Aidan: Loyal Cowboy

“Same for me.”

“I thought you didn’t like lemonade that much.”

“Neither do you.”

“I’d have iced tea if caffeine wasn’t bad for the baby. No reason you can’t.”

“Lemonade’s fine.”

He was being sweet again, like at Thunder Creek when he’d proposed. She’d tell him that, except the last time hadn’t gone well.

He’d also been sweet two months ago when he’d spotted her sitting alone at a table not far from this one, come over and asked her what was wrong. Funny, Flynn thought she’d been doing an admirable job hiding her disappointment about being stood up. But Ace had always been good at reading people, her more than most.

He’d sat and told her the other guy’s loss was his gain, bought her dinner and regaled her with amusing stories of their errant childhood. By dinner’s end, Flynn was having so much fun she couldn’t even remember the guy’s name.

Later, outside, she and Ace had kissed. Spontaneously. Lightly, at first. Then, in the span of a single softly issued moan, everything changed.

She was the one who’d suggested they go to her place. Her father was having a night out with his cronies and wouldn’t be home until late. Ace had followed her in his truck. Flynn was convinced during the fifteen-minute drive that one or both of them would come to their senses. It didn’t happen.

If anything, the clandestine nature of their rendezvous added to the excitement. He’d parked his truck behind the barn, then met her at the kitchen door.

They couldn’t stumble down the hall to her bedroom fast enough.

“How’s work going?” Ace’s voice penetrated Flynn’s thoughts.

She blinked and set her menu down, acutely aware of the flush creeping up her neck and cheeks. She had to stop dwelling on that night. His touch. The tangled sheets strewn across his naked body.

“Fine. We’ve been busy this week. The flu seems to be going around.”

“You need to be careful you don’t get sick.”

“I’ll be okay. I don’t have too much patient contact.”

“As much as I hate the idea of you moving, I’d almost rather you were going to school than exposed to sick people all day.”

“There are probably just as many sick people on campus.”

“Sorry if I’m coming on too strong.”

“You’re…not.”

Turning away from his charmingly crooked smile was a lot harder tonight than it had been at Thunder Creek. There, the dim restaurant lighting wasn’t softening his features, reminding her of the younger Ace she’d fallen head over heels for.

They managed to make pleasant small talk for the remainder of the meal. Ace didn’t bring up the baby again, her moving to Billings or school. The closest he came was when he asked, “Has your dad had any offers on the ranch?”

“No, and he’s disappointed. A few people have come by, but they were more curious than anything else. The real estate agent keeps telling Dad it’s a difficult market these days.”

“I think more people are trying to sell their ranches than buy one.”

“Or they’re looking for a bargain. Dad’s pretty set on his price.”

“Did my mom call him about Sunday brunch at the house?”

“She did. I think it’s set for next weekend.”

The waitress appeared and removed their plates. “Can I interest you two in dessert? We have fresh-baked red velvet cake and key lime pie.”

“No, thanks. But don’t let me stop you,” Flynn added when Ace practically drooled at the mention of key lime pie.

“Do you mind?”

“Go on. And I’ll have a coffee. Decaffeinated, please.”

A rat-tat-tat sound started. Flynn and Ace simultaneously glanced at the ceiling.

“Guess the rain’s finally started,” the waitress said, and scurried off to bring their pie and coffee.

“I was hoping we might escape more foul weather,” Ace said. “I’m tired of mucking through soggy fields and getting my truck stuck in a wash.”

“It has been an awfully wet spring.”

Ace demolished his pie in four bites.

Flynn had no idea where he put it. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, while she ruthlessly watched every crumb of food she ate in order to maintain her size six figure.

Size pregnant, soon.

She should probably enjoy Ace’s appreciative glances while they lasted.

He supported her elbow as they left the restaurant. Considerate, without being pushy.

“You want my hat?” he offered.

They waited outside the front door, assessing the pouring rain.

“I won’t melt,” she said with a laugh.

“You wait here while I get the truck.”

He’d no sooner uttered the words when they heard a loud metallic crunch in the darkness to their right.

“What’s that?” Flynn asked, peering through the downpour at the headlights of a compact SUV.

Ace was already in motion, sprinting in the direction of the disabled vehicle.

She followed, holding the flaps of her coat closed around her as she jogged between puddles. Reaching the SUV, she found Ace bent over the open driver’s side window.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He had to practically shout in order to be heard above the rain.