Clouds and Rain

gotten down with her hindquarters facing the four men, so they had front-row seats to the second miracle of the day. This time there was none of the nervous tension and none of the pulling and stress of the first birth.
    First one tiny hoof and then a second popped out, still covered in the silvery birthing sac. A few moments later a nose appeared as well, which slipped back for a moment and then the mare grunted and Flynn could actually see her push the rest of the foal out. It seemed so natural he almost forgot how difficult the birth of the little colt in the next stable had been.
    Flynn took one step inside, just enough to pull the amniotic sac away from the foal‟s face so it could take its first breath. It took both horses some time to recuperate, but pretty soon the new mom was standing up to investigate her child and the foal was quick to get up as well, wobbly as hell for a few minutes, but already searching for mother‟s milk.

    181

    Zahra Owens

    When Gable put his arms around Flynn and pulled him close so he could nuzzle his neck, Flynn looked sideways and saw Grant do pretty much the same to Hunter. Their hug had something so manly about it, so butch, yet Grant also displayed a certain tenderness he‟d never seen or even expected in the big guy. It was so obviously an unguarded moment for the other couple and something they never did in front of others. Just when Flynn discreetly wanted to alert Gable to what they were witnessing, Grant remembered they were not alone and immediately let go of Hunter.
    “Hey, no need to hide from us, guys,” Gable drawled. “We‟ve been on to the two of you for a while now.” Grant and Hunter looked at each other, but didn‟t resume their intimate moment, making it slightly awkward. Just to stress his point to the other men, Gable pulled Flynn even tighter to his chest.

    182

    Clouds and Rain

    Chapter 24

    “TIRED?” Flynn asked as they were walking back to the house. He‟d noticed that Gable‟s limp was more pronounced, so he‟d guided Gable‟s arm around his shoulders and let him lean a bit as they walked under the starlit sky.
    Gable nodded. “Glad you‟re a romantic,” he joked. “But it was a long day.”
    They‟d waited until the two colts were suckling well and they were content that their mothers were taking good care of them before saying their good-byes to Grant and Hunter and closing the barn door.
    “They look like good little horses,” Gable continued as they navigated their way up the porch steps without letting go of each other.
    “The second colt looks just like Brenner when he was little.”
    “Too bad we have to give them to Hunter.”
    “Hunter will take good care of them, no doubt,” Gable replied as he made his way upstairs with more difficulty than usual.
    Once upstairs, Flynn retrieved the first aid kit and the hand cream from the bathroom. By the time he walked into the bedroom, Gable was flat on his back on the bed, still fully clothed.
    “Come here,” Flynn teased, pulling off Gable‟s boot and unbuckling his belt.
    “I‟m too tired for that, Flynn,” Gable sighed.
    “Not too tired for a little TLC, I hope?” Gable looked up and smiled at Flynn. “Maybe a little.” Flynn knew Gable was dead tired, because he usually protested letting him look at his stump.

    183

    Zahra Owens

    “Your leg looks good. I expected it would be chafed, but it‟s just a bit red.”
    Gable grunted a reply and let Flynn massage some of the cream into his skin. “Feels good, love.”
    Flynn just smiled, enjoying the fact that Gable was getting quite casual about his leg now. He finished up and got ready for bed as well, leaving his clothes in the dirty linen hamper near the bedroom door.
    “So can you tell me what‟s going on now?” Flynn asked as he snuggled into Gable‟s arms.
    “Nothing‟s going on,” Gable dismissed him.
    “Why did Bill whack Grant?”
    Gable inhaled and then sighed deeply. “It‟s a really long story and we need to get up early to take care of the foals.”
    “So give me the short version then,” Flynn insisted.
    Gable grumbled, but then scooted up so he could sit leaning against the headboard. “Bill and Grant just don‟t get along.”
    “Does it have something to do with what he did to you?” Gable shook his head. “No, it has to do with Calley.”
    “Oh?”
    “I told you it was a long story.”
    Flynn sat up too. “I still want to know. Was it juicy?” Gable chuckled. “Not really.”