Chapter Four

Dolly

D olly wasn’t sure if it was anger that was buzzing through her right now or anticipation. Sure, she was pissed that Blevins had thrown a wrench into Nash’s investigation. But she was also glad that this gave her a chance to show Shelby that she was up for the challenge of making her brother a viral sensation.

Even if it was against his will.

After the whole fiasco with Jefferson Laker and the escort service, Dolly had tried to build safeguards into her life so that she’d never be that desperate for a job again. She was the queen of side hustles, from monetizing her YouTube and TikTok accounts, to putting up T-shirt designs on Etsy. At least she had had the good sense to put some of Jefferson’s money into her education. Her marketing degree had only got her so far in public relations. The rest had been self-taught through tutorials and mentorships and plain old trial and error.

There had been a lot of error.

Unfortunately, that had fed into her workaholic lifestyle and when she got this job at the UPRC when it merged, Dolly thought maybe—just maybe—she could let herself take it easy. But not right away. First she had to prove to the UPRC that she was invaluable—that would give her job security. And then Jackson Blevins decided to mess with that. She had to get butts in the seats. Trying to get posts to go viral was exhausting.

Damn Blevins to all hell.

She saw Nash striding toward her and the anger pouring off him would be Instagram gold with all that smolder. Dolly resisted the urge to fan herself. Maybe it had been watching him go eight seconds on that bull that made her toes curl in her boots—and she wasn’t a horny buckle bunny. She had a slight fear that Nash could bring out her inner floozy if he just smiled at her more.

The Texas heat hadn’t even reached the high nineties today, so she couldn’t blame that on why she was so hot and bothered. Her fingers itched to film him, but she wanted to give him some privacy while he dealt with the emotions of being fired by the man he was investigating.

She spoke first when he came up to her. “Don’t let Blevins get to you. He must have taken his asshole pills today. I’ve been dodging his calls all morning so he’s been texting me suggestions on how to make the UPRC go viral. And some of the shit has been pretty questionable.”

Nash’s glower grew even grimmer under the brim of his Stetson. “Questionable how?”

She checked her texts. “Wet T-shirt contests.”

“That’s a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen.”

“I reminded him that we needed to bring in families, not horn dogs.”

“What did he say?”

“His next suggestion was an after-hours club.”

“What did you say?”

“That I would look into it, but I thought that the arena fees wouldn’t cover what we could charge for admission.”

“Why is he bothering you with this?”

“He likes to text me.” Dolly shuddered. Blevins gave her the creeps. She made sure she was never alone with him. He pushed all her warning buttons whenever he looked at her. “Anyway, I’m sorry you got cut.”

“I don’t get it. I finally went eight seconds today.” Nash moved up to walk next to her. She hated that the innocent brush of his arm against hers threw her off her game.

“Yeah, and we need to make the most of it on social media. If we can build the excitement, Blevins might put you back on the roster for Laredo.”

“You think?”

No, she didn’t. But she smiled anyway, as if she did. “But just in case, we’re going to do a deep dive on you to see what we can get traction on. So you’re mine, cowboy, for the next hour.” Dolly realized how that sounded and did her best to cover up her embarrassment. “I’ve got footage of your ride, but we’re going to do a lot of candid shots all around Killeen today to fill out your content.”

Nash grunted sourly.

Her attraction to Nash was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. It had slowly built between them all last year when all the sniping and snarling at each other turned to a weird type of flirtation. Weird because he wanted to keep things professional and she didn’t want him to look too closely at her past, and yet both of them found reasons to be together. There was something magnetic about his tall, dark-haired figure, even when he was grumpy and introverted. But his pissy attitude grated on her nerves something fierce.

Luckily, Nash was too annoyed to catch what could have been taken as a double entendre.

“It’s bad enough I’ve got to pretend to be a cowboy in real life. Now I’ve got to make up a fake persona online as well? Are you sure this is going to help? Sounds like a waste of time to me. And I don’t have a lot of time to waste—especially if my time at the rodeos will be limited.”

“You need to get some fans buzzing about you on our pages. If you get enough interest, Shelby can make a play for you sticking around on the PR side.”

Around them, the rodeo thrummed with life. Children shrieked with delight, while the scent of sizzling barbecue mingled with the earthy tang of livestock. Cowboys milled about, their spurs chiming like an erratic melody against the thumping bass of country rock blaring from speakers. The smell of manure and hay mixed with the scents of barbecue and popcorn from nearby food trucks.

