Once the daughter of a prominent dentist in Philadelphia, Natalie Allen wasn’t happy with the life she was expected to lead, so she left society behind and headed west. Now, in the little town of Junction, she’s known as Nat, a cowboy working on Boss Daddy’s cattle ranch. She keeps to herself, renting a room in a local boarding house instead of staying in the bunk house, and with her dungarees and short hair, no one realizes she’s living as a man. But Boss Daddy’s pretty daughter Miss Lucille takes a notice to “Mr. Nat,” and the closer the two become, the more conflicted Nat grows. She likes Miss Lucille a lot more than she knows she should, and it’s easy to forget who she’s pretending to be around the boss’s daughter. Then Miss Lucille surprises everyone, Nat included, by announcing their engagement. Nat knows they can’t marry, and if she tells Miss Lucille why, her ruse will be up. Her only choice is to leave Junction behind, even if it means breaking Miss Lucille’s heart. But will Miss Lucille let Nat go so easily?

The Boss's Daughter

Around us the ranch hands cheer us on. Grabbing fistfuls of dust, I whirl and pounce on Jonesy as he tries to sit up. One of my fists catches him under the jaw; the other pounds his temple and sends him reeling back. His hands flail at my shirt, seeking purchase, but I hit him again, knocking him away, and I’d go at him again if someone behind me doesn’t catch my wrist.


I glare over my shoulder at Paco, whose pants are still unbuttoned at the crotch. “Ease up a little, pibe,” he mutters. “Chavez is coming, si?”


Behind Paco, I see our foreman hurrying over from the stables and I let myself be hauled to my feet. Someone helps Jonesy stand, too. By the time Chavez reaches us, winded and panting, we’re both standing like truant boys, hands behind our backs, heads down, ready for punishment.


“Madre di Dios,” Chavez gasps. “What’s worth fighting over this damn early, anyway? Nat?”


Chapter 7