Clouds and Rain

from me?”
    Flynn hesitated, then obviously decided it was no use. “Your hospital bills were pretty steep.”
    “Are you saying we‟re bankrupt?”
    Flynn shook his head. “No, but we owe Calley and Bill a nice sum and Hunter already owns these foals.”
    “He took a big gamble.”
    Flynn nodded. “It took some persuading. I had to talk him into it, but if we ended up losing the ranch, I wanted to know I did everything to prevent it. Yes, this means that we‟re still working for money we‟ve already spent, but the bank was threatening to make us sell off the horses and I couldn‟t let that happen. Some of those horses will fetch a good buck when we take them to auction next year and others will need 124

    Clouds and Rain

    more time, but if we sell them off now, they‟ll put them up in one big lot and we won‟t get half of what they‟re worth!” Gable could tell Flynn was getting all worked up about it and it warmed his heart. He was talking about a future, about working toward next year and maybe even longer and he didn‟t even seem to contemplate leaving anymore. For the first time, Gable felt that Flynn wasn‟t just saying these things in an effort to take care of him; the passion with which Flynn defended his decisions made it clear that he was doing it for himself as well.
    “You really like it here, don‟t you?” Gable asked quietly.
    “Of course I do,” Flynn answered without hesitation. “You have no idea what this means to me, Gabe. I love working here. I love the horses and the fact that most of the work is done outdoors—”
    “In the pouring rain,” Gable interrupted with a chuckle.
    “I don‟t mind the rain. I like it better when I‟m wearing something like you‟re wearing, but even when it‟s as cold as it is now and you saddle a horse and ride up to the paddock and see them all standing there, huddled together for warmth, it‟s just great.”
    “Yeah, I know,” Gable agreed quietly.
    Flynn leaned closer and moved until he could kiss Gable. Again, it was a chaste kiss, full of tenderness, and Gable let his hand caress Flynn from his shoulders until he could rest it in the small of his back.
    It felt good to feel Flynn close, to smell his slightly musky scent, although since he had come in from the rain, he also had some “wet dog” about him. For some reason that made Gable smile, and Flynn pulled back, looking a little puzzled.
    “I was just thinking this felt good,” Gable explained shyly.
    Flynn smiled at him and Gable could see his eyes light up. “I‟ll do anything to make you smile,” he whispered, nuzzling Gable.
    “Don‟t,” Gable replied. To take the insecurity from Flynn‟s face, he continued. “You‟re your own person. I don‟t want your happiness to depend on mine. I‟m a morose SOB, Flynn.”
    “And I still love you,” Flynn replied. “Go figure.” Gable sighed. “I‟m sorry I blew up over the pregnant mares.” 125

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    “I‟m sorry I didn‟t consult you.” Flynn suddenly shivered violently.
    “You‟re cold.” Gable opened his oilskin duster and enveloped Flynn in it, pulling him closer and enjoying the feeling of Flynn‟s arms snaking underneath it to wrap around him.
    Flynn inhaled deeply. “I could get used to this, but I‟m hungry. I think we should go inside.”
    The moment was too short. Flynn pulled away from Gable, leaving Gable to feel the cold, as they heard the sound of Bridget‟s nails on the barn floor and then her shaking her fur out.
    “Hey, girl, did you come to fetch us?” Flynn asked her. He scratched her head. “You‟re practically dry. Has it stopped raining?” She cocked her head as if to say, “Sure it has. Would I come out here if it were wet outside?”
    Flynn came closer again and quickly kissed Gable. “Mmmh, we should probably take advantage of the fact it‟s stopped raining and go back to the house. Not to mention I need to feed you.” He poked Gable in the ribs. “You‟re still way too skinny.” After Flynn extricated himself again, Gable got up and was handed his crutches. Just as Flynn turned around to leave, Gable couldn‟t help but speak. “Flynn.” He hesitated, especially when Flynn turned to face him, still smiling as he was stroking Bridget. “What is keeping you here?”
    “Gable,” Flynn said, as if the answer to that was obvious.

“I‟m sorry, but I need to know.”
    “I‟m staying because this is what I always wanted.” Flynn took a step closer, but