The Cowboy's Cinderella. Carol Arens

tall buildings against the bright blue sky.

      “This river is the life blood of your ranch,” he explained. “It’s what keeps your cattle watered.”

      He looked nervous. Could be he thought she might hightail and run, given how ugly things were compared to where she had come from.

      Here she was, though, and she would have to make the best of things. In the end, it was her sister she’d come to be with and the sad state of the water didn’t count for much by comparison.

      Maybe she’d get used to looking up and seeing an ocean of rolling hills instead of a mountain range. As long as she had Agatha, she’d be happy enough.

      But that was some miserable looking water.

      “How’s a body to swim in the natural?” She wagged her finger at the sluggishly flowing water.

      Travis Murphy’s jaw sagged. “Life is different now, Ivy. You just can’t go freely around like you did before.”

      “I reckon I can if there’s miles of land that’s mine. I suppose I can do what I want to on it.”

      “Maybe.” His frown set deep in his brow. “I guess I can send one of the help with you if you’ve got your heart set on bathing in the Platte.”

      “Help?” Her heart flipped over on itself.

      “Hired women? Ladies who work in the house?”

      “I hope I’m not supposed to be in charge of them.” She’d never been in charge of anyone but Ivy Magee. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about that. I reckon they know what to do fine all on their own.”

      “They do.” Poor Travis looked more worried by the minute. “But they might need your opinion, or advice once in a while.”

      “Don’t know that I can advise anyone who already knows what they’re doing better than I do.” This whole business troubled the daylights out of her.

      Travis walked to the shoreline. He stood shoulder to shoulder with her, staring at the water slogging slowly past.

      “I reckon you wish someone else was the heir.” It bothered her to think that he did, but she couldn’t blame him for it. “I’ll do my best not to shame you.”

      “Shame? I’m so damn grateful for you, Ivy.”

      He turned to face her. Those lush green eyes all but made her weak in the knees. They reminded her of home...of the river and the trees. He tugged gently on her braid then let go so quickly that it was as if her hair had burned him.

      “I’ll teach you everything you need to know,” he said.

      “I’m plum obliged.” She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I reckon I never had a better friend.”