Epilogue — Julianna

Julianna sat on a low rock wall just outside a large red barn. As she took in the ranch for the first time, she started to question her decision to come here. There had been rumors that a bunch of kids from school would be working there over the summer, but she hadn’t realized that Blair and Sandra would be among them.

At least they didn’t know she had been the one to spread their picture across the internet. It had hurt seeing them together like that, and she’d thought if Blair’s mom knew, she would put an end to things.

From what she had heard, it had almost worked too. But not quite. Evidenced by how close those two were at the moment. They were walking through a field on Julianna’s right, holding hands, laughing. That was probably a good thing. If they really were meant for each other, Julianna didn’t want to break them up.

But that didn’t make it less painful.

When Julianna had stumbled upon the rock-climbing website, at first she hadn’t been able to believe her eyes. She had known Blair liked Sandra, but Julianna had hoped it would be a passing phase. It was her that Blair had spent all his time with as they worked on their project together. Julianna had gone from only thinking Blair was hot to seeing him as the funny and kind guy that he was.

Julianna had thought maybe she stood a chance.

Apparently not.

She turned away, unable to watch them any longer. Hopefully neither of them was assigned as an activity guide, like she was.

It was then that her gaze landed on a vehicle driving in their direction—quite literally. It had left the main parking lot and was now driving on the dirt toward the barn.

And it was a limousine. Not exactly the best choice for off-roading.

Julianna watched as the limo lumbered over, kicking up dust and rocks as it went. It stopped directly in front of her, and a driver stepped out. He looked around, taking in the surroundings, then grimaced before walking around the car and opening a rear passenger door.

Julianna’s breath caught as the most gorgeous boy she had ever seen stepped out. He was even better looking than Blair, which she hadn’t thought possible. His hair was curly, forming tight spirals around his head, but it seemed to only enhance his looks rather than detract from them. He placed his hands on his hips and breathed in deeply.

“Smell that, Gerald?”

The driver sniffed. “I’m not sure.”

“Exactly. It’s clean air.” The boy smiled, dimples completing his gorgeousness.

That was when Julianna realized who it was. Scott Dallenforth. The lead singer for her favorite band. His picture was on her wall and all her friends’. She should have recognized him at once, but people always looked different when they showed up someplace unexpected.

And this was definitely unexpected.

Scott was dressed in a plaid shirt and blue jeans, looking very much like he belonged on a ranch. He reached into the back seat of the limo and produced a cowboy hat, which he promptly plopped on his head. His eye caught Julianna’s.

Oh shoot, he had caught her staring.

“What do you think?” Scott asked her with a grin.

“Um…yeah. Looks fine,” Julianna said, stumbling over her words.

Scott’s grin faded. “Only fine?”

“I meant good. Great, even,” Julianna said quickly.

“I’m just messing with you,” Scott said, his smile returning. He turned back to his driver. “Well, Gerald, I guess I’ll see you in three months.”

“You’re sure you want to go through with this?” Gerald asked, his lips pulled into a frown as he eyed the barn.

“What could go wrong? Mom said I needed to do something that would help me be a bit more grounded, and this seems like just the thing. I’m sure if I need anything, this lovely lady can help me out.”

Scott winked in Julianna’s direction, and her heart began beating so fast, she thought she might pass out. Had he said he’d be staying for three whole months?

“If you’re sure,” Gerald said, casting a look in Julianna’s direction that said he didn’t trust her one bit, let alone think she’d be of any help to a famous rock star. After a couple more long looks, he got back in the car and the limo lumbered away.

Scott tilted his cowboy hat back so he could get a better view of the barn. “So, this is it. I’m going to be a real ranch hand.”

“You’re not here as a guest?” Julianna asked, though after she spoke, she realized that Scott probably hadn’t been talking to her.

He threw a dizzying smile in her direction. “Nope. I’ll be working here all summer.” His steps held a swagger as he walked toward her. “No one back home believed I was going to work on a real ranch, and yet, here I am, ready to prove them wrong.”

“Uh-huh,” Julianna said. “But you know that it’s a resort, right? It’s not like an actual ranch.”

Scott’s smile slipped. “It is called Zion’s Ranch, correct?”

“Well, yes—”

“And I am currently standing next to a giant red barn, no?”

“Technically, that’s true—”

Scott’s grin returned and he tipped his hat to Julianna. “Then I think I just proved my point.”

Oh, brother. Julianna was pretty sure Scott was going to be in for a rude awakening, but she could tell there wasn’t much of a point in arguing with him. He didn’t seem like that type who was used to people telling him he was wrong.

Julianna gave him a placating smile and said, “Welcome to Zion’s Ranch, cowboy.”

“Ranch hand. I still have to learn to rope steer before I can call myself a true cowboy,” he said, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Aye, aye, aye.

Julianna had always heard that it wasn’t wise to meet your heroes in real life—that they would usually disappoint you. And at this moment, Julianna didn’t know if she wanted to strangle Scott or get him to kiss her.

Thank goodness she had three months to decide.