Chapter FourteenThe Comeback Trail
Jo and I don't intend to waste much time on beginning our road to a shared comeback.
It's ready, set, go---right now. My family has signed on to help in whatever way they can too.
So here we are, gathered in my family's kitchen while Dad makes his famous blueberry pancakes and my sister Sarah fusses over Jo like she's already part of the family.
"The network wants us to start filming next month," Jo explains, spreading a topographical map across the kitchen table. "They're thinking we'll showcase smaller rodeos first, the ones that don't get national attention but have incredible talent."
"And they're really offering enough to stop the foreclosure?" Dad asks, flipping a pancake with practiced ease despite his leg brace. The skepticism in his voice is fair. We've had too many false hopes these past few years.
"Not just stop it," Buck explains, helping himself to coffee. "The advance alone is enough to clear the debt and have some operating capital left over. Once the show starts airing, you'll have steady income coming in."
Sarah leans over the map, her finger tracing a route through Montana and down into Wyoming. "They want to start in our backyard, huh?"
I shrug, sipping my coffee. "Makes sense. Some of the best unknown talent competes right here. Plus, it gives us home-field advantage for the first episodes."
Jo nods, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "The producers think starting with familiar territory will help us find our rhythm before we hit the bigger circuits."
"And when exactly is this wedding supposed to happen?" Dad asks, sliding a stack of pancakes in front of me. His expression is neutral, but I note the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Jo and I exchange glances. We haven't actually discussed the timeline yet.
Everything's happened so fast since we left Billings with signed contracts in hand.
The network executives practically fell over themselves when we walked in together.
Our romance has proved to be exactly what they were looking for.
My mom walks into the kitchen, holding our landline phone to her ear. "All the neighbors are dying to know about the wedding too. Phone's been ringing off the hook."
"It'll be soon," Jo confirms. "The network wants us married before filming starts. Something about authenticity in our on-screen chemistry. But Clay and I still haven't discussed the details of our wedding."
"How soon is soon?" Sarah asks, raising her eyebrows while she pours syrup over her pancakes.
I reach for Jo's hand across the table, intertwining our fingers. "How does two weeks sound, darlin'?"
Dad's fork pauses halfway to his mouth. "Two weeks? Son, that's barely enough time to plan a proper wedding." He winks. "That's what your mom always claimed, anyway."
Jo clears her throat deliberately. "We don't need anything fancy. Just family and a handful of close friends. Maybe we could do it right here on the ranch."
Getting married on McKendrick land, where four generations of my family have lived and loved...It feels like kismet.
"The old oak down by the creek would be perfect," Sarah suggests, her eyes alight excitement. She's always loved party planning. "We could string lights through the branches, set up tables on the flat ground by the water."
Buck grins, slapping his knee. "Now that sounds like a proper cowboy wedding. None of that fancy hotel ballroom nonsense."
"I love it," Jo breathes, squeezing my hand. "Sounds perfect, doesn't it, Clay?"
Dad sets down his fork, abruptly serious. "You sure about this, son? Marriage is a big step, even when it starts with the best intentions. And you two have been through hell these past few weeks. No offense, Jo, but you did run out on Clay for a while there."
I can feel everyone's eyes on me---and Jo. Dad's not wrong---we're moving fast, maybe too fast. But when I look at Jo, sitting in my family's kitchen like she belongs there, I've never been more certain of anything in my life.
"Yeah, Dad, I'm sure. Sometimes you just know." I clasp Jo's hand, and she smiles sweetly. "Jo had her reasons for leaving, but I always knew she'd come back to me. I know all about her reasons for what she did, and I just need you all to trust me on this. Jo means to stay with me for good."
"That's right," Jo concurs. Her eyes meet mine, and the love I see there makes everything else fade away.
The scandals, the setbacks, even the foreclosure notice.
Those are only distant problems compared to the certainty I feel right now.
"Besides, we've already been through the 'for worse' part.
Might as well stick around for the 'for better. ' Right?"
That breaks the tension, and Dad chuckles as he pushes away from the table. "I had to test you two, that's all. But I could tell from the start it's true love, just like Meryl and me."
"Yeah, I figured you were testing us. That's what Grams and Pop did when you and mom wanted to get married."
Dad slaps me on the shoulder. "Well then, sounds like we've got a wedding to plan. I'll need to dust off my good boots."
