Page 57 of Wild As Her

Of course, it is.

I roll my shoulders, forcing my attention back to the contestants gathered by the barn, each one of them dressed in brand new cowboy boots, stiff jeans, and hats that probably still have the price tags on them.

I rub my temples. “I can’t believe this is my life. I have a ranch to run. I don’t have time for this.”

“Cheer up, cowboy,” Cami says, nudging my arm. “Maybe you’ll find true love today.”

I scoff. “Pretty sure the closest I’ve come to love is my horse.”

Cami smirks. “Well, I’d say that explains a lot.”

Before I can fire back, my traitorous sister Jenna strides over with Kylein tow, her eyes locked onto Cami with the kind of determination that makes me instantly suspicious. I know thatlook. She has something she's planning. And I probably won't like it.

“Cami,” Jenna says sweetly. Too sweetly. “You know the ranch better than anyone. Want to help us out?”

Cami blinks and gives them a deer in the headlights look. “What?”

Kyle, the hat toucher chimes in. “We think having a real-life cowgirl assist in challenges and help Jack run things would really add authenticity.”

Cami tilts her head, confused. “Are you saying this reality show about ranchers… lacks authenticity?”

Kyle clears his throat. “I mean…”

Jenna cuts in. “We’d write you in as a ranch hand or an assistant or something. It’d be good for TV. It’ll be paid, of course.”

And then the worst thing happens. Everyone turns to look at me. Like I’m the deciding factor. Like I have any kind of say in this madness.

Cami, smirking like she just won the lottery, raises a brow. “What do you think, Jessop? Want me hanging around while you woo the ladies?”

But I don't miss the look in her eyes. She doesn't like that last part of her sentence. I can tell. And watching her mouth twitch when she says it tells me that she probably won't like doing the show and she thinks I'll say no.

Oh, for the love of?—

I open my mouth to argue. To say absolutely not, under no circumstances, over my dead body.

But my brain short-circuits because suddenly, all I can picture is Cami, always near, always close. Always watching while I pretend to find a wife. I wonder what happens when I don't find a wife in the end. Because I don't plan on finding a wife. Maybe Never. Unless it’s to a certain braid-wearing rancher and talented baker. And since she’s not interested in me the same way, I might never have a wife. I grew up in a family where my dad was a terrible husband and an even worse father. He and my mom fought like crazy up until she died of cancer. And during her cancer, he wasn't there for her. I remember me and my siblings taking care of her and watching her die. What kind of husband would I be with that as a role model? I'm scared as hell of turning out like him. I’m not taking that chance.

Worse, I look over and find Camiwatching me. And by the look on her face, it feels like she has some idea of what I'm thinking right now and that freaks me out even more.

My silence drags on too long.

Jenna grins. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Cami beams, clapping me on the shoulder. “Can’t wait, partner.”

And just like that, everything got even more complicated.

Tonight, The Black Dog is packed with the usual small-town mix of ranchers, locals, and people who pretend to know how to ride because they likely bought new boots online last week and decided to visit Bridger Falls. Also, all the tourists who came to get a glimpse of the reality show being filmed.

Apparently, Walker’s been handing out flyers with directions on them to the Jessop ranch so they can get coffee and buy locally-raised meats. I mean, that part I’m not mad about. But this is crazy.

The locals keep me on my toes. The crowd that drinks cheap beer like its holy water and talks shit like it’s their second job. I shouldn’t be here.

I should be back at the ranch fixing fences, checking cattle, and doing something useful with my time. Instead, I’m here,trapped in the middle of this town-wide spectacle that isThe Rancher Finds a Wife, listening to people place bets on whether I’ll “make a fool” of myself on national television.

It’s fine.

I’ve had people talk shit about me for years. It comes with the territory with the last name Jessop. It's why all of us left this ranch and town as soon as we could, and we didn’t come back when my father was gone.

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