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“Who in the hell is Doug Larson?”
“I guess a new editor for the magazine. He’s treating this like a tabloid rag, Dad. He actually told me he wanted dirt on not just Blayze, but the entire family.”
“Dirt?” Dad asked, sounding confused. “What kind of dirt?”
“Apparently Blayze was engaged and left the girl at the altar. Doug wants to know why and thinks there’s more to why Blayze stopped his bull-riding career right as it was heating up. I don’t think they care about the real reasons he never became a bull rider. I’m also supposed to find out if Hunter is a playboy out on the circuit. Dad, I don’t write gossip columns. I write sports articles. If this is what they think they’re going to get me to write for them, I’m not doing it. What’s going on over there?”
“That doesn’t seem right, Georgiana. Are you sure you heard him correctly?”
“Yes!” I stated, rather offended he would think I was wrong. “He called me on the way in from Missoula. That was when I found out about Blayze being engaged. Then he told me to dig deeper. That every family has their secrets. Dad, this isn’t the magazine you worked for. Something has shifted.”
I could practically hear my father thinking over my words.
“Okay, I want you to stick to the original story: where are they now. Nothing else. Not even anything on Blayze. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, very. I was already going to drop the whole Blayze thing. He never gave me permission to interview him, and clearly doesn’t want anyone in his business.”
“I don’t blame him. He’s not in the spotlight like his brother or cousin. I’ll talk to Kathleen Marker and see what’s going on. She may have a rogue editor and not even realize it. I highly doubt Sports Monthly is going to become some gossip magazine. Of course, there is a new owner, so that might be why things are changing.”
I chewed on my lip. “I’m not writing anything other than an article about where Brock, Ty, Tanner, and Dirk are now. I’ll write about the ranch and that’s it. I don’t even want to bring Hunter or Bradly into this piece.”
“That’s good, sweetheart. I’ll get it taken care of.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thank you so much, Dad.”
“No problem, sweetheart. Just keep what this Doug guy was asking you to dig up to yourself.”
I chewed on my lip. I didn’t feel comfortable keeping this from Blayze or Brock. It felt like they needed to know the intentions of the magazine, if it was truly their intentions.
“Dad, I’m not sure I even want to do the interview anymore. If the magazine is looking to print something like this, it only tells me that if I don’t do it, someone else will. I think I should tell Brock at the very least.”
“Not quite yet. Let me talk to Kathleen first.”
A feeling of dread washed over me, but I’d do as my father said. He’d worked for the magazine after he left his PBR broadcasting career, but only did an occasional article now and then. So it would make sense why he hadn’t been in the know of things changing with the new owner.
“Fine. But, Dad, make it quick, okay? I don’t like keeping this from them.”
“Will do, sweetheart.”
I ended the call and drew in a long, deep breath before I made my way back into the kitchen. Blayze was now at the sink washing out his coffee mug.
He glanced back at me. “Work call?”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “It was my dad. I hadn’t been able to get a hold of him or my mom. I forgot they went out on this gambling cruise off the coast of Texas.”
Blayze smiled as he dried his hands off on the dish towel. “Did you want to drive up to the barn with me? Unless you don’t plan on working on a Sunday. But you could at least shadow me or one of the ranch hands.”
“Yes! If you don’t mind. I have a rental car that’s supposed to be delivered today, so hopefully I won’t need you to chauffeur me around much longer.”
With a weak smile, he said, “It’s not a problem.”
“Let me go grab my work stuff and a jacket. Feels like it’s a bit cooler out today.”
“I’ll meet you out front. Just lock the door on your way out.”
I nodded, then rushed to the room I was staying in. After grabbing all my stuff, I put it in a bag with my phone charger. I had no idea how long I would be gone today, and I needed a working phone.
As Blayze drove us up to the main barn, I pulled out a notebook and got busy taking some notes. I wasn’t sure why because I was almost positive I wasn’t going to write the article. But I found myself curious about what Blayze did on the ranch. I wanted to know more about him for my own personal use. “Do you mind if I ask you only ranch-related questions?”
