Page 17 of Buck Me

Hey y’all,come on over, did you hear the wedding bells? I’ve got the scoop on the big news, and I’m ready to spill the tea. It’s me, your favorite boots-on-the-ground bitch, and baby—today, we’re talking love, lace, and a little leftover drama.

Let’s start with the wedding of the year… That’s right—Danner Kingridge and Becca Bellcourt went and tied the knot. Now, honey, if you think you’re the only one whose invitation got lost in the mail, you’d be wrong. Even I have to hand it to them, these two pulled off the secret of the century.

No seating chart. No registry. No big production. Just a couple of people in love, an old converted greenhouse, and Pa Kingridge as their witness.

They eloped… sort of.

Word is that someone snapped pics from the tractor shed up the road by Thrusty’s pen. I heard that Choke the Chicken strutted his stuff down the aisle, too. But until I see it, all I can do is assume it’s true and share it with y’all.

From what I’ve heard, it was Danner in a chambray shirt, Becca barefoot in a white sundress, and Pa holding court like it’s his second coming. If that’s all true, then precious doesn’teven begin to cover it. I wonder if they were hiding from Daddy Bellcourt or if there was another reason for the quiet nuptials?

I hear there’s a bun in the oven.

Yep. Rumor has it that the Bloom Room isn’t the only thing in full bloom. Let’s just say someone spotted Becca at the pharmacy, and the town's only pregnancy test was mysteriously restocked two hours later.

Coincidence? I’ll let you decide.

Now, while we’re talking ranch gossip, let’s pivot to someone who’s been flying a little too low on the radar lately… Geoffrey Kingridge.

You know, the hot one with the smirk and the habit of dating outside his pay grade. Well, word around the feed store is that the girl he’s been seeing, the one from over in Findlay, she might not be keeping things exclusive.

When I say might, I mean she most definitely ain’t. There’s a high school football coach she’s been putting time in with. Let’s just say they’re running and playing all night long.

I hope this isn’t the first time Geoffrey’s hearing the news, but just in case, let me be clear, sugar, this comes from a place of love.

I’ve always had a soft spot for that cowboy. He’s rough around the edges, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him land someone who treats him right. And hey, if you’re listening? Maybe it’s time for your story to start.

This has been your bitch with boots on the ground—serving facts, sweet tea, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. Until next time, Sagebrush. Stay messy.

CHAPTER 15

EPILOGUE: GEOFFREY

One DayAfter the Podcast

“Hey, thanks for your help, man. I’m going to take these beds out to the park by the elementary school this afternoon,” Danner nods as we load the wood frames into the back of his truck.

“This is Bloom Room Garden number four. I can’t believe it. They’ll be all over Sagebrush Creek by next spring.” Becca Kingridge, formerly Bellcourt, claps her hands.

Between her and Danner, they’re making this garden thing their whole personality. But I’ve learned to just roll with it.

“Cool, yeah, no problem.”

I was worried at first because Becca seemed so uptight. She’s weird for sure, but he is too. As far as sister-in-laws go, she isn’t so bad. Hell, I like her better than I like Danner. But I’ll admit, even he’s grown on me.

What Ican’tget used to is the increased presence of the media out here at the ranch. Reporters. Bloggers. Lifestyle influencers with tripods and fake cowboy boots. We’re doing all kinds of shit that don’t haveanythingto do with ranching, if you ask me.

This week will be our third sustainability workshop for local kids and teens. The Bloom Room’s taken on a life of its own. It’ssome terrible combination of a learning center, event space, and living Pinterest board.

And it’s loud.

We’ve got groups coming in for pop-up photo shoots, and I’ve heard talk of goat yoga.Goat yoga. Thrusty’s going to thrust someone into early retirement. I don’t like any of it. But it ain’t up to me.

I close Danner’s tailgate. “Is that it?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Danner asks.

“Nothing, just trying to get back to some actual work.”

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