The Reluctant Bachelor (19 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

E
LIZABETH
REACHED
UP
and straightened Rick’s tie. “Are you ready?”

“You feeling the big déjà vu vibe here?” He grinned at her and peered into her eyes. “I’ll be making television history again today.”

“So you’re sure about your choice?” She swallowed at the lump in her throat as he nodded once. “And you still won’t tell me if you’re going to propose?”

“Is the suspense killing you?”

She gave a half shrug. “Not that I’d let you know.”

“Of course not.”

She reached up to fix his tie again, but he slapped her hands away. “It’s fine.”

“I just want everything to be perfect for you this time.”

“It will be.”

“I wish I was as confident as you.” She glanced at her clipboard. “The finale is always a nightmare, but these changes you gave me? I’ll be lucky not to find myself without a job in the morning.”

“Lizzie, about last night...”

She looked up at him and shook her head. “Nothing happened last night. End of story.”

Rick smiled at her again, and her heart caught in her throat. Was she really going to stand back and watch him make the same mistake? “Listen, Rick, what if we forgot all this? You can go back and live your life the way you want to. I won’t bother you again. How can you be so certain that you found the one right for you?”

“Sometimes, Lizzie, you just have to have faith.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed her earpiece tighter into her ear to hear better. She glanced at Rick. “They’re ready for you.”

Rick reached out and touched her cheek. “If I don’t get a chance to say this later, thank you.”

She frowned. He was thanking her for making his life miserable yet again? “What did I do?”

“More than you know.”

With that cryptic answer, he stalked away and took his position at the end of the rose-strewn path. Elizabeth thought she was going to get sick all over the red petals and white satin carpet. It would cost big bucks to get it cleaned, but she doubted that she’d care. She had to stop this. Had to keep him from making a huge mistake.

She glanced at the people around her, each waiting to see true love play out on her carefully created stage. And if they believed that, they didn’t know what love was, because it certainly wasn’t what she’d tried to produce on this show.

And it wasn’t watching the man she loved make a big mistake. She should stop him. She should tell him.

Instead, she nodded at Charlie. “Roll cameras.”

* * *

R
ICK
WATCHED
the patio doors open, and the two finalists dressed in their finest walked toward him. He kissed each on their cheek and turned to the main camera.

“Over five years ago, I stood on this stage and made a mistake. I proposed to a woman I now realize was wrong for me. I won’t make that same mistake today.”

He cleared his throat, mentally reviewing what he’d practiced in the mirror that morning. This had to work. He didn’t know what would happen to him if it didn’t.

“I found my true love. She inspires me yet infuriates me. She makes my life amazing and completely crazy. She reminds me of why I still seek something better than what I have. She’s moved into my heart and made it her home.” He reached into his pocket for the ring and started walking past Brandy and Melissa toward the cameras.

Lizzie whispered, “Follow him.”

He stopped in front of her, then dropped to one knee. “Elizabeth, would you marry me?”

Everyone’s eyes bulged and mouths dropped. He could hear the whir of the camera trained on him but not a word fell from his beloved’s mouth. He gave a quick grin to hide his nerves. “I know. This is sudden. And completely different from what you were expecting. But isn’t that what life should be?”

The execs watching the filming stood and started to whisper among themselves. Lizzie glanced back at them and scanned the cast and crew. She turned to Rick. He smiled in encouragement because he knew this was what they both wanted.

Her mouth opened. “I can’t.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

E
LIZABETH
POUNDED
ON
the hotel room door. “I know you’re in there. The front-desk clerk said he saw you.” No answer. She rested her palm on the door as if she could heal the problem with her touch. “Rick, please. I need to explain.”

Still no answer.

She hung her head. What had she expected? She’d turned him down. Live. On national television. In front of an estimated twenty million viewers.

She knocked once more. “Please. I’m so, so sorry.”

