Coming Home

by Kimberly McKay

  Anne watched as the remaining women sadly took their envelope and walk out the door. Some stopped to hug Chad goodbye, while others walked by head held high.

  Anne saw the lights outside, as the camera crew was set up to take exit interviews. The reality of the situation hit her, and she had to stop herself from thinking too far into the future.

  At some point, that could be me. But what do I care … it’s an adventure, right, she thought, buffering her mind from any hurt she could potentially end up in.

  Chad looked to the rest of the women and saw the somber tone that had been set. As he stood with arms around both Anne and Kamryn, he noticed how tense they became. He squeezed them both inward with a small hug for reassurance.

  “Chad?” Terrence turned back to the crowd. “You have thirteen women left. Some say that is an unlucky number.”

  Chad nervously chuckled. “I hope not. I hope one out of these thirteen is the one, who is lucky in love.”

  “Girls.” Terrance addressed the group. “Let this be a lesson to you. We’re always watching. Your survival here depends on more than your charming personality in front of us. It also depends on when you think no one is watching.”

  “Anne, Kamryn … you ready?” Chad smiled, excited to get on with the day.

  “Yes,” they both said, smiling.

  “Wait. Before you go. There’s one more surprise.” Terrance said with a smug smile, as he heard the groans through the group.

  “It’s a good surprise.” Chad reassured them, and waved them up. “Come on up here.”

  All the girls jumped up and crowded around Chad. Anne never was one for a large crowd, and after being cheated on by her ex, she wasn’t sure she liked the idea of competing for a man … yet here she was.

  Anne grimaced in Kamryn’s direction, realizing she wasn’t even sure how she felt about taking Kamryn along on their date today.

  “I’m going to let your public have you for a moment.” Anne did her best to send Chad the most dazzling smile and a flirtatious wink she could, before returning to sit down.

  Chad not only was amazed that she finally directed some conversation at him, but he couldn’t stop smiling at the fact that she had flirted with him. He watched her weave through the women to sit nearby.

  Kamryn watched the exchange between the two, and slipped away unnoticed to sit next to Anne.

  “Wow, they’re like vulchers.” Kamryn settled in next to her.

  “Tell me about it.” Anne watched Cara inch in next to Chad. “Ugh, she’s so predictable. Why is she still here?”

  “She won’t be for long if you keep it up sweetie.” Kamryn laughed and raised her eyebrow at Anne.

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t huh – me. I see what’s going on between you and Chad already. I’m supposed to be on the date with you, but I can tell I’m an afterthought,” she teased.

  “No, you’re not!” Anne laughed.

  “I’m not blind! He is so into you. Keep smiling at him like you just did, which made him take notice by the way … and he’ll see no one but you. Not me … and not Cara.”

  Kamryn leaned back against the cafeteria table behind her, and casually crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Now, I’m going on this date because he asked me. But, I can already tell …” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head.

  Anne elbowed her friend. “Whatever … let’s see what new surprise they’re revealing now.”

  Anne wanted to doubt her friend, but wondered if what she said was true. Did Chad like her?

  She looked up toward the mob around Chad, and found him intently staring down toward her. Her stomach dropped, and she quickly looked away.

  “Alright ladies. Settle down. Now that you’ve met Chad, let me introduce you to two staff members, who have been designated to help you fill your time here while you’re waiting to see if you get dates with Chad.”

  Allyson and Abbey Chambers, Chad’s mom and sister, had been watching from the kitchen door, which was ajar. Both women couldn’t wait to see how they could assist Chad, by going undercover.

  Allyson smiled to herself. It wasn’t lost on her how one contestant in particular captured her son’s attention.

  “What’s her name?” Allyson asked the cameraman, pointing to Anne.

  The cameraman whispered. “That’s Anne LaSal.”

  Allyson smiled and looked forward to getting to know Anne the most.

  Both Allyson and Abbey were in disguise, to hopefully keep everyone noticing the family resemblance. She thought Chad looked the most like his late father, but it was a precaution she was happy to take.

