had even showed up in person to let him know they would be happy to help him change his bachelor status to something long-term. The irony being that he had zero interest in relationships let alone matrimony. No. Been there and almost done that.
“Publicity for the ranch,” Travis mumbled. He shot Lucy a death stare.
“He’s only a part-time cover model,” Emma said with a chuckle. “The rest of the time he’s the ranch foreman.”
Travis shook his head. Laughingstock of the ranch was more like it.
Once they were all seated, Lucy began a round of the same questions she’d asked the last five applicants.
Travis fiddled with his pen, glancing outside at the redbud trees waving in the breeze of an Oklahoma spring. The deep purple buds were open in an explosion of rosy-pink blooms.
He ducked his head to sneak a sideways glance at the candidate.
AJ Rowe gestured a hand. “I’ve been working ranches since I could sit in a saddle.” Her voice held a trace of sadness. “My father was the foreman for two of the biggest ranches in Oklahoma in his time and I worked by his side growing up.”
“You’ve got an impressive and lengthy work history,” Lucy commented. “I can’t help but notice that you’ve transitioned employers several times over the years.”
“That’s a nice way to address job-hopping.” AJ smiled tightly. “The reality is that most ranches hire in favor of male candidates. Code of the West.” She shrugged. “If I am hired, it’s short-term until they’re able to replace me with a man.”
Though Travis turned his head back to the window, the finger of guilt continued to poke at his conscience.
Awkwardness settled in the conference room. Finally, Lucy shifted the paperwork in front of her and looked to Emma for assistance.
“Tell us about your equestrian experience,” Emma prompted.
“I’ve done quite a bit of professional barrel racing.”
Travis glanced at the paperwork. “You didn’t mention that in your résumé.”
“An omission,” she murmured.
Omission? Barrel racing was a female-dominated sport. Travis had no doubt that she’d left it off her résumé for that reason. That, along with the gender-neutral name AJ, would ensure she got an interview at very least.
So why did that annoy him so much? Because he didn’t believe for a heartbeat that he had a bias and he didn’t like being treated as though he did.
Another gap in conversation had Emma once again breaching the silence.
“I used to barrel race, too,” his sister gushed. “Of course, I was never a professional, but I did compete locally. Are you still competing?”
“Mostly I train. I enjoy working with young girls and teaching them to appreciate the sport. Healthy competition builds self-esteem, and the fact that they’re focused on something other than boys is even better.”
Both Lucy and Emma smiled. Mention children and his sisters were on board. After all, Big Heart Ranch existed solely for the children.
“That’s wonderful,” Lucy said, confirming his thoughts. “Interaction with our kids is a large part of the job. The children of Big Heart Ranch have backgrounds of abuse, abandonment and neglect, and they are, of course, our number one priority.”
AJ offered a sympathetic nod.
“I’m sure Travis has some questions for you,” Lucy said as the toe of her boot made contact with his shin under the table.
He offered a weak smile. “What are your thoughts on cattle management, Ms. Rowe?”
“Bison.” Her full lips curved into an excited smile. “Have you considered bison?”
Travis frowned and blinked with stunned surprise. “Bison? Ah, no. Cattle is the best choice for Big Heart Ranch,” he said firmly.
“And yet bison have many advantages, including efficient feed utilization, low-fat and high-protein meat with an ever-increasing consumer demand. Lower vet bills. They’re hardy and disease-resistant and calve without assistance.”
Why was the woman still smiling?
“You’ve read the recent studies on grazing?” she continued.
“I have.” He met her gaze head-on.
“Wonderful. Perhaps we could discuss other sustainability ideas I have. I mean, at your convenience.”
“I, uh... Yeah. Sure.” He faltered and turned to his sisters. “Was there anything else?”
Lucy closed the folder in front of her and stood. “I believe that covers everything. We’re done here and, needless to say, we’re very impressed.”
AJ stood, as well. “Thank you, Ms. Maxwell.”
“Call me Lucy.”
The moment his sister clasped AJ’s hand with both of hers, Travis knew he was in trouble.
“We’re family at Big Heart Ranch,” Emma chimed in as she, too, stood.
Travis grimaced and slowly got to his feet. He offered a nod of acknowledgment without meeting AJ’s gaze.
“We’ll be in touch by the end of the week,” Lucy said.
Travis shoved his hands in his pockets and paced across the conference room as the tap-tap-tap of heels on the vinyl floor echoed down the hall, followed by the whoosh of the big glass doors as they closed behind AJ Rowe.
“I like her,” Emma said. “She’ll fit right in. The woman has great ideas, too. We could use a little shake-up around here.”
“Lucy marrying Jack Harris last year wasn’t enough of a shake-up for you?” Travis asked.
“Look where that got us.” Emma wrapped an arm around Lucy’s shoulders. “Jack has provided the impetus for the new retreat center and both Lucy and I have our very own personal assistants.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes at Travis. “I can’t see any downside to hiring AJ.”
“Maybe we should vote,” Emma suggested.
“No voting required,” Travis said. “I’m the guy who has to work with the candidate we hire. I get to make the decision.”
“Clearly you have forgotten that all three of us own Big Heart Ranch,” Lucy said.
“She omitted information from her résumé,” Travis said.
“Information that would have only made her an even more impressive candidate for the job,” Lucy returned.
“Come on, Travis,” Emma said. “She omitted the information to offset bias. I get that.”
“I don’t need an assistant who can’t do the job.”
“You don’t know she can’t do the job,” Lucy said. “Even you have to admit that her résumé is better than Zeb Turner’s.”
Emma nodded. “The woman can ride. She was raised on ranches and has the education, plus the experience, for the position.”
“But can she handle the ranch hands?” he asked.
“I think AJ Rowe can probably do anything she sets her mind to,” Emma murmured.
Travis stared his youngest sister down. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lucy sat back down and moved the folders on the table into a neat stack. “It means we want to hire AJ.”
“I don’t think you two understand what’s on the line here. I’ve got a little less than ninety days to launch the cattle management program and submit evidence