Nash’s jaw clenched, his gaze lingering on a distant pen where a bronco kicked up a fierce protest. “I think it might be too late for all that.”

“It’s never too late,” Dolly said, forcing herself to be sunshiny and upbeat when truly all she wanted to do was take him by the ear and drag him over to the hay bales.

Nash sagged in defeat. “Fine. What do you suggest we do?”

“First, let’s get some pictures of you looking like a rodeo star.”

“I’m not a rodeo star,” he said, exasperated.

She held up a hand. “We’re pretending.”

“This is stupid,” he muttered.

“Here, stand next to this pen and look cool.” Dolly watched as Nash reluctantly posed.

“Look,” he said. “I don’t mean to give you a hard time. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I get it. I’ve been fired too. A few times. It’s something that doesn’t get better the more you experience it.”

“I guess not,” he said and gave her a smile that made her heart flutter.

“Yeah, just like that,” she said softly. She took a few photos from different angles. “Okay come on, let’s find more backgrounds.”

As they walked, Dolly glanced around and when they were alone she thought it was safe enough to talk about her theories about Blevins.

“So he’s got to be involved with either illegal gambling or doping, right?” Dolly said.

“I wouldn’t put it past him. Hickory Livestock was betting on the bulls that Blevins supplied the women’s rodeo before the companies merged. I don’t see him letting an opportunity for profit to go by. But he claims he didn’t know Hickory was betting on the outcome.”

“Shelby didn’t know,” Dolly pointed out.

“My sister likes to see the good in people.”

“And you don’t?”

“Sweetheart, I know better.”

It gave her the shivers when he called her that, even if she knew he didn’t mean anything by it. When he first came to the rodeo, she thought he was just some shady cowboy. But then he stood by her sister Reba and believed that she had been innocent last year when some bulls tested positive for enhancement drugs. Reba was one of the veterinarians that the UPRC kept on staff.

When Shelby had trusted Reba and Dolly with the knowledge that her brother was undercover, Dolly decided to cut Nash some slack. But not that much slack. She still had a job to do. “Do you miss being a Fed?”

“No comment,” he said.

“Oooh, touched a nerve, did I?” But he didn’t look like he was in the mood for teasing. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to pry. Just trying to get to know you.”

“Why?”

“It makes my job easier.” And she was borderline obsessed with him. It wasn’t pretty, but she found herself taking more pictures than necessary of him. She wanted to get to know him better, but she had been holding herself back because if he decided to investigate her, he’d come up with an eyeful. And she didn’t want him to know about the poor choices she had made. Not until she was sure he wouldn’t judge her for them.

“Yeah, but you’re not trying to promote me: Nash Weaver, former Fed. You’re trying to make Nash Weaver, shitty bull rider, go viral. All you have to do is lie.”

The way he said lie—like it was “murder” or “kick a kitten”—made her uncomfortable. “It’s not lying to create a good story.”

“Yes, it is.”

It took everything she had not to come back with, “No, it isn’t.” Because she could seriously see them taunting each other like a couple of toddlers. She decided to change the subject. “What have you got on Blevins?”

“Nothing actionable.” He shifted his weight and glanced around the rodeo grounds, eyes narrowing. “But he’s got something on Victor Lance that’s making him clam up and take the blame for doping up Sverre last season.”

“Vanessa is going to push for manslaughter,” Dolly said. Vanessa Sunderland was Ronnie’s widow. “It was hard enough to get her to lay off putting Sverre down.” Sverre was her brother-in-law’s bull. Shane agreed to put him out to pasture, and once the bull had a year of clean health, he was planning on selling him out to stud.

“Maybe when it gets more real for him, Lance will cut a deal.”

“What if he doesn’t?” she asked.

“Then I’ll catch Blevins on something else. I have a feeling that there’s something suspicious about the stock contractors he’s hand selected.”

“Well, you can cross Shane Calland and the Viking Ranch off your list,” she said, trying not to let her anger show.

“Ooh touched a nerve, did I?” Nash used her own words against her.

She just wanted to smack him sometimes. “They have nothing to do with whatever illegal shit Blevins is up to.”

“Why? Because your sister Reba is going to marry Shane?”

