Page 29 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

The captain bent over and extended a hand to Erin.

She shook it. “Can I fly the plane?”

Where did she get such audacity?“Erin!” Michele was surprised she would even think about flying the plane. “You most certainly may not fly the plane.”

“If madam would agree, we can show her the cockpit and let her guide the plane for a moment. I would always have the controls,” said Captain Reger.

Michele took a deep breath and shook her head slowly, twice.

Erin bent her knees and bounced with her hands clasped tight in front of her. “Please, Mommy, please?”

“I’ll see how you’re doing at that time, before I decide.” She leaned down and put her face in front of Erin’s. “Deal?”

Erin nodded and grinned. “Deal. I’m gonna be real good. You’ll see.”

The captain picked up two of the bags and led the way up the stairs to the plane’s door.

I wonder how Erin will enjoy riding on the plane. Heck, I wonder how I’ll like it. Am I making a mistake going to Batrovia?

She looked at Alex, smiling even though his father had just died—been murdered.Is it too dangerous to go with him at this time, even though I know he’ll need me?

CHAPTER7

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Alex watched the first mate pick up Alex’s carry on. It only carried his toiletries and his sidearm. Because he was in a private plane on one of the airstrips for private planes, he could carry his firearm.

He hated feeling the need to carry a weapon when he went home, but such was the current climate. His uncle had whipped some of his followers into a frenzy, and his country wasn’t as safe for the royal family as it once was.

Alex was always prepared.

* * *

The insideof the plane had four comfortable, wide beige leather recliners, two on either side of a table, and two sofas, one on each side of the plane. The cabin also featured an office with a desk and a phone, a bedroom and a full bathroom.

“Your plane is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like this except in the movies.”

“You will have to get used to it. This is the only way you will fly from now on.”

“Oh, Alex, you and I are so different. I’m not rich or royal or famous or anything but just me. Just Michele.”

He took her hands in his. “You are my Michele. I want you to marry me, to become my queen. I know you can be. You are the only woman I have ever asked to marry me. Before you change your mind, please talk to my mother. She was much like you when she married my father. Please talk to her. For me. For us.” He rubbed small circles on the insides of her wrists with his thumbs. Then he kissed each one before releasing her hands.

She smiled at him. “I will talk to her. For us.”

About halfway through the flight, the captain came back.

“Miss Williams, can Miss Erin come and fly with me now?”

Michele smiled as Erin squirmed in her seat, trying so hard not to jump up and scream to go. “Yes, she may go with you.” She turned to Erin. “You be a good girl and mind what the captain says, all right?”

Erin nodded and jumped up from the chair.

Captain Reger escorted Erin to the cockpit. Alex noticed Michele watched the open door to the cockpit while Erin was up there with the pilotsflyingthe plane.

“It was so nice of Captain Reger to let her do this.”

“He is used to children wanting to fly the plane. He has been with us for a long time, and, beginning with Gina when she was about ten. Then Gregory came along and for the last two years, he had had another curious child with him in the cockpit. Gregory is a handful. He was pressing buttons he should not have been and did not listen to instructions. So we had to ban him from the cockpit.”