Clouds and Rain

it to her, but this time Flynn didn‟t give her anything. “Go sit by Gable,” he told her, after which she reluctantly drooped off.
    Flynn didn‟t know what to do, and he was becoming increasingly worried about what the night would bring. He hated this tension, this walking on eggshells, never knowing whether he was showing Gable the care and love he needed or stifling him with it. He was going to have to talk to him, and hoped that Gable would cooperate.
    After wiping down the table and the counters, Flynn joined Gable in the living room, where he was dozing in his easy chair. Maybe now wasn‟t the time to stir the pot and make Gable angry again. They were both tired and they hadn‟t decided where Gable was going to sleep yet, so Flynn pulled a chair closer and touched Gable‟s hand.
    “Time for bed, love.”
    Gable slowly opened his eyes, and to Flynn‟s relief, he even smiled a little. “I wanted to say thank you for bringing me home and being there for me the whole time… in the hospital. And for taking care of the ranch.”
    Flynn shrugged. “It‟s nothing. It‟s just what you do when—”
    “It‟s what you do, yes,” Gable interrupted. He changed how their hands touched and squeezed Flynn‟s. “I know I‟m not very good at….” Flynn shook his head, more as a soothing gesture than to deny what Gable was about to say.

    103

    Zahra Owens

    “Let‟s leave the heavy conversation for tomorrow, okay? It‟s been a tiring day.”
    Gable nodded. “I‟d like to sleep upstairs. It‟ll take me a while to get there, though.”
    “I can—” Flynn wanted to say that he could help, but Gable gave him a look of warning so he closed his mouth and smiled apologetically. “I‟ll go up first and see that everything‟s ready there.” He was rewarded by a smile from Gable.
    It wasn‟t easy for Flynn to sit upstairs and wait for Gable to make it up the narrow staircase. Craig had taught Gable that as long as his arms weren‟t strong enough for short crutches, the easiest way was to do it sitting down and scooting up one step at a time, but Flynn felt he was taking forever. He‟d already sneaked a peek at Gable‟s progress twice after he‟d washed and changed into his pajamas. He had taken Gable‟s crutches up, so he could use them there as well, and Flynn sat looking at them, standing between the nightstand and the bed, when Gable appeared in the doorway, balancing on one foot.
    “Those would be useful, if you don‟t mind?” Flynn rushed to get them to Gable and then stepped back to let Gable pass. “Your PJs are nice and warm. I put them on the heater when I came up.”
    Gable just nodded, with an amused smile playing around his mouth, and Flynn was grateful he didn‟t lash out again, because when he thought about it, he knew he was being too much of a mother hen. It wasn‟t like he could help himself, so as soon as Gable was seated safely on the bed, he excused himself and left the room, just so he‟d give Gable the space to get undressed by himself.
    When he returned, Gable was under the covers.
    “I thought you‟d gone to bed?”
    Flynn nodded silently. “I think I should sleep here, in case you need anything during the night.”
    Gable gave Flynn his warning look again, so Flynn continued.
    “Gable, please. I won‟t be able to sleep in the other room if I‟m worrying about you all night. What if you fall and can‟t get up?”
    “I‟ll shout for you.”

    104

    Clouds and Rain

    “I might not hear you. Just indulge me this one bit, okay? I promise I‟ll let you do whatever you want to do.” Gable sighed, then conceded, so Flynn crawled into the large bed.
    “I‟ll stay on my side, and you on yours,” Flynn joked, drawing an imaginary line between them, which elicited a chuckle from Gable.
    Flynn lay on his side as Gable turned out the light. He knew they were both tired, but didn‟t think he‟d be able to doze off until Gable‟s breathing had calmed down enough for Flynn to think he was asleep, so they both lay awake for some time. Then Flynn felt Gable‟s hand move closer until it wrapped around his own. He squeezed back and, content with Gable‟s contact, fell asleep.
    Flynn woke up some time later when he sensed movement. He opened his eyes, and after a moment of adjustment, he heard Gable get up, hobble out of the room, and then return. “Everything okay?” he asked.
    Gable nodded, then answered. “Needed to pee. Couldn‟t sleep.” Flynn waited for