Dandelions on the Road Read online

  “You have a large family?”

  Eva nodded. “My mother and father live nearby and I have four older sisters.” She beamed. “Family means everything to me. It’s the reason I want to find someone, fall in love, and create a family of my own.”

  Brian understood. That was what he wanted too. His parents were a great example of what a loving relationship should be and he wanted that in his life more than anything.

  “Tell us a little more about your job. You’ve worked for the Furry Friends Rescue League for how long?”

  “Five years and counting, but I’ve only been the spokesperson for the past year…ever since the first season of Accept this Dandelion. It’s been a real blessing. I’ve been able to give the homeless animals of the city a face and a voice. As you’ve seen here at KETO, I take animals that need a home to various media outlets and show them off so they can find forever homes. But there’s a lot more to my job than what you see on TV or hear on the radio. I also work with foster families who house animals when the shelter is overcrowded. I organize local events to feature some of our programs. And sometimes, when a dog needs a bath or a kennel needs cleaning, I do that too.”

  Wow. She wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty. “A little of everything, huh?” Brian chuckled. He was hitting his stride.

  “I don’t like being bored.” Eva tossed her hair over her shoulder.

  Brian paused, distracted by the motion of her hair. “So…you’ll be the focus of this dating show. There will be a dozen men clambering to win your heart. What are you looking for in a relationship…and in a man?”

  Eva sighed. “Honestly, Brian, I just want a nice guy.”

  “That’s it?”

  Eva smiled and leaned forward. “Of course there’s more to it than that, but I feel like I’ll recognize it when I see it. I don’t have a specific type. He doesn’t have to be dark-haired, blonde, muscular or tall. If he’s nice, that’s a good place to start.” She paused. “But, I am partial to dimples.”

  Brian put a hand up to his cheek and felt the crevice in his face. “Is that so?”

  Eva winked. “What woman isn’t?”

  Brian grinned. Was she flirting with him? He forgot his next question. There was too much silence. He couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  “Cut.” Mike shouted from somewhere behind the cameras. “I think we have enough, guys. Let’s call it good for today and resume interviews when we have all the men lined up.”

  Brian drew his hand away from his face and stood. “It’s been a pleasure, as always, Eva.”

  “I guess I’ll be seeing you soon.”

  “You can count on it.”

  “Just make sure they find me a nice guy, okay?”

  “Nice. Got it.” Brian watched as she removed the microphone pack. “I’m a nice guy,” he whispered.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  EVA TWIRLED HER straw around in her glass. The ice cubes clinked against the sides. Renee would be there any minute. Their favorite corner coffee shop was quiet and cozy. Though neither of them drank coffee, the shop had a homey atmosphere and tall glasses of iced tea.

  Renee rushed into the shop with her hair flying behind her. Eva chuckled. Her friend was often late, and there was always some outlandish reason.

  “Sorry.” Renee ran her hand over her hair, trying to smooth the flyaways back into place. “Accident on Dodge again.”

  Eva rose and gave her friend a quick hug. “I got you a drink.”

  “I could sure use the energy today.” Renee sank gratefully into the overstuffed couch Eva had chosen. “I love being on the morning show at KGBR, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the early hours.”

  Eva knew what she meant. She often kept early hours herself due to her media appearances with various animals.

  Renee slurped tea from her glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “There, that’s better. I can already feel the caffeine sinking into my veins.”

  “The smell of coffee helps too. Even if we don’t drink it, just being around it makes me feel more awake.” Eva leaned back into the couch and settled in. She was prepared for some good old-fashioned girl talk.

  “So,” Renee began, after another long drink, “are you nervous about next week?”

  Eva took a deep breath. “Yes and no. I’m nervous about meeting the guys and whether or not they’ll like me, but I’m excited too. This could be the beginning of the rest of my life.”

  Renee snorted. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Eva frowned.

