Contents
Chapter 21: Julia
Overview
Julia hunts for a bar date location and Emmett rejects the trendy choice, insisting on showing her his pick. Their charged outing to the rough Sugar Saloon deepens attraction and exposes vulnerabilities: Julia avoids cowboys due to family trauma, while Emmett reveals he will retire after next season, lowering a key barrier. Small-town scrutiny and a timely interruption keep them on the edge.
Summary
Julia texts with her mother about keeping show details from her brother, then finds Emmett at the barn. While she seeks his input on a bar date location, Emmett rejects the trendy Ranch and insists on showing her his choice at nine, teasing about her past Prickle Point fall and calling her “Doll.”
That night, Julia dresses in a red sundress and meets a freshly showered, confident Emmett at his truck. Their mutual attraction crackles as he helps her in, labels her “trouble,” and drives them south with playful banter that masks real tension.
Emmett brings Julia to the Sugar Saloon by Emerald Lake, a rough local dive. He lifts her down, touches spark, and they enter under watchful small-town eyes. Julia tries to keep distance but takes his hand, aware of gossip risks.
They claim a corner table. Julia assesses the bar’s dingy cowboy vibe for filming, while Emmett plays the gentleman. Conversation shifts when Julia explains she avoids cowboys—especially bull riders—because of anxiety tied to family, including watching her brother compete and memories of her dad.
Emmett’s tone softens; he reveals plans to retire after next season, implicitly reducing the obstacle between them. As he begins to define what kind of company she is to him, a server arrives for their order, interrupting the moment and leaving their next step unresolved.
Who Appears
- Julia SilvaProducer arranging dates; struggles with attraction to Emmett, avoids cowboys due to family trauma, evaluates Sugar Saloon for filming.
- Emmett BrandtStar contestant; flirts and sets a date at the Sugar Saloon, reveals he’ll retire after next season, intensifying their connection.
- MomTexts Julia, asking her not to share show details with Julia’s inquisitive brother.
- RichardProducer who tasks Julia with finding a country bar date location.
- Server at Sugar SaloonInterrupts Emmett and Julia’s pivotal conversation to take their drink order.
- TheoJulia’s brother, referenced as a bull rider and prior Emmett warning source.