Dandelions on the Road (18 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

EVA SHIFTED IN her seat. The air in the van was thick and heavy, the tension between her and Brian palpable. Thankfully, they weren’t alone. She chose to invite Mitch along for the ride back to Omaha. She angled her knees toward him. She needed to shut Brian out and concentrate on the man who was actually on the show.

“I know you’re quite the line dancer and you told me about your ranch, what else do you do for fun?” Eva wanted to know as much as she could about all of the guys in the little time she had left.

Mitch slapped his hands on his knees. “Well, there’s nothing like a good hunt to get me going, you know?”

Eva cringed. No, she didn’t know.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s pheasant, quail, duck or even coon, I hunt ‘em all.”

Eva drew in a deep breath as Mitch went into detail about how much fun he had hunting. He described a few of his adventures and then started slashing his hand through the air to show her how he cut up a deer to get the best meat.

Eva felt her horror deepen with every word. She crossed her fingers and discretely scratched her cheek. No reaction from the front. She used the crossed fingers to push her hair back from her face and then tucked a few strands behind her ear.

“Hey, do you guys mind if we pull over at this rest stop?” Brian asked from the front, his eyes piercing hers in the mirror. “I’ll give Mike a call and tell him we need a quick break.”

“That’d be fine,” Eva agreed.

“Makes no difference to me.” Mitch turned back to Eva and continued his deer-slaughtering story in all its gory detail.

The minute the vehicle came to a stop, Eva threw open the sliding side door and dropped her feet to the ground. Seconds later, Brian was at her side and Mike steered the other van into the parking lot beside them.

“What’s going on?” Brian pulled her away.

“I need to let Mitch go,” Eva replied.

“Now?”

“Right now.”

Brian gave her a slight nod. “I’ll take care of it. Go use the rest room and when you get back, we’ll have everything in place.”

Eva rushed into the bathroom. She noticed Brian talking to Mike when she glanced behind her. It took him a few seconds to notice, but Brian came through for her. She washed her hands and splashed water on her face. She was ready for what had to be done.

By the time she exited the restroom, the other men had climbed from the vans and were milling around the parking lot. She approached the group. “Mitch, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure thing, ma’am.” Mitch tilted his hat and followed her down the sidewalk where Mike and Brian stood with cameras waiting.

Eva made eye contact with Brian. She felt guilty for allowing time to set up cameras, but she understood they needed to get everything on tape for the sake of the show. At least Mitch wouldn’t have to wait until the elimination ceremony to realize his fate.

“Mitch,” Eva began. “You’re a sweet, kind man.” She tried to get the picture of him quartering a deer from her mind. “But I’m afraid I’ve come to the conclusion you’re not the one for me.”

Mitch looked startled.

“I’m sorry,” Eva continued. “I have nothing against hunting in principle. I know it’s great for animal population control and it’s a valid way to get food on the table. I eat meat myself, but I can’t be with a man who takes such…joy in killing animals when I put so much effort into saving them.” Eva shrugged.

Understanding washed over Mitch’s face. “So I shouldn’t have told you about the rabbit’s foot hanging from my truck’s rearview mirror?”

“Probably not.” Eva reached out and touched his arm. “But that’s who you are and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just not right for me.”

Mitch smacked his lips. “You woulda looked durn purdy on one of my tractors back home.”

Eva smiled. “If that’s an invitation, I’d love to come see your ranch sometime and take a ride. But as a friend, nothing more.”

Mitch sighed. “I suppose there’s no changing your mind.”

Eva shook her head. “I’m certain.”

“Well, okay then.” Mitch glanced at Mike behind the cameras. “Can I at least get a ride back to town?”

The group laughed. “Hop in the other van,” Mike ordered.

Mitch tossed Eva a final, fleeting glance and did as he was told. Eva watched him approach the other men, his head hanging. She felt bad for letting him go, but her reasons were valid. Given her passion for animals, she knew she couldn’t be with a hunter. It was simple and the chemistry between her and Mitch wasn’t there either. It was probably just a matter of time before she asked him to leave the show.

Mike made a few marks on his clipboard. Eva wondered if he was scratching Mitch’s name from the list of contenders. “Okay, is there anyone else you want to ride with you the rest of the way back?”

