Page 20 of Wild As Her

Did he just—did he just do that?

I stand here, still caged between the counter and the lingering scent of Jack Jessop, my brain absolutely short-circuiting.

Because what was that? What the hell just happened here?

It feels like someone just dumped a bucket of ice-cold water on me, bringing me back to reality, and back to ignoring my feelings for Jack. He’s messing with me. Like he always is.

Also, is Jack going to find a wife? What the hell? I hate this.

I pull out my phone and start to text Violet, but then I remember what Jenna made me promise. I can’t talk about this with Violet. Who can I talk to? This is worse than not knowing. Now I know and can’t talk about it with anyone.

When I look at my phone again, I realize that I have a few missed calls from the bank. Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s too late to call back now since they’re closed.

Crap.

Maybe it’s for the best. I don’t think I can take any more news today. And I still have three weeks left before I need to leave the ranch. But I am curious to hear what they have to say. Maybe it was something good. But a feeling in my gut says it isn’t.

I pack up the empty containers and the used coffee grounds for the garden compost. I load up my truck and head through town, deciding to stop in for a quick bite to eat at The Black Dog before I head home.

I see Ollie’s truck out front and head inside, scanning the bar for him. He’s playing pool with a couple of other guys in the corner, so I wave to him. He smiles and lifts a hand to wave back.

Walker and Violet stand behind the counter, lost in each other and in conversation.

I love how they are together. Walker dotes on Violet, and they’re always holding hands, sneaking kisses when they think no one is watching. Violet loves him and his daughter Mack, and they’ve become a family. I want someone to want me like that. To do the daily mundane things. Ride horses, cook dinner together, work on projects at the ranch, go for long drives in the truck, and maybe have picnics. I want stolen kisses, hand-holding, and cuddles. They’re goals.

“Hey, lovebirds,” I call as I slide onto a stool.

“Hey, Cami,” Walker says as he saunters over. He’s eight years older than I am, and when he first moved to Bridger Falls, he was a young single dad. I was in high school, and he hired me to babysit for him. He’s a super nice guy, and I adore his daughter Mack, who is now fifteen.

I glance up at the specials written in chalk on the menu board. Today’s meal is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Yum. “I’ll take the special if you’ve got any left.”

“Sure thing,” Walker says as he heads to the back.

Violet comes up and slides onto a stool next to me and whispers. “Please tell me you know about the reality show.”

I stare at her with wide eyes and say, “I can’t talk about it.”

Violet scoffs, “I know you know. Jenna told me. I know she told you. I need to talk about this with someone.”

“I need to talk about this with someone, too,” I groan.

“Okay, let’s ask Jenna,” Violet grins as she stands and heads down the hallway. “She’s in the back.”

“How convenient,” I mutter. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the bomb she dropped on me earlier and then left after arguing with Jack.

Violet comes back to the front. “She said it’s fine. Only you and I can talk about it, though.”

Gotta love the sanctity of small towns.

“Okay, so what have you heard?” I ask.

She fills me in, and it’s basically what I know, minus Jack not knowing part, which I fill her in on.

“Are you upset about it?” she asks, looking concerned.

I sigh, “I don’t know. Yeah? No? What right do I have to be upset?”

“Every right,” Violet exclaims. “You and Jack are meant to be. You’re end game. He can’t find a wife!”

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