The strikingly colored mustang snorted in greeting and rushed the stall door the moment he spied Spence and Ethan.
“Hey, pal.” Ethan patted the big stallion’s muscular neck.
Rather than display the fiery temper one might expect, Prince behaved like a puppy dog, nuzzling Ethan and nickering softly. When Ethan produced a carrot from his pocket, the stallion gobbled it up, and then bumped Ethan’s arm in a bid for more.
“That’s all, big fellow.”
“He’s impressive.” Spence waited, gauging the stallion’s reaction to him. After receiving no more than a curious glance, he closed the distance between them and reached out a tentative hand. “I can see why he’s in constant demand.”
“I hear tell you’re in the stud business, too,” Ethan said.
“Not like you. I only own a small percentage.”
“I researched Han Dover Fist and Cottonwood Farms after you contacted me about leasing stalls. Quite a success story.”
“It is.” Spence opened his palm for Prince to sniff. Disappointed not to find a treat, the stallion looked away as if he couldn’t be bothered. “Some days, I still pinch myself.”
“Are your mares bred to Han Dover Fist?”
“No. I wish they were. Maybe next time. But the sire has a pretty solid record, both on the track and for producing winning colts. I got the mares for a great price. Their former owner ran into some unforeseen financial trouble.”
“I suppose that happens a lot in horse racing.”
Frankie’s words came back to Spence. As a single man with few responsibilities, he’d been willing to take calculated risks with his money. Now, he could understand her hesitancy, even to start a home-based business. Children changed everything. At the reminder of Paige and Sienna, his heart began to hammer inside his chest. It was a regular occurrence since learning he was a father. Not a panic attack exactly. More like acute nerves.
He and Frankie really needed to talk and reach an agreement, though what that agreement would be, he had no idea. The whole “I’m a dad,” and everything it entailed, hadn’t fully sunk in. Was he expected to share custody? Would she rather he went away and left them alone? How would she react if he asked to take the girls to meet his family in Marana?
Wow. His family. What would they say? Spence had yet to tell them, needing a day to come to terms with his unexpected fatherhood. His parents would be thrilled—they loved his brother’s children. But they would probably like it better if Spence was married to his daughters’ mother.
Marriage. Another consideration. Did Frankie want him to propose? Should he?
Spence thought he might be a little happy about his sudden parenthood. Paige and Sienna were certainly cute and very precocious, each in her own way. But was he ready for all the responsibilities that came with being a father? A husband? Spence could admit that the notion gave him considerable pause.
“How far along are they?”
Ethan’s question snapped Spence back to the present. He almost said “three years old” before realizing the other man was referring to the pregnant state of his mares and not his daughters’ ages.
“One’s due in January, the other in February. My vet examined them before the trip, and they’re progressing well.”
“When they’re closer to delivery, we can move them to the maternity stalls. Those are located in the building next door.” Ethan gave Prince a last scratch before moving away. “If you’re still here.”
Did no one believe Spence capable of putting down roots?
Ethan finished showing him around the breeding shed and maternity stalls. After that, they toured the riding arena, training pens, outdoor stalls, pastures and feed storage barns. Spence was thoroughly impressed. No wonder Powell Ranch was considered one of the top horse stables in southern Arizona.
He had something to aspire to, though the racing quarter horse farm of his dreams was a bit smaller. For starters. Having a family to support provided even greater incentive and gave wings to his dreams.
Family. As in children and a wife. His goal, along with a racing horse farm, had been to win back Frankie. Now, after learning she’d lied to him for years, he found his feelings had changed.
She should have told him. Though past being angry, he was still hurt. Had she thought so little of him? Spence might have been bitten by the wandering bug, was a little loose when it came to rules and had a chronic hole in his pocket, but he wasn’t a complete washup. Not then and certainly not now.
When Ethan’s phone chimed, he excused himself. “You okay on your own?”
“No worries.” Spence waved the other man off. “The transport truck’s due in about fifteen minutes.” Which reminded him. Where were Frankie and the girls?
Spence wandered back to the open area outside the ranch office. From there, he had a clear view of the long, winding drive leading from the main road and up the mountain to the ranch.
He’d wanted to swing by Frankie’s house on his way here, but she’d insisted on driving separately. Agreeing was a concession, the first of many, Spence figured. He and Frankie would have to learn to navigate this new relationship of theirs. Arguing over driving together or separately was no way to start.
Just when he’d removed his phone to text her, he spotted her minivan slowly climbing the drive. Checking the time, he smiled to himself. Now who was five minutes late?
She swung the vehicle into the empty space beside his truck. He strode briskly over, reaching the driver’s side door just as Frankie emerged.
“Hi. You’re here.” He didn’t comment on her late arrival. Her serious expression didn’t invite teasing.
“Paige couldn’t find her shoes.” She opened the rear passenger door. “Did we miss the transport truck?”
The girls sat in identical car seats and wore similar pants and tops. Did everything they own match? Was that a requirement for twins? Well, at least they didn’t look alike. Spence wouldn’t have trusted himself to tell them apart if they were identical.
