Cathy Mcdavid - Aidan - Loyal Cowboy

“Dammit,” Flynn’s father groused beneath his breath and raised his hand again. “Twenty-eight.”

“Twenty-nine.” This from the other man.

With Ace’s participation, the price was quickly driven up to thirty-five thousand dollars, her father making the last bid.

Flynn went from worrying to panicking. Surely he couldn’t raise that much money. He was letting the excitement of the bidding cloud his judgment.

“Dad, don’t be foolish.”

“I want that horse.”

“We’ll buy another horse.” A less expensive one.

“None of them are like Midnight.”

Evidently Ace felt the same, for he shouted, “Thirty-six thousand dollars.”

The other man promptly resigned with a discouraged head shake. “Too rich for my blood.”

That left Ace and Flynn’s father.

How was this possible? The two men she cared most for in the whole world were fighting over a stupid horse.

Wait a minute, she didn’t care about Ace.

Right.

If someone ever invented a cure for unrequited love, she’d be the first in line to try it.

“Thirty-seven thousand,” her father shouted.

The crowd clapped and cheered. Easy for them, Flynn thought, it wasn’t their life’s savings on the line.

“This is insane,” she hissed. “You don’t have thirty-seven thousand dollars.”

“There’s my line of credit with the bank.”

“That’s for running the business!”

“Buying a bucking horse is business.”

“No, this is an absurd rivalry and refusing to let the Harts get one up on you. What’s the matter with you? You don’t act like this.”

For a moment, time froze. Then his face fell, and he groaned miserably. “Oh, God. What’s wrong with me?”

She reached for his hand and squeezed it between hers, relief leaving her weak.

“I don’t know what came over me. It’s just…” He groaned again.

“I have thirty-seven thousand dollars,” the auctioneer boomed. “Do I have thirty-eight?”

Ace and his mother bent their heads together and conferred behind the shield of their hands.

“Going once.”

Flynn went rigid. Why wasn’t Ace bidding?

“Going twice.”

Oh, no! What if the Harts dropped out?

Easy. Her father would have purchased a horse he really didn’t need for a sum of money he couldn’t possibly afford.

This couldn’t be happening!

“Thirty-eight thousand,” Ace shouted.

Flynn’s heart started beating again.

When the auctioneer finally called, “Sold to number fifty-seven,” a minute later, she let herself breathe.

The auction was over, and her father had spent no more than the price of gas for a round-trip.

Why, then, did he appear glum?

“Dad, you okay?” All around them the bleachers had started to empty, yet her father didn’t rise.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Is your indigestion bothering you again?”

“I’m fine.” He promptly pushed to his feet and extended a hand to her. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

Flynn couldn’t be more ready and happily dropped the subject of his health and listlessness. Maybe she’d phone her sister, Nora, tonight. See if she could convince their dad to open up about what was bothering him lately. Perhaps he was having a midlife crisis or had grown tired of being single all these years.

Grabbing two cups of coffee at the concession stand for the drive, she and her father strode across the area between the barn and the field that served as a parking lot. A line of people had formed in front of the converted motor home that was being used as a consignment office. The door to the motor home opened, and Ace and Sarah emerged. Ace went first, turning to assist his mother. They both wore happy smiles, Ace’s devastatingly handsome.

Flynn ignored the quickening of her pulse. That smile had been her undoing once too often.

“Hold on a second.” To her surprise, her father started toward the Harts.

“What is it?” She hurried after him.

Her question was answered when they met up with Ace and Sarah.

“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.