The prince came to the dude ranch in order to experience a big horizon while reimagining the West. He grew up with horses, and he loved adventuring with them.

“Keep your hands low, and let the horses’s neck stretch out. This isn’t like English riding, but we’ll let you use both hands if you don’t know how to neck rein.” Annalee, who worked for the ranch, wrapped her hands around his smooth gloved hands and moved them where she wanted. When she looked up, she found the prince staring at her. She forgot to removed her hands. His were big and warm.

“You have beautiful eyes,” he said, his deep brown almond-shaped eyes staring into her blue ones. “Like the sky.”

“Thank you, sir.” Annalee smiled at him, causing her dimples to show. She squeezed his hand as she let it go. “You have good hands, like a man who knows his way around horses.” There, she thought she outdid him with her compliment.

“Or women,” he suggested.

She hesitated for a moment, then she conceded: “or women.” She went over to her own horse, a beautiful black and white paint, and swung up into the saddle. “That’s what I’d expect from someone with your title.”

“I expect _you_ know how to rope a man.” The prince brought his horse over closer to hers, thigh to thigh. He looked elegant in the saddle, his posture perfect.

“I’m not part of the package,” she warned him. When she saw his generous smile freeze and his face go blank, she couldn’t help but say, “ I know how to rope a cow, but a man would have to give his consent.”

He laughed, surprised. “Done—on the condition that you let me tie you up, too.”

“Do you know how to use a lasso?” She said in a tone that pretended nothing was going on behind his words.

“You’ll have to teach me. Now I have a great incentive to learn.”

“Come on. Let’s ride,” she said, not knowing how to respond. She didn’t want to be part of his entertainment, but she was very attracted to him.

As they headed west, the horizon was in the far distance. Prairie spread around them for as far as the eye could see. “We’ll catch up with the herd in two hours. Then, I’ll show you how to drive them.”

“Why do you do this?” He asked, though he thought he could see the answer for himself. He wanted her to talk to him.

“I love horses and the big sky. As long as I can aim for that horizon and ride, I feel free.”

“That’s what I feel like the West really is: a dream of freedom.” The prince wanted to imagine a civilization for a new age… to express in his political circles.

Annalee, the cowgirl, just wanted to live it. If she wasn’t careful, part of that dream would be getting swept off her feet by a dashing prince. She wasn’t one for casual pickups, and she knew she wouldn’t fit in his world.

They rode together until the sunset. After they put the horses up, they had a campfire. The prince’s bodyguard and entourage all gathered around the fire. When another man started flirting with Annalee, the prince cut him off by grabbing her hand and pulling her over next to him. “I know we’re from different worlds. All I ask, is that while I’m here with you, we would prefer each other and stick together. Let’s have a magic adventure.” He whispered in her ear, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

“Is that all you’re really after?” She didn’t know what she’d say to his answer.

“No. It’s all I’m asking.” He chuckled to himself.

She still didn’t know if he’d try for more, but she did know that she “preferred” him, and she wasn’t in the mood to pretend otherwise.

“Okay” she said, wrapping her arm around his waist. “You’re my favorite prince.”

He gave her a squeeze, “and you’re my favorite cowgirl.”

She laughed. “We’ll always have that.”

He turned serious. “I have a feeling we’ll always have _something special.”_

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They spent the week he paid for the dude ranch riding into the sunset and getting up with the sunrise, feeling the greatness in simple food and shared experiences. The horses were wonderful to ride, and the company was vigorous and delightful. Before he left, he gave Annalee his personal number, and he had his assistant drive into town and buy her two dozen yellow roses. “Call me sometime.” He entreated as he kissed her on the lips. Then, he left.

She stood there for some time staring after his car. Then, she pocketed his card, wondering what they’d have to talk about outside of the ranch. _We’ll talk about how the west was won, I guess._ Shrugging, but with glazed eyes, she turned back toward where her horse waited.