It was peak chaos at the rodeo grounds — metal gates clanking, someone yelling for a lost glove, country music bleeding from a nearby speaker, and the scent of dust and sweat in the air. Jessie had finally carved out a spot in the shade behind the pens and pulled out her phone to FaceTime.

She was grinning before you even answered.

— “’Bout time you picked up.”

You were back in your room across the ocean, curled up with your hair still damp from a shower, hoodie hanging off one shoulder. “Is it really that serious?”

— “Yes,” she said, turning the camera to show the view. “It’s like a cowboy zoo out here. Also, I may have told a few of the guys you were calling.”

— “Jessie…”

Before you could finish, a familiar voice chimed in from behind her.

— “Is that the British one?”

Jack Marston, already sweaty and shirt half-untucked, appeared behind Jessie like a moth to flame. And he wasn’t alone — right behind him were two other riders: Oscar, with his messy curls and mischievous grin, and Beau, tall and cocky with a toothpick in his mouth.

— “Lemme see,” Jack said, reaching for Jessie’s phone like a child asking for candy.

“No—stop—” Jessie tried to block them, but it was useless. They were already crowded around her, huddled over the screen like toddlers trying to watch cartoons.

“Oh my God,” you muttered, trying not to laugh as three cowboy faces all leaned into your view.

— “She’s even prettier than he said,” Oscar said, giving a low whistle.

— “I like the accent,” Beau grinned. “Say somethin’ again.”

Jack, however, was already smirking. “Ignore them. I saw you first.”

“You didn’t see anything, Jack,” Jessie said flatly. “You ambushed my phone.”

“I’m gettin’ ahead of the game,” he said, eyes still on you. “So how come you haven’t visited yet? Too scared we’d all fall in love with you?”

You raised an eyebrow. “You all already look like you have.”

Beau threw his head back and laughed. Oscar clapped Jack on the back.

“She got you there,” Oscar grinned.

Jack just kept smiling. “She can have me wherever she wants.”