The Reluctant Bachelor (20 page)

“What do you want, Rick?” Brandy sat closer to him and put a hand on his arm. “What is it you really want?”

“I want the woman I love to stand next to me. A partner who can help me conquer the world. Or at least our portion of it. I want to raise my kids like I was raised. To feel safe. Loved.” He opened his eyes. “But she turned me down.”

Brandy nodded. “There are other women out there.”

“None like her.”

Rick rose to his feet. “Thanks for coming up here to check up on me. But I’m okay.”

Brandy stood and hugged him. “We know you’re not, but we’ll leave for now. Seems like you have some thinking to do.”

Rick hugged her back, then shook hands with Dan, who pulled him closer. “I love you, little brother. The town needs you. But it’s your choice. Your decision. It always has been.”

* * *

E
LIZABETH
CLOSED
her email program and checked her cell phone for messages. She’d sent almost a hundred résumés and portfolios out to production companies in Los Angeles. So far, she hadn’t received any responses. No interviews. No requests to see more copies of the shows she’d worked on. Nothing.

Except silence.

She logged in to her bank account and did some quick calculating. She’d already given notice to her landlord and had a lead on an apartment that she could better afford. If she moved to the Valley at the end of the month, she’d cut expenses and could survive the next three months without a job.

She glanced around her apartment and tried to determine what things she could sell. Her cell phone rang, but she didn’t recognize the area code. She was about to let it go to voice mail when something told her to answer it. “This is Elizabeth Maier.”

“Ms. Maier, this is Ronald Treeman with WPYT. How are you doing today?”

She racked her brain at the station name. It seemed familiar but not local. “I’m sorry, what station?”

“We’re northern Michigan’s number one station for news and weather.” When Elizabeth didn’t say anything, he continued talking. “I heard from a friend that you’re interested in a producing job. I’ve seen your work. I’ve even had a behind-the-scenes look at how you produce. And we’re impressed.”

“Um...thank you?”

“I’d like to fly you out for an interview.”

Elizabeth waited for the joke to be revealed. “Listen, no offense to your friend, but I’m looking for a job here in California.”

“I see. And how is that working out?”

More like it wasn’t. She didn’t respond.

“Then why not give us a shot? We’re not Hollywood. And our budget is only a portion of what you’re used to. But I think we might be a good fit.”

“And how do you figure that?”

“Because unlike Hollywood, we’re not interested in your mistakes.” He paused. “We love your triumphs. And
True Love,
despite what they said in the tabloids, was your best work.”

Finally someone was recognizing her show. Seeing her. “That show was my life.”

“Ms. Maier, it was just a show. But you come out and work for me, I guarantee you’ll find a life.”

Elizabeth paused. Michigan, huh? “Mr. Treeman, what friend recommended me?”

“Rick Allyn, of course.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T
HE
HUNGRY
CROWD
cheered as Rick brought out the first tray of turkey dinners followed by Dan, Brandy and his mother with equally heavy trays. They moved quickly, placing a heaping plate in front of each man, woman and child. “Don’t forget to pick out a new coat before you leave,” Rick told them. “And the church ladies made hats, scarves and gloves.”

“Bless you, Rick.” The thin woman in front of him placed a hand on his. “I didn’t know if we’d eat today.”

“I know, Shelly.” He smiled at her four kids. “And leave room for pie. With extra whipped cream.”

Once everyone had been served dinner and dessert, the family helped their less-fortunate guests choose warm winter wear that would hopefully get them through the coming cold months. Rick greeted each one as they left and reminded them about the Thanksgiving parade the next day. It would be his first as grand marshal, but then being the new mayor brought certain privileges.

After dishes were washed and leftovers delivered to the shelter, Rick’s family joined him in his apartment for their own Thanksgiving dinner. They held hands around the table as they said grace, then started to eat. “Mom, this stuffing with walnuts is fabulous.”

“It was one of my grandmother’s recipes I found in an old cookbook.” She took a bite and nodded. “It’s just like I remember.”

Rick nodded at his brother. “You ready for Saturday?”

Dan reached out and took Brandy’s hand. “I was ready the day I proposed, but Brandy’s the one who’s been keeping me waiting.”

She slapped Dan on the arm. “I told you I needed time to put a wedding together.”

“Well, here’s to the happy couple. I wish you an amazing life of love and laughter.” Rick raised his water glass. “To Brandy and Dan.”

They clinked glasses and returned to their meals.