  Allyson fidgeted with her ball cap, and fake eye glasses, hoping they didn’t give her away. She mentally practiced her fake name, hoping she wouldn’t mess anything up.

  “You’re up.” The cameraman nodded for both women to make their entrance.

  Both Allyson and Abbey, in their Broadcast Affair staff T-shirts, walked out as nonchalantly as possible and waved to the girls.

  Allyson stepped in next to Terrance and spoke up first. “Hi there. My name is Claire. And I hear you girls have been lacking for activity around here?”

  She folded her hands in front of her and winked at Chad.

  The girls laughed in unison and gave her the floor. “Well, just to let you know … I’m here to help you with anything you want to set up. What that is – is up to you. It’s not my job to figure that part out for you. But if I were you, I’d look around you and find out what you’re best at and start planning. But remember there are thirteen of you and only two of us.” Allyson motioned to her daughter, Abbey. “This is Kammy … my assistant. And she’s here to facilitate.”

  Chad smiled at him mom and sis, and played along.

  “Thanks so much for volunteering. I’m sure the girls will have lots of ideas on how they’ll need your help.”

  He quickly moved through the crowd, and made his way back to Kamryn and Anne.

  “Ready for our date?” He offered a hand to each of them.

  “Ready when you are.” Anne let out a slow breath. It felt like she was getting ready to leap off a cliff. Should she hold on to his hand as they walked on, or drop it? She decided to hold on and take the lead out the door.

  As he took Anne’s hand, he was more excited than he’d like to admit. Knowing he needed to show impartiality, he squeezed both girls’ hands and ushered them forward.

  Cara watched the three of them leave, with a sour look, and hoped their date was a bust. Anne was the one person she was hoping would get kicked off soon, and it was killing her that the one girl she started it off with on the wrong foot, now had the first date.

  She sighed and crossed her arms. “Whatever.” Before he could dismiss the girls, Terrence was instructed to leave them with one last twist to the game.

  “Alright ladies … now that we’ve obviously dwindled in size.” Terrence smiled and waited for them all to tune back in to him. “We’ve moved you into two cabins. So, head back to the common area to find out where your new accommodations are. Then if you feel like it, use Kammy and Claire to plan some fun things while you’re here. And listen to me when I say - use your time wisely.”

  The contestants already chattering about the next twist, walked outside in time to see Chad’s jeep drive off with Anne and Kamryn inside. They all watched the dust whip up as Chad drove down the dirt trail toward the horse stalls. Abbey and Allyson brought up the rear.

  “Must be nice,” Tina, another contestant on the show, sighed. “Now we get to go hang out with each other in our new cabin.” She grimaced.

  Abbey Chambers, a.k.a. Kammy, smiled, excited to start her work. She leaned over to Cara and said, “Have anything planned yet?”

  Cara gave a tense smile in return. “Yeah, sure. All I can say is … they’d better enjoy their date, my plan is to make him fall head over heels for me so that princess Anne can go home crying.”

  Abbey watched Cara saunter away, and had to kee
p herself from laughing.

  Allyson dug a few assorted jolly rancher candies from her pocket and handed one to her daughter, while popping one in her mouth. Bursts of watermelon flavors caused an instantaneous reaction of saliva, which swirled around her tongue.

  “Oooh … I love these.” She paused, and pursed her lips. “Did I hear what I thought I did from that tall blonde?”

  “Yup.” Abbey grinned, as the fire jolly rancher singed her tongue. “Cara … is her name, I think?”

  Allyson laughed remembering how her son warmly searched for Anne’s eyes through a crowd of beautiful eligible women. “She’s in for a disappointment then. I have a feeling my son is already falling head over heels for someone else.”

  Abbey looked to her mom, wide eyed. “Really? Who?”

  “Come on. I’ll fill you in.” Allyson smiled and slung her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. The two women slowly walked toward their cabin, in the opposite direction from the women.

