“Sir?” I could hear a deep, rumbling voice call from somewhere in the distance, the world around me black, “Sir can you hear me?”
“Y… yes,” I croaked, trying to open my eyes.
“You’re still alive! Holy… okay. Don’t try to move. I’m callin’ an ambulance.”
“What are you talking about? I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding really badly. One of your legs… sorry. The hospital can tell you. What’s your name?”
“Grayson. Grayson Walker.”
I was finally able to open my eyes, turning my head to look at the person the voice like thunder rolling across a plain belonged to. He was ruggedly handsome, with shoulder-length, dark blonde, thick curly hair, beautiful sky blue eyes, and a perfectly trimmed beard. He was broad-shoulder with a large chest, worry clear in his eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Grayson. I’m Hunter Hope.”
“Where am I?” I stuttered, the pain steadily filling my body as I grew cold.
“On the very edge of my ranch. I heard a car pull away quickly and rode out here on Ridge. I found you. To be honest… I thought you were dead,” he squatted down next to me and suddenly pulled his jacket off, laying it on my chest, the smell of raspberries and rum flooding my senses, “how did you get here?”
“I… I was trying to find somewhere to sleep and a car pulled up and someone grabbed me. Beyond that… I don’t…” I was fighting to keep my eyes open, exhaustion overcoming me.
“Hey. Hey Grayson, ya can’t sleep. Ya need to stay awake. It’s blood loss. It’s okay,” he pressed a hand to my thigh and I cried out from the sudden pain, “I’m sorry. I’m trying to stop the bleedin'. Do ya have anyone I can call?”
“No. I’m alone. There’s no one.”
“Alright. The ambulance is on its way. How old are ya?”
“21.”
“Where ya from?”
“Here. Well, at least Montana. From Billings. Where am I?”
“Outside of Springdale,” he placed his free hand on my forehead, pushing my ash blonde waves out of my face, “they’ll take ya to Pioneer Medical more than likely.”
“Hunter?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for saving me. I have nothing left in this world. No one would notice I was gone. But still. I appreciate it,” I lost the battle with consciousness and drifted into darkness.
What the fuck is that beeping noise?
Where the hell am I?
Opening my eyes was nearly impossible, but once I managed to, I looked around in a panic, my heart racing.
Hospital.
Right.
That pretty cowboy found me.
Hunter.
Think, Gray.
What happened?
The door opened and I turned to my right to find a doctor and a nurse coming in.
"Oh. You're awake. How are you feeling?" The doctor smiled at me, his appearance vaguely familiar.
"Tired. But nothing hurts," I cleared my throat, "what happened to me?"
"You were attacked in Billings. There was a witness who watched 3 young men drag you into a car and take off down the road. They've all been arrested for kidnapping and attempted murder. All teenagers. They apparently thought it would be fun to attack a stranger walking down the street. They happened to see you. They've all pled guilty thanks to surveillance footage proving it was them, so you won't need to testify."
"Right. I vaguely remember that," nodding, I chewed on my lip, "how long have I been here?"
"2 days."
"My injuries?"
"Massive cut on your inner right thigh we had to repair, one along your left rib cage, both of your forearms, and your throat. That one wasn't deep, or you wouldn't be here."
"I don't think I'd be here without the help of the man who found me."
"Oh I know," the doctor softly laughed, “Hunter panicked and called me after the ambulance took you away."
"That's who you remind me of! I thought you looked familiar."
"He's my son, so I'd hope so. Dr. Judah Hope at your service."
"Grayson Walker but I figure you know that. Can you give him my thanks for saving me?"
"Absolutely. Now, you'll be released in a few hours here. We need to know who will be here to pick you up."
"No one," I whispered, "my mother passed a year ago. I'm alone in the world. No friends or family. No home or job. All I had was my backpack and those kids took it. I was trying to find somewhere to sleep when I was attacked."
"Okay. Give me a moment. I'll have my lovely nurse Hazel go get you some water and soup. You need to eat. But be careful," he smiled and walked out of the room with Hazel.
Laying back, I closed my eyes, fighting down tears that were attempting to rip from my chest. Between losing my mother Natalie from a sudden stroke, my job at a bookstore suddenly coming to an end when they closed, having to vacate my apartment due to being unable to pay my rent, my car being stolen, and now being nearly murdered by a group of teenagers, I was nearing the point of wanting to give up on life. There was nothing left for me.
"Grayson?" Hazel called softly and I opened my eyes as she set a small bowl of chicken noodle soup and a cup of water on the table in front of me, "my dad will figure it out. I promise. He's got a big heart and there's no reason you should keep being alone."