  “Sorry. You’re right, this could be the start of something special. But you can’t actually be worried about whether or not the men will like you, right? Eva, you’re gorgeous. I think your bigger problem is whether or not the guys will be too intimidated to talk to you.”

  Eva rolled her eyes. Renee spoke too highly of her. She didn’t think she was overly attractive.

  “Come on, Eva. When was the last time a guy asked you out?”

  Eva sighed. “I can’t remember.”

  “Exactly. And you think that’s because you’re unattractive? The opposite is true. Most men look at you and think you’re way out of their league so they don’t even bother trying.”

  Eva decided to give her friend the benefit of the doubt, just for the sake of argument. “So what do I do?” she asked.

  “You’re going to have to make yourself as open and approachable as possible. Don’t go overboard with the glitzy dresses, hair and makeup. Just look natural…like an everyday woman. The guys will warm up to you and they’ll see your personality is even more stunning than your appearance. Be yourself and if the right guy is there, you’ll find him.”

  “That’s another thing that scares me.” Eva wrapped her hands around the cold glass and drew the straw up to her lips. “What if I go through all of this and still don’t find a guy? I mean, I’m running out of options.”

  Renee giggled. “There are men all around you, but I understand the feeling. Finding the right one is like digging for a needle in a haystack, right?”

  Eva nodded.

  “I guarantee you one thing…if you stop looking, you’ll never find the needle. He’s out there. I know he is and you deserve him. You ought to have nothing but the best. Since Ben, I’ve never been happier. I want that for you and I don’t want you to give up, you understand?”

  Eva reached over and grabbed Renee’s wrist. “You’re my best friend.”

  “I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to kiss a frog or two before finding a prince. With any luck, you won’t have to kiss frogs for the entire show and go home with nothing. But even if that happens, just consider yourself one step closer to the right man.”

  Eva smiled. “I’m so glad we met, even if you did steal my man.”

  The pair laughed hysterically. Ben brought them together and the fact that Renee ended up with him didn’t tear them apart.

  Renee’s smile faded. “Seriously, there are men all over this town watching you. What about that cute newscaster? We have the TV on in the radio station every morning. I’ve seen the way he rambles when you’re around. He’s usually pretty smooth. I bet he has a crush on you.”

  “Brian?” Eva stirred her drink faster. “From KETO?”

  “That’s the one. I’m telling you, girl, you have an effect on men. Even the seasoned professionals can’t keep it together around you.”

  The idea that Brian might have a crush on her made her uncomfortable, time to change the subject.

  “Enough about me and the show, we’ll have plenty of time to dissect every detail later. Tell me about the wedding plans. Are there going to be candles?”

  Renee swatted Eva on the knee. “You would bring that up.”

  “I just want to know if I need to bring a fire extinguisher to the ceremony in case you decide an encore is in store.”

  Renee giggled. “Okay, okay, I admit it. I lit myself on fire in front of Ben, but only once…and it worked. It got his attention a
nd now we’re engaged and he’s stuck with me forever. I don’t think I need to take any more drastic measures.”

  Eva grinned. “Okay, no candles, but what about the flowers? Will there be dandelions?”

  BRIAN FLIPPED THROUGH the pages he added to the binder for Accept this Dandelion. It was official. Mike and the others in charge chose the twelve bachelors who would compete for Eva’s hand. At a glance, it looked like a good, diverse group. Brian picked a page and began to study.

  Carlos seemed like a great match on paper. He was physically fit, attractive, and a hard-working architect. With his dark hair and eyes, he and Eva would look striking together.

  Brian flipped to the next page. Owen was tall and thin. He had to be at least a foot taller than Eva, but his job as a musician in the city orchestra was intriguing and sure to catch her attention.

  The next bachelor wore a cowboy hat and sported a full goatee and mustache. Brian could hear his southern drawl just by looking at him. He could tell the man was a rancher before he read the details on the page. He wondered if his work with animals would appeal to Eva.

