Dandelions on the Road by Brooke Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

someone else.
     
    EVA FOLLOWED MIKE from the green room back to the set. The twelve men she met that evening stood in a semi-circle with a pedestal of dandelions in the center of the room. Eva knew what she wanted to do. In fact, the first round of decisions ended up being obvious. But, she didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
    Mike stopped short of the lighted area. “You’ll go out with Brian. He’ll set things up for you and then you can have your say and start handing out the dandelions whenever you’re ready. Keep in mind, they don’t stay yellow for long.”
    Eva caught his drift. Make it fast. Brian approached from the interview area and held his elbow out to her. She threaded her arm through his and gripped his jacket.
    “Nervous?” he asked.
    “A little,” she admitted. “I know I have to get used to this, but it’s hard turning people away. They all deserve to be here just as much as I do.”
    “That’s not true.” Brian stopped and turned toward her. “You deserve nothing but the best and there’s only one person who’s right for you.”
    Eva smiled. He was right. She knew the bachelors she was letting go weren’t for her so it shouldn’t be hard to admit that to them. She’d be quick and decisive, like ripping off a Band-aid.
    Brian led her to the set and stopped next to the pedestal of dandelions. One already started to wilt.
    “Good evening, gentlemen,” Brian began. “I trust you’ve enjoyed yourselves this evening. It is now time for the dandelion ceremony. Our bachelorette has ten dandelions to hand out. If she calls your name, please approach. She will offer you a dandelion. If you wish to continue the process and get to know Eva better, please accept. Those of you who do not receive a dandelion will not continue on the show.” Brian turned to Eva and said in a serious tone, “Eva, when you’re ready.”
    Eva slid her arm from his elbow and folded her hands in front of her. She studied the floor and then made eye contact with each man.
    “I want to thank each and every one of you for being here tonight and giving up your time to meet me. It is an honor to be in the presence of such great men. That being said, I can only choose one person in the end and this is all part of finding that right man. I think nothing but the best of those being eliminated tonight. I simply don’t believe they are the one for me.”
    Eva picked up a dandelion. It bent over and lay on her hand. Whose idea was it to use dandelions, anyway? She smiled, her friend Renee’s, of course.
    “Cane.” She called the first name and waited as Cane swerved through the shoulders around him. When he stood before her, she continued. “Cane, will you accept this dandelion?”
    “I’d love nothing more.” Cane took the dandelion. He squinted at its wilted form, smiled at her and returned to his place.
    Eva took a deep breath and picked up another weed. “Owen.”
    There was no missing Owen in the crowd. He was the tallest and he made Eva look even tinier than she was, but he had an eloquent way of speaking and she was interested in learning more about his music career. “Owen, will you accept this dandelion?”
    “I will.”
    Eva gave dandelions to Carlos, Adam, Harris, Pete and Kurt, all of whom accepted graciously. She had two more weeds to hand out. She eyed the remaining four men.
    “Trent.”
    Trent’s quiet steps reminded her of his soft-spoken voice. He was a shy one and she wanted to break through the barrier with him and see what was under his quiet demeanor. Just because he wasn’t entirely comfortable with the situation didn’t mean he wasn’t worth knowing.
    “Trent, will you accept this dandelion?”
    Trent nodded and gave Eva a small smile.
    Brian appeared at Eva’s shoulder. “Eva, gentlemen, this is the last dandelion this evening.”
    Eva wanted to cross her fingers behind her back and ask Brian to take her away. She didn’t want to hurt anyone. At the same time, there was one