"Dr. Hope is your dad?" I looked at her surprised before taking the time to study her.
She had the same thick blonde curls and sky-blue eyes as Hunter, small freckles across her cheeks, and a gap between her front teeth.
"Yes," she laughed softly, "it's a tight community. I work here with dad, Mom runs the library and Hunter owns the ranch he found you on outside of town."
"I'm a bit jealous. It was just me and my mom my entire life. Everything… had fallen apart when I was attacked."
"You could stay with me," Hazel smiled, "I can help you find a job!"
"I already got him one once he's healed if he's willing to accept," Dr. Hope came into the room, a gentle smile on his face, "my wife Allison has been looking to hire someone to work at the library once or twice a week so she can rest."
"R… really? I could do that. I worked at a bookstore since I was 17 but it shut down. But I have nowhere to live, shower, any of that. I can't afford it. I was living in my car until that and all my stuff got stolen. I have no phone, no money, nothing. I will in 3 months when my mom's life insurance policy comes in, but all I have right now is the 5 dollars in my wallet."
"That's where I come in," the voice of my savior called from the doorway and I turned to find Hunter, coming to a sudden realization.
He was incredibly tall and wide, nearly 6 foot 7, his biceps the size of my leg, and my assessment of his chest being broad had been inaccurate. He seemed to be muscular enough to rip logs in half with his bare hands if he truly wanted to.
"H… hi Hunter," I stuttered, "thank you. For saving me. It means… more than you'll realize. I'd be dead without you."
"I'm glad I heard the car and was able to get to ya in time. I'd have felt terrible if I hadn't. Anyway, can ya cook?"
"Yes. My mom worked 4 jobs to take care of me. I've been cooking and cleaning since I was 8."
"Do ya like horses and cows?"
"Absolutely. My granddad had a ranch in North Dakota and I spent summers there taking care of the cows and chickens. I know how to ride a horse too."
"Are ya even tall enough to get on one?" He laughed, a deep-throated rumble that could move mountains.
"Hey! I'm 5 foot 9, I'll have you know. Not everyone can be a giant like you," crossing my arms across my chest, I winced, the pain in my forearms shocking.
"Oh. He's sassy. I like him," Hazel called from the corner she was standing in.
"Shut up, Zee," Hunter rolled his eyes at her and looked back at me, "I live in a ranch house alone. I have 6 bedrooms. I'm in need of help to keep it clean and the work I have to do keeps me so busy I forget to eat. Only at night usually. You can take a room, and your rent can simply be to help me keep things clean and remind me to eat. Ya don't have to cook for me, but if you'd remind me to eat, that'd be great. That's all I'd need from ya. Oh and… maybe talk to me sometimes," he rubbed the back of his neck, "most people think I'm scary or gruff because I'm so big and my voice is deep so I… I don't have anyone to talk to except Hazel on Saturday nights when we go to Mom and Dad's for dinner."
"Um… why are you all being so nice to me?" I looked down at my hands, a tear attempting to escape me.
"We all need a little help sometimes," Dr. Hope patted the top of my head.
"You don't know me though…"
"Got plenty of time for that," Hunter laughed, pulling his cowboy hat off and running his fingers through his curls before putting it back on, "it'll be nice, Grayson. I'm sure Zee will steal ya from me from time to time. Oh and… have ya ever decorated for a baby gender reveal thing before?"
"Oh… call me Gray. Um… I'm good at that kind of thing. I used to set up the events for the bookshop I worked in. Why?"
"I'm having a baby," Hazel smiled, rubbing her stomach and that's when I noticed the baby bump she had, "and Hunter has the most space for parties and stuff. So we tend to have birthdays and other big events at the ranch. He's hopeless at decorating though."
"I swear to God Hazel," Hunter covered his face with a groan, "She's right though. I hate that she is. I could use your help."
"Um… yeah. I'd like that. Thank you… all of you so much," I sniffled, a tear rolling down my cheek.
"It's okay," Hazel came over and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "I can't imagine what you've gone through. But you have a home now. You'll never have to worry about food or money. Hunter will get you whatever you need until that policy comes in. Mom will pay you well at the library even if you only work a day or 2 a week. We'll help get you back on your feet."
"Thank you," grabbing a tissue, I wiped my nose.
"Your eyes are beautiful by the way. They remind me of bourbon," Hazel whispered softly and I giggled.
Leaning over, I pressed my lips near her ear, "I like Hunter’s more. They're as beautiful as the sky."
"Are you really flirtin’ with my little sister right in front of me?" Hunter huffed.
