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“I donated Luke’s money to the Hunter Valley hockey program.”
Oh God. What would have happened if I hadn’t? What if I’d given it to Mark as I originally planned?
Mark grinned. “I can see why Luke fell for you.” The lawyer cleared his throat, prompting Mark to continue. “Unless new information comes to light, we have no further need for Ms. Lane’s time.”
Nathan the Lawyer nodded. Theo nodded. Sierra nodded. Mallory and Georgia nodded.
The trailer door swung open. Someone stuck her head in. “There you are. Time to go! We’re live in five minutes.”
Mark gave a weird salute and left, having to squeeze around the others to get out the door.
When the door was shut behind him, I looked to Theo. “What the hell is going on?”
“Swear jar!” Sierra called.
“What’s going on is that you need to be out on the set right now,” Georgia said.
“I just got questioned by the FBI, found out Luke didn’t do what I thought, and you want me to go on the show to meet three bachelor cowboys? Now? My head’s about to explode.”
Georgia nodded her head. She might have been a southern belle, but she had the strength of a pack mule when she yanked me out of the chair and pushed me toward the door. The men had to move to let us by or be mowed down. “The show must go on… now and she’s the big star.”
51
LUKE
* * *
For once, it was great to be famous. I wasn’t turned away at the ranch entrance by someone hired to keep people–just like me and my parents–out. All it took was a big smile, an autograph on a napkin my mother found in her purse, and we were in. I parked my rental car on an unplowed field with all the others.
The set had been built on an open field so the property’s barn, an old cottonwood tree and a pond beyond it was the backdrop. While it was all out in the open–the weather Gods were working with the show today–the raised platform where the bachelorette and bachelors were placed was in the shade. Someone obviously planned it so the contestants weren’t sweating in the hot sun on live TV.
I ensured my parents had a seat before I went backstage, using my famous face and hair to get me through.
I needed to talk to Aspen, and I needed to do it now. Mrs. Waddle had filled me in–she didn’t want to be left behind–on the show as we drove to the ranch.
No way was Aspen picking one of the three men who were chatting backstage. Shit, the producers had chosen well. If I were a woman, I’d be thrilled with the bachelor options. All were fit, muscular, and attractive. I wasn’t sure if they usually sported jeans, big belt buckles, snap shirts, and cowboy hats in their everyday wardrobe or not, but they matched the show’s title perfectly.
“Hey, guys,” I said, offering them a big smile.
Their eyes widened and they smiled back.
“Wow, hey. Nice to meet you,” one said.
I shook their hands and they introduced themselves.
“They didn’t tell us you were part of the program,” another added.
“Yeah,” I said, scratching my neck. I totally wasn’t. “You guys seen Aspen?”
“Who?” the dark haired one asked.
Who? WHO?
“The bachelorette,” I said, trying not to grit my teeth.
“Nah, man,” the third commented. “Haven’t seen her yet. They’re keeping her away from us. Heard she’s beautiful. Can’t wait to get her to Hawaii.”
I wanted to rip his head off for complimenting her, but that would be stupid.
