Contents
Chapter 29: Julia
Overview
Julia juggles production demands and personal feelings. After a threatening email from Richard, she perfects the elimination set and wrestles with booking Emmett for a rodeo demo. She observes the women bonding while Evelyn isolates, then receives Riley’s warning about Emmett’s softness before going to meet him, stakes rising for secrecy and conflict.
Summary
Julia and Emmett exchange flirty texts as Julia asks to meet in person at the barn office. She wakes to a terse email from Richard ordering her to ensure the elimination set is flawless and to book Emmett for a bull-riding demo to boost his appeal. Knowing Emmett’s rodeo history is fraught, Julia resolves to ask him directly.
At the bunkhouse, Julia finds Jada, Akira, and Catherine bonding over playful pedicures, while Evelyn sits apart, watching but refusing connection. Julia declines to join to maintain boundaries, confirms the set is perfect, and is moved by the women’s appreciation, briefly missing her father.
Alone on the love seat swing she and Emmett built, Julia wrestles with wanting Emmett to finish the show for his family while also wanting him for herself. Impulsively, she decides to find him and notices an unfamiliar truck parked out of sight near the barn, which unsettles her.
Outside the arena, Julia chats with Riley, who is exercising horses before leaving for the rest of the summer to compete and train in Alberta. When Riley teases Julia about Dominic and Emmett’s “heart eyes,” she then gently warns Julia to be careful with Emmett because he is softer than he lets on. Julia promises and walks into the barn, intent on speaking with Emmett about the rodeo request.
Who Appears
- JuliaHandler torn between duty and desire; preps elimination set, debates booking Emmett for a rodeo demo, and seeks him out.
- EmmettContestant; flirts with Julia via text and plans to meet her at the barn office.
- RichardProducer; emails orders to perfect the set and to book Emmett for a bull-riding demo, implying consequences.
- RileyEmmett’s sister; preparing to leave for summer competitions, warns Julia that Emmett is softhearted.
- JadaContestant; bonds with others during pedicures, lightening the mood with playful nail art.
- AkiraContestant; participates in the pedicure hangout and praises Julia’s work managing the house.
- CatherineContestant; joins the pedicure bonding and welcomes Julia warmly.
- EvelynContestant; isolates herself, watching the others from a distance, hinting at pressure to play the villain.