Bobby Estrada is tired of school, rules, and boredom. He wants to have adventures. Eventually he arrives in southwestern New Mexico on foot, tired, and hungry. Orr and Jase, the mule men, give him a job mucking corrals. Six months later he has grown up, learned a lot, and bought a young mule to train. That’s when some exotic visitors show up.<br><br>Doyle O’Brien, an Irish aristocrat, is dedicated to caring for his young niece for whom he became guardian after her parents were killed in a tragic accident. She was also injured. Young Fiona loves horses and rode well before she became partially paralyzed. When Doyle hears mules are safe and reliable if properly trained, he decides to try to find a small one Fiona can eventually ride. She immediately falls in love with Powwow, the young mule Bobby has begun to train.<br><br>In Doyle, Bobby sees his dream prince come to life. In time the O’Briens must go home, taking Powwow. Bobby is determined to go, too. Can an Irish aristocrat and a young Latino cowboy find common ground beyond the lust that sizzles between them and make a modern fairy tale come true?

A Mule for a Princess

“You’re already late getting to your lessons. As to the rest, we’ll watch how things go for a bit and decide then. Your next appointment with Dr. Donahue is day after tomorrow, and we have to see what he says first. Get on with you, now. I need to discuss something with Bobby. I’ll tell you about it later.”


Wearing an expression both chagrined and rebellious, Fiona headed off toward the house. She no longer needed any kind of aid to walk, and her small boots stirred a bit of dust as she stalked away with all the dignity of a real princess.


Then Doyle turned to Bobby. “Well, I daresay the little minx has you wrapped around her finger. I can hardly blame you, but someone has to be stern and practical here. That girl seems to have gone from about six to pushing teenage overnight. I’m not ready for that. I just pray she sticks with horses and mules instead of boys for another decade.”


Chapter 22