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)
“It appears the date is indeed over,” I said as I attempted not to look at Winnie, who was behind Paul, observing. “I’m sure you all noticed that we did the date a bit differently today. We’ve decided not to interrupt the dates from this point on. That means no commercial breaks, which allows you to truly feel like you’re on the date with Hunter and the lucky lady. We hope you’ll enjoy the change, and I want to note that because this is our first season, we’re learning right along with you at home.
“Now, both Sarah and Hunter will go to their Truth Booths, which will be streamed immediately on the website. I’ll be just as anxious as you viewers to see what happens on Hunter’s third date. Until next time!”
The camera light went out, and I turned to see half the people leaving Hunter’s place, and the other half getting everything packed up. My gaze swept across the room until I saw Hunter with Jack. They talked briefly, then he made his way up to the loft where his Truth Booth was set up.
Once I had my mic and earpiece out, I made my way over to Winnie, who eyed me as I grabbed my coat, hat, and gloves.
“You’re leaving already?” she asked.
Slipping on my jacket, I smiled. “My work is done. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And without another word, I slipped out of the house and back to the car for the short ride to Brock and Lincoln’s house. I had hoped to sneak in and slip off to my room, but Lincoln was waiting for me with a cup of hot cocoa and freshly made cookies.
“Did you watch the show?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I promised Hunter I wouldn’t. I do, however, plan on watching the Truth Booth, though I never made any promises about that.”
I chuckled before I took a bite of the oatmeal cookie.
“Do you want to watch it together?” she asked, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
I was about to tell her no with the excuse that I was exhausted, but when I opened my mouth, the words, “Sure, I’ll watch it with you,” came out instead.
Lincoln smiled and stood. “I’ll grab my laptop.” She walked out of the room, only to return in seconds. “I have to say, when Hunter told his father and me about this show, I thought it would be good for him.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
Setting the laptop on the kitchen island, she shrugged. “Hunter has always had this idea that he wasn’t the type of guy to settle down, at least not anytime soon.”
“Why?” I asked before I finished off the cookie.
“I think it’s because he’s always been so focused on making it as a team roper. His father and I had insisted he go to college, though. Brock had entered the PBR so young in life, and although he has no regrets, he didn’t want that life for his two sons. He wanted them to always have an option, especially if they weren’t interested in running the ranch.”
“Hunter seems to love the ranch, but he doesn’t talk a lot about roping. At least not when we’ve spent time together. Or on the show, now that I think about it.”
“Roping was Hunter’s passion, like bull riding was his father’s. The past two years, though, I’ve seen his love for the ranch grow, and I’m not so sure being on the rodeo circuit is his dream anymore.”
“I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in there.”
She chuckled. “Brock thinks Hunter feels like he has to prove something to him. That he can be the best at something. He can bull ride, and is good at it, but I think he likes his handsome face too much for that career path.”
I laughed. “He does have a rather handsome face.”
My cheeks instantly heated as Lincoln smiled at me. “You can admit he’s handsome without it meaning something, Kipton.”
I simply nodded.
Lincoln stared at the computer before she looked at me again. “I’m not entirely sure what Hunter’s passion is. He loves team roping. He loves the ranch. But to me he seems…lost. As his mother, of course I feel a need to fix it, even if I don’t know what the it is. When he told us about this show, I guess a part of me was hoping he might find someone. Until I watched all those girls introduce themselves, and it seemed like they’re after one thing. Maybe two.”
I tilted my head and regarded her. “What’s that?”
Her eyes met mine, and I could see the sadness in them, and my heart felt like someone had reached into my chest and squeezed it. “Money and fifteen minutes of fame, at the expense of my son.”
I reached for her hand. “I think the only reason Hunter agreed to do this was to help out his father’s nonprofit. It’s the same reason I agreed to do it. I want to give the money to my parents to help them pay off some debts.”