“Yes,” she said honestly. “You know from all the nonsense that went on last year that Shane wouldn’t do anything to harm his bulls. And Reba hates Blevins after that ‘Killer on a Killer’ event he wanted to do, showcasing LeAnn riding Sverre.” Their sister LeAnn’s nickname was Killer Keller and Sverre had just killed Ronnie Sunderland. Blevins’s bright idea had been to capitalize on that. That was when Dolly became invested in taking the son of a bitch down.

“I haven’t crossed anyone off the list yet.”

The urge to shove him into a nearby pile of horseshit was almost overwhelming. But then she realized it was better if she just tormented him with social media.

“Keep posing and smiling for these pictures. Can you undo a few buttons on your shirt? And maybe take that stick out of your ass?” She pretended not to notice the irritated glare he shot her way.

“Dolly, come here,” she heard her sister Reba call out to her.

The midday sun beat down on the rodeo grounds, casting long shadows behind the barns and animal pens. Dolly shielded her eyes with a hand, scanning the area until she spotted Reba.

“I’m a little busy.”

“Don’t put your sister off on my account,” Nash said. “We can be done here.”

“Not yet we’re not,” she said. “Let’s go see what she wants.”

“Why do I have to go?”

“I don’t know. Maybe there’ll be a clue as to what Blevins is up to over there?”

“Or maybe you’ll find something else for me to take a picture of with,” Nash said.

He wasn’t wrong.

But at least he followed her over to where her sister was kneeling.

“Please tell me you’re not elbow-deep in a cow’s vagina? Because I’ll barf,” Dolly said, ignoring Nash’s amused look.

“Look at this little guy,” Reba said. “He’s a heilan coo .”

“Don’t you mean cow?”

“Same thing.”

Dolly looked where she was pointing. A baby Highland cow stood on stocky little legs in the middle of the pen. It had a fluffy reddish-brown coat and its shaggy hair hung into its large, expressive eyes. It had a button nose, and short, tufted ears. There were two small, curved horns on either side of its head. It bleated at them, a sweet little cry.

“What on earth is that doing here?” Dolly took several pictures.

“That’s Donnan,” Reba said. “His name means little brown one.”

Nash folded his arms, his gaze flicking between Dolly and the calf. “Where did he come from?”

“Originally Scotland,” Reba said, standing up and dusting off her knees.

“I know that this is a rodeo and all,” Nash said. “But the crowd isn’t going to stand for anyone roping him.”

“Of course not.” Reba scowled. “Blevins wanted us to have a traveling petting zoo. He arranged for this little one to be our star attraction.”

“Blevins set this up?” Nash’s interest perked up.

Dolly moved closer to the sign attached to the temporary fencing. Rocky Ridge Ranch was one of the three stock contractors that Blevins set up to exclusively supply stock to the rodeo. “You know, Nash, Donnan could be a great promotional tool for you.”

“Really?” he asked skeptically, glancing toward the calf again as if reevaluating its potential.

“Absolutely. People love cute animals. Think of the attention you’d get.”

Nash frowned, his jaw muscles working as he chewed on the idea. Clearly, he wasn’t thrilled about wasting time on photo shoots or petting zoos when there was investigating to be done.

“Lighten up, Nash. He could be good for your image,” Dolly insisted. “Imagine the likes we’d get with you and Donnan together.”

“Likes don’t lead to convictions,” he muttered, yet his stance relaxed slightly as if considering the possibility.

She leaned in closer to him. “Take a look at the name of the stock contractor on the pen,” Dolly whispered in his ear. “The more time you spend with this calf, the more we can dig into this contractor. You can’t possibly believe that Jackson ‘Wet T-shirt Contest and After-Hours Club’ Blevins decided out of the blue that a petting zoo is the way to get more money.”

“You have a point.”

“And we’ll be able to cross Shane’s ranch off your list.”

He turned to her, their noses almost touching. She should step back. But she couldn’t bring herself to. A frisson of awareness tingled over her skin. Her lips were inches from his. Was this it? Would they finally kiss? Her gaze flicked to his lips and back again.

“We?” he said.

Nope. He looked annoyed with her, not overcome with lust. Damn it.

“You’re going to need me as a cover, taking pictures.” She took a step away from him and tried not to meet Reba’s assessing look. “Otherwise, people will wonder why you’re snooping around the Rocky Ridge Ranch pens.”

Nash hesitated for a moment before sighing in resignation. “Fine, let’s do it,” he said, his voice laced with annoyance. Dolly felt a flicker of satisfaction at having won him over.

