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.
What he needed to do was take a page from Midnight’s book and woo Flynn. Patiently and persistently. Practice that tenacity his mother had mentioned.
Removing his cell phone from his belt, he dialed Flynn’s number. She answered on the fourth ring. Had she been considering not taking his call?
“Hey, it’s Ace. Did I catch you at work?” He’d forgotten evenings were the best time to reach her.
“It’s all right, I’m on break.”
He noted the hint of reservation in her voice but didn’t let it deter him.
“I was wondering, are you free tomorrow evening?”
“What’s up?”
“Pizza and wings at the Brick Oven.” The restaurant was one of her favorites. “Unless you’d like to eat somewhere else?” A long pause followed. “Flynn? You still there?”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“I am.”
“Is there something you want to discuss?”
“No, I just want to take you out to eat.”
“We’re not, um, romantically involved.”
They could be, if she gave them a chance.
“It’s dinner. Between two people who happen to be having a baby and working toward establishing a healthy, solid relationship.”
“I don’t know…”
“Come on. You have to admit, things have been tense between us lately. Enjoying a casual meal on neutral territory will do us good.”
Another longer pause followed. “O…kay.”
Ace was glad she couldn’t see the huge smile he wore. “What time are you off work?”
“Six.”
“Is seven too early?”
“Seven’s fine. But we can’t have pizza. Spicy food doesn’t sit well with me these days.”
“Where’d you like to go?”
“It’s beef Stroganoff night at the Number 1 Diner.”
The place where it all started. Interesting that she would choose it.
“Great. And I promise, nothing but food’s on the menu.”
No kissing, no sneaking into her bedroom, no incredible, mind-bending sex.
“I’m
