Chapter Seven

Dolly

I t had been a long first day to the start of the rodeo season. Dolly wished she were back in her apartment in Dallas instead of spending the night in the Winnebago, but she was right to have planned for not wanting to drive the two hours home. She could barely afford the apartment, but she needed to be close to headquarters when the rodeos weren’t in session. Jefferson Laker’s hundred grand hadn’t lasted as long as Dolly had imagined it would. Five years later, it was all gone and she was trying not to live paycheck to paycheck. She got some residual payments from her old YouTube videos and, every now and then, she’d pull in a paid sponsor for her personal Instagram account. Mostly, though, they just sent boxes of crap that they hoped she would promote for free on her channel.

The scent of Loretta’s oil paints mingling with the ever-present aroma of the rodeo grounds and old coffee was comforting in its own way. The RV was her family’s second home, and she knew she should relish the quiet of being alone. With a family as big as hers, it didn’t happen often.

Still, she was feeling restless and she wasn’t ready for bed just yet. Loretta still hadn’t come home from her first date with Taylor, and Dolly didn’t want to do any more social media work while she waited up. She was starting to doom scroll and she knew from past experience that was a path she didn’t want to go down.

She could call her other sisters and see what they were up to. But Reba was probably tired from her shift at the rodeo and was likely snuggled up with Shane at the moment. LeAnn and Dylan were probably out partying. Dolly considered getting all dolled up and hitting the clubs with them, but she didn’t want to be a third wheel. Besides, it was just too exhausting to be “on” right now. Her face hurt from smiling and she didn’t feel like putting on the act that everything in her life was Instagram-perfect.

Blevins was blowing up her phone again. He wanted her to meet him in his office next week so they could discuss more marketing ideas. Luckily, Shelby was running interference for her by telling him that she needed Dolly at the rodeos. Still, Dolly’s luck was going to run out when she was back in the office on Monday. Maybe, she could do a little investigating of her own by pretending to be interested in his nonsense. Who knew what he might slip up and say? She grimaced at the thought of being alone with him. Maybe she could keep the door open or invite Shelby to join them. When she’d told Shelby about Blevins being creepy, Shelby had told her to keep a log and screenshots for evidence. So far, he hadn’t crossed any lines.

A loud fast knock on the Winnebago’s door startled her. She glanced at the clock. It was almost eleven. Who the heck could that be? Her sisters would have just barged right on in. They all had keys. Dolly peeked through the curtain and saw a figure hurrying away. Opening the door, she was going to call out to them but then noticed there was a gift-wrapped package on the RV’s step.

Bending down, she picked it up and brought it inside. It was addressed to her. She wondered if it was a swag bag from someone who wanted her to promote their goods on social media. Dolly hoped it was food, preferably something with peanut butter and chocolate.

She admired the wrapping, running her fingers over the thick, glossy black paper. This was the good stuff. Maybe she should do an unboxing video? Nah, she could always wrap it back up if it was out of the ordinary. If it was stickers, bandanas, or T-shirts, she didn’t want to waste the effort.

Maybe it was a gift from an admirer? She shook the package and peered at it from all angles. Would Nash have given her a present to apologize for leaving so abruptly? Dolly snorted. Yeah, that would be the day.

She carefully unwrapped the gift, making sure not to tear the wrapping. After sliding the box out of the paper, Dolly opened it up. She had to sit down before she fell down. Inside was a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader uniform, but that wasn’t what filled her with dread. A business card from Leisure Industries was pinned to the skimpy blue top. With shaking fingers, she picked it up. Turning it over she saw that it said, “How much?” in block letters.

Son of a bitch.

She crumpled the business card up in her fist. Who the hell could have done this? Finn? She grabbed the uniform and checked the tags and the seams. It was authentic. Something a billionaire could easily afford and obtain—or a billionaire’s son.

