Chapter 2 THE ART OF A COMEBACK #2
“Jade is right,” I say, leaning forward slightly, letting the words sink in before I drop the bomb. “But the route she mapped out adds extra miles. I suggested a more direct route that would save the crew a solid hour, but you know how she is.”
Dick move.
I know.
But my little jab scrounges a handful of snickers from the crowd because everyone knows how set in her ways savage Jade is.
“That’s rich coming from a guy who high-fives his own reflection,” she mutters for only me.
The mayor dips his chin in agreement. “Good to know. Shortcuts matter on a tight schedule, and we’re on a tight schedule.”
I steal a quick look. Her shoulders tense to almost a breaking point.
“Make sure y’all agree on that before you roll out. And camping? Everything confirmed with the rodeo organizers? Check-in times clear?”
Jade jumps in again, trying her best to maintain her control. “Camp’s all set. I called the office myself to double-check.”
She’s fighting it, but I can see the color rise in her neck, the tension building as she waits for my next move.
It’s like a dance now, and I’m leading.
“Jade forgot to mention they do have scheduled load-in times starting at ten and ending at four.” I think I’m enjoying her struggle to hold her composure more than I should.
“The RVs must be inside between that timeline or wait until the next morning. They don’t allow arrival after that time for safety reasons. ”
The way her eyes flash whenever I shut down her points is like watching a slow burn. And damn, if it isn’t satisfying.
“Another reason to take the quickest route.” The mayor flips the page with a light rustle. “We don’t want any crossed wires. Remember, you’re representing the whole town out there. I expect y’all to keep it respectful, professional, and no slip-ups. We don’t want any reason to be embarrassed.”
The only embarrassing thing is this requirement to check in with the town.
Jade tightens her grip on the pen, like she might snap it in half any second. Or stab me in the neck. I wouldn’t put her past either at this point. I’ve pushed her. Hard.
“Have you and Jade changed your minds about attending the rodeo?” Wilma Quylt, town council member slash local matchmaker, flashes her trademark scowl.
Ironic. Isn’t it? Scowling while trying to dispense love advice.
It never fails.
The older woman is built like a fence post and twice as sturdy. Her pressed jeans, polished boots, and pearl-snap Western shirt say she means business, even when the business is love.
“It would be a wise decision on both your parts.” Silver hair pokes out from under her well-worn Stetson.
While her suggestions sound as casual as asking about the weather, Wilma Quylt doesn’t speak just to hear herself talk. She speaks with purpose.
And she’d better check herself, because I’ll tell you right now, Jade and I are not about to get caught up in one of their matchmaking schemes.
Before I can come up with a polite way to shut that idea down—let’s be realistic, it wasn’t going to be polite—Wilma’s sister speaks up.
“Why, yes. I do believe you both should attend.”
Maybe she should attend. She’s dressed to go.
Her rodeo-themed outfit is an explosion of rhinestones, fringe, and cowhide appliqués.
But it’s the flashy Kentucky Derby hat that always steals the show.
Perched on her hat is a tower of coiled rope stacked so high it looks ready to topple over, with mini bull rider figurines mounted to sequined bulls.
“The milestone of seeing your work bloom will be something to treasure.” She smiles like she’s the one in love. “Even sweeter when sharing it with one another.”
“No,” Jade and I fire back at the same time.
One thing we agree on.
“I can see it now.” Faye’s voice is an airy whisper. “Twinkle lights, fiddle music, barbecue smoke drifting through the air, and you two swayin’ under the stars.”
Jade snorts. “You might want to get your eyes checked Faye. I wouldn’t sway with him if we were on a lifeboat.”
“Feeling’s mutual. I’d rather dance with a bronc.”
Faye waves us off like she’s swatting a fly. “Oh, hush. That’s just the tension talkin’. All that snippin’? That’s how half the married couples in this town started.”
“I’m not going to stand here and pretend like this is anything but a terrible idea.” I give them both a hard look. “Jade and I don’t need to be at the rodeo together. We don’t need to be doing anything together.”
The mayor taps the gavel on the podium with a sharp clack, and all eyes snap back to him. “Enough matchmaking on the town dime.”
I couldn’t agree more.
The Quylt sisters share a look I don’t like.
“What happens if something goes wrong during the event?” He addresses Jade and me. “If you’re both not going, who will be stepping in for you?”
Jade doesn’t miss a beat. “My sisters will have everything under control. They know exactly what they’re doing.
” She gives a slight nod in my direction.
“Unless, of course, the Wildes sabotage it. They are known to turn every event into a slugfest. It’s hard to forget the punches thrown when they crashed our New Year’s Eve celebration this year. ”
I know my brothers can get out of hand—especially the rodeo champ twins. Sterling and Sammy start a fight over a gust of wind. So, when Sammy showed up after months of being away, it was enough ammo for Sterling to snap.
Still, I snort because I’d never admit it to her.
The mayor turns to me. “You have something you want to add?”
I shrug. “I’m sure the Foxes will have everything running like a well-oiled machine, while my brother’s turn the BBQ into a knuckles-up contest.”
Jade snorts.
The mayor’s face turns beet red. “There will be no knuckles-up contests, y’all hear?”
“Hannah is organized, level-headed, and I’ve walked her through every detail. Twice.” Jade ticks each detail off her fingers.
