Page 48 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

Slater relented with a smile. “You bet, honey. Just do me a favor.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t mention why I’m doing this.”

“You mean the money?”

He nodded.

She nodded, too. “Of course.”

From behind the wheel, Jackson said, “We’ll go home and take care of some chores. That’ll give you time to work. We’ll be back this evening for supper and can grab a bite at the café.”

“Okay, Daddies. I best go get Sir Dogsworth,” she said.

She told her Daddies goodbye and then walked the short distance to the firehouse where she found the golden retriever lounging inside the garage.

“Was he any trouble?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

Cane was on the bench press with Austin behind it, spotting him.

“No trouble at all,” Cane said.

“We’re going to miss him,” Austin added. “So is Daisy.”

“Y’all can come see him anytime!”

Walker appeared from the main firehouse, poking his head through the doorway. “Slater texted us last night. Sounds like he had one hell—uh, I mean heck—of a ride.”

Mina grinned. She loved the way all the Daddies tried not to curse around Littles. “He stayed on for over nine seconds!”

The fireman grinned. “I suppose you’re going to go write about it.”

She giggled. “Yep. This edition of the paper will be out tomorrow! If I hurry.”

“We’ll let you get to it,” Walker said. “You just tell your Daddies to be careful.”

“I will, Mr. Walker. Goodbye and thanks for watching Sir Dogsworth!”

The retriever dutifully followed her back home and a few minutes later, she was sitting at her desk while he lay at her feet. She banged away on the keyboard, getting her story just right.

She was writing about her Daddies. And she wanted the whole town to know just how amazing they were.

* * *

It was the following evening, and much of the townsfolk had turned out for a community picnic that was set up in the yard of City Hall.

“The newspaper is amazing!” Alyssa said, waving a copy in the air. “I can’t believe your Daddy stayed on the bull that long!”

“What I can’t believe,” Daisy said, “is how both of them stopped Rampage! Man, I wish I could have seen it.” She grinned at Mina. “But reading your story made me feel as if I had.”

The praise warmed the reporter’s heart. There was no higher compliment for those in her trade.

She finished the bite of hot dog she’d had in her mouth, washed it down with a sip of lemonade, and said, “Thank you. It’s been such an eventful week! Lots to write about. I guess that’s good in my line of work.” She tore off a chunk of food and tossed it to Sir Dogsworth who was lying nearby. He snatched it in midair and only chomped it once before swallowing.

All the Littles in the group did the same at various points, ensuring the dog was well fed.

“Is there any word on that weird guy and what’s going on with the back taxes?” Daisy asked.

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