Dandelions on the Road (24 page)

Brian watched the man’s shoulders sag as he walked back down the stone path. When he looked back at Eva, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

“This stinks,” she said to the cameras around her.

“Ready with Cane.” Mike spoke across the set.

“No…no!” Brian muttered, glancing at the control room. Steve was first so he was safe, but Cane? He was the man she’d chosen and in a few minutes, Brian would be too late.

Brian’s eyes darted down the path as Cane walked toward Eva. What should he do? Tackle him? Step in and block his path? Would Eva listen to his rant without watching the tape?

Brian felt dizzy as panic filled him. When Cane joined Eva under the arch and their hands met, Brian’s emotions deflated. The look in Eva’s eyes told him all he needed to know. She was in love. Cane was the guy for her. Brian was already too late; it was over.

He wouldn’t stand there and watch her profess her love for someone else. It was too much. Brian fled to the anchor’s green room to avoid the moment. He couldn’t contain his emotions.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

EVA’S ARM TINGLED when her fingers reached Cane’s hands. She felt an instant physical attraction deep in her bones every time they touched.

“Cane,” she spoke in a soft voice. “I still can’t believe you’re the boy I met all those years ago…the one who gave me my first kiss and occupied many of my dreams ever since. We’ve been through a lot on this journey. I watched you save a life.” Eva remembered the sandwich flying through the air and landing with a mushy splat on her shoe. “And I reveled in every detail I learned about you.”

Eva stared into Cane’s eyes. His curly hair was adorable.

“There’s a connection between us that’s hard to describe,” she continued. “On paper, you’re the perfect man, even my friend Renee recognized that. I think if she weren’t already engaged, she might have stolen you for herself.”

Cane chuckled, breaking the serious moment.

“I can honestly say, even though I’ve only known you for a short time, I’ve fallen for you, Cane. There’s a piece of my heart that will never be the same because of you.”

Cane’s smile widened as Eva’s knees shook beneath her. She wasn’t sure how long they would hold. It was time for her to conclude. She cast a furtive glance behind her. Where was Brian?

Eva pulled one of her hands out of Cane’s grasp and touched a curl on his head before rubbing the back of her neck.

“I don’t even know how to express what I’m thinking because I don’t know what I’m doing here. I may wake up tomorrow and regret this next sentence more than anything I’ve ever said in my entire life… I can’t be with you.”

Cane slowly dropped her hand. “What?” Shock slid over his face.

“I know, I can’t believe I said it myself. I don’t know what’s holding me back. It’s just an inkling. Everything about you is perfect. Everything you’ve said, every action you’ve taken. The chemistry between us is off the charts. I’m within an inch of loving you, but I can’t get past that inch.”

Cane frowned. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m right there with you.” Eva shifted from one foot to the other. She couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. A few minutes ago, she told Mike she wanted to see Steve first, she was choosing Cane. And that’s what she intended to do, so why wasn’t she doing it? “I’m just so, so sorry.” Eva looked down at her hands. She realized her fingers were crossed. Was Brian anywhere near to see it?

“I’m sorry too.” Cane lifted her chin with two fingers. “Eva, if you wake up tomorrow and regret this, please, call me. I’m not going anywhere. I understand this process was fast, maybe too fast and I’m willing to give it another chance. Just think about it, okay?”

Tears streamed down Eva’s cheeks. She could no longer speak, only nod. Cane’s arms wrapped around her waist and she fell against his chest. When her sobs subsided, he wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and kissed her. Then he turned, shook his head, and walked away.

Eva stood in the silent studio with cameras whirring around her. She was alone. She had twelve men and she finished the show with no one.

“Eva.” A voice echoed through the startling silence in the studio. “Eva, it’s me, Brian.”

Eva squinted into the bright lights surrounding her, searching. Brian’s face occupied every screen on the wall of monitors in the newsroom. Eva took a step toward them.

“Hi, Mike.” Brian waved through the screen. “Sorry about this in advance. You can yell at me later.”

Eva caught sight of Mike nearby. His red face told her he had no idea what was happening, but the producer in him pointed a finger, encouraging the camera operators to keep the tape rolling.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations over the last few weeks and recently, I learned you need someone who wants nothing but you. Today, I want to prove to you just how much I want you and how far I’m willing to go to get you.”

