Dandelions on the Road (7 page)

As Brian drove the KETO van onto the interstate, he sensed her beside him. She was a good three feet away, but her presence was distinct and unforgettable.

Brian took a deep breath to calm his anxiety. He had the rest of the show to get over how nervous she made him. For the immediate future, he would do his best to ignore it. Or at least keep it under control.

He turned on the radio and tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel. This was his chance to get to know her better…for the good of the show, of course.

“I know how the media circuit part of your job works,” Brian began, “but I’d love to hear more about the other things you do. Do you have any pets of your own?”

“Believe it or not, I don’t. Trust me, if it was up to me, I’d take home just about every animal that comes through the front door.”

“You’d be the crazy cat lady.”

“The what?”

“You know, the lady everyone knows who has way too many cats.”

“Oh I wouldn’t stop with just cats. I’d have dogs too and any other furry critter I could fit into a corner.”

Brian laughed. “So why don’t you have any?”

“I don’t have any permanent animals, but my home is a designated foster home. When the shelter gets too full, I bring home as many animals as I can until we find homes for them or room opens up at the shelter.”

“Wow, that’s really neat.”

“I guess I don’t feel like it would be fair to a permanent pet to constantly put it through the revolving door of cats and dogs I bring in and out. And this way, instead of choosing just one or two, I get to experience them all.”

“I think what you do is really incredible.” Brian glanced over as the sun caught a glint of bronze in Eva’s dark hair.

“Thanks. It’s a dream job for me. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m grateful to
Accept this Dandelion
for helping me get where I am at FFRL.”

There were so many things Brian wanted to know about her. He wasn’t sure where to go next with his questions.

“What about you?” Eva asked.

“Me?”

“Yeah, do you have any pets?”

Brian didn't expect to talk about himself. He intended to pepper her with questions, but they could get back to her after he answered her inquiry. “I have a cat.”

“Just one?”

“Yes, but she’s very special.”

“Aren’t they all?” Eva replied. “What’s special about this one?”

“Well, she’s sort of a family heirloom.”

“What?”

Brian laughed. That sounded odd. “She’s been passed down many times. She used to be my grandmother’s cat but after grandma moved into a care facility that doesn’t take animals, my parents took her in. Then they retired and started traveling more and didn’t feel like it was fair to her.”

“So you took her?”

“No, my brother did, actually, but he quickly figured out an old cat wasn’t as much fun as he hoped. And that’s how I ended up with her.”

“What’s her name?”

Brian smiled. “Flash.”

“Is there a story to that?”

Brian shrugged. “I like to think she used to be fast.”

“How old is she?”

“Seventeen, going on eighteen. No one knows her exact birthday. She’s a mixed breed of some kind. Oh, and did I mention she only has three legs and one eye? And her nose runs constantly.”

Eva sucked in a breath. “She sounds very special.”

“One of a kind. Honestly, I took her to relieve my brother of the burden. I wasn’t sure I’d like sharing my place with an animal, especially a three-legged, half blind, old cat. But it’s kind of nice having someone waiting when I get home and she gives the best hugs.” Brian panicked as his last comment hung in the air. Now who was the crazy cat lady?

“She’s probably part deaf too, but she always knows when I get home. Or maybe she just sleeps by the door and waits for it to hit her when I come in.”

Eva giggled.

“Either way, she’s always right there when I arrive. And of course the first thing I do is pick her up. And believe it or not, she wraps her little paws around my neck and holds on, it’s like the best part of her day…other than breakfast.”

Eva made a small noise and Brian tore his eyes from the road and glanced over at her.

“That’s really sweet, Brian.”

“Maybe someday, after Flash is gone, I’ll want to look into the foster care program.”

“Oh wow, that would be wonderful. I’m sure you would get approved right away.”

“I think I’d really miss having a pet at home, but I don’t know if I’d want to get another one of my own. At least not right away.”

“There aren’t any other cats out there like Flash, from what I hear.”

Brian smiled. “No, most certainly not.”

“I’d like to meet her someday.”

