Hunter Krause knows better than anyone that running a ranch is hard work. Wranglers are hard to find, and even with Hunter's foreman and entire extended family on hand, the busy ranch is constantly short–handed. So when horses go missing, Hunter's brother–in–law hires a man Hunter would never have considered: Grant Jarreau, a man Hunter can't forgive for leaving Hunter's best friend Gable after an incapacitating accident. Grant quickly fits in, befriending Hunter's sister and making himself invaluable. Despite Hunter's misgivings, he can't quite control his body's reactions to Grant, and he isn't sure what to do about it. Then Grant saves Hunter's young nephew from drowning and one thankful kiss opens doors Hunter never knew existed. While Hunter and Grant tentatively move toward a relationship, the family's in an uproar, the ranch is struggling, they can't figure out what happened to the horses, and to top it all off, Grant is hiding something. Can Hunter learn to trust Grant, or will the turmoil already tearing up his family claim another victim?
Review
Earth and Sky by Zahra Owens is a sweet, tender, heartwarming tale of one man finding himself and coming to grips with who he is while dealing with a big, crazy family. Hunter runs a ranch and has just found out that he is losing horses. There is evidence that a cougar is taking the stock, but there are no tracks and no carcasses. Being a man short on the ranch, his foreman hires someone Hunter doesn’t like – Grant Jarreau. Trouble is, Grant stirs longing in Hunter and thus begins his coming out.
Things get a little crazy in the house as one brother-in-law fesses up his love for Hunter’s sister, and sister Lisa, the new divorcee, goes after her soon to be ex brother-in-law. And babies abound. So much is happening here that it takes a minute to get it all clear, but it’s a well told story, well written and Owens kept me engaged throughout.
I’m a sucker for romance, and this delivers big time. Add to that the little jerk Delco, the stock disappearing and how that unfolds, the virtual Peyton Place of relationships and you have one funny little story. But Grant is a wanderer. Does he help Hunter find himself and disappear? What other surprises lay in store for Hunter as he deals with his ex-“girlfriend” and the fallout from their relationship. Good stuff!
