Page 5 of My Cowboy Valentine

He guffaws. “You know I’ve never cared a lick about money. For me, it’s a means to an end. That’s all.”

He speaks the truth. Still, so many years in the cutthroat fashion industry make me distrust every one, even my closest kin. After all, nothing comes for free…or even cheap.

“Look, sis, the investors are ready to sign checks once we’ve got buy-in from Red. Just think about what they’ll be willing to do if you start playing the part, acting as a partner.”

The gears in my head turn frantically. He has a point. And whether I want to admit it, I need this offer now more than ever. But Rowdy? Ugh! “What about the whole engagement bullshit?”

“Oh, that was Malia’s doing. Nothing like a celebrity relationship to get the press’s attention and social media trending. Just look at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.”

“Yeah, but they actually like each other. You know I can’t stand your douche canoe friend.”

Billy grunts. “Pretend to like each other for a couple of weeks and then break it off. No harm, no foul, as I said earlier. But the serious potential for priceless publicity.”

My eyes rove over the spreadsheet. This may feel like a one-way ticket to a clown show, but I like these numbers. And truth be told, The Red Brand could use a reboot and some new lifeblood. Desperately, actually.

“I’ll have my accountants look over everything,” I concede.

“Yep. You do that, and I’ll send over wiring instructions.”

“You mentioned the first fit modeling tomorrow?”

“Thinking about attending, sis?”

Resignation floods my voice. “If we’re going to do this, we better do it right. Besides, a first fit testing is monumentally important. I doubt your dumbass bestie grasps the magnitude of this… By the way, what does Rowdy think about everything?”

Billy laughs. “Dunno. I tried emailing him yesterday but haven’t heard back.”

“You think emailing your best friend is the best way to break this news to him?” I bark, my stomach knotting at the thought of dealing with that loser cowboy again or my hometown of Alpha Ridge Creek.

Billy doesn’t answer, and I don’t pursue it further. I have far bigger problems than analyzing my baby brother and his best friend’s dysfunctional relationship. I’m out of options with Red, in debt to my eyeballs, and less than the majority owner. I order, “I’ll have Nico research flights. Goodbye, you little twit.”

Billy chuckles. “Nice talking to you, too, sis.”

Chapter Three

ROWDY

Concept development and research. Identifying our target audience. Marketing analysis. Vetting and assembling a design team. Sourcing fabric and other materials. Creating a tech pack… And that’s not even half the process.

If I had known going into the creation of Jameson & Cash what I do now, I would have reconsidered. But I want to create a legacy, and I’ve never shied away from hard work or big risks. That said, I also never envisioned doing the job alone. That’s why I went in with a business partner, my lifelong best friend and team roper, Billy Cash. Disappearing business partner, that is. I stare at my watch, the frown on my face deepening.

“Is Mr. Cash coming?” Shelley asks, knitting her brows and pursing her lips. She heads up the Jameson & Cash design team, and if she wasn’t an instrumental part of my current operation, one I couldn’t stand to lose, I might consider dating her. Lord knows she flirts with me, batting her eyelashes and leaning forward to show off her cleavage to best advantage. But I refuse to jeopardize my brand’s launch in any way, which means playing things by the book and not fucking my employees.

“Looks like he’s had something come up.” By the expression on her face, she’s starting to understand that Billy always has something come up.

The tall blonde with a shoulder-length bob purses her lips. “Should we reschedule the assessment of our first samples from the factory?” She puts her hand on her hip, turning ever so slightly to give me the perfect vantage point of her tits again. But I look away, disinterested. As a World Champion on the PRCA circuit, I’ve had more than my fair share of dalliances over the years. Now, it’s time to get serious about building my life and future.

Her overt flirtations do make me extra polite, though. Maybe too much so for an employer. “No, ma’am. Let’s get this show on the road.”

I’ve worked too hard and beat up my body too much on the rodeo circuit to turn back now. Jameson & Cash will be the high-end Western wear label to dominate the market moving forward. I’ve lined up financial backers, a capable team, and publicity to launch the brand right.

Hell, I’ve even got Zane Mackey, PBR World Champion, and his barrel-racing, rodeo queen wife Rebecca from Rough & Ready Ranch lined up for endorsements. Zane’s the last person in the world I thought I could talk into something like this, which shows how dedicated I am to making this label a stark, raving success. Nothing will stand in the way of making my dream a reality, not even my business partner.

Shelley’s face relaxes, and the coquettish woman tentatively smiles. “In that case, let’s dive right in. We’ve already unpacked and pressed the samples, examining them for manufacturing quality.”

“And?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Generally, the quality is good, although I found one of the cardigans to be finished poorly at the end with irregular buttonclosures. I also think Texplanet got their wires crossed with the leather trim color on the cowgirl jacket. I’ll point these defects out when the fit models wear those garments. Shall we start, sir?”

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