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)
“None taken, Ms. Howse,” they replied in unison.
I let the idea sink in for a bit. After a few minutes of staring out the window, I pulled out my phone and hit Jack’s cell phone number.
By the time we pulled up to my parents’ house, Paul was turning off his equipment after getting a call from Jack.
As I walked with Kipton to the front door, she said, “I assume Jack said okay?”
“He did, with a few other stipulations,” I said as I rubbed at the back of my neck. “There will be a camera in the limo, as well as my truck.”
“That’s not so bad.”
“Says the woman who isn’t living her whole life out in the open for a million people to see and judge.”
“Millions.”
We stopped at the door and turned to face each other. “What?”
“The numbers for tonight’s live show was over three million.”
My mouth fell open. “You’ve got to be kidding me! How do that many people even know about the show?”
Kipton grinned. “It’s called good marketing.”
“Or everyone got a look at the hostess in the promos and tuned in.”
“Flattery will get you only so far, Mr. Shaw.”
I laughed and stared at Kipton. Even with just the light of the front porch, I could see those baby-blue eyes of hers. When her gaze dropped to my mouth, I felt my breath stall in my chest.
She quickly jerked her gaze back up and stood in silence for a moment. When she finally spoke, I was so busy getting lost in her eyes again, I jumped slightly.
“Well…I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted and you still need to head over to the guest cabin.”
I nodded. “Yeah, me too. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow, Hunter.”
I waited for Kipton to open the door and walk in. She turned and smiled at me as she slowly shut the door.
I wasn’t sure why I stood there staring at the door, but something inside me felt…foreign. It was like I literally couldn’t leave. For a moment, I almost walked in and asked her if she wanted to head to my parents’ den for a nightcap. Lord knows I needed one.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out before I turned toward the steps—only to see Paul and Louie standing in the yard. It was a relief to note they didn’t have a camera pointed at me, at least.
“Dude, do you like Kipton?” Paul asked.
“What?” I said, immediately deflecting. “No. Why would you even ask me that?”
He shrugged as Louie said, “Because you were staring at that door like you lost your puppy or something.”
I glared at the assistant cameraman. “I don’t have a puppy, and I’m just exhausted.”
Paul let out a snort. “Must be hard to entertain twenty beautiful women.”
Little did he know.
“Why are you both still here?” I asked as I made my way back to the limo.
“Grant, one of the camera supervisors, is on his way over with some cameras and a small crew. If we all work together, we can get them installed in your place and be out in a couple of hours.”
I groaned as I made my way down the steps. “Whatever. All I want is a hot shower and a warm bed…before the cameras get here.”
Chapter Seven
KIPTON
I drew back the curtains in my bedroom and smiled. It was still dark, but I had a view of the eastern sky, and I could see the beginnings of daylight peeking up from the mountaintops. Stretching my arms over my head, I yawned and turned to make my way to the attached bathroom.
After a quick shower, I got dressed in jeans and a light blue sweater for a meeting later this morning with Jack, Travis, and Hunter. Today was going to be a long day for the camera crew, who were filming the girls’ reactions to meeting Hunter last night. What they thought about him and each other. Hunter was scheduled for a similar interview. I was so glad they’d ultimately decided not to make the entire show live; it would have been too much on everyone. Plus, doing the dates live was really the most important part.
Slipping on my favorite pair of cowboy boots, I pulled my hair up in a high pony and made my way down to the kitchen. After the first couple of nights in Brock and Lincoln’s house, I discovered ranchers are very early risers. Most likely, Hunter’s parents would both be in the kitchen when I got there.
“Good morning, Kipton!” Lincoln said in her usual cheerful voice. I forced myself to return her bright smile with one of my own. At least I was hoping it seemed bright and cheerful.
“Good morning.”
“How did you sleep?” Brock asked as he poured a cup of coffee and handed it to me.
Taking it gratefully, I said, “Thank you. And I slept like a baby. In fact, that’s the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, if I haven’t already mentioned that.”