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The first floor was an open concept, with a large river rock fireplace in the living room. The middle of the room held a round table that seated four. The end opposite the fireplace was the kitchen. The master bedroom was also on the first floor, with a full-size bath. Upstairs in the loft area, there was a queen-size bed and half bath. That was also where the crew had set up Hunter’s Truth Booth.
As I reached for the handle of the door, Hunter took hold of my elbow and pulled me to the side of the porch, around the side of the house, and down a rock path.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Without saying a word, he kept walking, but his hand went from my elbow down to my hand. I instinctively laced my fingers with his.
We walked a short distance until we came to a small building, which Hunter motioned for me to enter.
“You want me to walk into the shed?”
“It’s not a shed, it’s… Just…please. Go in.”
Had he gone crazy in the last thirty to forty minutes? With a shake of my head, I turned and opened the door. Inside, my eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness.
“What is this?” I asked, trying to blink rapidly in hopes that I could make something out in my surroundings. What little light the door let in was gone when Hunter shut it behind us. I heard a click, then a light turned on.
“A tack room?” I asked.
“There’s a barn out back, so if any guests who’re staying here want to ride, they can. The barn is small, too small for a tack room, so my Uncle Tanner had this built.”
I glanced around, then looked at Hunter. Confused, I asked, “Why are we standing in the middle of a tack room, Hunter?”
“I can’t do this, Kip.”
One brow rose. “Do what?”
“This! This whole reality dating thing. I can’t do it!”
I set my bag down on a small table and reached for Hunter’s hands. Giving them a soft squeeze, I studied him. His blue eyes looked so anxious and confused, I had a crazy urge to wrap my arms around him and hold him tight.
“Hunter, you’ve been on dates before. Why is this any different?”
He nearly choked when he laughed. “Because everything is filmed. What if I don’t like the girl?”
Shrugging, I replied, “Then you swipe left.”
“It’s not that easy. They want me to say why I didn’t like her. I can’t…no…I won’t hurt anyone’s feelings for some stupid show, no matter how many times they say drama makes for great TV. And did you see all those reporters and photographers? It wasn’t supposed to be this big.”
He started to pace in the small area, and I reached out for his arm to stop him.
“Hey, look at me.”
He turned his head and our eyes met. Ignoring the way my stomach flipped at his intense stare, I asked, “Is there a girl you already know you aren’t connecting with?”
He gave a half shrug. “I haven’t had a chance to really get to know them. I do know Sarriah scares the living shit out of me.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “I think she scares a few people, including Jack and Travis, as well as your mom.”
Hunter smiled, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. Goodness, when he smiled that genuine smile with the dimple, it made my damn knees weak.
“The best piece of advice I can give you is one that I was given when I was competing for Miss Montana. Be your true self, Hunter. Drama might be good for ratings, but connecting with the audience is even better. If you simply be yourself, then the cameras, the reporters, the failed dates…none of that will matter. People will want to watch just to spend time with the charming Hunter Shaw. Be honest, be trustworthy, and just follow your heart.”
He nodded.
“Did you not talk in the limo because you were afraid of saying something wrong?”
“Pretty much.”
