When she didn’t reply right away, I turned back around to see her watching Mia over by the barn, taking a bunch of selfies from a variety of different angles.
“Did you know Mia recently changed her occupation on all her social media profiles from accounts payable specialist to social media influencer? And that Lauren sells online fitness videos?”
I gave her a terse look. “And your point is...?”
She cocked her head at a few of the other women. “Alice is a songwriter, trying to break into the music scene, and Samantha is documenting the renovation of her condo online, trying to get some brand deals.”
“Okay,” I said slowly.
I think I knew where she was going with this, but evidently, I wasn’t catching on fast enough because Jada was staring at me with that trademarked exasperated expression of hers that I knew well. I’d seen it a lot from her over the years.
“What I’msaying, Travis, is that many of these women are not here to find love either. They’re here for the exposure. And if the show sells to a network, their social cred will go way up. They’ll get scores of new followers. Brands will want to work with them. People will check out what they’re doing and buy what they’re selling. They’ll get free travel, clothes, makeup, sponsorships…”
I rubbed my jaw and let that sink in. So, in other words, if several of us were using the contest as a means to an end, what was the harm in that?
“Basically, they’d be using me as much as I’d be using them.”
“Ding, ding, ding. Give that boy a gold star,” Jada said.
The trouble was, where did Daphne fit in?
I looked back at the women just as Daphne was handing Kiana a tissue. She said something that got the woman to smile, then Kiana threw her good arm around Daphne’s neck and kissed both of her cheeks.
Not only was this woman gorgeous, she was also kind, considerate, and had a tender place in her heart for others. Even when thoseotherswere part of a paranormal world that she’d only just learned about.
“She’s not like them, Travis,” Jada said quietly, following my gaze. At least we agreed on that. “And not just because she’s human. Promise me you’ll send her home the next chance you get.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Travis
After Alexander and Kiana piled into a ranch vehicle and headed for the hospital, Jada considered canceling the riding competition altogether, but the contestants took a vote and wanted to continue tomorrow.
It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that Mia had the winning time the next day. She navigated the course like an expert. Apparently, she’d grown up on a ranch in Texas and used to barrel race.
For the last part of the three-part challenge, we gathered near one of the bunkhouses. Four tables were set up in front of the smoker with identical sets of ingredients, utensils, and pans, including a portable burner.
“Ladies,” Jada said, “in case you haven’t guessed it, this challenge involves food. Barbeque, to be exact. The thing about Travis that you may or may not know is that helovesbarbeque.”
The women looked over at me for confirmation, and I nodded. “It’s true. I love a good ‘que.”
“Chicken, ribs, brisket, salmon,”Jada continued. “You name it. If it can be grilled and Travis is in his human form, he’ll eat it. In his wolf form, though, he prefers raw meat.” She paused to give them a chance to laugh at her dumb joke, which a few of them did. “So, for this part of the challenge, you’ll be making your own barbeque sauce from scratch. Those of you who did the earlier challenges can give input to your teammate, but the measuring, mixing and cooking will be done by her alone. The ribs are almost ready, so Travis will taste your sauces in a blind taste test and choose the winner. Remember, the team with the highest overall score from all three of the challenges will be safe from elimination and go on a group date with Travis tomorrow night.”
Jada handed out several Darkaway Ranch aprons, a different color for each team.
Daphne and the others took their places behind the tables.
“Ladies, are you ready?”
They nodded.
“Okay, go!”
There was a flurry of activity as the women started grabbing ingredients and dumping them into pans and bowls, while their teammates shouted instructions.
“Start with the ketchup!”
“Ack! That’s too much vinegar!”
