16. Cami
Cami
Me on You by Muscadine Bloodline
J ack Jessop has officially become a bigger problem than he’s ever been. We’re supposed to be enemies. Rivals. And now? Now, I don’t even know what we are. It’s confusing me and making me feel things, giving me hope, and I can’t be hopeful about Jack.
Standing in Steamy Sips, rolling out dough with a little too much aggression, I can still hear the way he said my name at the bar last night.
Slow, like he was savoring it. Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
He was fully aware of how everyone was watching us and how his voice was doing unspeakable things to my nervous system.
And I hated it. Except I didn’t.
Because now I’m standing here, pounding cinnamon roll dough like it insulted me, replaying every second of that interaction on a mental loop. The tension? Wild. The way he looked at me? Infuriating. The way my traitorous body reacted to it? Betrayal.
“Are you trying to kill that dough? What did it do to you?” Violet smirks as she straightens a stack of napkins.
“No,” I mutter, wiping my forehead with the back of my forearm. “It’s stress relief.”
“Right,” Mack says, expertly rolling the bread out.“She’s been beating up that dough for the past hour like that.”
“Hey,” I snap. “Snitches get stitches.”
“Stress. Definitely not because Jack turned you into a puddle of goo in front of us.”
I point my rolling pin at her. “Don’t start with me, you two.”
“Oh, but it’s so easy,” Violet grins. “We were there, Cami. He had you looking like you forgot how to function.”
"Gross," Mack adds and makes a face. “My ears!”
“I function just fine,” I argue, even though it’s a blatant lie.
Maggie, of course, chooses that moment to give her expert life advice. “Well, I, for one, think you should’ve kissed him right there at the bar,” she announces, plucking a cooling cookie off the tray like she’s on quality control duty.
“Oh my God,” I groan, pressing my palms into the counter. “I need new friends.”
“Too late,” Mack singsongs, tossing chocolate chips into the dough.
I love her creativity. She mixes flavors and adds in things that are becoming a hit with the customers.
I’ve loved having her help with the trailer so I can go back and forth to Jack’s kitchen and knock out a good chunk of my baking while the trailer is open during the day.
He was right, that was a perk to being out here at Jessop Ranch.
And he has a double oven, so that’s a win.
But these guys? They’re insufferable. Every last one of them.
But the worst part? I signed the damn contract for The Rancher Finds a Wife this morning.
Jenna showed up with a pen and a hefty paycheck, and even though I have no business adding reality TV chaos to my already chaotic life, I signed.
Because money is one thing I can use right now to keep my trailer going and do some updates on the ranch.
And now I get to watch contestants fawn over Jack like he’s a prize pony at the rodeo.
I shouldn’t care. But I still watched today, arms crossed, while some girl batted her eyelashes at him like he was about to propose right there on the spot.
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 seemed very interested.
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 on even more with 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 on shift.
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 so busy being 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 the flower 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.
Violet gasps, "What do you mean?"
She shakes her head. “He’s been kind of… off. Like he’s unraveling or something.”
A hush settles over the trailer for a beat. Ollie, standing closest to her, nudges her with his elbow. “Hey. You know I got you, right?”
She smiles at him, soft and appreciative. “Yeah, I know.”
The moment lingers a little longer than it should. Interesting.
Maggie, of course, breaks it. "You know we all will help you with whatever you need."
Poppy gives a sad smile and nods. "Thanks."
Sensing she’s ready for a subject change, I say, “Alright. Let’s get these cookies packed up before everyone eats them all.”
I look over at my brother and Poppy and think if those two were together, it wouldn't be the end of the world.
They've always been good friends. I think that's what I would want in a partner.
Someone to be close friends with and have fun with.
Someone who gets me, and I get them. I want passion, sure.
But I want a lifelong partner and friend.
Something like my grandpa and grandma had.
Now, that was a love that was timeless. They lived their life together every day here on this ranch and were so happy.
That's what I dream of, being happy.Just simple things. Like riding horses, working together on the ranch, and being together. That’s what I dream of.
Someone like Jack. Jack.
We all get to work, but my mind drifts. Sometimes, Violet and Poppy tease me about not having a boyfriend, and I laugh it off, but the truth? I don’t even look. Because if I ever met someone I could actually make a life with, I’d have to let go of the idea of Jack.
The next morning, I spend a couple hours sitting in a chair at the Jessop Ranch lodge, getting my hair and makeup done by a woman who apparently moonlights as a magician. Because somehow, I go from ranch dirt and coffee stains to looking… well, good .
This is my life now. Pretending with Jack.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is styled in soft waves that frame my face, my eyes look bigger, brighter, and my lips, don’t even get me started on my lips.
The look plump and perfect. I’ve never done my make up this good.
My skin is smooth, and somehow, I feel…pretty.
Jenna whistles as she comes into the room. "Cami, you look hotter than the contestants."
"Uh, no. That’s not the look I’m going for," I interject quickly.
She smirks. “Tell that to your boobs.”
I glance down. The form-fitting red top they gave me is hugging all the right places. And the bra? Let’s say it’s doing some impressive structural engineering work .
I groan. "Jenna?—"
“Too late, cowgirl. You’re a certified smoke show. Own it.” She winks like she’s not actively ruining my life and casually jerks her thumb toward the barn. “Now go bust my brother’s balls.”
“I need you to never say that sentence to me again,” I mutter. “Ever. Under any circumstance. In any lifetime.”
She just grins. “What? It’s accurate.”
“No. No, it’s disturbing .”
Jenna shrugs like she didn’t just verbally maim me. “Tell Jack I said hi.”
“I’m telling Jack you said balls,” I mutter as I stagger dramatically out of the barn like I’ve been emotionally assaulted. “I hope he never recovers.”