Eva rolled her head on her neck. The last few days had worn her out. The entire process was a whirlwind and time was passing too quickly. She hadn’t slept well and she’d hardly taken a break between dates. Instead of contemplating the options, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I’d rather have a little time alone.”

Mike slapped his clipboard against his leg. “Then you shall.” He motioned for the camera operator in Eva’s van to vacate the vehicle and move to the one filled with bachelors.

Eva climbed into the back seat and buckled her seat belt. When Brian closed the driver’s door behind him, his eyes met hers in the rear view mirror.

“You’re welcome to join me in the front if you want,” he said. “I won’t bite, promise.”

Eva squeezed her eyes shut. They were alone. Of course they were. She didn’t request anyone else to ride with them. She unbuckled her belt and moved to the front. It was awkward sitting next to him, but it was even worse sitting behind him. There was no avoiding the situation she’d put them in.

Brian started the vehicle and they rolled out of the parking lot. “So, how about those Cardinals?” he asked.

Eva frowned in his direction.

“I know there’s a lot of…stuff going on here, but we’re both adults. Let’s just enjoy some light conversation, okay?”

Eva relaxed into the seat and released the tension in her shoulders. Getting away from the decisions she faced was just what she needed.

“I don’t follow baseball much, but how about those Huskers?”

BY THE TIME the vans rolled into the KETO studio parking lot, Brian knew more fun facts about Eva than he ever dreamed he’d learn. She always wanted to play the snare drum in the marching band, but she was too short and they couldn’t adjust the carrier small enough, so she got stuck with the cymbals. She put ketchup on everything, even things she shouldn’t. And when she was little, she was certain she would be the super hero She-Ra when she grew up.

Brian felt like his face might crack from all the smiling and laughing he’d done in the past hour. He’d kept things light and easy and hadn’t broached emotions or anything relationship-oriented. And it was a blast! He learned a lot about Eva, but the most important fact was he was most definitely head over heels for her. He had to talk to Mike soon.

Everyone piled out of the vans and awaited instructions. Mike took a phone call before demanding attention.

“I’ve talked with the studio. The morning news program just wrapped so we can go in and do a quick elimination ceremony and then all of you can go home. There have been some developments regarding our last stop. I need to do a little research and I’ll be in touch with those of you remaining before the day is out. Does everyone have something decent to put on for the ceremony?” Mike looked around the circle as the disheveled men nodded. “Good. Grab it, head to the restroom and change. Let’s meet back in the studio in twenty.”

With a fleeting glance in Eva’s direction, Brian obeyed the orders and grabbed his suit from the back of the van. He changed in the restroom and visited the green room to finish getting camera-ready. It was mid-morning, but the elimination ceremony needed to have a formal feel. And he, as the host, set the tone for the rest of the group.

When Brian hit the studio floor, several of the bachelors gathered and Mike pointed cameras in one direction or another. The conversation in the room visibly shifted when Eva entered the picture. Brian looked up from the cards he studied and drew in a deep breath. She was exquisite.

She wore a knee length silver skirt and a shiny black top. The outfit itself was nice, but the woman who wore it glowed. Her hair framed her face, accentuating her beautiful eyes and bright smile. The more of her personality she revealed, the more attractive she became to Brian. He wanted to grab the entire handful of dandelions lying on the platter and run with them. That way, she couldn’t offer them to anyone else.

Brian took his place on the set and cleared his throat.
You are a professional. You can do this.
Repeating the mantra would get him through…along with the promise that he would speak to Mike as soon as possible.

Eva took her place next to Brian as the rest of the men linedup in the semi-circle in front of them.

“Ready on set?” Mike’s voice called from the darkness beyond the cameras. “We’re a go!”

“Good evening, Eva…gentlemen.”

The group replied in unison. “Good evening.”