“And what about you, little brother? I noticed that Tonya’s been eating at the diner every day for a month.” Dan leaned closer. “When are you going to finally ask her out?”

A knock at the door downstairs saved Rick. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, then stood. “I’ll be right back.”

He took the stairs two at a time, then paused when he saw Elizabeth peering into the darkened diner. He considered walking upstairs, pretending he hadn’t seen her. But his mother had raised him with better manners. Unfortunately for him.

Her face lit up when he opened the door for her. “Did I miss dinner?”

She’d missed a lot more than that. When would she get the hint? “What are you doing here?”

“Ron told me about the dinner you throw for the less fortunate. I came hoping to get a story.” She lifted her handheld camera as she looked around the diner. “I missed it.”

Rick stared at her, wondering if it was possible to make her disappear by wishing her away. “Elizabeth...”

She frowned. “You always call me Lizzie.”

“Elizabeth, I don’t want you here.” He walked back to the front door and opened it. “I’m spending the evening with my family.”

She walked past him toward the kitchen. “Great. I’d love to see them.”

He intercepted her before she could head upstairs. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re not welcome here. They don’t want to see you.”

She pawed through her purse and brought out a familiar purple invitation. “This says different.” She glanced at it. “Believe me, I was shocked to open my mailbox and find it waiting for me. But I thought if your family could forgive me, then maybe there’s a chance with you.”

She took a deep breath and smiled at him, knocking the air out of Rick’s lungs. Six months since the finale should be long enough to make him forget his feelings for the woman standing in front of him. Six long months to forget her and the way she could turn his life upside down with a simple smile. “I can’t, Elizabeth.”

A squeal behind him made them both turn. “I knew you’d come.” Brandy rushed forward and hugged Elizabeth. “But you missed dinner. I would have saved the dirty dishes for you if I’d known.”

“Very funny.” The women put their arms around each other and walked upstairs.

Rick cleared his throat. “Don’t I get a say in this? It is my place.”

“No,” they both answered and disappeared up the stairs.

* * *

D
ESPITE
THE
WARM
WELCOME
from Brandy, Elizabeth paused before following her into Rick’s apartment. His mother’s frown might have had something to do with it. But her less-than-warm welcome from Rick made it perfectly clear that she might be wrong for showing up. She shot a furtive look at Mrs. Allyn. “Sorry I’m late.”

Rick brushed past her and started to make a plate for her. He brought a desk chair from the living room and pulled it up to the table. Elizabeth took a seat and thanked him as he placed the food and silverware before her. He didn’t glance at her once. Not a good sign.

Rick bristled. Kept his gaze on the table rather than on her. “Thank Brandy, not me.”

“I invited her, Rick.” Dan shrugged at his brother’s glare. “No one deserves to be alone at the holidays.”

Rick pointed to her. “It was her choice to be alone.”

“Maybe I made the wrong choice.” She looked down at her hands. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”

“Congratulations. Admitting you have a problem is the first step.” Rick took his plate to the sink and stood there for several moments before turning back. “I need some air.”

After he left the apartment, Elizabeth glanced at his family. “I’m really sorry.”

Mrs. Allyn shook her head. “Don’t tell us. Tell him.”

“He doesn’t want to listen.”

The older woman touched her hand. “Do you love him?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? She’d listened to Ron’s job proposal but had calculated the distance from Rick while she agreed. She’d made a mistake letting him go. She wasn’t going to do that again. “Yes, I love him.”

“Then why are you sitting here? If you want him, go after him.”

She got to her feet, hugged them all, then left the apartment without another word. Main Street wasn’t that big, so she could see Rick’s dark figure at the far end. She ran after him. “Rick, wait.”

He turned and saw her. She was half-afraid that he’d turn away and leave her. Instead, he waited. She ran toward him and wondered why she hadn’t grabbed her coat. She’d have to get used to the cold weather if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with the man before her. When she reached him, she was out of breath. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“You waited.” It encouraged her.

Rick glanced at the ground. “Elizabeth—”

“I told you, it’s Lizzie.”

He looked up at her. “Why are you here?”

She rubbed her arms, hoping to get feeling back. Tried to think warm thoughts. “For Thanksgiving. For the wedding.”

“Is that all?”

“No.” She stepped closer to him, but he took a step back. “Rick, I didn’t know who I was without that job. I thought I was the job.” She shivered and looked down at her shaking hands. “I had to give it all up to find out I’m so much more.”

“I’m happy for you.” But his tone said something otherwise.

