Clouds and Rain

wasn‟t his 173

    Zahra Owens

    business—or especially if it wasn‟t his business—he couldn‟t dismiss the pang of jealousy. Pushing Gable any further was useless, but knowing that didn‟t make the feeling go away. He could only hope that, in time, Gable would explain a few things to him.

    IN THE next few days Gable‟s spirits seemed to lift some, as they started training the older horses again. Gable‟s riding had steadily improved over the last weeks, to the point where he was riding with a saddle again and he was keeping his leg on. He‟d also take Brenner out on some occasions, and that was a horse that needed a lot of leg control, so Flynn was silently proud of his lover.
    Most of the horses they‟d chosen were already broken, either by Gable before his surgery or afterward by Flynn, and simply needed to get used to regular handling. That meant they needed to take them out to ride regularly, so they would become good working horses that didn‟t give their riders too much trouble. It kept them very busy for a few weeks, returning every hour or two to change horses and continue riding them along the fences and lean-tos scattered around the ranch.
    Occasionally they‟d meet one of Hunter‟s ranch hands along their shared fence. At one time they spotted Hunter and Grant riding together, seemingly checking fences just like they were doing, but they didn‟t stop, simply tipped their hats at each other and went about their business. Flynn couldn‟t help giving Gable a “told you so” look, but Gable just shook his head. He was smiling, though, and Flynn pretty much knew Gable didn‟t completely dismiss Flynn‟s feelings about the two men.
    One night, as the evenings were becoming colder, Flynn went to check on the barn one more time before closing it up for the night. He knew the mares were both close to giving birth to their foals and wanted to make sure they were okay. He hoped Hunter would be happy with the new horses. Even though they were only going to stay on their ranch until they were weaned from their mothers, Flynn was already looking forward to the little ones. He‟d grown up around them on his father‟s ranch, and although his father always scolded him, he could 174

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    never stay away from them. He‟d helped hand-rear a few of them, and also helped his brothers in getting the foals used to being touched by people. He couldn‟t wait.
    Tonight it became clear he wasn‟t going to have to wait much longer.
    “Gable!” he shouted. “Call Bill! One of the mares is in labor!” 175

    Zahra Owens

    Chapter 23

    BILL looked tired when he arrived.
    Flynn knew he was one of the most experienced vets in the county and therefore on the payroll of most of the large horse ranches in the area. Occasionally he also helped out at the smaller cattle ranches. Flynn could imagine that Calley pretty much had the store all to herself. And her house too, he supposed.
    “So what makes you think she‟s about ready to foal?” Bill gruffly asked Flynn.
    “She‟s waxing,” Flynn answered, clearly proud of himself. “Since she‟s a first-time mom, I‟ve been washing her teats with warm water to get her used to having them touched and they‟ve been filling up these past days. Then when I came to check on her this evening, she was restless and tense.”
    “So you‟ve been playing with her nipples?” Bill asked amusedly.
    “You don‟t seem the sort.”
    Flynn ignored the taunt. “I‟ve been around enough pregnant mares to know.”
    “Then you should also know that most mares give birth without intervention.”
    Flynn nodded. “But these are first-time mothers and the foals are precious. We don‟t know how they‟ll deliver yet and we can‟t afford to lose either of them.”
    Bill conceded. “I suppose you‟re right.” He sighed deeply and walked inside the box to take a closer look at the mare.
    At that moment Flynn‟s attention was drawn to the barn door that was swung open by strong hands. Gable entered first, then Hunter, and eventually the owner of the hands: Grant. Instantly the tension rose.

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    “Foal here yet?” Hunter asked nervously.
    “You sound like it‟s your very first one, Hunter.” Gable smiled.
    “And I know for a fact that your very first foal was born more than twenty years ago, right by your outer fence, because I helped you deliver him.”
    Flynn thought if there was more light in the barn, he‟d see Hunter blush, but