Page 2 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Erin wiggled to get down. She moved in front of Michele, who now rested both hands on her daughter’s shoulders.

“Perhaps it seems that way, but for me, and for most people, English riding is harder to learn than Western riding. But once you have that technique down, Western riding is easy.” Then she grinned and leaned forward a little, like she was sharing a secret. “And as for barrel racing, when you like to ride fast and loose like I do, there is no better sport in the world. It’s just you and your horse, and in my case, my horse likes to go fast as much as I do. He’s amazing.”I like that Alex is a horse person. I always get along better with them since we have things in common, and he saved Erin’s life. I don’t know how to thank him.

“I would very much like to see this horse. I, myself, raise Arabians. They are quite fast for their size, but are better suited to endurance races.”

“You must be the owner of the ones I saw in the show today. They’re beautiful animals. Such sleek lines. Do you have a ranch around here or are you just in town for the show?”

“I have a ranch. I bought the land owned by the Conovers.”

“I know of the property, but don’t get down that way very often. Come by the ranch tomorrow around two. I’ll be in-between students and practicing my barrel racing. I have just an hour before another student arrives.”

“I would love to, Miss Williams.” He squatted to Erin’s height again. “And you, Miss Erin, are you a barrel racer, too?”

Erin grinned and looked up at Michele, then back at Alex. “I’m learnin’. My rodeo horse, Joker and I work out after Mommy. That way, I get to watch her and Domino. That’s her rodeo horse. Then I copy them.”

“Well, I am looking forward to seeing both of you in action.” He held out his hand. “I am very pleased to have met you and I will see you tomorrow. Now I will report those boys if you have their descriptions.”

Erin took his hand, shook it and then looked up at her mother with a grin.

After he shook her hand, he stood and smiled.

“The two boys were teenagers. I would guess about sixteen, both wore jeans, one had on a black western shirt and a black hat. The other had a red t-shirt and black hat.”

“I will get the descriptions to Allen. He will see they are punished.”

Michele winked at her daughter and then turned her gaze up at Alex. “Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you, Mr. Fedorov.”

“Please, call me Alex. Mr. Fedorov is entirely too formal, especially when I am coming to your home tomorrow.”

She smiled and held out her hand. “And I’m Michele.”

Alex took it and held it.

Michele’s eyes widened as awareness sparked its way through her. She looked at Alex.

His eyes were wide.

“Alex?” Her voice was breathy and air was hard to inhale.

“Michele.” He started to take a step toward her.

She pulled her hand back, and the connection broke. “I…I’ll…we’ll…see you tomorrow.”

“Um, yes…yes, tomorrow at two PM. I shall be there, except… I don’t know wherethereis.”

Having gotten some of her mind back, she took a deep breath. “I’m in the old Jessup place. It’s on the way to yours. You probably pass it every day. The house isn’t big or fancy, but the arena is perfect for teaching and for practicing.”

He laughed. “That is the most important thing. This I understand. My horses always come first. I know where the Jessup property is.”

Michele smiled and took Erin’s hand in hers. “Good. It’s nice to meet someone who understands.”

He stood with his hands behind his back. “I would like for you to come to my establishment…my ranch, if you will. I will warn you; it is quite large.”

“We’d love to. I’m dying to get up close to some of those Arabians I saw in the horse show today. We’ll make sure to wear our every day boots.”

Alex chuckled. “You are the only woman I have ever met who has every day and dress boots.”

She lifted her brows. “I have to. Iworkon my ranch. I muck the stalls, throw the hay, groom the horses and milk the cow. I have a couple of cowboys to help me with the cattle—I have about thirty head—but they don’t do the everyday work, except on rare occasions.” She shifted her gaze to Erin. “And she works right along with me before she goes to school.”