Dolly ran out of the Winnebago, grabbing the baseball bat that she kept by the door. She sprinted in the direction she saw the figure go, but it was dark out and she was in the rodeo parking lot. Gripping the bat, she glared all around her, but she didn’t see anyone skulking around or hiding.

A truck door slammed nearby, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

“You all right?”

Dolly recognized Nash’s voice and just barely stopped herself from swinging.

“Whoa, slugger. What’s going on?”

She would not cry. She would not cry.

“Dolly?” Nash’s voice was concerned. “Talk to me.”

She dropped the bat and launched herself into his arms.

“Okay. Okay,” he soothed as she clung to him.

Dolly held on tightly as he rubbed her back.

“You’re shaking. Come on, let’s get you inside.” He moved toward the Winnebago.

No. She couldn’t let him see the uniform and have him start asking questions about why someone thought it was okay to send it to her and expect her to wear it for him. Tomorrow, she could spin the story into something that would hide her escort past. But right now, Dolly was too raw to think up anything on the fly.

“I’m fine. I just got a scare,” she said. She refused to let him go. It felt nice to be held in his strong, protective arms.

“Do I have to beat the shit out of someone?”

She hiccupped a laugh that horrifyingly sounded close to a sob. “Get in line.”

“Seriously, I’m in the mood to kick someone’s ass.”

Rubbing her cheek against the soft flannel of his shirt, Dolly sighed. She had to tell him something. He was an investigator after all. He was going to keep probing and questioning until she gave him something. “It’s all right. I probably overreacted. Someone left a gift on my doorstep and I got offended.” That wasn’t even remotely close to the truth, but it should buy her some time.

He tensed up. “What kind of gift?”

Dolly should have known he wouldn’t let it drop. Taking in a shaky breath, she forced herself to leave the safety of his arms. It was tough. But she needed to put on her big-girl panties and woman up. She was all right. It was probably just a shitty practical joke. Although, when her brain tried to convince herself of that, she immediately saw the holes in that logic. “I don’t want to go into it right now.”

“Do you want me to take a look at it?”

“No.” Dolly shook her head and bent down to pick up her bat. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, if it upset you.”

She was having a hard time not spilling her guts to him. It was especially rough when he looked so concerned and handsome at the same time.

“I’m fine.” Dolly decided she needed a little misdirection to take his mind off her problems. “What are you doing back here at this hour?”

“I wanted to take a second look around the rodeo after dark.”

“Why?” she asked suspiciously. Could Nash have dropped off the “gift”? Nah, she was just being paranoid.

“I figured now would be a good chance to look around without prying eyes.”

“Good point,” she said. “We might find something Blevins or his cronies left behind when he wasn’t expecting company.”

“Me. Not we.”

“I should come along. I could be a good lookout or hold the flashlight or something.”

“Absolutely not,” he shot back, his jaw clenched. “It’s too risky. If we get caught, you could get in trouble, and I can’t let that happen.”

“Excuse me?” Dolly bristled, indignant at the implication that she couldn’t handle herself. “If we get caught, I’m pretty sure I can talk us out of it.”

“Can you really?” Nash challenged.

“Have you met me?” Dolly folded her arms across her chest. “I could charm the spots off a leopard.”

He grunted in agreement. “It’s not exactly legal, poking around like we’re going to do.”

“Neither is whatever Blevins’s doing,” Dolly countered.

“I’ve got Shelby’s permission to do what it takes. That permission doesn’t apply to you.”

“So what?”

Dolly watched as Nash’s jaw worked.

“You might need the backup,” she cajoled.

“Fine,” he finally conceded. “But we’re doing this my way. Being careful.”

“I always am,” Dolly assured him, though her history suggested otherwise.

Nash regarded her for a long moment. Finally, he sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement. “Stay close to me, understand? I don’t want anything happening to you.”

“Deal,” she agreed. “We should check on all the animals. Make sure there isn’t anything funny going on with them,” she said.

“Isn’t that Reba’s job?”