“I trust that you all had a wonderful time exploring the Des Moines area. While some of you enjoyed laughs in a comedy club, others let out a scream or two at Adventureland. And one of you even got to take a hot air balloon ride. I’m sure you’ve all heard that Kurt and Mitch are no longer with us. It was hard for Eva to let them go, but she feels it was the right decision in both cases. With that being said, it’s good news for the rest of you because it means only one of you will go home tonight. Eva has two dandelions to hand out this evening. Pete and Cane already received weeds so they are safe. She will choose two more men and the remaining bachelor will leave the show. Eva, when you’re ready.”

Brian stepped back and let Eva take over. She thanked the men and told them what a wonderful time she had on all the dates.

“I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be standing here.” She picked up a dandelion. “Steve.”

Steve pumped his fist in the air as he approached and the other men laughed.

“Steve, will you accept this dandelion?”

“A woman who likes my stand up act? You bet I will.” Steve grabbed the dandelion, picked Eva up and twirled her around.

Once he was back in place, Eva grasped a second weed and studied the men. The choice remained between Owen and Harris. “Harris.”

Brian watched Harris’s face closely as relief slid into his features.

“Harris, will you accept this dandelion?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Harris returned to the semi-circle and Brian stepped forward. “Owen, I’m sorry, you won’t be continuing on the show. Take a moment to say goodbye.”

Owen shook hands with the other contenders and walked slowly over to Eva. Brian wondered if he was hoping to give her time to change her mind. Or perhaps he was trying to make up for his long legs by being extra cautious with his pace.

Eva held her hands out to Owen. “You’re a great guy,” she said. “You’re going to make someone very happy.”

“I’m too tall, aren’t I?” Owen stated.

“You are very tall, but that’s not it. It’s not about your appearance. I know I didn’t get as much time with you as some of the others, but I feel like the time we did spend together was enough for me to see whether or not we had a connection. While I enjoy your personality and appreciate the things you shared with me, I don’t see us moving beyond friendship.”

Brian chewed his lip. He wasn’t in the shot, but he was close and could hear it all. He felt out of place. When it came down to it, he was glad to see Owen go because he wanted them all gone.

“Thanks for a good time.” Owen bent way down and hugged Eva.

“Thank you for being here.” She watched him walk off the set.

Brian stepped back into the studio lights. “Gentlemen, the five of you will continue on this journey with our bachelorette. I’ve been informed that the next leg of the adventure may take a curve. You’ll get details soon. Until then, I wish you the best of luck.”
In finding someone else
, Brian thought, ashamed of his selfishness.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ONCE EVA AND the men cleared out of the studio, Mike ushered Brian into his tiny office.

“You’re never going to believe this.” Mike waved his clipboard in the air before setting it on his desk. It wasn’t glued to his hand after all. “This is huge. Huge.”

“What’s up?” Brian folded himself into the chair opposite Mike’s desk. It was uncomfortable on the best day.

“You remember Kate, right? Kate Covington?”

Brian raised an eyebrow. Remember Kate? Um, yeah, she was the last woman he dated. The one who ran to Las Vegas to stop his impromptu wedding to a high school sweetheart who suddenly reappeared in his life, only Kate ended up married herself. Their story was long and complicated, but after Kate’s marriage was rendered false, she returned to Omaha and formed a relationship with Brian. They’d been friends for years and co-workers since Kate did the traffic on the morning show while Brian anchored the news. It all fell apart when Kate realized she wasn’t in love with Brian, but rather the man she accidentally married in Vegas. She went back after him and they planned a legal wedding…leaving Brian behind to pick up the pieces of his heart. He’d been gracious about it. He understood in many ways, but the experience made him bitter, like there was no one out there for him. Maybe he should give up on love entirely.

“I recall a former co-worker named Kate, yes,” Brian finally answered.

Mike grimaced. “Oh…yes…I suppose you would. Anyway, she and her husband Chad have been following the show or at least the news of the show since it hasn’t aired yet. They know we’ve been filming around the area and, get this; they’ve offered their land as our next destination.”

Brian shifted in his chair. “Leida Lands, the horse farm in Texas?”

“The one and only. Not only do they want us to tape an episode there, but they said they’d pay to fly everyone down and host all of us as guests at their lodge. It’s an amazing opportunity. I mean, everyone in the country knows the Leida name and about Chad Leida’s legacy. This show could go from local to national in no time flat.” Mike shook his head. “What do you think?”