Page 66 of Untamed Heart
‘Oh shit, I totally didn’t think of that,’ I murmured, as Lil turned back to me. ‘We should get influencers, people who already have a following, to come and stay on the ranch. They’ll make videos, persuade people way better than I can . . .’
Lil’s forehead creased.
‘What, pay them?’ she asked. ‘Can we make sure their videos are positive?’
I nodded, conscious of the financial outlay this might require. After running a few influencer campaigns at my old job, I knew what it could amount to. But this was my mess to fix and I wasn’t about to put the financial burden on Lil.
‘Lots of them will take a trip somewhere as payment in itself,’ I lied, knowing there would be no way she’d agree otherwise. ‘We wouldn’t need to pay anything else.’
‘And that would turn things around again, get the bookings coming back in?’ she asked, so much relief in her face that I hesitated, not wanting to give her false hope about what could be another risky venture.
‘Definitely. In fact’ – I pulled out my phone, flipping to the app and finding the video I’d saved a while ago with a thought to future plans – ‘this is a beauty influencer I follow. A brand paid for her to go out to Nashville recently when they launched a product.’
We watched it, and I pointed out the engagement it’d received, scrolling through the comments where countless people had said they’d bought the products or were just about to, solely because of her video.
‘I don’t know if we can get something this big, she’s got millions of followers, but even the micro-influencers hold a huge amount of sway. If we got maybe three or four of them over, planned out a weekend to really show them what the ranch is all about, let them get to know you guys . . . it might just change the whole game.’
Lil clutched my hands, and for the first time, I saw a real gleam of optimism in her eyes. But before we could start planning, a sharp rapping on the window made both of us jump.
‘Can I help you, ladies?’
‘Thanks for seeing us, Dotty,’ Lil said, setting her hat down on the seat next to her as I did the same.
Dotty Sinclair, the eighty-year-old matriarch of Elk Creek ranch, one time barrel racer and best friend to our own grandma, Liza, sat across from us in her office. Still whip-smart, her white hair styled and pinned up, she looked as glamorous as ever.
‘You haven’t changed at all,’ she said to me with a small smile as I glanced at Lil. ‘It sure was a shame when Carrie and John couldn’t figure things out – turned a lot of things upside down. You should be proud of yourself for keeping going, Lil. I had my doubts when Carrie left for Colorado, but I’m happy to have been proved wrong.’
Lil nodded. ‘It’s been hard in places, but no one ever said ranching was easy.’
Dotty nodded as her housekeeper came in, setting a pot of coffee down next to us.
‘Thank you, Jennifer,’ she said. ‘Can you make sure we’re not disturbed? It’s been too long since I’ve seen these young women; the ranch will just have to live without me for a while.’
‘Yes ma’am,’ Jennifer replied, nodding to us as she left and closing the door behind her.
‘Now, what can I do for you?’ said Dotty. ‘I assume it’s not just a social call?’
I hid a smile, enjoying her blunt approach. It caught Lil, normally so composed and ready with a quick comeback, off guard, but then Dotty was renowned for her ability to unseat anyone, especially the biggest male egos in a room.
‘Well now,’ Lil said, clearly debating how best to approach things. ‘We had a visit from Zach a few days ago.’ Dotty narrowed her eyes a little, pouring a cup each for us first, then herself. ‘He . . . uh, he made it pretty clear that he wants to buy the Diamond Back, and he’s not that keen on accepting my answer, which is still no.’
Dotty nodded, tilting her head to the side.
‘Zach has always been stubborn like that,’ she replied. ‘I’m afraid he was indulged by his father, God rest his soul. The eldest boy and all of that.’ She sighed, giving Lil a hard look. ‘I know what he wants and I know just how long Carrie, and now you, have said no. It’s just business though, Lil. And like all men, you’ve got to just keep firm. I’m caught in the middle here because I want to make sure we keep doing well, expand as a business. But your grandmother was my dearest friend and Carrie’s still my goddaughter. So, you’re as close to blood as it can get.’
Lil pulled her phone out at that, opening the voice memos app.
‘I appreciate that, Dotty, I really do. It’s why this hurts so much, to hear someone I consider as extended family come up onto my property and threaten Lottie and me like this.’
Dotty opened her mouth to protest, shock plain across her features as Lil pressed play and Zach’s words reverberated through the room.
‘.. . time’s running out. We’re expanding, and this place is right in the way. You’ll sell to us, now, for a fair market price, or we’ll destroy your place and pick up the pieces for pennies. It starts with this . . . and who knows. Terrible wildfires this year in the south of the state – have you heard? I know for a fact you have no insurance on this place. What if one swept right through here?’
As the recording finished, both Lil and I let the silence linger. I studied Dotty’s face, pure shock registering there as she held her hand to her mouth.
The only thing I’d been worried about, the thing that could take us to a darker place was if she already knew, had sanctioned it herself. Then this recording would be our leverage to go to the police. But there was no way she’d known.
‘I’m rarely lost for words,’ Dotty began, gathering herself.
