Clouds and Rain

the kids from town to ride as well. You know, classmates of Danny. She wants to try her hand at three-day eventing, but needs some extra money. We bought her a good horse, but the equipment and travel expenses are pretty steep.”
    “So that‟s why you‟ve been buying the smaller horses,” Gable said as if it had only now dawned on him.
    “Yeah,” Hunter said flatly. Flynn didn‟t miss the look he gave Grant and he couldn‟t shake the feeling they were hiding something.
    Then again, he didn‟t feel comfortable enough to ask, so he was pretty sure he was just going to have to live with his lingering questions.
    “So, is the ranch doing well?” Gable asked.
    “Pretty good,” Hunter replied. “We lost a few foals over the summer. Still haven‟t figured out if it‟s horse thieves or a cougar, but one or the other is bound to get caught in time.”
    “Thanks for the warning,” Gable said. “I‟ll keep the little ones close to the house.”
    The waitress brought their steaks and they ate almost silently.
    From time to time Hunter and Gable would talk ranch business and Flynn was glad that Grant was staying out of the conversation, since Gable seemed to be fairly relaxed now. It also gave Flynn time to observe his dinner companions. Grant was a handsome man, he had to admit. Not his type, but he had the feeling that if it hadn‟t been for the history between Gable and him, they could be friends. Hunter, too, was a looker. Flynn had noticed that the first time he‟d laid eyes on him, when Hunter had come by the ranch to buy horses. The man‟s intense, piercing eyes were probably his biggest asset, but Flynn also liked his smile. It was warm and caring and not just directed at Grant, but at anyone who crossed his path, from the busboy who cleared their plates to the waitress who offered them the dessert menu, and yes, Hunter 205

    Zahra Owens

    directed that flirtatious smile at Gable too. For just a moment Flynn felt a little jealous. Hunter and Gable obviously went way back and Gable had admitted that he‟d had the hots for the younger Hunter, but would he ever be competition now Gable was sure Hunter was gay?
    Flynn was brought back to the here and now with the feeling of Gable‟s warm hand on his thigh. “Be right back,” Gable said before getting up and walking in the direction of the restrooms.
    “Yeah, I could use a leak too,” Grant said, following in the same direction.
    Hunter must have caught Flynn‟s panicked expression. “They‟ll be fine,” Hunter assured him, but Flynn could tell he wasn‟t all that confident either. “Grant‟s calmed down a lot. I think he just wants to talk to Gable alone for a moment.”
    “Well, I hope so,” Flynn said, peeling his gaze away from the restroom doors and directing it at the laminated card in his hands. He couldn‟t read what was on offer. He was too worried about what was being said or done at the other side of the restaurant. He knew he couldn‟t go to Gable‟s rescue. He had to leave his lover with some dignity and not give the impression he was an overbearing or jealous lover. His heart rate didn‟t drop until Gable returned to the table, though.
    Gable‟s smile made Flynn relax. “Are you getting anything?” Flynn shrugged. “Probably not.”
    “I‟m getting ice cream,” Hunter said, obviously not totally reassured yet.
    “Yeah, me too,” Gable agreed. “Any idea what Grant wants?
    Because I see the waitress coming our way. He‟s the nuts and caramel type,” Gable said so casually both Flynn and Hunter ended up staring at Gable, who didn‟t let on he noticed.
    Hunter ordered for both Grant and himself and Gable only ordered his own desert after Flynn declined again.
    “What did you get me?” Grant asked as he returned to the table.
    “Vanilla ice cream with caramel fudge and crushed nuts,” Hunter said.

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    Clouds and Rain

    “Oh goody,” Grant replied, rubbing his hands together and smiling at Gable.
    “So Grant told me you two are thinking about building another house?” Gable asked casually.
    “Yeah,” Hunter answered, fleetingly looking at Grant before redirecting his gaze at Gable. “We figured it would be easier to have our own place since the main house is rather… full.” Gable chuckled, while Flynn watched the interaction with some amazement.
    “We were going to ask you and Flynn if you could lend a hand from time to time.”
    Gable gave Grant that curious look again, then turned to Flynn