He turned and continued to walk down the street. Elizabeth followed him. “Don’t you want to know what else I found out?”

“No.” He glanced at her, then took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. “When am I going to stop having to take care of you?”

“Hopefully never.” She looked at him, hope rising in her heart. “I was wrong to turn you down that day. I listened to my head and not my heart. But I won’t do that again.”

“So you say.”

“I mean it. If you give me a chance—”

Rick laughed, but it didn’t sound joyful. Bitter instead. “I’ve been burned twice. What makes you think I would ever let you get a third shot at my heart?”

She reached out and held his hand. “Because I love you. And you love me.”

“That was before, Elizabeth.” He dropped her hand, crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed his arms. Started walking back to the apartment. She watched him walk back alone. Then she hung her head and prayed she wasn’t too late.

* * *

R
ICK
TOOK
HIS
RESPONSIBILITIES
as best man seriously. He had insured that his brother showed up on time and in his tux. He’d held on to the ring until it was time to hand it off to Dan. He had signed the marriage license and posed for the pictures that would be perused for years to come.

He’d pretended he was happy.

Not that he wasn’t glad to see his brother happily married. But it only made Rick feel lonelier. And more miserable.

He looked around the room of well-wishers, friends and relatives he hadn’t seen since the last family function. He clinked his knife against the champagne flute and stood as the room grew silent.

He took a deep breath, then grinned at the crowd. “I’d like to take credit for bringing my brother and his new wife together. After all, I met her first. Dated her first.” He leaned forward and said in a mock whisper, “I even kissed her first.”

After the laughter died down, he got serious. “But I discovered that while Brandy was an amazing woman, she wasn’t the one for me.”

He looked out and found Elizabeth watching him. He looked away from her. “Luckily, she is the right woman for Dan. And he’s the right man for her.” He raised his glass. “To Dan and Brandy. May you have many years ahead of you. May you find in each other the perfect partner and friend.”

Everyone raised their glasses and drank to the happy couple.

Elizabeth stood and approached the head table. She took the microphone from Rick.

Whispers started softly and grew as she stood in front of them. “I can tell by your reaction that you know who I am. What I did.” She glanced back at Brandy, who nodded. “But there are some things I need to say.”

She took a deep breath. “Weddings bring out some of the best in people. Those who are in relationships feel the bond grow stronger. Those who aren’t find themselves looking for the person who might fit into their lives.” She paused. “And those who have loved and lost begin to question the mistakes they made. The opportunities they’ve missed.”

Rick leaned forward and tried to take the microphone from her. “Elizabeth, don’t do this.”

She held on tighter and stepped away from him. “Don’t what? Tell the truth?” She glanced at the videographer. “You confessed your feelings in front of an audience of millions. Why can’t I share mine with hundreds?”

Rick walked around the table. She moved farther into the room and continued her speech. “I’ve watched this man walk out of my life twice. The first time, I missed his friendship. The way he made me smile. The second time, I missed him. The way he made me feel. Made me love.”

She turned and faced him, and Rick could feel his stomach start to tumble. He looked around the room and found his mom watching him, smiling through her tears. He turned back to Elizabeth.

“Rick...” She got down on one knee and looked up at him. Gasps sprung up around the room. He shook his head and approached Elizabeth. Tried to get her to stand. When she didn’t, he knelt beside her. She looked into his eyes. “I’ve loved you since the first time you called me Lizzie. You looked past the Elizabeth who could bark orders and make things happen and saw the Lizzie who could be vulnerable and was looking for a man like you to love her.”

Rick reached out and moved a wayward wisp of hair off her forehead. “Lizzie...”

“Because that’s who I am.” She leaned forward and touched her forehead to his. “I’m your Lizzie. Forever. And I want to make my home in your heart.”

Rick swallowed around the lump in his throat and pulled her into his arms. Kissed her bare shoulder.

“But before I do, I need to ask you a question.” She cleared her throat. “Rick, will you marry me?”

It was as if the entire room leaned forward, waiting for his answer. He hated to disappoint her. He peered into her eyes and warmed at the love shining out of them. But he shook his head. “I can’t.”

She frowned and tears glistened in her eyes. He brushed his fingertips over her cheek. “Not until I can find you the perfect ring.”

Lizzie smiled through tears. “I don’t need the perfect ring. Just you.”

Rick leaned forward and kissed her soundly amid the applause.

He’d gone on the show to find true love, twice. This time, he was going to hold on to Lizzie forever.

His heart had found a home in hers.

* * * * *