Page 25 of Wild As Her

“Don’t make it weird, Jack. And, yeah, I stayed here. Are you happy now?” she mutters.

I walk around the counter, pull Tessa in for a hug, and kiss her cheek. “Good morning,” I say.

“Good morning, honey,” she says. She’s respectful to everyone, and I have always respected the hell out of her. She’s the hardest worker on the ranch, and these wranglers should have taken notes on how Tessa shows up. That probably would have saved their jobs. But now it’s too late.

“I made you a plate,” she smiles as she hands me a plate with eggs, potatoes, and fruit.

“Thanks, Tessa,” I say as I take the plate and slide onto the stool next to Jenna.

She takes a plate from Tessa and smiles. “Thanks. I’ll move back in if Tessa cooks for us every day.”

I grumble. “It’s not Tessa’s job to feed us.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Tessa grins. “Now tell me what’s going on because it’s feeling icy out in the bunkhouse.”

I let out a breath and shake my head. “A lot of bullshit going on. I want everyone gone and to do a fresh hire. Tucker, you, and Hank are all still that have a job. People can reapply and be considered, but I doubt most of them stick around.”

“Is this about Granger threatening Cami?” Tessa asks, looking mad.

Jenna’s jaw drops, and she shakes her head. “I heard about that. I don’t like her living alone.”

“Ollie’s been staying there, and I’ve stayed in her barn when he’s on shift at the station. We’ve got eyes on her.” I add as I take a forkful of food, and the flavors hit me. Damn, Tessa is good. I can’t remember the last time I had a real meal in this kitchen.

“The ranch is going to be run my way. Above board and clean. We’re not doing cons, stealing, lying, none of that,” I instruct.

Tessa nods and smiles with approval. “I like it. It’s about time. And I’m proud of you. You are not your daddy, Jack. You’re a great rancher.”

Knowing that I have her support fills me with relief. Jenna has been quiet, and she says, “You could never be him.”

I nod and drop my next bomb: “I asked Cami to move her trailer out here to help keep an eye on things. I told her she could use the kitchen to bake. I think having her out here and drawing traffic from town will help us with our meat sales and get the town to build up trust with us.”

Tessa laughs and smacks the counter with her hand. “Granger will be the least of your worries if you bring her out here.”

Tessa has always been leery of anyone outside of the ranch. My father made a lot of enemies, and now no one is sure who we can trust. But I know she trusts Cami. She’s always loved her and Ollie, too.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Jenna argues. “Weston and Tucker said sales are at an all-time low. The freezers are full of meat, and nothing is selling out there. This time of year, we should be doing way better.”

“Nobody trusts us enough to buy from us,” Tessa says as she wipes down the counter and frowns.

“Did you hear that someone bought Wilder Ranch?” Jenna asks as she looks at all of us.

“I bought it. And don’t you dare tell her.” I point to her. “It’s in a trust. I don't want her to know until I know she won't kill me."

Jenna grins with approval. “So, you just plan to not tell her? How long do you think you’ll get away with that?”

“I haven't thought that far. But I’ll tell her soon.” I shrug, looking at my plate.

Tessa looks at me with soft eyes. “You really bought Wilder Ranch?”

"I used my inheritance from my mom." I smile sadly. "I think she would have liked that."

Her face softens, and she cups my cheek. "She sure would have. She always loved the Wilder's. It was a shame when they passed," she says.

I feel the same. I always loved Cami and Ollie’s grandparents.

My mom and Tessa had been close friends when she passed away. I’ve always thought her and Hank had a thing, but Tessa claims they’re just friends. And maybe they are. But I’ve always been grateful that Tessa shares stories with all of us about our mom. I think she’s stuck around to raise us when our mom couldn’t.

The front door shuts, and Weston strolls in wearing his usual dark jeans and button-down shirt with a messenger bag over his shoulder. He always dresses the part as a lawyer. All of us are so different. Sometimes I’m amazed that we come from the same family. Tucker and I are cowboys and dress the part. Weston always dresses professionally. And Jenna is every bit the L.A. woman. When she moved back here after Dad got arrested, she brought seven large suitcases. They filled up the entire back of my truck and the back seat when I picked her up at the airport. I still give her shit for that. She claimed that was her packing for a trip, and she still had more clothes back in L.A. Good God.

---