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

man left who she really wanted to get to know. She picked up the dandelion. It was a sad little weed, but it was all she had to give.
    “Mitch.”
    “Yee haw!” Mitch sidestepped around Carlos and line danced his way to the pedestal.
    The group laughed. “Mitch, will you accept this dandelion?”
    “Will I ever! Yahoo!” Mitch grabbed the weed, planted a brief kiss on Eva’s cheek and clicked his heels in the air.
    Reassurance washed over Eva. The two men she eliminated never would have reacted that way. She’d done the right thing.
    Brian reappeared. “Aiden, Levi, I’m sorry. You will not continue with the show. Please say your goodbyes and exit the studio.”
    Levi turned to the men closest to him and launched into a story. Aiden brushed past those around him and headed straight for Eva. Eva took a step closer to Brian.
    “Your loss, sweetheart,” Aiden muttered as he passed by her.
    Eva turned and watched him fade into the darkness.
    “That was rude,” Brian whispered, “and totally untrue.”
    Eva exhaled. She liked having Brian by her side. She knew saying goodbye to Aiden was the right thing to do, but Brian’s reassurance made it even easier.
    It looked like Levi was finally wrapping up his story. Eva took a few steps toward him as he neared.
    “I’m sorry, Levi,” she said. “I wish I could keep you all.”
    “No worries, I understand. There’s only one man for you and so on and so forth. I’m just not him. It’s a shame, really it is, but I understand. There’s someone out there for me...”
    Brian jumped in when Levi took a breath. “Thanks for your time, Levi.” He escorted the man from the set.
    That was smooth. Eva surveyed the remaining men. Ten wonderful people she would get to date. Was one of them her future? Time would tell.
    Brian brushed against her shoulder as he returned. “This season on Accept this Dandelion , we will travel more.” He announced. “Our first round of dates will take place at Mahoney State Park in Ashland. Bachelors, welcome to the show.”
     

CHAPTER EIGHT
    EVA ARRIVED AT the studio by 9 a.m. as requested. She offered to drive herself to Mahoney State Park since it was only forty-five minutes from the city, but Mike insisted she ride with the staff and crew. Since the park was close, everyone would travel down and back in one day. It would cut back on hotel expenses.
    The first show taping went well. Eva met extraordinary men and a few unique contenders, all of whom interested her. She also had a good thing going with Brian. He would be an asset as her protector and sidekick as the show progressed.
    Eva was calmer about the first round of dates than she had been about the initial meeting. She wore jeans and a nice blouse with hiking boots. Mahoney State Park had a lot of opportunities to be one with nature. The day would consist of two group dates, each including five men. The first group would go hiking on the trails around the park. The second date would feature the other five men and would revolve around a picnic. Eva enjoyed dressing up and looking nice, but she wanted the men to see her in her element as well. Nature and animals were right up her alley.
    When Eva ran into Mike, he explained a few details. “It is our intention to allow you to pick one or two men to ride in the vehicle with you every time we change locations. It’ll give you more time to get to know them and give us more footage to utilize. Today, however, since we’re going down and back in one day, we don't have the room. We had to stuff every vehicle with equipment to get everything in that we’ll need. We have things better organized for the other locations. But this time, I hope you don’t mind riding with Brian in the station vehicle. The back is completely packed with equipment so there’s really no room for anyone else. It might be good for the two of you to chat anyway. The better he knows you, the more he can bring out in the interviews.”
    Eva nodded along as Mike