She heard the chain on the other side of the door move. She took a step back. A deep breath. Which she blew out in a rush at the sight of Rick’s mother. “Mrs. Allyn—”

She held up a finger. “Don’t.” She closed the door behind her and stepped out into the hallway. “I asked you to make sure my son wouldn’t get hurt. I begged you to protect him. I didn’t realize you were the one I should be protecting him from.”

“Mrs. Allyn—”

“I’m not finished.” She put her hands on her hips like a schoolmarm scolding a misbehaving student. “When he told me he loved you, I warned him. Warned him that it would only come to pain. I wanted to be wrong, but you certainly proved me right.”

“Mrs. Allyn—”

“You can speak when I’m through.” She clutched her hands in front of her. “He loves you, Miss Maier. More than he can say. Now, what can you possibly say that would make this better?”

Elizabeth opened her mouth, a thousand retorts in her brain but none that would journey to her vocal cords. She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he would do that.”

“Didn’t you? You’re a smart woman, so I’m sure the thought crossed your mind at least once.”

More than once. “I thought it was a crush and he’d get over it.” She lifted her eyes to the mother of the man she’d humiliated. “I never expected this. Not a proposal.”

“It doesn’t make it hurt any less.” Mrs. Allyn glanced back at the door and sighed, her eyes closed as if in a prayer. “Go home, Miss Maier. Forget Rick. Let him get over you without having to see you.”

She shook her head and held up her clipboard as if that would make things right again. “He still has the reunion show to film. Plus the publicity tour.”

“Fine. He’ll honor his commitments. But I suggest you find somewhere else to be.” She turned, opened the door and disappeared behind it.

Elizabeth heard the decisive click of the bolt sliding into place. What else had she expected? She stared at the door, waiting for it to open again. So she could see Rick. And tell him...

Tell him what? Hadn’t she said enough? Maybe Mrs. Allyn was right. She should just stay away, let him get over this. Over her.

She opened her cell phone and dialed Devon’s number. “I need to talk to you.”

“Good. We need to talk to you, too.”

We?
That didn’t sound good. “Great. Where can we meet?”

“How about the scene of the crime? There’s some things we need to take care of.”

She stopped walking. “There’s nothing to take care of. Because I quit.”

* * *

E
LIZABETH
PAUSED
OUTSIDE
the hospital room. Had she made the right decision? Didn’t matter. She was off the show now. Couldn’t change that.

And part of her didn’t want to. Part of her wanted to see what else was out there besides working all the time.

She walked through the doorway into her mother’s hospital room. A month had made a big difference in how she looked. She sat up in the bed, still covered in gauze bandages, but the machines that kept her alive had been removed. “Bethie, you came.” Her mom held her arms open.

Elizabeth rushed forward and hugged her. But not too tightly. Still afraid she’d break her mom. “The doctor said they’re releasing you tomorrow.”

Her mom nodded. “’Bout time, too. Going stir-crazy in here.” She turned the volume down on the bedside television with her remote. “Are you doing okay?”

Had everyone seen it? Elizabeth winced. “You watched the show?”

“Never miss it.” Her mom patted the side of her bed, so Elizabeth took a seat. “That Rick is something else. Why’d you let him get away like that?”

She couldn’t talk about that, not now...maybe not ever. “Mom, I want you to come home with me.”

Her mom looked at her closely. “Why?”

“You have somewhere else to go?” Elizabeth looked around the room. No cards. No flowers. No sign that she had anyone else in the world.

“The last time we talked—”

“I was angry. Upset. Not at you, at least not entirely.” She sighed and looked down at her lap. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I did. Not when you were fighting for your life like that.”

“So you’re sorry for when you said it, but not for the words you said.” Her mom sounded sad, defeated.

Elizabeth stood and walked to the window that overlooked the parking lot. “We can’t change our past.” She turned back and looked at her mom, who picked at the blanket, not looking at her. “But I’m willing to work on making our relationship better from this point forward.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re still my mom.” She walked back to the bed and took her mom’s hand. “And I really need you right now.” She started to cry. “I screwed up. And I’ve lost everything.”

