Aidan: Loyal Cowboy. Cathy Mcdavid

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 going to hold you to that,” she warned.

      “See you tomorrow.”

      He disconnected, his good mood restored. He had a dinner date with Flynn, and Midnight was settling in with his harem of mares.

      Ace’s day couldn’t get any better.