Page 21 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Michele and Alex arranged for their first official date. Just the two of them. Not a working meal, but dinner and dancing. An actual date.

Erin would stay overnight with her best friend. She was so excited. “A pajama party, Mommy. It’ll be so much fun. Lucy’s inviting our other best friend, Rissa, and her sister, Sara. She’s a year older than us.” She quivered. “I want to take my best pajamas. The ones with the lace on them. Can I? Can I, Mommy?” She bounced with her knees.

Michele laughed. “Yes, you can wear your fancy pajamas.” She helped Erin pack her backpack with pajamas, clothes for tomorrow, juice, and snacks. Enough for everyone. “Are you ready to go?”

Erin nodded vigorously. “Yup.”

Michele zipped the backpack. “Let’s go, then.”

Erin went to the back seat of the four-door truck.

Michele came behind her, opened the door and lifted her onto the seat, and watched as she buckled herself in. Then Michele set her backpack on the floor in front of her and went around to the driver’s side. She slid behind the wheel, buckled up and headed toward Lucy’s house.

Once there, Erin was so excited, she unbuckled her seatbelt and was ready to get out when Michele opened the door.

“Let’s go, Mommy.” She pulled at Michele’s arm. “Come on.”

Michele chuckled and let herself be dragged along while carrying Erin’s backpack.

Lucy’s mother, Cicely, greeted them at the door.

She was a lovely woman with coal-black hair and dark brown eyes.

Her daughter looked just like her, but her eyes were light brown, like her father’s.

“Hi, Cicely. Thank you for taking Erin for me. She’s absolutely beyond excited. This is her first pajama party. I brought four of everything. Erin said there would only be four little girls.”

Cicely waved her right arm in front of her. “Think nothing of it. We did the same for Jenna when she was Lucy’s age. Being a very precocious ten now, pajama parties are beneath her. And don’t worry about the snacks. I’ll just add them to the pile of stuff we have.” She chuckled. “None of them will be hungry tonight. Or, most likely, tomorrow either.”

Michele laughed. “I wonder how long it will take Jenna before she joins the festivities?”

“Probably not long. She can’t stand to see Lucy having fun and not be included.”

“Well, you have fun. I’ll be home later tonight if you need me for any reason. Even if it’s just to wrangle young girls. And I’ll have my phone with me.”

Cicely laughed. “We’ll be fine. Ted is off tonight from the fire department, so he can help me if I need it. He’s fantastic with the girls. They adore him. Me? I’m just Mom.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Michele smiled. “Perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise.”

“Got a hot man you’re thinking about?”

Her smile widened. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Well, go for it, girlfriend. You’ve got the night off. We’ve got this one.”

“Thanks, Cicely. I think I just might have dinner and some dancing tonight. I haven’t been dancing in years.”

Lucy was heard in the background. “Mom, Jenna won’t leave us alone.”

Cicely rolled her eyes. “See what I mean.”

“I do, and I’m taking off before you take me up on my offer to help.” She leaned forward and hugged her friend. “Thanks.”

“What are friends for? Go. Have fun.”

Lucy hollered. “Mom!”

Cicely waved. “See you tomorrow.” She closed the door, shutting out the sounds of little girls shouting.