Chapter 13
Camila
Ever since I started spending nights in Liz's bed, dawn feels different.
Maybe it's satisfaction. Or maybe it's just the chocolate cake she left on the nightstand along with a coffee while I was still asleep.
I sit up in bed and stretch my arms over my head. Liz is already gone. She left me a note with just two words: “South fence.” No smiley face, no signature. Typical Liz.
When I drop into the porch rocker, T-Lee is sitting on the steps, filming the goats with her cell phone. With sunglasses and her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she looks even younger.
“Dude, you are not going to believe the engagement the ranch videos are getting on TikTok,” she announces, turning the phone toward me and holding it out at arm's length, as if I could see it from that far.
“Over three million views since I posted the first video. They love your branding, Camila. Whoa, total worship level!”
She gets up and sticks the phone in my face, scrolling through a flood of comments, likes, and DMs while I blink, still half-blind from sleep and the sun's glare.
“What are they responding to? I mean, it's just a video of typical everyday ranch stuff,” I ask, opening my hands, confused.
T-Lee snorts.
“Seriously? Are you fucking serious? About all of it.
The story, the community vibe, the lady with the snake tattoo roasting corn.
.. oh, and you. Lots of them want to know if you're single, dude.
I told them your girlfriend has a hell of a temper and she can shoot, so they'd better not try to hit on you,” she clarifies, winking. “Unless that's changed?”
“It's the internet, Tessa. None of that is real,” I protest, feeling my ears go red to the tips.
T-Lee rolls her eyes and shakes her head so fast her ponytail bounces off her cheeks.
“That's where you're wrong, dude. The internet's the only thing that's real—the internet and how hard the ground is when you fall off a bronc. But seriously, the algorithm loves you. You should capitalize on it.”
“For now, I'm going to take advantage of the fresh coffee and pour myself another cup. Want one?” I ask, though she shakes her head while explaining she needs to go to a nearby ranch to try out some horses.
I watch her bike disappear down the road in a cloud of dust when my phone vibrates insistently, snapping me back to reality. And boy, does it ever. I know that number by heart. And it never brings good news.
“Hi, Mom,” I answer, trying not to let a frustrated sigh slip out.
There's a pause, long and dramatic enough to let me know she's angry or worried—or both.
“Camila. I was starting to think you'd forgotten your own mother. I called you yesterday.”
I count to three before answering.
“I saw the missed call, Mom. I've been very... very busy.”
“Oh, yes, someone's already shown me those TikTok videos; I hope it's part of your strategy to drive up the ranch's sale price,” she adds quickly.
I pause. For a long time. I don't even know what to say. My mother breaks the silence.
“You've got one week. In exactly seven days the ranch will be yours. Please tell me you've already put it on the market,” she adds, lowering her voice like it's a secret.
“Not yet, Mom. I'm evaluating a few options, and...”
Another silence.
“You always do that,” she protests, her tone dripping with disdain. “You overthink. Just like your grandmother.”
“Grandma was adored. She left a beautiful legacy in this community. They'll remember her for generations,” I correct, feeling my blood boil at her words.
“I suppose the older Harper girl is making things difficult for you.
Of course she wouldn't want to be out of a job.
I still don't understand why your grandmother took those two girls in.
They've had the devil in them since they were little.
Liz always fighting with the boys on the ranch, and her sister causing all kinds of trouble with the animals. They're real...”
“Liz is the best foreman this ranch has had in a long time. Everyone respects her,” I cut in, maybe a little too forcefully.
On the other end of the line, my mother lets out a huff. She knows me too well.
“You know, when I was young, I also thought the cowboy I was sleeping with was head over heels for me. Then when he found out I'd gotten pregnant with you, he took off, and I never saw him again. They're all the same,” she spits with contempt.
I don't know if I want to laugh, or scream, or throw my phone at the wall.
“Obviously, Liz isn't going to get me pregnant,” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “And just because you had a bad experience doesn't mean it's always like that.”
“Maybe not. But now is the time to sell the ranch. I've spoken with Michelle, and...”
“You talked to Michelle?” I yell. “Is that why the comment about Liz and her sister? I can't believe this, Mom. Why the hell does Michelle have to get involved in this?”
“That woman loves you. She always has. And she has prestige—she's a partner at a big firm. You deserve someone like her, not that cowgirl who smells like livestock,” she adds, angry.
She hangs up before I can respond, leaving me with the phone literally trembling in my hands. The chocolate cake sits untouched on the nightstand. I've even lost my appetite for breakfast.
***
They say doubts never come alone. By dusk, the ranch empties out. Silence settles fast, broken only by a new call, this time from a number I don't recognize.
“Camila Mendoza,” I answer, checking the time.
“Good evening, I hope. This is David Gui,” I hear on the other end, from...
“From Gui, Morrison she's laying it on way too thick. First my mother and now David Gui. But I listen anyway.
“We have a new client. Huge. A private-equity energy group.
They want to build clean-energy infrastructure all along the Midwest corridor.
Wind, solar, green hydrogen—you name it.
They want us to handle the legal side, and Michelle Pryce recommended you.
She says you're very good and that this is exactly your specialty.
We're creating a new Renewable Energy division within the firm.
We'd double your salary; you'd have your own team...”
I listen slack-jawed. Literally. I don't dare interrupt; I don't say anything. Two months ago, when I was living in Chicago, Michelle only wanted me to go out partying and end up in bed later. Now she's really putting in the work. She's invested.
“But of course there's a deadline,” he adds. “I need to know within a week—it's an urgent project, and if not, I'll have to find another attorney.”
I nod, though he can't see me, and assure him I'll get back to him as soon as possible.
Five minutes later, the firm offer is in my email.
I need to talk to Liz.
I wander the ranch aimlessly, searching for her with my eyes as my fingertips skim the fence while I walk.
I find her by the old windmill, doing some repairs. The two men with her touch the brim of their hats in greeting and leave us alone.
“Rough day?” I ask, sitting down beside her.
“Very,” she admits, leaning in to kiss me. “How about you?”
I pull my phone from my pocket nervously. The email with the offer is still open.
“This came in,” I say, handing her the phone and feeling like my heart is about to burst out of my chest.
She reads it slowly, line by line. I study her hands while she does, the way her thumbs flex when she's irritated, the gentle furrow of her brow.
“Are you going to accept it?” she asks, pinning me with her gaze.
“I don't know, Liz,” I confess, and not knowing scares me.
“It sounds like a great opportunity. You'd never make that kind of money here, and I guess, at the end of the day, Chicago is your home. “
“Just like that? That's all you have to say?” I protest, angry.
“What do you want me to say? I'm not going to make it hard on you,” she adds, leaving me speechless.
“In a week the ranch will be yours. If you want to go, there's nothing I can do to stop you.
I thought you'd stay; I'd gotten used to the idea that.
.. well, never mind. It's your life, Camila.
Your mother will be very proud of you at that big Chicago firm, making a fortune. I just hope you don't sell the ranch.”
She says nothing else. She gets up and walks away, sending a rock skittering with a kick. She was never one for many words, but she hasn't even tried. Michelle is moving heaven and earth to get me back to Chicago and, meanwhile, Liz...
Liz doesn't seem to care. Looks like the ranch's future is what matters to her most.