Clouds and Rain

deep sigh.
    “Were you done with work?” Gable asked, moving a little bit closer to Flynn.
    Flynn shook his head. “I should grease some of the leather. I broke a stirrup on one of the training saddles yesterday and I should fix that too. I fear I‟ve been letting the maintenance slip a bit,” he added softly.
    “And all that after you brought it up to par again,” Gable soothed, alluding to how run-down everything was before Flynn had arrived and how well he‟d helped out after that. Gable raised his arm and put it across Flynn‟s shoulders. “I can do the saddle maintenance. It‟s one of those things you can do sitting down.” Then he realized something. “I know this means you need to do all the leg work, but right now, that‟s my best offer.”
    Flynn nodded and even smiled slightly.
    Gable was glad Flynn didn‟t bring up calling Craig or learning to walk again. He knew it was inevitable, but his inner procrastinator was holding him back for now.
    “You‟re wet,” Gable said, rustling Flynn‟s hair playfully.
    Flynn snuggled closer into Gable‟s embrace. “So are you. Glad it‟s warm in here, because it‟s still raining cats and dogs out there.” Flynn turned his face in Gable‟s direction and Gable leaned forward to let their lips touch. He didn‟t dare press on, knowing how quickly these overtures always turned into something more, something he couldn‟t give Flynn right now. At first Flynn didn‟t deepen the kiss either, but Gable could feel him suddenly open his mouth and delve in.

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    Gable wanted it too, but pulled back anyway. To make the gesture less harsh, he squeezed Flynn into his arms.
    “I‟m sorry.”
    Flynn shrugged and licked his lips. “‟S okay.”
    “Why are there two mares in the barn, Flynn?” Gable asked, hoping to break the tense situation. “These are outside kind of horses.
    They‟re used to bad weather. No need to mollycoddle them.” Flynn looked away. “I know.”
    “So why are they here? Are they lame? Sick? Do we have to call Bill to come and take a look at them?”
    Flynn shook his head. “Bill‟s already seen them, and he suggested keeping them in as long as it was this cold.” Gable was getting a bit suspicious because he felt Flynn was avoiding answering the question. “There‟s more than fifty horses still outside. What makes these two different?”
    “They‟re with foal.”
    “How did a stallion get in with the mares?” Gable was getting a little uncomfortable.
    Flynn sighed. He moved away from Gable‟s embrace and leaned his elbows on his knees. “Listen, I know you said you didn‟t want to breed the horses, but Hunter wanted a foal from Brenner and I thought we could give it a try.”
    “Brenner sired these foals?”
    Flynn nodded. “I know I should have asked.”
    “I explicitly said I didn‟t want to breed our horses,” Gable interrupted. “This isn‟t your ranch, Flynn!” Flynn got up and created some distance between them. “I know, but I was the only one making decisions here. And there was no money to buy new horses and I couldn‟t get the ones we had ready for auction on my own.”
    “But I know nothing about breeding horses, Flynn,” Gable replied, exasperated. “And we have no money for the vet‟s bills as it is.”

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    Zahra Owens

    Flynn turned around. “But I do. I grew up on a stud farm.”
    “You weren‟t allowed to do any ranch work, you said!”
    “Nothing could keep me away, Gabe. And my brothers didn‟t mind one bit if I did their chores. How do you think I got good at this?
    They preferred spending time with their girlfriends in the hayloft while I mucked out stalls. And Bill‟s doing this as a favor to you. It‟s only two horses, Gabe. It‟s an experiment.”
    Flynn sat down next to Gable again and Gable conceded. When Flynn took his hand, Gable sighed and leaned closer to Flynn. “I‟m sorry. That wasn‟t fair.”
    “Yes, it was,” Flynn replied softly. “You‟re right, you did tell me not to breed the horses and I just went ahead with my idea. I should have asked you first.”
    “I would have said no.”
    “I know,” Flynn acknowledged. “And I really didn‟t want you to worry about the money.”
    “How bad is it?” Gable asked, although he really didn‟t want to hear the answer.
    Flynn shrugged noncommittally and shook his head. “I think you better ask Calley about that.”
    “Flynn….” Gable cautioned him. “What have you been hiding