“Mind if I take a few pictures of Donnan with Nash?” she asked her sister.

“Be my guest—just watch where you step.”

“What other animals are you going to have in the petting zoo?” Nash asked as they climbed into the pen.

Reba shrugged. “The usual. I’ve got a miniature horse, some rabbits, baby chicks and goats. Why?”

“Just gathering information. I wonder why Shelby didn’t mention it to me.”

“She might not have known,” Dolly said. “In my experience, Blevins doesn’t share a lot of information with her.”

“That’s part of the problem.”

Reba was called away on some veterinarian business, which left them alone with Donnan.

“Isn’t he just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Dolly gushed, reaching out to stroke the soft fur on Donnan’s head. The calf nuzzled against her hand, clearly enjoying the attention.

Nash simply grunted in response, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed the scene with a mix of amusement and annoyance. “Why a petting zoo?” he muttered, eyeing Donnan warily.

“Maybe he’s smuggling things in their pens?”

“It’s worth a look.” Nash sighed, uncrossing his arms and crouching down to get a closer look at Donnan. The calf eyed him curiously, sniffing at his outstretched hand before allowing Nash to pet him. “He’s cute—I’ll give you that.”

“Right? Now let’s take some photos and videos for your social media.” Dolly pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures, capturing candid shots of Nash and Donnan interacting. “We want the fans to link you and Donnan together. He’s charming—you’re not.”

“Thanks,” Nash said dryly.

“But you can talk and interact with the fans and Donnan can’t. That makes you valuable to have around.”

Despite his earlier reluctance, Nash smiled as the calf playfully licked his hand.

“See? This isn’t so bad,” Dolly teased, her own grin widening as he continued to pose with the calf. “A little smiling wouldn’t hurt.”

“Smiling isn’t my style.”

“Try it on for size.” She circled them, capturing the moment. “It’ll be good for your image.”

“I thought all girls wanted a bad boy.”

“Bad boy, yes. Grumpy boy, no.”

His lips twitched, a reluctant smile forming.

“See? Not so hard.” Dolly clicked away. The contrast between the gruff man and the gentle creature was panty-melting and ovary-exploding.

“Are we done yet?”

“Not just yet.” She continued filming as Nash’s guard dropped, revealing a hint of warmth in his interactions with the calf. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to take your shirt off.”

“Fuck off,” he said good-naturedly.

It had been worth a shot.

But they were attracting attention. A few other bull riders in the area took notice. They sauntered over, smirking at the sight before them.

“Hey, Weaver!” one of them called out, chuckling as he leaned against the fence. “Looks like you found a bull more your speed, huh?”

“It might even let you ride him without bucking you off,” another added with a snort, causing the group to erupt into laughter.

“Back off, guys,” Dolly snapped. “Nash is trying something new for his fans. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Fans?” the first rider scoffed. “That’ll be the day.”

“Fuck off,” Nash said, not so good-naturedly this time.

The two snickered but moved along, leaving Nash fuming and Dolly glaring daggers at their retreating backs.

“Sorry about that.” Dolly gave Nash an apologetic smile. “I didn’t mean to make things worse.”

“It’s fine,” Nash grumbled. “I’m used to it. Anyway, I’m getting hungry. You want to grab some lunch?”

“Really?” Dolly blinked, surprised by his sudden invitation, but pleased nonetheless. She hesitated, not wanting to get too personal with him. But then she reminded herself that getting to know him better could only help her market him, so Blevins never suspected he was being investigated. But she also had work to do and couldn’t really get away right now.

“Yeah, it’s the least I can do for taking my bad mood out on you before. I know you’re just trying to help and I appreciate it.”

“Thanks,” she said. “That means a lot. Unfortunately, I need to take more shots of the other athletes and then I’ve got to get back to the mobile office and do some editing and update the UPRC’s social media sites.” Was she imagining the quick disappointment that crossed his face? “But how about dinner after the rodeo closes?”

“I’d like that,” he said.

He would? Dolly tried not to read too much into that.

“Great,” she babbled. “Give me a call and tell me where to meet you.”

Nodding, Nash gave Donnan a pat on his cute little head and then gracefully climbed out of the pen and walked toward the food vendors. Dolly watched him go until Donnan nudged her hand with his head. She absently pet him.

“Well, do you think we can go viral?” she asked the calf.

Donnan didn’t answer, but Dolly thought he’d give it his best shot.