Brian chuckled. “It was, but look where it got us.” He placed his hand around her waist and pulled her against him.
“Brian…” she whispered and he wondered if she wished they were alone as much as he did.
“Schaffer!” Mike yelled from the approaching vehicle. “That camera better be okay, Schaffer!”
EVA PLACED A hand on either side of Brian and pushed herself up. She didn’t break their eye contact and her physical side wanted to stay put. It was one thing to fall for more than one man on the show, that was to be expected. But falling for the host? Not cool. Besides, she wasn’t falling for him. She simply fell on him…right?
Eva raised her head as she climbed from Brian arms. Kurt stood in the field, his hands in his pockets and his face raised to the sky. She glanced to her right where Pete was still trying to untangle himself from the balloon pilot while mumbling and cursing gravity. What a group.
She extended her hand toward Brian and pulled him to his feet. He brushed the dirt from his pants and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. “So,” he said in a low voice. “Who will it be?”
Eva glanced between Kurt and Pete. “I think it’s obvious.”
Brian’s arm pressed against hers. “Me too.”
Eva’s breath caught in her throat as she narrowed her eyes and gazed up at him. What was he inferring?
“The camera’s okay!” Mike announced. “Eva, the sunlight is phenomenal. Here’s the dandelion.”
Mike shoved a weed into her hand and motioned for two camera operators to set up nearby. Eva waited a few moments so Pete could free his limbs from the man he fell upon. She noticed the balloon pilot rubbing his elbow among other things.
As Brian took a few steps away from her, his face changed. He put on his professional air and charged ahead. “Eva, the balloon ride was something else and you experienced it with two men, but you only have one dandelion. Who stays and who goes?”
Eva looked down at the weed in her hand. The decision had been made for her. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if she had a real choice. Luckily, she only had one option. “Kurt,” she said. “I respect your vocation and I admire you for hearing God’s call and answering it. I understand this means you won’t continue on the show, but I am grateful I had the opportunity to get to know you. I am a better person for it.”
Kurt smiled and bowed his head.
“Pete, I saw a different side to you today,” Eva continued.
Pete shuffled his foot in the grass.
“And I liked it.”
Pete’s face broke into a goofy grin.
“You’re obviously very masculine and strong.”
His chest puffed out.
“But I want someone who has layers and today, I saw several in you. Moving forward, I want to see more. Pete, will you accept this dandelion?”
Pete stepped forward. “On one condition.”
Eva quirked an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
Pete pointed at the deflated balloon over her shoulder. “That you never make me do that again.”
Eva laughed. “You have my word.”
Pete took the dandelion and Eva embraced him. His strong arms made her feel safe and protected, though she knew his deepest fear and maybe even because of his weaknesses.
Brian pulled the bachelors aside for final post-date interviews and Eva watched the sun say its final goodbye. Pete and Kurt climbed into the van and Brian appeared at her elbow.
“A word?” he asked.
“Sure.” Eva searched for the camera. She hadn’t done a final interview yet.
“They’re packing up.” Brian threw his thumb over his shoulder. “But I can insert a voice over later if anything important transpires from the interview.”
Eva nodded. She wasn’t sure she understood what he wanted, but she rolled with it.
“It’s obvious how you feel about Kurt after what happened on the balloon and you gave Pete the dandelion, so viewers will know you want to get to know him better.” Brian paused and Eva held her breath. “But what I want to know more than anything is…how do you feel about me?”
Eva blinked. Brian was lucky there were no cameras around. He likely wouldn't have asked such a brazen question had there been anyone to hear it.
“I…I…” He put Eva on the spot. She hadn’t processed the dates, much less what happened between her and Brian.
“I don’t want to pressure you.” Brian ran his hand through his short hair. “I’m trying to be professional about all this, but I have to admit, this process is driving me absolutely nuts.”
Eva studied his profile in the dusk light. He no longer looked like the formal newsman she was used to seeing. He had a boyish expression on his face. He was unsure…vulnerable…worried, nothing like the confident man relaying the daily news.
“Brian, honestly, I’m confused about a lot of things right now.” Eva laid her hand on his arm and glanced over at the waiting vans. No one was paying any attention to them. “If you were on the show, things would be different. I could explore whatever it is that’s happening between us.” Eva shuddered when Brian laid his free hand over hers and stroked her palm.
“But?” he asked.
“But you’re not on the show…as a contestant, at least. And I have seven men left who are. It’s not fair to them for me to concentrate on my emotions for anyone else. They have a lot on the line, you know? They left their jobs, their families and put time and effort into this.” Eva shrugged. “Seven is already six too many. I don’t have the capacity to spread myself any thinner than I already have.”
Brian drew his hand away. “I understand.”
Eva left her palm on his arm and stood with him in compatible silence until Mike called them to the vans.
AT THE HOTEL, Brian sat with his back against the door that joined his room to Eva’s. On the return ride, he listened to Pete recount every detail of the balloon landing. He described his terror, the tipping basket and his fall onto the balloon pilot. Brian had to admit, Pete had a decent sense of humor to go along with his muscles…and frequent burps.
But now, all Brian could concentrate on was the silence that grew deeper every second. If Eva were to make even the slightest move toward the door, he’d hear it and he’d be ready. But he resigned himself to the fact that she wasn’t coming. She’d said her peace and she was right. Brian wasn’t on the show. He couldn’t compete for her affections. It wasn’t fair to the other men.
Brian pulled his knees up to his chest and folded his arms on top of them. Sleep wasn’t an option. There was a conversation he needed to have and he had no idea how it would go. He had to talk to Mike and he’d have to find just the right moment.
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.
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