Page 28 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

She laughed. “Iamanxious. I want nothing to go wrong. Erin is ready to go, too.”

At the mention of her name, the little girl came pounding down the stairs and barreled into Alex, wrapping both of her arms around his legs.

He automatically put his arms on her shoulders, holding her close. “Hello, little one. Are you ready to go for a plane ride?”

She tilted her head way back so she could look at him. “Yes, I can’t wait. Mommy told me this will be better than any plane ride I’ll ever take again.”

“Well, let’s hope not, since you’ll be having the same ride home.”

She watched as he knelt down to Erin’s height.

He wrapped one arm around her daughter’s waist. “What would you like to do when we get to Batrovia? We’ll, of course, ride horses. I don’t want you to quit that for any reason. You’re much too good.”

“I don’t know. Can we go on a picnic with Mommy? And see a real palace since you’re a prince? And do you have special clothes you wear and can I try on your crown? And—”

Michele rolled her eyes and placed her fists on her hips. “Erin, that’s enough. I’m sure we’ll find plenty to do and see when we get there.” Although, she wanted to do all those things, too.

Alex laughed. “I assure you, little one, that my brother, Gregory, will keep you very busy. He is also six-years-old and,” he lowered his voice, “just between you and me, he is quite the mischief maker. He forever frustrates my sisters, but my mother simply takes it in stride. I suppose after four children, the fifth has nothing new to show her.”

Alex carried two suitcases.

Michele locked the house. She’d arranged for Rudy to take care of the horses—feed and water them and also to exercise them. The man had been with her from the beginning, and she had no doubts that he would care for them like they were his own.

The drive to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport seemed to take forever. It was about thirty miles from her home, so the drive took about forty-five minutes since there were no highways, just two-lane roads.

Michele was so excited to be going with Alex to his country. Even though she and Erin had passports, they’d never actually been anywhere farther than Bozeman. Alex parked his plane there at a private airport and drove out to it on the tarmac.

“Can you drive out here like this? What about your truck?”

He stopped the truck near a beautiful silver plane. “I have arrangements for the truck. Someone will take it out to the parking lot for when we return.”

She waved a hand across her forehead. “Whew! For a minute there, I thought we’d be walking home.”

They all got out of the truck and waited at the bottom of the movable staircase to the plane.

Alex picked up Erin.

“Mommy, we can’t walk home. It’s too far.”

Michele looked over at Erin in Alex’s arms and grinned. “You are right, my love. I’m being silly. Alex would never let us walk home.”

“No, I would not. Even if I could not take you someone from my ranch would be available. So little one, all would be well.” He kissed her forehead and then set her on her feet, and he straightened. “I see my captain and first mate approaching, along with one of the hangar workers.”

The captain was a man of average height and had graying brown hair. He wore aviator sunglasses and a long-sleeved navy-blue uniform with gold epaulets.

The first mate wore the same blue uniform but without the epaulets. He was a younger man with short, blond hair. He was tall, like Alex.

They snapped to attention in front of Alex and saluted.

Alex returned their salute. “At ease, gentlemen.” He pointed at Michele. “This is my fiancée, Michele Williams, and her daughter Erin.” He turned to Michele. “This is Captain Joran Reger and First Mate Andrew Sarkovich.”

The captain extended his hand to Michele. “Good to meet you, miss.”

“Thank you, Captain. You as well.” Michele shook his hand.

Mr. Sarkovich extended a hand. “Good to meet you, Miss Williams.”

Michele took it. “Thank you, sir. You, too.”