Contents
Chapter 15: Emmett
Overview
Emmett doubles down on avoiding real feelings, but a day of filming exposes how hollow the show’s flirtation feels compared to his chemistry with Julia. After barn chores and rising contestant tensions, he confronts Julia over her teasing. Producer-led one-on-ones reveal who connects and who doesn’t, nudging Emmett further toward Julia despite his resolve.
Summary
Emmett starts the day working pastures, grounding himself with Old Bailey while trying to forget his near-intimate moment with Julia. Parker arrives with ranch finances: the show’s first rental payment averts costly hay compromises. Emmett insists he’s immune to relationships, vowing to sabotage any close call by acting unlovable.
On set, the bunkhouse improvements impress him, reminding him of Julia’s competence. During a chores segment, he teaches contestants to muck stalls. Ashley welcomes his hands-on demo, while Jada candidly refuses to fake interest in shoveling. Evelyn uses the moment to grind for the cameras, encouraged by producer Richard, increasing tension among the women.
Emmett compares their phony flirtation to his charged memory of Julia. After more tasks around the ranch and a playful family group chat, he notices Julia repeatedly glancing at his crotch. He drags her to the tack room, where she reveals she’s testing his claim that he gets aroused for any woman bent over; her “experiment” exposes his lie and their attraction.
For the one-on-ones by the bunkhouse, Cookie’s warmth eases him. Julia’s off-camera teasing nearly cracks his composure. Catherine bonds with him over true-crime interests. Madeline, tied to Parker’s past plagiarism incident, unsettles him. Cynthia dismisses everything, souring their talk and highlighting how effortless conversation felt with Julia.
By day’s end, Emmett’s strategy to remain detached holds publicly, but privately his affinity for Julia grows, sharpening the conflict between his family-driven goal on the show and his unwillingness to risk real feelings.
Who Appears
- Emmett BrandtRancher lead; vows to avoid attachment, handles chore filming, confronts Julia, and conducts one-on-ones revealing his preference for her company.
- Julia SilvaProducer’s assistant; poised on set, teases Emmett about his ‘boner’ claim, sparking a private confrontation and highlighting their chemistry.
- Parker BrandtEmmett’s sister; discusses finances and hay, supports the show’s income, challenges his anti-relationship stance.
- RichardProducer; pushes sexy drama, favors Evelyn, directs cameras for provocative shots.
- TeriField producer; cues Emmett during chores and interviews, manages on-set flow.
- EvelynContestant; flirty and handsy during chores, stokes rivalry and producer attention.
- JadaContestant; honest about not doing farm labor, earns Emmett’s respect.
- AshleyContestant; receives Emmett’s pitchfork tutorial, plays up flirtation.
- Cookie (Kayla)Contestant; bubbly and kind, easy rapport with Emmett in one-on-one.
- CatherineContestant; bonds with Emmett over true-crime interests during interview.
- MadelineContestant; former classmate of Parker, tied to a past plagiarism scandal; awkward interaction.
- CynthiaContestant; dismissive and negative in conversation, highlighting lack of compatibility.
- Riley BrandtSister; benefits from extra help via chores, active in family group chat.
- OmaGrandmother; lightens mood in family group chat.
- OpaGrandfather; curtly rejects keeping all ten women in chat.
- Evan BrandtBrother; jokes about Emmett’s attention span in family chat.