Her mom gave a soft smile and opened her arms. Elizabeth crumpled into them. “Bethie. Baby.” She rubbed Elizabeth’s back and rocked back and forth. “I don’t think I’ve seen you cry since you were a tiny thing.”

Because she never had, not in front of her mom. Elizabeth sniffled. “What am I going to do, Mom?”

“You’ll find another job.”

She shook her head. “I meant about Rick.”

Her mom continued to rub her back. It felt good. This was the mother she’d wanted. Craved. Elizabeth didn’t know if this closeness would survive beyond today, but she would enjoy it while it lasted.

Elizabeth looked up into her mom’s eyes. “I want to know what real love is. And I think I let it go.”

“So you’ll get it back.” Her mom wiped her face with a tissue from the box by her bed. “Love always wins.” Elizabeth stared at her until her mom shrugged. “At least it does on television. So why can’t you find it out here in the real world, too?”

Elizabeth sighed. That was the question.

* * *

R
ICK
CHOKED
AS
D
ENISE
applied more powder to his face. “Am I really looking that bad?”

“Your dark circles have circles.” Denise dotted foundation under Rick’s eyes. “You’ll have to check those bags before you fly. Aren’t you sleeping?”

“Funny.” Rick closed his eyes and let Denise work her magic. Truth was, he wasn’t sleeping. His mind kept replaying the events of the past couple of days over and over. What could he have done differently? Said differently? Why hadn’t she said yes? Didn’t she love him?

When would he stop loving her?

“I’ll be with you in two secs, hon. I’m just finishing up here,” Denise told someone. Then she sighed. “Even a magician can only do so much with what she’s given.”

Denise removed the cape from Rick’s neck, and he opened his eyes. And saw Melissa on the stool in front of the mirror next to him.

He looked at her, but she didn’t meet his eyes. He’d been in her situation. He knew what she felt. Thought. He cleared his throat. “Missy.”

She glanced at him, then returned her gaze to her own image in the mirror. “Rick.”

He wasn’t the only one hurting after what he’d done. When was he going to learn? “I’m so sorry. I wish—”

She whirled around and stared at him. “Don’t.”

He reached out a hand to her, then dropped it. “If it could have been anyone else, it would have been you.”

“Is that supposed to help?” Melissa shook her head and turned her chair, as if she was unable to look at him.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

She stood and approached him. Rick backed up and felt the stool hit the back of his thighs. He had nowhere else to go. Melissa poked him in the chest. “It still hurts. And you should know that better than anyone.”

She stormed off as Rick watched her. She was right. And he couldn’t fix things with her any more than Brandy could have fixed things with him.

Great.
Now he had regret and guilt.

Rick ran after her. “Wait. Let me explain.” She stopped walking but didn’t turn around. He paused and closed his eyes. “I wanted it to be you. Hoped I could make it happen.” He opened his eyes and stepped closer to her. “You’re an amazing woman, Missy.”

She turned, her eyes glittering with tears. “But not amazing enough for you.”

“I’m an idiot, okay?” He held out his arms so that she could land a punch in his chest if she wanted. “But I didn’t want to settle for something that wasn’t real.” He dropped his voice. “And neither should you.”

Melissa turned away, blinking and wiping the corner of one eye with her pinky finger. “They’ve offered me one of the next seasons on the show. At first I told them no. But I don’t know. Maybe.”

Rick nodded. “Lizzie will take good care of you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Didn’t you hear? Your girlfriend quit.”

After dropping that bombshell, she walked back to the makeup department to get ready for their reunion show. Rick staggered back. She’d quit? Since when had Lizzie ever quit anything?

He’d hoped and feared that she’d be at the reunion. He’d wanted to talk to her. To ask her why. Now he wouldn’t get that chance.

Rick walked to the wardrobe department and waited for one of the producers to tell him what to wear, what to do. Without Lizzie, he felt lost in more ways than one.