Jo gnaws on her bottom lip. "And I'll need to find a dress. Two weeks doesn't give me much time for shopping."
"That's where I come in." Sarah snatches up her phone. "I know the perfect place in Billings. We can drive up tomorrow."
"Sarah, I couldn't ask you to---"
"You aren't asking, I'm telling." Sarah gives Jo a quick, firm hug. "Besides, you're about to be my sister. Consider it my wedding gift."
The word "sister" brings a flush to Jo's cheeks. I love seeing her this way, no longer the tough barrel racer but now just a woman getting hitched. She's been alone for so long, fighting her own battles, that having family rally around her seems to catch her off guard in the best possible way.
Buck drains his coffee mug and sets it down with a decisive thunk.
"While you ladies are handling the dress situation, Clay and I need to start making calls.
We've got a list of rodeos to line up for the first season, and we need to start securing filming permits yesterday.
" He pulls out a small notebook from his pocket, flipping it open to reveal pages of scribbled notes.
"The network wants at least ten locations confirmed before they send the camera crew. "
"I could help with that," Dad offers, gathering empty plates. "Got some old friends on the circuit who might be willing to let you film at their events."
"Wow, Buck." I shake my head in disbelief. "Thank you so much. Every connection helps."
Jo reaches across the table and gently takes Buck's notebook, scanning his list. "Cody Stampede should definitely be on here. And the Livingston Roundup. Both have incredible local talent that deserves the spotlight."
"Good thinking," Buck agrees, jotting down additional notes. "The network wants authentic stories---cowboys and cowgirls who've been overlooked by the big sponsors but have the heart and skill to make it at the highest levels."
"That's us," I say with a laugh. "Overlooked but with a ton of heart and skill."
Jo grins at me. "Speak for yourself, McKendrick. I've got two arena records now."
"And I've got a fake engagement scandal under my belt," I counter. "Between the two of us, we're reality TV gold."
Sarah glances up from her phone, where she's been frantically texting. "Speaking of reality TV, what are you going to do about Sterling and Maddie? They're still out there spreading poison."
The mention of those two makes my jaw clench automatically. "Let them talk. Truth has a way of coming out eventually."
Buck raises one finger, his expression turning mischievous.
"Actually, I might have some news on that front.
Word is, the PRCA recently completed their own investigation into the doctored photos and fake audio.
After detailed analysis, they agreed it was all bogus.
Seems they don't appreciate being made fools of, and they've got better tech experts than we could ever afford. "
Jo leans forward, her eyes alight with curiosity. "What sort of investigation?"
"Forensic analysis of digital evidence, interviews with anyone who might've had access to recording equipment at the venues where we competed, stuff like that.
" Buck's grin widens. "Turns out, Sterling's been a little too comfortable throwing his weight around with PRCA officials.
They're not inclined to protect him if he's been playing dirty. "
Dad refills his coffee mug, sitting down beside me. "So, Buck, you're saying this whole mess might actually work in Clay and Jo's favor?"
"Could be. Nothing the rodeo community loves more than seeing a bully get his comeuppance. If Sterling and his girlfriend get caught red-handed, it might change everything for Clay and Jo."
Her eyes meet mine across the table, a silent understanding passing between us. We've been through the fire together, and somehow, we're still standing.
"Even if they do get caught," Jo says, "we can't build our future on Sterling's downfall. We need to focus on making this show something special---something that matters to the rodeo community."
Buck taps his pencil against the notebook. "This isn't just about you two anymore. It's about all those cowboys and cowgirls out there struggling to make ends meet while chasing their dreams. Your story could give them hope."
"You know what?" I say, pushing back from the table and standing up. "Let's do this right. Not just the wedding, but everything. The show, the message we're sending, all of it."
Jo rises with me. "What do you have in mind?"
"We make this the most honest thing rodeo's ever seen. No sugar-coating, no manufactured drama. Just real cowboys and cowgirls telling their stories." I gesture toward the window, where the ranch spreads out under the Montana sky. "We show what it really means to fight for something you love."
Sarah claps her hands. "I love it. Like a documentary series but with genuine heart."
"And actual ratings potential," Buck adds pragmatically. "The network's going to eat this up. Authentic always sells."
I can't believe the way everyone I love is working so hard to make this happen for me and Jo. As for Brock and Maddie...We aren't interested in payback.
We want justice.