  Brian sped through the rest of the men. There was Cane, Pete, Trent, Levi, Kurt, Adam, Harris and Aiden. They all had different qualities that might make them right for a discerning bachelorette. But what did Eva want? A nice guy. That was all she asked.

  Brian was certain some of these bachelors, if not all of them, were pleasant individuals. Many of them would likely treat Eva like gold. But he felt a protective response in his chest. Were any of them good enough for her? For whatever reason, he didn’t think so.

  Brian snapped the binder shut. His job as the host would be two fold. First, he would interview Eva and the bachelors, offer voiceovers for the show, and contribute in other ways. And second, he would help Eva through the situation in any way he could. Brian had only known her for a year and his interactions with her were always brief and to the point, but that was more than he could say about any of the men who were about to meet her. He knew her better than any of them. As ridiculous as it seemed, he felt like that gave him the right to act as her protector. He would watch out for her and make sure she didn’t get herself into any sticky situations.

  Twelve men was a lot for one woman to deal with and there would likely come a time when she needed help with a decision. He could be her sounding board…her rock. And anything else she needed.

  Brian scolded himself. Eva was a grown woman, perfectly capable of starring in the show and choosing a man. But Brian was a big believer in fate as well. He was on the show as the host for a reason. If that meant he could steer Eva in the right direction or protect her from the wrong man, he would accept that job and carry it through to the end.

  Twelve men was eleven too many. In his mind, twelve men was twelve too many, but Brian wouldn’t let his boyish crush get in the way of the show’s success. Eva was off limits. She’d be off the market soon and he could move on to more newscasts, or whatever opportunities the hosting job might bring.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  EVA COULDN’T REMEMBER another time in her life when she wanted to slow down or even rewind a little. Her nerves were amplified and anyone who knew her would understand why. She sat alone in an office at the KETO studios, but she was about to meet twelve men, all of whom she would date. She hoped one would be the man for her. And all of it would play out on TV in front of thousands. Her day as the Bachelorette had arrived.

  The office door burst open. “Ready in here?” Mike wore a headset and held a clipboard. “The cameras and lighting are all set and the men are here. Let’s roll.”

  He went from asking a question to making a command. Eva took a deep breath and smoothed her hands down her dress. She’d tried to take Renee’s advice. She was wearing a dress, as requested, but it wasn’t a glittery cocktail outfit. It was more for a nice dinner on the town. Something she’d pulled from her own closet.

  Eva followed Mike down the dim hallway to the bright studio. The set looked very familiar. When she appeared on the first season of Accept this Dandelion, she and the other women stood off set in the dark. They took turns meeting the bachelor for the first time, under the lights and surrounded by cameras. Each woman had a moment to greet him and then moved on to the next set, which was decorated like a living room. Once all of the women met Ben, the group mingled, enjoying food and drinks as they got to know one another.

  Today, Eva wouldn’t be waiting in a dark corner. She would stand directly under the bright lights and meet the men one by one. Would she be able to tell if any of them weren’t for her immediately?

  “Right here.” Mike pointed to an X marked in tape on the floor. Eva put her toe over the mark and turned to Mike. She was ready for some comforting words. “Let’s do this thing.”

  Mike rushed into the darkness on the other side of the set. Eva blinked. It was time to “do this thing.” Thank goodness she had experience with the previous show so she knew what to expect. Otherwise, her nerves would surely get the best of her.

  Eva allowed a small smile to creep onto her face. She would smile a lot that night and she didn’t want her face to tire. She hoped to appear as pleasant and gracious as possible. A great first impression could set the tone for the entire experience.

  The set quieted and all she could hear was the whir of surrounding cameras and feet shuffling in the darkness. A few moments passed before a man stepped out of the shadows. He paused, put his hands in his pockets, and strode toward her.

  Eva’s smile widened. The guy looked like he had a Latino background, like her. He was fit and the sleeves of his button down shirt strained around his arms.