“Nope,” he said. “Should be here any minute.”
He watched, fascinated, as Frankie unfastened what seemed like an inordinate number of buckles and snaps to free the girls. First Paige, then Sienna, bounded out of the vehicle.
“Mommy, can we pet the horses?”
“I wanna go riding. Please, please, please.”
“Now, now,” Frankie answered in a calm voice. “We can look at the horses and maybe pet them. We can’t ride any.”
“We could. If they want,” Spence continued, when Frankie shot him an annoyed look. “The stables rent horses by the hour. They have plenty suitable for kids. Ethan told me.”
“We’re not riding today,” she repeated. When the girls would have run off in two different directions, she grabbed their hands and anchored them in place.
“Another day then,” Spence said. “My treat.”
“We’ll see. They’re kind of young.”
“I’d like to take them riding, Frankie. Even if it’s just in the arena. I’m sure the Powells can recommend a dead-broke mount. I promise we’ll only walk.”
“Can we just look at the horses today? Maybe pet some of the gentler ones?”
There was a nervousness in her tone he hadn’t heard before. Was he the cause or an overactive maternal instinct to protect her children? Whatever the reason, he decided to respect her wishes.
“Let’s visit the stables first. I can show you the stalls I’m leasing for the mares while we’re waiting for the transport truck. And I’m sure there’s a few horses eager for the attention of these two.”
Frankie instantly relaxed, and they began walking, with Spence leading the way.
“I’m not overreacting,” she said. “This past spring, Dad took the girls riding double on an old ranch horse belonging to the McGra
ws.”
Spence recognized the name. The McGraws owned The Small Change Ranch, where Frankie’s father worked as livestock manager, and the mustang sanctuary was located.
“Twenty minutes into the ride,” she continued, “the horse spooked at a rattlesnake hidden behind a rock, and the girls fell off. Not near the snake, thank goodness, and they weren’t hurt, other than a few bumps and bruises. But they were scared, and I was terrified. They haven’t been on a horse since.”
“We can go slow.” Spence had started riding when he was younger than Paige and Sienna and didn’t see the problem. He wouldn’t push, however. Not yet.
“We’ll see,” Frankie repeated.
She was setting boundaries. Right from the get-go. Okay, he could deal with that. He might eventually set a few of his own, once he’d gained more experience at this parenting stuff.
Today, however, was all about getting to know Paige and Sienna and them getting to know him—something he was looking forward to more than he would have thought possible.
* * *
“PAIGE. SIENNA. COME back here. Right this second. I’m warning you.”
Spence could hear the frustration in Frankie’s voice. See it on her face. Feel it pouring off her in waves.
They’d been inside the horse stables for ten minutes at most and already the girls had run off three different times, getting as far as the end of the aisle on their latest venture.
Laughing, they reluctantly returned to the empty stall where Spence and Frankie stood. Sienna showed no fear around the horses, reaching out to stroke every curious nose she passed, even when Frankie warned her to be careful.
Secretly, Spence admired her courage. “She’s a natural.”
His remark didn’t please Frankie, earning him a scowl.
Living up to his assessment, Sienna abruptly stopped in front of a young gelding which had been nervously pacing within the confines of his stall since they’d entered the stables.
“No, Sienna!” Frankie started forward, clearly intending to rescue her daughter from the clutches of danger.
Spence took hold of her arm. “Wait.”
The horse stopped pacing and leaned his impressive head over the stall door, low enough to smell Sienna.
“What did I tell you?” Spence said, as the animal stood while Sienna patted his face and cooed. “A natural.”
Frankie shot him another scowl.
“She reminds me of my brother’s daughter.” He’d been trying to figure out what it was about Sienna that seemed familiar to him.
“She reminds me of you. She has your features.”
Did she? Spence studied her more closely, trying to see the resemblance.
A distant rumbling sound distracted them. “They’re here,” he announced.
The arrival of the transport truck was further confirmed by two short bursts of a low horn. Frankie rounded up the girls, and the four of them went out to watch the truck’s arrival.
Spence was aware of the glances cast in their direction. From Ethan’s wife, who’d brought her husband a cold drink. From the nosy older woman he’d met twice yesterday, here and again at the café. And from riders in the arena.
If people weren’t sure before today that he was Paige and Sienna’s father, they most certainly were now. Spence ignored their scrutiny. While still getting used to the idea of having children, he saw no reason to be embarrassed or feel guilty.
Neither, apparently, did Frankie. Then again, if the stories Spence had heard were to be believed, she’d been ignoring the stares for years.
Well, good for her. It couldn’t have been easy, refusing to name the father of her children. No doubt one or two unkind people had criticized her.
The large truck and trailer rolled slowly into the yard and stopped in front of the office. A small crowd instantly gathered, oohing and ahhing and gasping in admiration. Spence felt a little awed himself. Luxury transport trucks were a sight to behold.