  Chapter 15

  Anne loved the way the wind rushed through her hair, as she sat in the back of the open jeep. On the short ride to the horse stables, Chad did his best to keep the conversation going, but his eyes were drawn to his review mirror, where he would watch her gently brush the hair from her eyes. He thought she was short of stunning, even with the minimal make-up she wore today.

  Anne was glad she was sitting in the back seat, so she could calm the butterflies in her stomach. She couldn’t believe that only a couple of short months ago, she was in her overstuffed chair watching Chad on her favorite show. And now she was here, in a jeep as they were about to start a full day together … on a date. It was enough to give her heartburn.

  For the um-teenth time, she lifted her hand to pull her hair back. She glanced to the front of the jeep, where Chad and Kamryn were discussing what ever it was they were discussing. With the road noise, she couldn’t hear anything from the front, but it wasn’t lost on her how his bright blue eyes pierced hers from the review mirror.

  She wasn’t sure if it was the large dip they took, as the jeep bounced over the next hill, but her stomach dropped like she was falling on a roller coaster. She quickly brought her hand to her mouth to cover her smile, and averted her eyes. But in the seconds before she broke their gaze, she noticed how his eyes twinkled when he smiled. She liked that she could make them light up like that.

  Chad smiled when he saw her mouth curve ever so slightly. Even when she was trying to hide it, she was so darn cute. All he could think of was pulling her in for a kiss.

  Easy, Chad. He warned himself. You have two girls with you here today.

  He turned his head toward Kamryn and cordially smiled in her direction.

  None of it was lost on Kamryn, who already felt like a third wheel. She smiled at Chad in return and twisted her body to face Anne.

  “You doing alright back there?” She raised her voice so her friend could hear. Anne nodded and gave her thumbs up sign.

  “Here we go!” He took a sharp turn under a canopy of trees. “Get ready ladies!”

  They bounced down a rough dirt path to round a sharp turn, where a large red barn surfaced through the trees. Both girls’ eyes went wide, as Chad navigated through and pulled to a stop, in front of the barn.

  “Whoa.” Anne whispered. She could already smell the distinct aroma of horses and hay, which instantly took her back to a forgotten childhood memory of her mother’s love of horses and their trips to the stables. She marveled at how one smell could bring something so fresh rushing back.

  “I’m not sure if you know this. But I spent many summers here as a kid … at this camp. And this barn is where I shoveled a lot of tonk.” Chad stepped from his jeep, to help both girls down.

  Kamryn eagerly climbed out. “Tonk?”

  “It’s a cleaner term for horse …” Chad left it open ended and grimaced.

  “Poop.” Anne finished for him with a smile, before entering the building.

  With one step into the galley, she felt an immediate change. She went from light hearted banter to instant wonder.

  “Wow,” she whispered softly, entering an arena, she’d all but forgotten.

  Quietly, she stepped down the dark walkway breathing in the scents of horse musk, and moved her way toward the last stall, where a large Paint Horse nudged its nose toward her. Its deep brown eyes beckoned.

  “Hi there fella.” Anne leaned her head to the side to confirm her suspicions.

  “Yup. You’re a fella,” she whispered and angled her head close to his ear. She stroked his nose, which felt like velvet.

  The horse softly neighed, and nudged into Anne’s neck, wanting more affection.

  From an outsider’s vantage point, it was almost magical to watch them together. Chad stood, astonished, thinking he’d get to teach these girls about one of his first loves, and yet, he was on the receiving end of knowledge that took him by surprise.

  Kamryn took one look at his face, which spoke volumes, and knew he was a goner. At this point all she could think of was how she could exit gracefully. If she were to get any attention from Chad, it would have to be on a single date – not a group one. She wasn’t the jealous type, but knew when the odds were stacked against her. She knew she had a shot … just not today.

  “Think she’s done this before,” she whispered, not wanting to break the spell.

  “From the looks of it, she’s a natural.” He was almost afraid to move.

  Unsure, he stepped up behind her and put his hand over hers, so that they stroked the horse’s neck in unison.

