Aidan: Loyal Cowboy

“Congratulations.” Her father shook Sarah’s hand, then Ace’s. “You got yourself a fine stallion there.”

Flynn sensed Ace studying her, and her gloved fingers curled into tight balls. She would not return his look, not give him the satisfaction of learning the extent to which he affected her.

“Thank you, Earl.” Sarah beamed. “I have to confess, he was almost yours.”

“The right person bought him. Just wanted to tell you and that there are no hard feelings.”

“I appreciate it. Truly, I do. Are you still considering adding to your string? There should be some quality livestock at the Miles City Sale.”

“Naw. I’m going to quit the business.”

Flynn exhaled. This time he sounded serious.

“What will you do?” Sarah asked.

“Sell off my string, the ranch, everything. Move to Billings to live near Nora and her husband.”

“Oh, Earl. That’s a big step.”

“What are you going to do?” Ace asked.

It took Flynn a moment for her to realize he was speaking to her.

She did look at him then, unable to stop herself.

“Attend Montana State University,” she said with newfound determination. “Enroll in nursing school.”

“I didn’t realize you wanted to be a nurse.”

“For a while now.” She glanced at her father. “I’ve been talking to some of the nurses at the clinic, and I think I’d be good at it.”

Not that she didn’t enjoy her job at the clinic—parts of it, anyway. But she was capable of so much more than grunt work. She wanted to have an impact. Make a difference. Contribute in a more meaningful way.

“You’ll be a wonderful nurse.” Sarah gave Flynn a brief but affectionate hug. “Earl, you must be proud.”

“I’m proud of her whatever she does.”

Flynn’s triumph dimmed when she met Ace’s frown.

Seriously? What did he have to be annoyed about?

“We’re going to miss you,” he said stiffly, and stuffed the sale papers he’d been holding into the front pocket of his jacket.

Your family, or you? Flynn wanted to ask, fairly certain she already knew the answer wasn’t him.

* * *

FLYNN WAS LEAVING! MOVING to Billings. And she wanted to be a nurse. Ace couldn’t believe it.

Not that she wouldn’t make a great nurse, he just didn’t recall her ever mentioning it before.

Of course, the last time they were together, their talk had centered on their lovemaking and how incredible they made each other feel. Not any potential career changes.

“Heads-up!” Duke yelled.

The warning came in the nick of time. Ace jumped onto the bottom rung of the fence and out of the way a scant second before two of their newly purchased bucking mares trampled him. He remained clinging to the fence until the coast was clear, then hopped off.

“Three more to go,” Uncle Joshua hollered from the pen. “Coming your way.”

Ace’s uncle lived on Thunder Ranch and was in charge of their remaining bulls and cattle. He’d moved to the ranch when his twin sons, Duke and Beau, were knee-high, as he was fond of saying. Before then, he’d spent many years working for Flynn’s grandfather.

For supposed rivals, the Harts and the McKinleys were connected on many levels.

Ace’s thoughts circled right back to Flynn.

She was moving.

As much as he hated her leaving, it probably was for the best. She deserved a man able to commit to her, not one dividing himself between his vet practice and managing his family’s various businesses.

“Pay attention,” Duke complained.

“Sorry,” Ace grumbled. “Got a lot on my mind.”

They herded the remaining three horses down the narrow aisle and into the waiting stock trailer. Their hooves created a tremendous clatter as they hopped inside to join the other two horses, who shifted to accommodate the newcomers. A few squealed, defending their small territory against their neighbor.

While some bucking horses were friendly enough around people, others weren’t. Driving them down a narrow aisle and up into a trailer was often the easiest and most effective method of loading them.

“Midnight the only one left?” Ace had been so preoccupied with Flynn, he’d lost track of the horses they’d already loaded. He glanced over at the second trailer they’d brought and started counting.

“The wranglers are bringing him round now,” Duke said.

Ace didn’t wait. He disliked the manner in which the wranglers and livestock foreman had handled Midnight during the auction. Not that they’d hurt him, but they’d been unnecessarily heavy-handed.

While Duke and Uncle Joshua made sure the horses were secure for the trip, Ace trudged up the aisle to the pen holding Midnight. One wrangler held the horse’s lead rope while the other manned the gate.

“Thanks for your help, guys,” Ace told the wranglers. “I’ll take it from here.”

“Your horse.” The wrangler at the gate stepped aside.

Ace went right up to Midnight and grabbed the lead rope from the second wrangler’s outstretched hand. The rope went instantly slack. Well, well, Midnight was no longer fighting.

“Good boy,” Ace crooned, stroking the horse’s neck.

Midnight took a hesitant step toward the gate, then another.

“That’s right.” Ace walked along beside him, pleased Midnight was going to make this easy. He could use something going his way after his encounter with Flynn.

He and Midnight reached the gate. It was wide enough for only one of them to pass through at a time. Ace started to go first.