Page 5 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

“That’s it, baby. You go, Erin. Tighter, make the turn tighter.”

The sound of galloping on the dirt reached him.

“That’s right. Good job.”

Galloping, then a horse whinny.

“Yes, Joker, you did great, too.” Michele’s voice rose, soothing and praising. “What a good boy.”

Alex entered the building and saw Michele petting the neck of a little brown-and-white Pinto. Over to the side, outside the arena, was a beautiful sorrel with a golden mane.That must be Michele’s horse, Domino.

“Hello.” He waved as he walked toward them. He stopped outside the arena and crossed his arms on the top aluminum rail.

He noticed Michele was wearing a gun belt with a pistol.

Michele smiled, then turned and lifted Erin off of Joker. As she walked over to him, she spoke loud enough to be heard over the sound of the horses following her and Erin. “How are you? Did you have any trouble finding the place?”

“No, I knew where it was when you said it was the Jessup place. I met them when I first bought my property seven years ago, though I’ve only occupied it for the last year or so.”

“They were great people. He helped me buy this place, even though my credit at the time was not good. He said he could see I would love the place like they did and carried the note for me until I could pay it off. My business was excellent and I paid it off in six years. I work teaching and training. I board horses, run cattle and any purse I won went directly to the house purchase. I’m very good and I won a lot of money.”

“How long have you been here?”

She picked up Erin and kissed her forehead. “Erin was eight months old when I moved in. She’s grown up here, and I love it here. It’s the perfect place for me to raise her and teach my students. I also board up to ten horses at a time.”

“It is a lot of work. Do you do it all yourself? I notice you are wearing a gun today. Do you find that a necessity?”

She glanced down at her Colt. “I rarely wear one when I’m teaching or training, but I had to go out to the cattle this morning and I wear it for snakes. I have a couple of men who help me, so I don’t see to the cattle very often.” She looked at Alex. “I have to practice my throwing. You might find this interesting.”

“What are you throwing?”

She put down Erin. “Knives. I learned a long time ago and have kept up with it. One never knows when it will come in handy.” She walked out of the gate and went around to the end of the arena. She had set a small area up with a target painted on a piece of thick plywood.

Michele bent over and took two knives from her boots—one on the outside of her leg on each side. She walked back to the line in the dirt floor and stood behind it. It was about fifty feet from the targets. “This is as far as I’ve been successful and even then, not all the time.” She palmed the first knife and then threw it hitting the bullseye. She palmed the second one and then threw it, hitting just to the right of the first knife.

Alex clapped. “That was amazing.”

She walked up and got her knives, with Alex and Erin following her. She looked at Alex. “Would you like to try it?”

He waved his hands in front of him. “No, thank you. You are much too good for me to even try to do as well.”

Michele laughed. “As I said, I’ve been doing it for a very long time.”

Erin tugged on Michele’s arm. “Mommy, can we show Alex my ribbons?”

She nodded. “Yes, we should.”

Erin turned to Alex. “You have to come see my bedroom. I have all my ribbons there.”

Alex lifted his brows and looked at Michele for some guidance.Should I agree to go see a child’s bedroom?

Michele returned his gaze, smiled, and nodded. “It’s okay. She has to show everyone her ribbons.”

“In that case, I would love to see your ribbons.”

Erin grinned widely and looked up at her mother. “Can he see my ribbons now?”

“Soon.” They walked over to the gate. “We’ll show him our surprise in the barn first.” Michele turned and whistled.