“Yeah, but she’s not there at night.”

“Okay. I guess that’s a good of a place to start as any.”

Dolly wasn’t sure she’d be able to spot a drugged animal, unless they were acting weird. But going out with Nash right now would be a nice distraction for her too. She didn’t really want to be alone right now. Doing something productive might make her feel a little better. Not to mention, she might get a chance to hug Nash again.

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll join you.”

“I don’t…” He started to say more, but she was already rushing back to the Winnebago.

Dolly pushed open the door to her Winnebago, bracing herself for the fear and anger she’d feel when she looked at the uniform. She stepped inside and stopped short at the sight of Loretta and Taylor hastily jumping apart—their flushed cheeks and tousled hair evidence of what they had been up to. They must have come back while she was out.

Dolly’s gaze slid to the gift that she had left on the table. They hadn’t seemed to notice it. Likely, they’d been too distracted.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Dolly drawled.

She didn’t bother hiding her amusement, but she knew better than to push too hard. Loretta deserved her happiness, even if it came wrapped in secrecy and stolen moments. Dolly sidled over to the table, hoping to keep their attention off the contents of the package.

“Um, yeah,” Loretta stammered, her cheeks flushed. “We were just…talking.”

“Sure,” Dolly replied, smirking as she located her sneakers beneath the small kitchen table. She picked them up and nonchalantly scooped up the package from the table. “I’m actually on my way back out. I just came back to change my shoes.”

After stuffing the package under her bed, Dolly kicked off her sandals and put on her sneakers. Swiping a hand over her face, she was proud there weren’t any tears. She’d figure out who send that awful gift tomorrow. Right now, she was going to get her Nancy Drew on. After grabbing a light jacket, she slid her bedroom door closed and headed for the door.

“Is everything okay?” Taylor asked, concern etching lines across his face, his eyes darting between the sisters.

“Yeah, great.” Dolly shot Loretta a knowing look. “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, all right?”

Her sister nodded, her expression a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. With a final smirk, Dolly left them alone to finish what they had started. She hoped that Taylor wouldn’t break her sister’s heart. She’d hate to have to break his face.

Dolly was glad that Nash was still where she had left him. “I figured you’d be long gone by now.”

“You would just follow me,” he said. “And it’s hard to sneak around when someone is actively looking for you.”

“Smart man,” Dolly said.

“What’s going on?” Nash looked at her curiously.

“Why?” she asked.

“You’re all flushed and you’ve got a scowl on your face. Something to do with this gift you received?”

She really wished he would forget about that. “No. It seems while I was out here, my sister just came back from her dinner date. I walked in on them making out. I guess I need to stay out a few more hours to give them the time they need to finish what they started.” She shook her head, bemused. “She could have given me a heads-up or something. A text. A scarf on the doorknob. A little warning?”

“Maybe she got carried away,” he said.

“I worry about her.”

“I get it. I worry about my sister, too.”

Dolly nodded. “Yeah, you’re a good brother.”

“Not really,” he said. “But I’m trying to be. Let’s get going. We stick together, and if anything feels off, we get out of there. I’m not expecting anything dramatic to happen, but you never know.”

“Agreed,” she said. “I have no plans to be a hero.”

Was it her imagination or did he step closer to her? His aftershave teased her nostrils and she wanted to say to heck with sneaking around in the dark. They should go have a beer or two and see where the night led after that.

No. She took a step back. No. That was not why they were here. No matter how tempting it was. He was one phone call away from having his friends in the FBI doing a background check on her that could end everything. Since her sisters LeAnn and Reba had vouched for her, Shelby had only done a cursory reference check. Nepotism FTW!

As long as Dolly kept being helpful and keeping on everyone’s good side, she should be able to get out of this situation with Blevins being kicked out and her past as an escort remaining hidden.

Still, was it too much to ask for a little more TLC? Dolly was still feeling a little raw about the uniform.