Aidan: Loyal Cowboy

“Wow.” Flynn’s throat inexplicably tightened. This wasn’t the first time she’d moved from Roundup. Why, then, were her emotions threatening to spill over?

Must be the baby and hormones.

“Sweetie pie, what’s wrong?”

Flynn glanced up to find her dad studying her. “Nothing. Actually, everything’s falling into place perfectly. You’re selling the ranch, we’re moving to Billings, I’m going to nursing school.”

“Then why are you crying?”

She touched her cheek, stunned to find it damp.

What a mess. Everything wasn’t perfect.

Having a baby was supposed to be exhilarating. Deeply satisfying. One of life’s greatest joys. Flynn felt those things. She was also still in shock and uncertain. At this moment, those feelings overwhelmed the others.

“Dad,” she blurted. “I have something to tell you. You’re going to be surprised. A good surprise, I hope.”

Please let him be happy for me.

He laid the listing agreement aside, his expression concerned. “You’re not going back to school?”

She could do both, right? Go to school and have a baby?

“No. I am.” She swallowed. This was much harder than she’d anticipated. “I’m… Wow.” She gathered her wildly racing thoughts. “I’m pregnant.”

He sat back, his eyes wide and unblinking. “That is a surprise.”

“I only found out myself a few minutes ago when I took the home pregnancy test.”

“How far along are you?” he stammered.

“A month or so.”

Flynn’s chest tightened, and her eyes stung. She wished her father would stop sitting there, staring at her. “You’re disappointed in me.”

“God, no, Flynn.” He sprang from his chair, hauled her to her feet and clasped her to him. “I love you, I could never be disappointed in you. It’s just like you say, a surprise.” He set her back from him, brushed her hair from her face in a familiar and tender gesture reminiscent of when she was a young girl. “I love being a grandfather. It’s one of the reasons I want to move to Billings. And I know how much you’ve always hankered for kids of your own. I just figured…”

“That I’d be married.”

“Something like that. I’m your old man.” He shrugged apologetically. “Can’t help wanting what I think is best for you.”

Flynn hugged him fiercely, laid her head on his chest.

“I’m happy for you, sweetie pie.”

“I’m happy, too. And a little nervous.”

“Kids are a big step.” He kissed the top of her head. “But you’ll do fine. And you’ll be a wonderful mother.” He grew suddenly serious. “You are keeping the baby.”

“Of course I am!”

“That’s good.” He patted her reassuringly. “Is Ace the dad?”

Now it was Flynn’s turn to stare at her father in confusion. “H-how did you—”

“Because, there really hasn’t been any other man for you.”

If her father knew, then chances were Sarah Hart did, too. All those months trying to hide her and Ace’s relationship from their parents had apparently been for nothing.

Flynn grimaced. What would Ace’s mother, his whole family, think of her when they found out about the baby?

“Do you love him?” her father asked.

Flynn involuntarily stiffened. Dinah Hart had been the only one to ask her that before. She’d noticed Flynn’s crush on her older brother, a crush that had developed into much more when she and Ace dated.

Except Flynn had kept those feelings hidden and always would, not even telling Dinah.

“I— I’m… It’s complicated.”

Thankfully her father didn’t pressure her for more. They returned to their chairs, and he clasped her hand across the table. “I take it you haven’t told Ace yet.”

“No.”

“Are you going to?”

Flynn pushed her half-empty juice glass away. It suddenly didn’t appeal to her anymore. “I wouldn’t hide the baby from him. But I’m going to wait until I visit the obstetrician. Make sure everything’s okay.”

“Well, you could have picked a worse guy.”

“Dad!”

“I meant that as a compliment. I’ve always liked Ace. It was John Hart I had a problem with. The man drank like a fish and practically ran his ranch into the ground before he died.”

“That’s harsh.”

“Well, he did. But I have nothing other than respect for Sarah and Ace. He’s ten times the man his father was. All them kids are, in their own way. But Ace most of all. He stepped up. Took over as head of the family. Runs the ranch with his mother. Hell of a vet, too. He’ll make a good dad.”

“I don’t think Ace would agree with you about his father. He and John may have butted heads, but Ace loved him. After John died, Ace took over because he thought it was what his father would have wanted.”

In her mind, Flynn could hear Ace telling her those exact words ten years ago when he ended their brief dating relationship.

“Like I said, he’s a better man than his father. He’s trying to make something of that ranch, and not just for himself. Nothing he wouldn’t sacrifice for his family. Nothing he wouldn’t sacrifice for you and your baby, too.”

“You’re probably right.”

“He’ll insist on doing the right thing.”

“I’m not getting married, if that’s what you’re implying.” Flynn shocked herself with her vehemence.