Page 8 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Alex was sure she would sayno.

Erin tugged on her mother’s arm. “Please, Mommy.”

Michele smiled and rubbed the top of her daughter’s head. “Looks like we’ll be going out to dinner.”

“Very good.” Alex relaxed, relieved and pleased that she’d agreed. Otherwise, he didn’t know how to ask her out and he felt it was important that they get to know each other. “Now, I understand I have some ribbons to see.”

Erin grinned and grabbed Alex’s hand. “Come on to my room.” She started walking and pulled him along.

Michele laughed. “You better go or she’ll tug off your arm.”

“I’m coming.” Alex walked behind Erin as she drew him along.

She let go of him to climb the stairs.

Finally, they reached her room. He’d have known it was her room even without her being here. They had painted the room white with unicorns and Pegasus’ jumping over rainbows. Definitely a little girls’ room.

Also, on the walls were picture frames full of blue ribbons.

“This is amazing. Are all of these ribbons yours? None are your mothers?”

Erin beamed and shook her head. “Nope, they’re all mine.”

Alex squatted, so he’d be more her size. He did the same thing for his baby brother, Gregory, who was also six. He wanted them both to feel comfortable with him and not like he was the big, bad adult. “Wonderful. You must be a splendid rider.”

Michele entered the room.

“I am.” she said matter-of-factly. “Mommy taught me good.”

Alex gazed up at Michele. “Yes. She certainly has.” He stood. “I will pick you both up at five-thirty and get reservations for six o’clock at the Buffalo Steakhouse, if that is all right with you.”

Michele stood straight, her eyebrows furrowed, and shook her head. “Oh, you can’t get reservations for that place so late. They’re booked months in advance.”

Alex fought very hard to not reach up and caress her cheek. “Trust me on this; they will give me reservations.”

He wasn’t ready to tell her who he was. Alex wanted her to know him, not Crown Prince Alexander of Batrovia.

* * *

That evening,Michele dressed with care. She put on her little black dress, one of only two dresses she owned—along with some killer black patent heels. Her business was doing very well, but she was still a pretty frugal person, but she couldn’t pass up buying those shoes that she’d found on the sale rack for ten dollars. Alex was tall enough that even with the three-inch heels, he would still be taller. That was nice. Her ex-husband, Ed, had been her height, so she always had to wear flats. And he never would have even tried for reservations at the most exclusive restaurant in Twin Bluffs.Why did I tell him my life history? Why do I feel so comfortable with him? He’s horse people, that’s got to be why, but that electricity I felt when we shook hands…I’ve never felt anything like that with anyone else. Is that why I’m so attracted to him…which explains why I agreed to a date so quickly? Have I lost my mind?

She put her long, wavy hair up in a chignon and wore her mother’s pearl earrings.

Her make-up was minimal. A little blush, two coats of mascara and a swipe of rosy gloss on her lips.

She checked the full-length mirror, turned and looked at her backside, then nodded. “You’ll do, girl.” Then she walked to the bed where her smallest purse lay. She had a credit card, lip gloss, Kleenex, her phone and fifty dollars in small bills. Plus Erin’s things…a crayon, her tiniest doll, band aids, string cheese and hand sanitizer.

Next, she went to Erin’s room. Her daughter was in her underwear, staring into her closet.

“What’s the matter, baby girl?”

“I don’t have anything nice to wear.”

“Shh. I was saving this, but now is a good time for you to have it. Come with me.”

They walked back to Michele’s room.

She took a large box from the shelf in her closet.