Brian stepped away from the camera and gestured. “Come on, follow me. This is my home.” He opened the front door to a small house. “I want to give you a tour.” The camera followed Brian inside. “This used to be the dining room. I never really used it much anyway.” Brian shrugged and the camera panned into the room. It was lined with kennels, a couple of which held barking dogs. “Don't worry, I don’t keep them in there. They actually sleep with me, I just needed them to behave around the equipment.” Brian winked. “Let’s move on.”

Brian opened the door to another room. “This is the office, but I pretty much keep my work at the station, so why not turn this into something more useful?” The camera panned the room. One wall was lined with litter boxes and half a dozen kittens curled up on a soft blanket. “The kittens were abandoned behind KETO earlier this week. I can’t believe someone would just leave such cute little creatures.” Brian walked over to the kittens and lifted one into his arms, holding it against his cheek. “I might have to keep one or two.”

Brian replaced the tiny cat and motioned for the camera to follow him. “This is the den where I spend most of my time. Brian searched the room for a moment before he located a black ball of fur curled up in the corner basking in a patch of sunlight. “Come here, you.” He lifted a large cat from the floor.

Eva watched as the cat howled a quick protest, but then, upon seeing who interrupted her nap, wrapped her paws around Brian’s neck and hugged him.

“Flash,” Eva whispered.

Brian took a step toward the camera. “This is Flash. I want you to meet her in person, but for now, she couldn’t wait any longer to show her gorgeous face to the woman I love.” Brian turned so Flash could look into the camera. Her clouded eye showed Eva she was indeed half-blind. A bubble of snot rose and dripped from her nostril.

Eva giggled. The raggedy cat was a mess, but she obviously loved Brian and vice versa. Brian put her back in the sun and the camera followed him outside.

“After our conversation in your house the other day, I realized I needed to go big or go home. So I contacted the Furry Friends Rescue League about, well, my home. They were able to fast track the process and get me approved for the foster program. My house is now a secondary shelter for animals between families.” Brian shrugged. “I think it’s going to be hard for me to let them go when they find homes.” He smiled. “But it would be even harder for me to let you go. Eva, I love animals and I did this for them. But most of all, I did this for you. If you’ll give me a chance, I’ll tell you why.”

The screen went black. Eva shivered under the warm lights on set. She searched the cameras; their red lights blinked in reply.

MIKE STORMED INTO the anchor’s green room. Brian sat in the far corner, his head buried in his hands. “What the hell, Schaffer?” he asked.

Brian waved him away. “Leave me alone, Mike. I’ll do the interview. Just give me a minute.”

“I’m not talking about that. Your face was just took over every screen in the studio.”

Brian raised his head. “What?”

Mike stepped toward him. “That’s right, every screen. Eva sent Steve
and
Cane home. She couldn’t be with either of them and you’re cowering up here like a punk.”

A punk?
Brian stood and clenched his fists. “Wait, did you just say…”

“I sure did. She turned them both away and she’s standing down there alone after seeing your little…whatever it was.”

Brian shoved Mike aside and ran from the room.

“You have a lot of explaining to do!” Mike shouted after him.

Brian ran his hand through his hair. He was a mess, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Eva.

When he saw her illuminated under the studio lights, he stopped abruptly in the darkness. Her eyes glistened with tears and her beautiful hair was a glowing mantle around her face. The sight of her under the arch was one he would never forget.

“Go
on,
” Mike caught up to him and gave him a push.

Brian stepped out from behind the cameras and into the pool of light. He was halfway up the path. Eva stood with her head bowed as if in prayer. Brian straightened his suit jacket out of habit. Eva turned at the sound of his approach. She opened her mouth like she had a million questions.

Brian stopped a foot away from her and gathered her hands into his. “Let me say a few things, okay?”

Eva nodded.

“The first time I saw you, I was speechless. I watched every minute of
Accept this Dandelion
when the first season aired and I was riveted. It’s true, your friend Renee’s antics kept me laughing, but you fascinated me.”