Brian paused and envisioned opening the door to his home and bumping it gently against Flash. He would pick the cat up, as always, and then pass her over to Eva. Flash would sniff her once, maybe twice, and then wrap her paws around Eva’s neck, accepting her into their home.

He nodded his head. “That would be nice.”

CHAPTER NINE

EVA WAS SURPRISED when Brian pulled the van into the state park. The forty-five minute drive had flown by. After hearing about Flash, Eva saw a whole new side to Brian. He was no longer a stuffy newscaster, but a jeans-wearing, cat-loving man. One she could see herself befriending.

Eva had plenty of questions in mind in case things got awkward during the drive, but there had never been silence. With their shared love of animals, they threw humorous stories back and forth about pets they’d loved over the years. Brian had plenty of anecdotes about Flash and Eva knew enough animals to entertain a captive audience for days.

She was excited about the rest of the day, but she wouldn’t have minded if they’d had to drive farther to their destination.

Brian navigated the curvy roads and pulled into the lodge parking lot. Eva glanced out the window as two other station vehicles pulled in beside them. Half the men were in one van and the other half would arrive later. Eva didn’t know who would be on which date.

Mike hopped out of the van closest to them and Eva rolled her window down. “There’s a trailhead to the left of the lodge. The crew is gathering some handheld cameras to capture the hike. You two get situated by the trail and we’ll send the guys over shortly.”

“Sounds good.” Eva turned to Brian as she rolled her window up. “Here goes nothing.”

“Don’t forget the sign.”

Eva crossed her fingers and held them up in front of her face. “Got it.” She grinned and held his eyes. They were always bright blue, but they sparkled even more in the sunlight.

Brian jumped out of the car and raced around to Eva’s side. She had her hand on the handle and started to open the door when Brian yanked it wide from the other side.

“You don’t have to do that.” Eva stepped down from the van.

“I want to.”

Eva reached out and touched his elbow. “It’s the little things we gals remember most.” She drew her hand away. The feel of the muscles on his arm beneath her fingers gave her goose bumps. Or perhaps it was the warm sun hitting her back.

Eva followed Brian to the trail and stood beside him. The drive to the park was laid back and calming, but her nerves surfaced again. Which men would be on the date? How would she talk to five at once? Would she meet their expectations?

“Deep breaths,” Brian whispered. “One minute at a time.”

“Mind reader,” she muttered.

“Here they come.”

Eva squinted toward the third van in the parking lot as the men began to exit and walk in a pack to the trailhead sign. She noticed Carlos right away followed by Adam, Owen, Harris and Mitch.

Mike and the crew followed behind with their cameras aimed and ready. Brian opened his arms as the group approached. Once everyone settled into a place on the trailhead, he spoke. “Welcome to Mahoney State Park.” Brian paused and rubbed his hands together. “You’re in for a real treat today. Eva enjoys nature and would like to take the five of you on a hike. You’ll get a good view of the river along this trail. You’ll also get a chance to chat with our bachelorette and get to know her a little better. Use your time wisely. We will all end up back at the studio tonight for another elimination ceremony. That being said, Eva will have the opportunity to hand out a dandelion on each of the two group dates today. This is your chance to impress her and guarantee your spot to continue on the show. The rest of you, I’m afraid, will have to wait for tonight to find out your fate with our lovely bachelorette. Without further delay, Eva, do you have anything to say?” Brian took a step back.

“Thanks again for being here. I’m anxious to enjoy this beautiful day with you and spend time getting to know one another.”

Eva glanced back at Brian who shifted his hand toward the trail.

“Shall we?” Eva held her hands out to the men.

Harris raised his fist in the air. “Let’s do this!”

Eva appreciated his enthusiasm. She took a second to inspect each man. Mitch wore tight jeans, a large belt buckle, and his cowboy hat. She wondered what his hair looked like underneath. Adam looked well groomed with a collared shirt and tailored jeans. Owen had on shorts and a t-shirt with a musical note logo. And Carlos’s tight black shirt and jeans fit him all too well. Eva was going to enjoy this hike…and the view.

As the group started down the trail, Eva quickly realized the hike would be slower than her normal pace. There a lot of them on the narrow trail and cameras surrounded them. Plus, Brian fell at the back to follow along and conduct interviews as they went. It was awkward, at best.