* * *

T
HE
LONG
SOLITARY
drive north from the airport gave Rick time to think. Which could have been a good thing under any other circumstances. In this case, it only made him more anxious. More wary. What would he find when he came home?

He took the exit off the freeway toward Lake Mildred, and his anxiety level tripled. What was he doing? He couldn’t do this. Couldn’t face the town that had stood behind him only to watch him mess it all up.

He’d already done what he had to. He’d done the interviews, answered their questions for the past week. Now he wanted only to go home. Lie in bed and lick his wounds. And wonder where he’d gone wrong. Again.

Better yet, he needed to disappear where no one would find him.

And lucky for him, he owned just the place. He checked the road and made a quick U-turn. It would take him a couple of hours to reach the Upper Peninsula, but it would be worth it.

Peace. Quiet.

And completely alone.

* * *

R
ICK
TOOK
HIS
CUP
of coffee out on to the covered porch and took a seat in the Adirondack chair that faced the lake. The only sound to break the silence of the woods was the call of a hawk stalking its prey. He sipped his coffee and closed his eyes.

Aah. Peace.

Which was interrupted by the sound of an approaching car engine. He peeked out of one eye and groaned. If he wasn’t answering Dan’s phone calls, what made him think he wanted to talk in person? He shouldn’t have been surprised.

Brandy getting out of the passenger seat made his eyebrows rise. She walked around the car and held hands with Dan as they approached the cottage. Rick scowled. “What are you two doing here?”

“You’ve been here for a week. That’s enough time to sulk alone. Now I’m going to talk some sense into you and get you back home.” Dan planted one foot on the lower step of the porch. “And if that doesn’t work, Brandy will.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“You’re in the middle of nowhere by yourself. The closest neighbor is three miles away.” Dan looked around. “I know you, Rick. You need people around you. You thrive on it. That’s what makes you a great manager.”

People around was exactly what he didn’t want at the moment. “I don’t feel so great right now. And I definitely don’t want to be around anyone. Now please go.”

Brandy stepped forward. “No.” She walked onto the porch and took a seat in the other Adirondack chair. “Not till you listen.”

“And what has that gotten me? Oh, that’s right. A broken heart.” He rose from the chair and looked at Dan. “Now leave.”

When neither his brother nor Brandy made a move, Rick walked into the cottage and slammed the front door.

Moments later, Dan walked through. “Kind of hard to keep people out when you don’t lock the door.”

Rick stared at his brother and wished they hadn’t been raised to be so stubborn. “Seriously, Dan, I don’t want to talk.”

“Good. Then you can listen. And maybe read this over and tell me what you want to do.”

He handed Rick a small stack of papers. Rick flipped through them. “You got everyone in town to sign a petition? I’m not going back home just because you got people to sign a piece of paper.”

“It’s not a petition to get you home. They want you to run for mayor.”

Rick frowned and reread the papers. “And why would they want that?”

Dan ticked the reasons off on his fingers. “Because you saw an opportunity to help the town and took it. You brought us jobs and a cash flow with the production in town. You saved Allyn Pickles by putting us in the national spotlight again. And you certainly saved Lake Mildred.”

“The show’s over. The jobs are gone.”

Brandy handed him a second sheet of paper with figures and pointed to a colorful graph. “Tourism is up almost 300 percent. And as the new sales agent for Lake Realty, I can tell you that home sales have doubled since the show ended.”

Rick glanced through the figures and shrugged. “That’s not enough to make me a mayor.”

“No, but your love for the community is.” Dan leaned in closer. “When everyone else, including me, was giving up, you fought to keep the town alive. To make our town the way you remembered it. No one loves Lake Mildred like you. And that makes you perfect for the job.”

“A job I don’t want.” He closed his eyes. “The first time I did the show because Dad wanted me to save the company. I did it again to save the town. When is it going to be my turn to do what I want?”