  “Hola,” he quipped as he stopped before her. “I’m Carlos.” Carlos held his hand out and Eva placed hers inside it.

  “Hi, Carlos. Eva.” His strong hand wrapped around hers and squeezed.

  “You’re gorgeous.” Carlos chuckled. “We look good together, no?”

  Eva raised her eyebrows. “You think so?”

  “I look forward to getting to know you better.”

  “Me too. See you soon.” Eva turned and watched Carlos strut off the set. He was an attractive man and he knew it. He obviously took pride in his appearance and physical fitness. It would be interesting to learn what he did for a living.

  Eva turned back to the darkness to see what was in store for her next. A tall, thin man appeared in the spot Carlos had vacated.

  “Hi, Eva. I’m Owen.” The man grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips. He kissed it delicately and then held it near his cheek.

  “Nice to meet you, Owen.” Eva took in his wire rim glasses. He was at least a foot taller than her five foot two.

  “I think we’re going to make beautiful music together.” Owen winked. “I’m a musician.”

  “Oh, how interesting,” Eva exclaimed. “I’m anxious to hear more about that.”

  Owen kissed her hand again and moved to the other side of the set.

  After Owen, Eva met Adam, who she would classify as a textbook metrosexual. And then came Harris, who was very animated and outgoing. After a few beats, a man wearing cowboy boots and a Stetson appeared on the other side of the room. His belt buckle gleamed under the studio lights.

  “Howdy,” he said as he approached. “The name’s Mitch, and you must be Eva.”

  “That I am.” Eva smiled at his accent. He may live in the area now, but he certainly wasn’t from the Midwest.

  “Do you like to dance?” Mitch asked.

  “I can’t say that I’m good at it, but I enjoy it, yes.”

  “We’ll do a little boot scootin’, you and I.” Mitch clicked his boots together and line danced his way to the other side of the set.

  Eva grinned. She hadn’t gotten a handshake, hug or kiss, but Mitch certainly made an impression on her. It was going to be hard to make decisions based on first impressions.

  A man with dark, curly hair appeared under the lights next. His eyes met hers and Eva’s pulse quickened.

  “I
’m Cane,” he said once he stopped in front of her. He opened his arms and pulled her into a hug.

  Eva breathed in the scent of his cologne. He smelled amazing and her nerves skyrocketed.

  “Nice to meet you, Cane. I’m Eva.”

  “Oh, I know who you are. I watched the entire last season and you’re the reason I’m here.”

  Eva blushed. “That’s so sweet.”

  “I had to meet you. Watching you on TV…I don’t know…I just thought there could be something between us….you know?”

  Eva understood what he meant. He felt like he had come to know her on the show. She had been true to herself so he did know some things about her. He had an advantage, but she would catch up. Cane was definitely someone she wanted to get to know.

  Next came Pete. Eva pegged him as a macho, man’s man. And then Trent, who was rather shy and quiet, but intriguing all the same. When a man with bright blue eyes appeared, Eva knew she was in trouble. All of the men were nice looking and polite. How was she ever going to make a decision? She had to eliminate some of them that very night.

  “I’m Steve.” His intense eyes studied her. “Would you excuse me just for a moment?”

  Eva frowned as he pulled a cell phone from his pocket. He dialed, but he never lowered his eyes from hers. He put the phone up to his ear. “Hi, mom? Yeah, I just wanted to let you know I met the girl of my dreams.” He paused. “Uh-huh. Okay, sounds good. Talk to you later. Bye.”

  Steve shrugged. “My mom always said she wanted to be the first to know when I met the right girl.”

  Eva laughed as Steve picked her up and twirled her around. “I can tell it’s going to be fun getting to know you,” she said.

  “You better believe it.” Steve skipped away.

  Eva shook her head. That man had personality…and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

  Next, Eva met Levi who told a long story about getting the call from Mike about the show. When the next man revealed himself under the lights, he seemed to strike a pose.