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 wait by the door, ready for the tongue-lashing I know will be forthcoming. I brace myself for it. She knows about the ticket or she wouldn’t be here. I had hoped to leave before she found out.


When she speaks, though, her voice is soft and disarming. “Close the door, Nat, would you, please?”


I think about arguing, but what would be the use? Carefully I shut the door, my fingers automatically engaging the lock without me even realizing it. “Lucy, I can explain.”


“I should hope so.” An edge creeps into her voice, but she draws in a breath, tamps it down, and tries again. “Well? I’m waiting.”


But now that I have her alone, I don’t know where to begin. I start simply, “I can’t marry you.”


Miss Lucille sighs. “So you keep saying. I know this is all a bit sudden, but I know you feel the same way I do. I see it in your eyes when you look at me. I feel it in your touch. If this has anything to do with the ranch or Boss Daddy—”


Chapter 35