  Anne was so caught up in the memories from her childhood, that she was completely unaware how close Chad had become, and never expected such an intimate gesture. The feel of his hand on hers, and they ran them together over the smooth fur sent shock waves throughout her. Slowly, she brought her arm down and turned to face him, saying nothing.

  Chad’s eyes searched her face. Her lips were only inches from his, and the urge to kiss her was almost too much to bear. He cleared his throat, taking a step back and smiled down at her, showing more restraint than he knew was possible.

  Anne’s heart was beating so fast, she could swear everyone could hear it.

  “Sorry. You were talking about tonk?” She smiled, trying to shift the focus.

  He cleared his throat once more, and pointed up to the loft.

  “See that up there?” He asked, eyes twinkling.

  Both girls lifted their heads.

  “I spent many days each summer up there, learning the art of kissing.” His lopsided grin made both girls stop in their tracks.

  Kamryn had to shake the visual of Chad taking her in his arms, to plant one on her. His grin had her thinking how nice that could be.

  “Is that why we’re here?” She teased.

  Chad belly laughed in return. “No, I just remembered it actually.” He liked Kamryn’s sense of humor.

  Anne grinned. She was glad she wasn’t the only one having a few flash backs today. She needed to shake her head from the cobwebs, which were pulling her back to hers.

  After Chad helped both women with their saddles, the three spent most of their morning riding trails through the mountains, near camp.

  Chad and Anne flirted with conversation, but she couldn’t make herself take the plunge to offer anything more substantial than skimming over lighter topics. It didn’t seem to bother him though. If anything it intrigued him more that she wasn’t too forthcoming.

  Kamryn on the other hand, held easy conversation, but soon realized it was almost too easy. She felt like she and Chad were instant friends, and wasn’t sure there was a spark on his part. She held hope though, as some of the best relationships started as friends, like her parent’s had.

  However when there was a lull, it wasn’t lost on her how Chad, although trying to split his time equally, initiated conversations with Anne first. At that point, she made her mind that they could both further their relationships with him with one-on-ones, versus this grou
p concept. Although she was enjoying her time, she didn’t want to share him either … even if it was with a friend.

  Once they rode their horses onto more level ground, Chad softly dug his heels into his horse’s side and clicked his tongue.

  “Yah.” His horse took off, as he yelled over his shoulder, “This way girls!” Both followed suit and raced after him.

  For Anne, it was like riding a bike, as the union of horse and rider quickly came back to her. She loved the feel of the wind, as it tore through her hair, and she easily fell into pace with her horse’s gait, racing after him.

  Kamryn, who still felt very awkward, was just holding on for dear life. She tried to remember what Chad had instructed her to do earlier in the day, if she ever felt uncomfortable. She knew he’d given her a trail horse, which was a bit milder than the one Anne was riding. However, what horse isn’t going to run when given the chance?

  “Whoa!” She desperately yelled, clutching her reins. She felt her horse fall back into a trot and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, girl.”

  She bent over to stroke her horse’s neck, grateful that it was docile, while still wishing she knew how to handle a fierce one, as she watched Anne and Chad race ahead of her.

  Chad looked over his shoulder and noticed how both women were faring. Anne was barreling toward him, closing the distance. It made his heart happy to see how easily she handled a horse, and he loved the look of pure pleasure on her face.

  When he saw Kamryn a few hundred yards away, he slowed his horse to a stop. Anne quickly led her horse alongside his. As both animals began to nuzzle one another, she lifted her eyes to meets his.

  “We lost one.” He looked to Anne from under his eyelids, and sent her a lazy grin. “But at least it gives us some alone time, till she makes her way up to us.”

  “Wow. You’re a charmer.” She averted her eyes, and then brought them back to meet his, which were twinkling.

  “That’s a good thing right?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” She grinned. This time it was her turn to tease.

  Chad shifted his weight in his saddle.

  “Hmm. Okay.” He cocked his head. He couldn’t help but smile. She was definitely flirting now.