CHAPTER 27
JAMIE
N olan and the girls had arrived in Kansas City, so Ruth and Clayton went to meet them at the airport.
Jamie had offered Ruth the bedroom for the night but she’d declined, saying she and Nolan wanted to wait.
For what Jamie didn’t know, but she wasn’t about to pressure her assistant into something she wasn’t ready for.
With the bus to herself, Jamie took a taxi to the dollar store, where she loaded up on streamers, balloons, and party hats for the twins’ birthday. She wasn’t sure who was more excited—the girls or her.
Back on the bus she decorated inside and out, much to Gus’s dismay. He grumbled about it but she waved him off. They’re ten today. Deal with it.
In the fridge two cakes were already waiting—chocolate layer for Emily, lemon chiffon for Charlotte.
After hanging the last streamer she sat down to wrap the presents she’d picked up in North Carolina.
Thanks to Ruth they’d gotten a private tour of the Schleich horse production facility and Jamie had gone all out, buying every unreleased figurine she could get her hands on .
As she folded the last corner of the wrapping paper she took a step back and surveyed her work. The bus looked festive—maybe a little chaotic, but in the best way. She hoped the twins would love it.
Jamie kept glancing at her watch. Clayton’s daughters would be arriving soon and she couldn’t wait to see them in person.
She’d popped into their FaceTime calls every day, always making a point to say hello.
A few days ago they’d asked about her skincare routine so Clayton had passed her the phone, leaving them to chat about girl stuff.
Once he was out of earshot she told them about some of the pranks she’d pulled on their dad, skipping the one involving bong water. They’d laughed and promised to help with the next round of practical jokes.
Jamie heard the girls before she saw them—high-pitched giggles and excited chatter echoing outside the bus.
“Miss Jamie!” one of them called, their voices bubbling with excitement.
She swung the door open just in time for them to scramble up the steps, vibrating with energy. “Hi, girls!” She pulled them into a warm hug. “Happy birthday!”
They took one look at the decorations and started jumping up and down. Streamers crisscrossed the ceiling, twinkle lights lined the windows, and a big pink banner with their names stretched above the kitchenette.
Ruth, Clayton, and Nolan followed close behind.
“How’d you pull this off?” Clayton asked, scanning the space with something that sounded suspiciously like admiration.
Jamie shrugged. “I had some time to kill while you were out.”
Ruth grinned. “It looks amazing in here!” She reached for Nolan’s hand and gave it a squeeze .
“That’s not all.” Jamie opened the fridge and pulled out the two cakes, each with ten candles waiting to be lit.
Emily gasped. “Is that chocolate layer?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “And lemon chiffon? That’s my favorite!”
Clayton frowned slightly, scratching his beard. “How’d you know that?”
“I have my ways.” Jamie smirked, setting down the cakes.
When Jamie called Clayton’s mother a few days ago, Birdie was all business—efficient and to the point.
She asked how things were going between her and Clayton and Jamie didn’t hold back, describing their ongoing prank war.
To her surprise Birdie found it hilarious, clearly believing her son had it coming.
Birdie asked if they had enough food and Jamie reassured her, going on about how incredible her cooking was. But when the conversation shifted to the twins’ upcoming birthday, Jamie hesitated for a moment before asking about their favorite cakes. She wanted to do something special for them.
The response was unexpected. Birdie grew quiet, her voice thick with emotion as she admitted their mother had never planned anything for them.
The weight of those words settled heavily and Jamie felt the familiar ache of shared experience.
She knew all too well what that kind of disappointment felt like.
Clayton lit the candles and told the girls, “All right, birthday girls, make a wish.”
Charlotte and Emily locked eyes with Jamie, grinned, then squeezed their eyes shut and blew out the candles. As the flames flickered out, cheers erupted around them.
“Cake first or presents?” Jamie asked, already knowing the answer.
“Cake!” they shouted without hesitation .
As Jamie started cutting slices Clayton stepped beside her, his voice low. “Seriously, darlin’. This means a lot.”
She glanced up, catching the sincerity in his dark eyes. “It’s just a birthday party.”
“Nah,” he said softly. “It’s more than that.”
The way he looked at her sent a slight tremor through her chest. She cleared her throat and handed him a plate. “Don’t go getting sentimental on me now, cowboy. We’ve got a party to run.”
Their fingers brushed—just for a second, but the warmth lingered. That slow burn between them was still smoldering.
