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

I laugh again, sure she’s teasing, but the way she stares at me, so open, so daring, so bold, makes my laughter dry up in the back of my throat. Because I have no response, I focus on the horse and the road and say nothing on our return trip to the ranch. 11


I guide the cart around the back of the main house, pulling up close to the porch so the kitchen servants won’t have far to carry the spoils from Miss Lucille’s shopping trip. As I tie up the reins to keep the horse from straying, Miss Lucille covers my hand with her own. Her touch is soft and warm, gentle, as if she’s afraid I might spook away from her.


I look around quickly to make sure the yard is empty, and no one watches us from the kitchen windows. “Miss Lucille, you really shouldn’t—”


“Lucy,” she corrects with a smile. “You said you’d call me Lucy when we were alone.”


I should point out that we shouldn’t bealone, but for some reason, I can’t seem to form the words.


Chapter 14