The men jockeyed for position and Eva found Harris next to her. She hadn’t talked to him long on the first night, but he had a dramatic flair that caught her eye.

She and Harris chatted about their jobs and what they liked to do in their spare time. Before long, Mitch sidled up to the pair.

“Excuse me, ma’am, may I butt in for a bit?”

Eva chortled. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to how he talked. It wasn’t just the accent, but also the way he said things. It was endearing.

“I’d love to chat with you, Mitch.”

Harris took a step back and let Mitch take over the conversation with Eva. They talked about the beautiful day and then Eva asked him about his work.

“I’m a rancher, believe it or not,” Mitch admitted.

“Oh I believe it.”

“I grew up down south on my daddy’s ranch. It’s been passed down from generation to generation, but I came up here for college and started working a farm south of Omaha. The owner passed away a few years ago and left the ranch to me. I call it home now. Love it like a family member.”

Eva smiled. Mitch was sweet and she appreciated his love for the land. She imagined what it would be like if his family were to visit and surround her with their accents.

“Do you ever feel like you’re in a foreign country?” she asked.

Mitch’s grin widened as he tipped his hat at the brim. “All the time. Ya’ll talk different up here.
Want a pop?
” he put on a Midwestern accent.

Eva laughed. “Is that what we sound like?”

“Darn tootin’.”

The walk down the trail was anything but strenuous, but Eva was glad. It gave her a chance to focus on each man and study the chemistry she had with him.

“It’s been nice talking to you, Mitch. I better give one of the other guys a little time.”

“Just holler when you need me.”

“I’ll do that.”

As Mitch dropped back, Eva wondered if his accent would rub off on her if she spent enough time with him.

Adam moved up next to her. He looked uncomfortable.

“What do you think of the park?” Eva asked.

“I have to admit, I’m more of a city guy.”

“Have an office job?”

“Is it that obvious?”

Eva was just about to ask what he did for a living when a rustling sound in the leaves just off the trail in front of her caught her attention. She stopped, halting the men behind her. The cameras swiveled and the entire group watched the leaves moving back and forth. Eva took a step back.

“Snake!”

Before Eva could react, Harris’ arm shoved her aside. She landed against a firm chest and two solid arms wrapped around her. She watched in horror as Harris threw himself to the ground, into the leaf pile beside the trail. Her jaw dropped as Harris rolled first one way and then the other, fighting an unseen snake.

A petrified squirrel burst from under the leaf pile and exploded up a tree, chittering the whole way. Harris continued to roll back and forth as the men hooted behind him. Eva wrapped her hands around the arms that held her and glanced up. Carlos. She had to admit, she didn’t mind. She didn’t smell cologne, but the soap he used was amazing.

Eva sank into his embrace and laughed along with the others as Harris put on quite a show. Finally, he stood, picking leaves from his shirt.

“Did you see that?” he asked, looking straight at her. “That thing had to be three feet long.”

“The squirrel?” Owen shouted from the back of the group. He was tall. He saw it all no matter how far behind he was.

“The snake!” Harris cried. “Oh man, I thought I had it too. It was slippery. Slid right through my fingers.”

“I ain’t no expert,” Mitch piped up from the other side. “But I’m relatively sure that you got bigger issues than a piddly ole snake.”

Harris narrowed his eyes.

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Mitch glanced at Eva, “but doesn’t the rhyme go something like ‘if it’s three let it be’?” Mitch pointed to the green plants surrounding the leaf pile.

Harris took a few steps toward Adam. “Hey, back off man.” Adam held his hands up like he didn’t want the infected man breathing on him.

“Um, medic?” Harris gulped and began to scratch his bare arm.

As much as Eva hated to, she removed Carlos’ arm from around her and crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping Brian would be able to see her signal.

She heard sticks snap and leaves rustle as he made his way to the front of the pack.

“What do you need?” he whispered into her ear.

“A dandelion.”

Brian waved two fingers in the air and Mike quickly produced a dandelion, which the camera crew handed up past the crowd to Brian.