Page 121 of Wild As Her

I glance down at our boots, then back up. “Is this your new thing? Emotional whiplash with a side of flirt?”

He shrugs, grinning. “Hey, if it gets you to smile…”

And damn it, I do. I bite it back, but it’s there.

“You’re such a menace,” I say, my voice a little too soft.

“Maybe,” he says. “But I’m your menace.”

I roll my eyes, but it’s useless. I’m already smiling. Already feeling that stupid burn behind my eyes I pretend isn’t there.

I shake my head, laughing just enough to keep it from turning into something else. “You’re lucky I like you.”

“Yeah,” he says, quieter now. “I really, really am.”

He watches me for a beat, then leans in and kisses me slow, reverent, like I’m something holy.

And I realize something deep in my bones. I’m not justfalling for Jack Jessop. I’m already his.And this? This is where I was always meant to land.

Later on that morning when I pull into the parking lot of Bridger Falls Community Bank, I almost reverse right back out. When Jack asked me to meet him in front of the bank, I wasn’t sure what he was up to. Now, I’m really wondering what he’s up to.

Because standing out front with cowboy boots planted, arms crossed, all intimidating and rugged as hell, are the three Jessop brothers.

Jack. Weston. Tucker. Just... waiting. My heart kicks into gear like a spooked colt.

I park and climb out of the truck slowly, eyes narrowing. “Okay,” I say warily as I walk toward them, “what are you guys doing here?”

Jack’s the first to move. He steps forward, that calm, steady look in his eyes that always makes me feel a little braver than I am.“We all need to handle some ranch business."

I glance between them, Jack, Weston, Tucker. All of them watching me and they're serious.

“We?” I ask slowly.

“All of us,” Jack says.

My spine straightens before I even know what I’m doing.

I glance at Weston. He gives me a single nod, eyes steady. Tucker tilts his chin like hell yeah, you too.

I swallow. “What do you need me for?” I ask, and my voice cracks just a little.

Jack’s voice is soft but certain. “You’re a part of major ranch decisions now. You’re one of us.”

It hits me like a punch to the gut. The good kind, the onethat knocks the air out of your lungs and fills your chest with something bigger than fear. I look at them again. Really look. They’re not humoring me. They’re not doing this out of guilt or pity or some weird cowboy chivalry.

They mean it.Holy shit.

The girl who used to get talked down to at this very bank, the one who fought tooth and nail to hold on to her land, who everyone thought would lose it. And here I am,standing outside the same bank, shoulder to shoulder with three of the most powerful ranch owners in Bridger Falls.

And they’re waiting for me.“I—” I clear my throat. “Okay.”

Jack steps closer, taking my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm, before giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You belong here. Right next to me. Always.”

And just like that, something inside me clicks into place. “I guess it’s time we show this town what Wilder and Jessop Ranch can do together.”

Weston grins. “Damn right.”

Tucker smirks. “Let’s go handle some business.”

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