Page 62 of Wild As Her

And I hated it.

Maybe that’s what Jack likes. Someone who fawns over him. Not someone like me who is at odds with him. And definitely not someone who can beat people up at the bar and chase off intruders.

The thought makes my stomach twist, and I shove it down with more cinnamon rolls. I have a chaotic life here, but I love it. Now that my world includes Jack, I'm unsure how to proceed. But he sure didn’t seem like he wasn’t interested in me last night at the bar. He seemedveryinterested.

Ollie shows up halfway through my existential crisis, eyeing the absolute mess we’ve made. “You running a bakery or a food fight?”

“Bit of both,” Violet says, handing him a cookie.

He bites into it and nods approvingly but gives me a look of concern. “Cami, you’re burning the candle at both ends.”

“I’m fine,” I say automatically.

“She’s fine,” Mack echoes. “Just baking away her feelings. Plus, she has me, now.”

“Uh-huh,” Ollie says, not convinced. “Well, since you’re taking oneven morewith this ridiculous show, I’ve got someone you should talk to. Beau Callahan. New guy at the firehouse. Amazing baker. He makes all kinds of stuff for us onshift. His pretzels are insane. He's looking for part-time work when he’s not on shift.”

I perk up. “Send me his number. I could use more help. Mack has the truck just fine, but I could use an extra set of hands baking.”

“Especially since you’ll be sobusybeing Jack’s assistant,” Poppy teases, and the entire trailer erupts in laughter.

“Y’all suck,” I say, tossing a piece of dough in her direction.

“You love us,” Mack grins.

Maggie clears her throat. “Oh, speaking of the show, the contestants are all staying at the Dogwood, and let me tell you—those girls are really cool. But I don’t see a single one of them sticking it out in Bridger Falls, let alone on a ranch with Jack.”

I perk up at this, but before I can say anything, Ollie leans against the counter with a smirk. “Yeah, but they’re all hot.”

Poppy glares at him and smacks him upside the head with a kitchen towel.

“Hey!” Ollie rubs his head. “That hurt!”

“Good,” Poppy says sweetly, turning back to the cinnamon rolls.

I narrow my eyes, watching them share a cinnamon roll without a second thought. It’s subtle, the way they interact, but there’s… something there. Something deeper than before. I say nothing, but I notice.

Mack pipes up. “By the way, I’m getting my license soon.”

I blink at her. “God help us all.”

“Shut up. It means I can help more, drive stuff out to the ranch, make supply trips. Be useful.”

“You’re very useful, Mack. Let me know if you need driving lessons. We can go out in my truck sometime,” I offer.

“Thanks,” she grins.

“Yes. You’re already useful,” Maggie says, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “Just don’t crash into theflower beds.”

“That was one time!” Mack rolls her eyes, then says, "I'm excited to help out more at the coffee trailer, Cami."

"Me, too, Mack. You're a natural," I say as I smile at her. It's crazy to look at Mack and remember that I used to babysit her when I was a teenager. In a way, I feel like we've grown up together. The only time I didn't see her was when I was away at school. I love that kid.

“So, any word on your dad?” Maggie asks Poppy.

Poppy sighs, setting down the spatula. “No. And honestly? I don’t know if he’s coming back this time.”

Poppy has been running her father’s auto body shop since he’s been gone. She’s also taking care of her little brother, Owen. Talk about burning the candle at both ends.

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