"Why in the world would I do that? Don't get me wrong, you're beautiful Hazel but I don't like women," I patted her hand softly, "I'm gay. I'm sorry if that makes any of you uncomfortable."
"We don't care son," Dr. Hope came over and gently patted the top of my head, "love is love. I know it's pretty frowned upon here, but it's no skin off our backs. Just always be safe."
"I swear. Thank you. It's strange to be accepted."
"You always will be. At least by us. So. You can go home now. I had Allie bring you one of Zee's sweat outfits. You're about the same size. You're not allowed to walk far distances until I take the stitches out of your thigh next week. I'll take the ones out of your ribs and arms that day as well. On your throat, it just needs to stay wrapped as I have it until tonight. Keep the sutures covered with these," he handed me a bag with see-through bandages, "there's only tape along the outer edges so it won't upset the sutures. You can unwrap all of them tonight. When you shower, make sure you have those on and they're airtight. I also have some pain medication for you. Don't drink alcohol when you take these. You'll vomit blood. I think you can change all of them on your own except your arms. Hunter can do those for you. He's used to it by now. Always getting hurt on the ranch."
"Right. Thank you, Dr. Hope," I nodded, taking the bag from him.
"Judah. Just call me Judah," he gently patted my head, "we'll take care of you as long as you need. It's what we do."
"Okay," I quickly wiped a tear away.
“Hunter," Judah squeezed his arm, "take him to the ranch when he's done changing. Put him in the big room next to you. It doesn't seem like he's slept in a home in a long time and he'll probably be frightened. Nightmares. Things like that. Going from such a rough situation to the warmth of a welcoming family, he's going to need your friendship."
"I've got him dad," Hunter came over and ran his fingers through my hair, lingering on the top of my ear, "I won't let anyone hurt him again."
"I know. You're hyper-protective," Judah laughed, "come on Hazel. We have other patients and I need to check the baby."
"Okay! Bye, Gray! I'll see you at dinner this weekend," she waved.
"What does she mean?" I looked up at Hunter and he smiled, rubbing my cheek with his thumb.
"I told ya. We do dinner on Saturday night with Mom and Dad. Ya gotta meet my mama still. I don't do hard work on Saturdays. Just feed the animals, and clear the pens. Sundays are the same. I don't do much on weekends. I get bored. Well… maybe not so much anymore. I got a lot of places around the ranch you'll like. I can get ya fitted for a saddle so you can ride Fawn. She's calmer, sweeter. I'll take ya around, and show you the area. I cleaned up the spot I found ya already. I didn't want you to see it. When I say I thought you were dead," he took a shaky breath, still gently touching my cheek, "I meant that. Ya scared the hell outta me."
"I'm alive. I'm actually going to be living a life now. Not finding somewhere kind of safe to sleep, wondering how I’ll get my next meal. I haven't had a nice, warm shower in a year. Just when I could get to a gym. It's been hard, Hunter. So hard. How can I repay you? Any of you?"
"Ya don't have to. Tomorrow, if you're up to doin’ a little walkin’, I'll take ya into town when I do my deliveries and show you around. Ya can't walk much, but the department store has those ridin’ carts. We'll getcha clothes, hygiene stuff, and food ya like. For tonight, I’m makin’ soup. Hazel told me ya can't eat anythin’ heavy until you're healed because of the pain meds. So soup, we can watch the stars on my porch and talk a little and I'll set up the bedroom for ya. You'll have the bathroom next to it as yours too."
"I have to repay you somehow," I whispered.
"Do you know how to bake?"
"Yeah. Absolutely. Why?"
"I know the gender of the baby. I'm the only one. Can ya make a cake as a reveal if I tell ya? I can get ya whatever ingredients you'll need. Except for eggs. I have chickens. The freshest ya can get."
"Sure. Happily," I smiled and nodded.
"You're the best," he sighed happily, "Okay! Get changed, I'll be right outside. Come get me when you're ready to leave. I gotta getcha a wheelchair," he twirled a strand of my hair through his fingers and walked out of the room.
Taking a few deep breaths, I fought the warmth in my cheeks. Between the kindness of the Hope family, the new life I was going to be living, Hazel's sweetness, and the beauty and gentleness that rolled from such a rugged man as Hunter, I was feeling overwhelmed.
Sighing softly, I carefully climbed off of the bed and put on the pastel yellow sweatsuit and sandals that had been left for me.
Walking over to the door, I opened it to find Hunter leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
"Ready to go?" He flashed me a crooked smile and my heart skipped.
Oh no.
He's beautiful.
He's not going to be interested in you, Gray.
Stop it.
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