“Wheeler knows how to talk to people,” I say. “No fancy talk, just straight-up words.”
She tilts her head to look at me. Framed by dark lashes, her eyes are a hypnotic swirl of hazel and gold, pulling me in with every glare.
“They are grown men who can’t sit down and have a conversation without trying to out-muscle each other.”
“I suppose you would know. You’re an expert at sitting back and throwing shade from the sidelines,” I quip.
“At least I don’t have to prove I’m a man every time someone looks at me wrong.”
“Better than hiding behind your opinions, that fancy clipboard, and never stepping up.”
“I do not hide from my opinions. For example, I think you talk a big game, but you run when it’s time to act.”
That’s a twisted jab. Her intention. And it burrows deep and jagged in ways I’ll never let her know.
I let my arrogant, charming side slide into place. “I get what I want, and I know when to walk away.”
It hurts her.
I see it.
Good.
It keeps us at arm’s length, and in this place we’ve perfectly sculpted over years of resentment.
The mayor taps the microphone, and it crackles. “Should a Wilde or Fox require assistance at any point during the event, are one of you prepared to be available around the clock?”
She pulls her gaze away from me and back to the panel of councillors.
“That would be me. I’ve set up a detailed communications plan, including emergency contacts at every level, and established daily check-ins to ensure effective communication. Everything is mapped out.”
My arms rub her when I drop them to my sides. I should stop and let this meeting finish, but, of course, I don’t.
“The clipboard queen strikes again, armed with a color-coded spreadsheet so deadly it’ll knock the fun right out of the whole event.”
She makes a subtle move to step away, but the rows around us leave no room even to breathe.
“Better than sitting around pretending to multitask, which is basically what you’ve done for this entire sponsorship,” she snaps back.
My fingers curl around the edge of my hat. “I can handle twice the chaos before your morning coffee’s even cold.”
“Multitasking and ego inflation before sunrise. You must be wiped.”
The back of her legs bump into her sister, and Josie shoots a hand out to steady Jade’s back.
“This is me at half power.” I fling out my arms, barely missing her and the row in front. “You should see what I can do after dark. Though I doubt you could keep up.”
“After dark?” I see the smirk steal her lips.
She wouldn’t dare.
She wouldn’t fucking dare make up a lie right here in front of half the town.
“I’ve heard whispers that you get pretty hands-on after dark.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
She’s going to do it.
“I’ve heard you have a real talent with ropes.”
My pulse quickens.
“Word around town is you enjoy a good binding when the moon’s out.” Her words hit like a punch to the gut, leaving a burning knot in my chest that won’t loosen.
“You’ve been asking around about me? I’m flattered.” My tone sounds anything but flattered.
“Dream on.”
I lean closer, heat flooding my veins. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
She doesn’t even bat an eye, chin up, meeting me head-on like the strong woman I know she is. “Let’s keep that way.”
“I doubt anyone could pry you away from your clipboard addiction long enough to have a good time.”
“I don’t have a clipboard addiction.”
“Yes, you do,” Josie mutters.
Jade shoots her sister a glare over her shoulder.
“You name those clipboards,” I say. “Don’t pretend you don’t.”
“At least my clipboards get things done.” Her hands squeeze into fists at her sides. “Your plans fall apart faster than your attention span.”
Mayor Thomas taps the microphone again, and it’s screeching through the speakers. “What message are we sending about our town by attending this event?”
“That we’re polished, forward-thinking, community-driven.” Jade says each word defined and ice cold, but her eyes are on mine. “We’ve prepared custom brochures, local products for display, and a digital slideshow highlighting our annual festivals and small business growth.”
“Also, that we’re real”, I add. “Friendly. Not some Pinterest-perfect town full of brochures no one reads.”
“They do read them.” Her voice rises an octave, sharp and tremulous, like she’s losing control. “They’re concise and well-designed.”
“Nothing says authentic hometown charm like a bullet-point list about horseback riding lessons and s’mores by the campfire.”
She pokes my chest with her clipboard, harder than I expect. “Alright, we have discussed this.”
“Clara Clip hurts. Be careful.” My hand reflexively touches my chest, not because it hurts, but for dramatics.
“Her name is not Clara!”
“Linda List?”
Her stare turns venomous. “The Fox booth is doing an interactive lasso toss game, seat saddle for photo ops, and free slushie samples. Not a bulletin list.”
“I’m sure there’ll be lots of lists.”
“It’s better than sitting around a booth chewing jerky all day.”
“I guess that depends on who you ask.”
“This wasn’t a trick question.” The mayor holds up his hands. “I want the public to see a united front. Not whatever this is.”
This is pure torture in the highest degree.
The mayor covers the microphone and leans away from it, addressing the rest of the council. “We’re lucky these two aren’t going. Their bickering over nothing wouldn’t be a good look for the town.”
I clear my throat. “Thomas, we can hear you.”
“He’s not wrong,” Josie chuckles.
“All in favor that Jade and Hart attend the event together, show of hands.” Faye raises her hand, and Wilma follows.
“No. No voting.” Jade doesn’t mince words.
“I do agree these two need a vacation.” Rita raises her hand.
I agree that one should be sober before voting.
A mixed signal of hands rise up from the crowd as the mayor announces it’s not up for a vote.
I feel the anger growing inside me.
“Y’all better put your hands down. Unless you’re ready for what comes next.”