Page 3 of Cowboy Superstar

As she neared the foreman, she realized he was probably around her same age, if not younger. His brown hair was shaggy under his hat, and his thick, dark beard added the appearance of nearly a decade.

“I can manage. Thank you. We appreciate the ride and your punctuality.”

“Boss said you’d probably never ridden in a truck before. Figure he’s right? ’Cause I found that hard to believe.”

“Not one this big and not outside a movie set.”

“She’s a Mega Cab with a Cummins, fully loaded. Good for Sunday driving. Boss wanted you to have something nice.”

“Thank you. Very thoughtful.” Windsor was grateful for years of Pilates and yoga as she lifted her foot high to step on the running board and grabbed the handle to boost herself into the truck. “Goodness, that’s tall. You might need some help, Lyr.” Windsor looked down at her five-foot-nothing assistant.

Ephraim slid her duffel across the leather bench seat. “No worries. I got her.”

“Thank you, but I need to make sure all the luggage is loaded first.” She plucked the garment bag from his hand before laying it across the seat. “Be right back, Win. Come with me,” she said to Ephraim before marching toward the crew member unloading several trunks and suitcases onto the rug beside the plane.

Windsor couldn’t miss his grin as the ranch foreman watched Lyric count the pieces and check them off her list.

Once they were all loaded in the back of the pickup, he lifted her assistant higher than the running board with both hands around her waist.

“Whoa. Okay. All right. I’m good,” Lyric said, wide-eyed and flushed as she grasped the handle inside the truck.

“Sorry ’bout that. Thought you’d weigh more.”

“Thank you?”

His wide smile as he waited for her to move the garment bag and sit had Windsor looking away to cover her chuckle.

Lyric already has a fan.

He shut the door, and she met her assistant’s gaze with raised brows.

“Are you good, Win?”

“Are you?” she asked as Ephraim climbed in the front seat.

“Perfect.”

Win just smiled in response. This is going to be fun.

As they drove off the tarmac, Windsor’s attention was riveted on the gorgeous scenery. A picturesque river ran between the mountains.

“How long is the drive to the ranch?” Lyric asked.

“Pretty quick this time of year. Longer come winter.”

“Do you get a lot of snow?” Windsor asked.

“Fair bit. Some years more than others. More, the higher in elevation you go.”

“This is beautiful,” Windsor said.

“Welcome to God’s country, ma’am. Ain’t no place like it in the world.”

“Are you from here?” Lyric asked.

“Born and raised.”

“What’s that like?” Windsor replied.