Aidan: Loyal Cowboy

“When are you going to test your theory?”

“This afternoon. He’s as calm as I’ve ever seen him.”

“And if he hurts the mares like he did Miss Kitty?”

“We’ll have him on a twenty-four-hour watch.”

“You can’t stay up all night.”

“Gracie, Harlan and Royce will help. We’ll take turns.”

His mother smiled. “I’m glad you’re not giving up on him. Or yourself.”

“I still believe Midnight’s the right horse for us to build our breeding business.”

“That kind of tenacity will win over Flynn.”

“You think?”

Her smile widened. “I’m counting on it.”

So was Ace.

* * *

“HE’S A BRAND-NEW HORSE!” Gracie grinned exuberantly.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Ace downplayed his excitement, which exceeded Gracie’s. He didn’t want to get ahead of himself only to be disappointed.

They’d pastured Midnight with the mares nearly a full twenty-four hours ago and, so far, it was going well. Really well.

“You have to admit,” Gracie insisted, “beauty soothes the savage beast.”

“Midnight clearly likes the ladies.”

He reminded Ace more of a besotted puppy than a beast, following the mares around and pleading for their attention. What had happened to the fiery stallion from yesterday?

Ace had carefully selected the six mares he’d put with Midnight. All but one were from Wally Dunlap’s string. At the last minute, Ace decided to include Fancy Gal. She possessed a solid, dependable temperament he hoped would rub off on Midnight.

One of the mares gave Midnight a little warning kick.

“I bet she won’t be so standoffish next week,” Gracie observed.

Probably not. Mares’ cycles often accelerated when they were in the vicinity of a stallion.

“We need to diligently monitor them,” Ace said. “If Midnight shows the least sign of aggression, I want him moved straightaway.”

“I’m betting that won’t happen.”

Ace tended to agree. Right now, Midnight looked ready to roll over and have his tummy scratched.

“You came up with a good idea, boss.”

“I don’t know about that. Pasture breeding works fine for our mares. Any potential clients will want their mares hand bred.”

Or inseminated artificially, but Ace was determined to worry about one obstacle at a time. Today, that was modifying Midnight’s behavior enough to ensure a decent crop of foals next spring. Breeding season in Montana lasted only until the end of June. They either saw immediate progress or made the difficult decision to sell Midnight while there was still time to acquire another stud.

A few of the more friendly mares meandered over to the fence for the homemade horse treats Ace had gotten from Angie Barrington’s horse rescue. He and Gracie willingly obliged them.

“Have you decided which of the livestock to take to the Torrington Rodeo?”

“True Grit, definitely, and I’d like to try Razorback. He’s showing a lot of potential.”

For the next several minutes, Ace and Gracie talked shop.

“I’d better see how that mechanic’s coming along,” Gracie said. “He promised to have the tractor repaired before the evening feeding.” She sped off in one of the ranch’s numerous ATVs.

The horses, startled by the noise, galloped away, stopping just as abruptly at the fence to nibble on lush green grass. All except for Midnight. He’d set his sights on Fancy Gal, perhaps because she was new.

“You like ’em a little older, huh?” Ace chuckled to himself as the stallion put on a show, prancing in circles around the mare, giving her affectionate nuzzles and nips on the neck and rump.

She took it all in stride, mostly ignoring him—which only encouraged him to try harder.

“She’s a tough one, boy. You might pick a different mare.”

There was no accounting for love, and Midnight had been hit hard. He continued courting Fancy Gal, to no avail.

Ace was about to leave when Fancy Gal suddenly displayed a change of heart. Nickering softly, she returned Midnight’s nuzzles.

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

The old girl wasn’t so tough after all.

When Ace finally left several minutes later, the two horses were standing side by side, head to tail, Midnight resting his chin on Fancy Gal’s hindquarters while she grazed unconcerned.

“Maybe I am a genius.” Pleased with himself, Ace climbed into the Polaris, feeling almost as good about Midnight as he did about the prospect of becoming a father.

His mood promptly dimmed. If only Flynn were as easy to sway as Fancy Gal.

He could use a little of Midnight’s luck when it came to the fairer sex.

Luck or persistence? Midnight was one determined fellow, and it had paid off.

Ace parked the Polaris outside his clinic, pushed back his cowboy hat and scratched his head.

All kidding aside, he could be on to something. The more Ace thought about it, the more convinced he became. He’d been wrong to jump the gun and propose to Flynn. Twice. She was understandably cautious after her unhappy marriage and painful divorce.

She was also understandably cautious after the way Ace had treated her. Any woman in her right mind would be.