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“Hey, bro. What’s up?”

“Hey. Not much. How’s the story coming along?”

“Fine. But I’ve only been here a day and a half–so I haven’t got much yet. A group of women just arrived today, so I’ll see how things are when they have guests.”

“Great. Any word from Chad?”

“Nope. Why?”

“No reason. Just making sure.”

“If something is going on, you need to tell me.”

“Nope. Nothing. Just stay close to Travis.”

“Why?”

“Uhh–because you’re there to write about his ranch, and I need it to be a good story.”

“Ok. You’re acting cryptic and weird.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be. Just a lot is going on here with Chad leaving. I’ve gotta go. Got an interview in a few minutes.”

“You’re already looking to fill his position?” I was hoping I’d be the one to move into his spot. Or I’d at least get a chance to talk to Ryder about it.

“Talk to you later. Love you, sis. Be on the lookout.”

“On the lookout for what?!” But he had already hung up. Why was he acting so weird?

10

TRAVIS

“Mia, you’re home! How was school?” I love it when I can greet her getting off the bus.

“It was school. Are the ladies here yet?”

“Yes. They arrived early, just before lunch.”

“What! I told you I should have stayed home to help.”

“No, no. We handled it. But I want to talk to you about something before we get to the house…”

“Ok, what is it?”

“Well, you know I don’t condone lying, right?”

“Yes…?”

“Well, these ladies are kind of…aggressive. So I may have told a little lie.”

“Aggressive? What do you mean? And YOU lied?!”

“Yeah, I mean flirty. They’re aggressively flirty. Some more than others.”

“Ok, so what’s the lie you told?”

“If I’m being honest, Ava told the lie. I’m just going along with it, and I hope you will, too.”