Sunlight glinted off the trailer’s chrome siding, the bright glare blinding. Horses’ heads bobbed up and down behind the enclosed Plexiglas windows. An air-conditioning unit mounted atop the trailer chugged noisily.
Spence grinned, his excitement growing. “Come on.”
“We’ll wait here,” Frankie answered.
No problem. He’d bring the mares to her and the girls.
As he approached the truck, the driver’s side door opened, and a short, stout, jovial man emerged. Pausing with one foot on the running board, he issued a friendly “Howdy,” before tucking in his wrinkled shirt and jumping down.
“Have any more trouble?” Spence shook the man’s hand.
“Not once we got past the flooding in Texas.” The driver led Spence toward the rear of the trailer, where he unlocked and swung open the gate. He then lowered the ramp, which hit the ground with a dull clank. “These pretty ladies traveled just fine. But they’re glad to be at their new home.”
Spence inspected the first mare as she was unloaded, noting she’d endured the arduous three-day journey with few ill effects. He held her lead rope while the driver unloaded the second mare. She also passed inspection. Nonetheless, he’d have them checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
They, and the foals they carried, were too important to his future plans. Plans that had taken on new importance now that he was a father.
Frankie and the girls weren’t the only ones to accompany Spence and the mares to the stalls. Ethan, his wife and several onlookers followed, offering their compliments on the long-legged, sleek-coated beauties.
Once each mare was safely settled in her stall with fresh water and hay, Spence signed off on the paperwork and paid the remaining funds due. He offered to buy the driver dinner at the café, but the man was more interested in getting back on the road.
People stayed to watch the big truck and trailer leave, clapping like spectators at a parade as it circled the stables before driving through the ranch gate.
Frankie joined Spence at the stalls. “Quite a show.”
“You got me figured out. My goal all along was to impress you.”
“I am impressed. But not by what you think.”
“Do tell.”
“You haven’t left Mustang Valley. I thought I might have scared you off.”
“Oh, I’m scared,” he admitted. “Make no mistake. Those two kids have me quaking in my boots.”
“They can do that. To me, too.” She leaned back to scrutinize him. “But just because you’ve impressed me, don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late. In fact, I’m surprised my hat still fits.”
“You’re impossible.” Flirty laughter laced her voice, reminding him of when they were dating. It came to an abrupt end when Paige ran up to Spence and tugged on his shirt.
He looked down to meet her inquisitive gaze. “Hey, there.”
“What’s your name?”
Spence swallowed. Frankie paled.
This moment was bound to happen. They should have discussed what to say beforehand and come up with an answer that would satisfy the girls without revealing too much, too soon. Only they hadn’t.
By now, Sienna had also come over. She stood beside her sister, waiting expectantly.
“Um, okay.” Nothing like being put on the spot. He cleared his throat. “Most folks call me Spence.”
“That’s a funny name.” Paige pressed splayed fingers to her mouth to hide her laughter.
To Spence’s consternation, Frankie offered no assistance whatsoever.
“It’s short for Spencer,” he said. “I’m named after my grandfather.”
Sienna apparently lost interest, for she asked, “Can I pet your horses?”
Spence relaxed. Disaster had been narrowly averted. For the moment,
anyway.
“Sure.” He lifted her up so that she could give the nearest mare plenty of attention.
This one, with an irregular white diamond in the center of her face, abandoned her feed bin in order to investigate the young human intruder. Her quiet disposition, and that of the other mare, was a major selling point. Fiery temperaments weren’t necessary to win races. A will to run was what really mattered.
Spence felt Frankie’s gaze on him. What, he wondered, was she thinking? That he didn’t know the first thing about children and would probably drop Sienna? Maybe Frankie was struggling to accept the idea of him interacting with her daughters. Their daughters.
Well, it was a new experience for him, too. A little uncomfortable and awkward at times. Interesting and enjoyable at others. Like now.
“Do you think Mel might be willing to examine the mares for me?” he asked Frankie.
“Probably.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll text you her number.”
“Great.” After Sienna had her fill and asked to be put down, he offered Paige a turn.
She shook her head vigorously and wrinkled her nose. “Horses smell bad.”
Spence laughed. “What kind of Har—” He’d been about to say Hartman. But she was every bit a Bohanan. Shrugging a shoulder, he suggested, “Maybe we can change your mind.”
Her response was another head shake. Grabbing Sienna’s hand, she asked, “Mommy, can we play hide-and-seek?”
“You need to stay where I can see you.”
Paige pouted. “How can we hide?”
Frankie wagged a finger at her. “You heard me.”
The pair scurried off to where a saddle sat on a sawhorse outside the tack room, waiting to be cleaned or repaired. Immediately, Sienna attempted to boost Paige onto the saddle.
“You mind if I look these two over?” He hitched a thumb at the mares.
“You mind if I watch?”
“Not at all.”
It was a lot like old times, him riding or tending his horses and her watching. She had to remember, as well.
“You’ve done a wonderful job raising Paige and Sienna.”
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