“Who wants presents?” Clayton asked, holding up a large, wrapped box.
“We do!” the twins shouted, tearing off the paper.
Charlotte let out an excited squeal. “A mini karaoke machine!”
Clayton chuckled. “I’m going to regret that.”
Nolan handed each of them a small box. “I had to pack light.”
The girls shook them before opening, then gasped as they pulled out gold nameplate necklaces.
“Thank you, Uncle Nolan!” Emily rushed to hug him and Charlotte quickly followed.
“My turn!” Ruth grinned, just as excited as they were.
The twins tore into their next gifts, shrieking when they uncovered large, handled makeup cases.
“Open them,” Ruth urged
They unzipped the cases to find them packed with the skincare products Jamie had recommended.
“This is amazing!” Emily said, running her fingers over the bottles.
Charlotte beamed. “Thank you, Miss Ruth! ”
Jamie smirked. “Hold on.” She disappeared into the bedroom and returned with two giant shopping bags. The twins’ eyes widened as she handed them over. “One for each of you.”
Carefully, they unwrapped the first gift.
“Oh my goodness!” Emily gasped, holding up a sleek black toy horse. “We don’t have this one!”
“I know,” Jamie said with a knowing smile. “None of your presents are available yet.”
Squeals filled the room as the girls tore through their bags, their excitement growing with every reveal. The unwrapping went on for a while, each new item met with more shrieks of delight.
When the last gift was unwrapped Emily flung her arms around Jamie. “Thank you, Miss Jamie!”
Charlotte hugged her neck, then leaned in close and whispered, “You were part of my birthday wish.”
Jamie blinked, momentarily caught off guard. A warmth spread through her chest, unexpected and a little overwhelming. She swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. “That’s sweet, honey,” she murmured, brushing a curl from Charlotte’s face.
Everyone was eating cake and laughing when Clayton motioned for Jamie to step aside, his expression serious.
She stiffened, guilt twisting in her stomach.
He’s going to yell at me. I pushed too hard.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know I overdid it with the presents.”
Clayton didn’t say anything at first. Instead he stepped closer, his eyes brimming with something she hadn’t expected—tears.
“Don’t know how to thank you,” he said, his voice raw.
Before she could process it he pulled her into a tight hug, one that spoke more than words ever could.
She stood still for a moment, too stunned to move, her heart thudding in her chest. Clayton?
Thanking me? Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the man she’d clashed with for so long with the one holding her in his arms. She thought of the countless times he’d pushed her buttons, the bitter words and exchanges.
This—this was something completely different.
The weight of it settled in. Slowly she let go of her hesitation and wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the familiar scent of sandalwood. A single tear slipped down her cheek—not from regret, not from frustration, but from something softer.
Something that felt almost right.
Later that day the girls showed Jamie videos of Poppy and the puppies. Her heart squeezed at the sight—she missed her dog terribly. But she knew the ranch was the best place for her. She didn’t want the puppies separated from their mother, having seen firsthand the lasting impact that could have.
Birdie and Doc were more than happy to take care of them while Nolan was away, calling themselves “Granny and Pappy” whenever they doted on their granddogs.
Jamie invited the girls to the bedroom and asked if they’d thought of any pranks. The twins wasted no time in telling her about the various ways she could mess with their dad, things only ten-year-old girls could come up with. Things she never would have thought of herself.
They were geniuses .
After soundcheck Jamie pulled their merch guy aside and told him about the twins’ idea for a practical joke. He was all for it and said he’d get everything ready for tonight.
The show was incredible but the audience made it unforgettable. Nights like these made all the long drives, endless waiting, and questionable truck-stop meals worth it. Having the girls there made everything even better—seeing their smiling faces as she performed was the best part of all.
Backstage Clayton slung his acoustic guitar over his shoulder for the encore, then glanced toward Jamie, who stood off to the side, holding the girls’ hands.
“Come sing with me,” he said.
She shook her head. “No.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “Folks love your version of it.”
Ever since she’d hijacked “More Bad Days Than Good,” he’d been forced to move it from the opener to his encore.
“Oh, do it, Miss Jamie,” Charlotte pleaded, squeezing her hand.
Emily nodded eagerly. “We saw the video on YouTube. It’s even better than Daddy’s.”
“Hey, now.” Clayton looked at his children and wagged his finger. “What do you think, Jamie?”