispered, a tear rolling down my cheek.

"I did," he reached over and wiped the tear away, "I told ya I would. So I did. You deserve it. A nice place to sit and talk to her."

"I… have no idea what to say. Thank you, Hunter."

"You're welcome. Also, ya never opened your surprise."

"I was so out of it. What is it?"

"Well it's not a good surprise if I tell ya," he laughed softly, "Open it after we eat."

"Alright."

Thank you, Hunter.

You're a good man.