Brian shook his head. “And when I met you in person, I was speechless. I felt like a bumbling idiot. I know you say I’m the consummate professional, but I don't feel like it when you’re around. Eva, you’re so beautiful it’s hard to think and my insides feel like…I don’t know, Jell-O or something.”

He stared into her eyes. She was listening intently.

“I found your personality enchanting and you were so loving to every animal you brought in. I was definitely attracted to you, but I think you also intimidated me. After what happened with Kate, I was afraid of getting hurt again and I felt like you were out of my league.”

Eva closed her hand tightly and squeezed Brian’s fingers.

“When I found out you were going to be on the show, at first I was nervous. I didn’t think I’d be able to host well if you were standing next to me with that shiny hair of yours.”

She smiled.

“But once I got to know you better, I was more disappointed over the fact that I never asked you out when I had the chance. You were dating twelve men and none of them were me.” Brian sighed. “And then after we laughed in the van and shared some stories, I felt protective of you. I watched every move you made and when you’d give our sign, I felt like sun shined on me. All I wanted was to swoop in and help you in any way I could.”

Brian paused and took a breath. “As time went by, I started to put my feelings together and realized they were deeper than I expected. When we kissed on the swing at Adventureland, I was sure. I still held myself back though, and I shouldn't have. I tried to fight the feelings and push you toward the other guys. I avoided you and everything that related to what my heart wanted.”

Eva’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“I wanted to involve FFRL because I know it’s important to you. I want to go the distance and show you I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy, even open my home to dozens of animals.” Brian smiled weakly. “If this doesn’t go well, at least I’ll have company.”

Eva opened her mouth, but Brian continued before she could speak. “We’ve known each other a year and we’ve never gone on a real date, at least not without other men. Eva, I’m crazy about you. You’re all I think about. Everything I’ve done on this journey, right or wrong, has been because of you. I know I’m just a weed and you’re the most beautiful orchid in the garden, but I love you. I hope more than anything that you can see past my flaws.”

Brian gazed into Eva’s eyes, studying the gold flecks that flashed in their chocolate brown depths. She raised her eyebrows as if to ask if he was done. He nodded and squeezed her fingers. He thought it was a good sign that she was still there, but she may just want to give him a piece of her mind.

“I could have very easily fallen in love with Steve or Cane. They’re extraordinary people and I think either one could have made me happy.”

Brian swallowed the lump in his throat.

“But they each had one fatal flaw.” Eva paused and looked into his eyes. “Neither man was you.”

Brian’s heart leaped in his chest.

“I couldn’t find anything wrong with them, but when they stood before me like you are now, all I could think about was you. Good or bad, weed or flower, Brian, it’s you I want.”

Eva eased one hand out of Brian’s and crossed her fingers. Holding them up in front of her face she waved them at Brian. “If I hold them this close, can you see them?”

Brian laughed and reached above their heads, plucking a dandelion from the arch. “I know it’s not my place, but I’ve stepped so far out of bounds on this show already, it only makes sense. Eva, will you accept this dandelion?”

Eva smiled. “I don’t know what we have, but if what I feel spreads like dandelions, there’s no stopping us. Yes, I accept your dandelion.”

Brian closed his eyes in relief. He wrapped his arm around Eva and pulled her against him. He held her tightly with one arm and closed his hand with the dandelion around her crossed fingers. He stared deeply into her eyes as he narrowed the gap between them, taking his sweet time.

When their lips finally met, applause broke out across the studio. Brian pulled back in surprise. He shrugged, picked Eva up, and spun her in a circle before placing her back on her feet. When he kissed her again, he could feel her smile. They took dandelions on the road and somehow, despite all odds, they ended up in each other’s arms.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brooke Williams is a sleep-deprived stay at home mom/freelance writer/author who has an unnatural interest in dandelions. She attributes her humor to her two young girls for keeping her in the lack of sleep state on a regular basis. She has been married to her husband Sean since 2002. Brooke has a background as a radio announcer and producer and also did a short stint as a TV traffic reporter. Brooke specializes as a freelance writer and creates blogs, articles, web content and more for clients all over the world. She has written a number of novels including: “Someone Always Loved You,” “Beyond the Bars,” “Wrong Place, Right Time,” “Accept this Dandelion,” and “Mamarazzi.”