Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
They both nodded, and Jack added, “Understood.”
“Am I able to think about this?”
“Of course, you can,” Jack said. “We just need to know no later than September twenty-fifth so we can start marketing on the other stations and get the schedule planned. We already have our production team set up and ready to go.”
I raised a single brow. “So if I say no, you’ve got someone ready to go for backup?”
Travis smiled. “We do. He is technically our second-season bachelor, but if you say no, we’ll bump him to number one. We really think you’re the better choice to kick this off, though.”
“I see.” Clearing my throat again, I added, “I’ll think about it and talk to my parents and let you know.”
Jack reached his hand across the table and grinned. “I really hope you’re on board with this, Hunter.”
Smiling, I shook his hand, then Travis’s.
“Here are both of our cards. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us,” Jack stated as he stood, and Travis followed his lead.
“I won’t. Thank you for…um…well…” My voice trailed off. What in the hell was I thanking them for, exactly?
Jack chuckled. “Look forward to hearing from you, Hunter.”
I watched as the two of them left the small Italian restaurant we’d chosen for lunch. I sat back in my chair and let out a heavy sigh.
The feeling of someone watching me caused me to turn around, and I saw three guys sitting at a nearby table. One of them leaned my way and said, “Dude…if you don’t do it, I will.”
Early September – Shaw Family Ranch – Hamilton, MT
My father and mother stared at me as they let what I’d just told them sink in.
When I couldn’t take the silence any longer, I asked, “Are you both in shock, or should I be worried or something?”
“A reality dating show?” my father asked.
Mom scrunched her nose. “Called…Swipe Right?”
I nodded. “The challenges of dating in the real world…that’s the tagline.”
“But…it’s reality TV…how is that the real world?”
Running my fingers through my hair, I sighed. “It’s not, really…but, Dad, they’re offering to donate a crazy amount of money to your foundation. It could build a new outdoor arena and the water park for Uncle Beck’s park.”
“Is this something you want to do, Hunter?” Dad asked.
My mind drifted back to the image of Kipton Howse that Lily had shown me, but I quickly shoved it away. When I’d told everyone at Blayze and Georgiana’s wedding about the reality show and mentioned the host, Lily had whipped out her phone to display a picture of Kipton to everyone. I was instantly intrigued.
I’d gone home that night and googled her, which I’d never admit to my family. Since then, I’d learned quite a bit about the former Miss Montana. The money for Dad and the chance to meet Kipton were pretty much the only reasons I considered this whole crazy thing.
I cleared my throat. “I wasn’t on board at first, but if we get something good out of it, then what harm could it do? They want to film a lot of it on the ranch, though, and I won’t agree to do it if you say no. Plus, they mentioned filming during my winter break, but the schedule is actually for two months, then an additional two months if I date the person I end up picking. I’d have to work it out with the school to do remote for part of November, December, and January. One of the producers mentioned that he didn’t think it would be a problem. His father has some pull at the school. And with it being my last semester, my workload is pretty easy anyway. Jack Morris and Travis Ryan are the producers, and their parents own the network. All told, it’s only for a couple of months. So I can still compete this spring.”
Looking at my mom, my father then focused back on me and smiled. It wasn’t the kind of smile that gave me a feel-good vibe. No…it was the kind of smile that made me shudder.
I looked at my mother. And she had an equally evil glint in her eye.
“I don’t like the way you’re looking at me,” I said, glancing back and forth between them.
“I say do it!” Dad announced. “This should be one hell of a ride, better than any riding competition you’ve ever been in. It’ll be fine as long as they respect the boundaries of where they can go on the ranch.”
Mom’s hand covered her mouth in a sad attempt to hide the tiny burst of laughter that slipped free.
“You…you want me to do it?” I won’t lie, I’d been kind of hoping he’d say no. “And you’re okay with filming on the ranch?”
They both nodded. “But only if the school will let you do remote,” Mom warned. “You know how we feel about you finishing college, and you’re right at the end, so there’s no point delaying it when you are at the finish line.”