The Reluctant Bachelor. Syndi Powell

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      She shook her head. “You’re worse than a kid.”

      He grinned at her, and a punch landed in her stomach. Wow.

      With his help, they put the soft top down on the convertible and she settled into the driver’s seat. He bounced slightly in the seat and tried all the knobs on the dashboard. She playfully swatted his hand, then turned the key in the ignition. “It’s a car, not a toy.”

      He chuckled and settled back in the passenger seat, eyes closed and sun streaming onto his face. “I love Sundays.”

      “I can tell.”

      He opened one eye and looked at her. She turned her gaze back to the road. “You don’t?”

      She shrugged. “In my world, it’s just another day. Another day of phone calls, meetings and... Why are you staring at me like that?”

      “You really need to find a hobby.” He turned his focus back to the road. “Turn left up here, and we’ll follow the lake to the house.”

      * * *

      RICKHELPED LIZZIEout of the car, then walked around the house to the back door.

      He opened the door and popped his head inside. “Mom?” The smell of roasting beef tickled his nose, so he knew she was around somewhere. He turned back to Lizzie. “She’s probably changing from her church clothes.”

      Lizzie looked down at her suit. “Do I look okay?”

      He smiled. Always worried about how she looked. He wore his Detroit Tigers T-shirt and favorite jeans. He didn’t have to worry. “You’re not meeting my family as a girlfriend, so stop worrying. They’ll love you.”

      “Until they find out I’m bringing you back to the show again.” She shut the door behind her. “We really need to talk.”

      He held up a hand. “I know. Later.” It was definitely a conversation that could wait.

      His mom entered the kitchen and walked over to him. She kissed him on the cheek. “My handsome boy.” She turned to Lizzie. Her expression changed from affection to distrust. “I’ve agreed to be civil, for Rick’s sake.” Lizzie fidgeted until his mom looked her over and sighed. “Rick’s right. You need some fattening up. I hope you’re hungry.”

      Rick took a step between Lizzie and his mom. Better to keep them at a distance for now. “Is Danny here yet? I’m starving to death.” He patted his empty stomach again.

      His mom rolled her eyes. “Never mind him, Lizzie. He’s always hungry.”

      “Elizabeth.”

      His mom checked on the roast in the oven, then turned to them. “Rick, you’re on table duty. Lizzie, if you’d help me make a salad, then we’ll be able to eat once Dan arrives. Now, why don’t you tell me more about what’s going on with you two.”

      Lizzie colored as pink as her suit. Rick cleared his throat. “I’ve agreed to do the show again, Ma.”

      She stopped pulling vegetables from the crisper and turned to face him. He swallowed and felt exactly like he used to when waiting for his father to come home and discipline him for goofing off in school. He hadn’t wanted to blurt it out like that, but it was better to say it now rather than waiting for Dan to start spinning this to his advantage. He watched for his mother’s reaction.

      She nodded and took a seat at the kitchen island. Rick helped to put the vegetables on the counter and shut the refrigerator. He chuckled, trying to keep it light. “I didn’t expect you to be overjoyed, but speechless? Wow.”

      “Why do you want to put yourself through that, honey?” She put her hands on either side of his face. “Do you think you could handle it again?”

      He glanced at Lizzie, who started to peel the plastic wrap from the head of lettuce. His producer wasn’t being any help, so he shrugged. “I’m still single. Still haven’t found the right woman. Why not open the odds up a little in my favor?”

      “It didn’t work the last time.” She shook her head and buried her face in her hands. “I begged your father to let you off the hook. We didn’t need that ridiculous show to survive.”

      “Mrs. Allyn, the chances of Rick finding a wife are better this time. He’ll be the focus of our show. The one doing the choosing.”

      His mom turned to her. “I can’t believe you’re torturing him again with this. You don’t know what it was like when he came back. The pain—”

      “Ma.” She turned back to him. He’d do anything to ease the worry in her eyes. “I know you’re trying to protect me. But this time will be different.”

      “How can you be so sure?”

      He winked at Lizzie. “Because we’re doing it my way this time.”

      Lizzie paled but gave a weak nod to Ma when she looked at her. “Rick wants more control this time. We still have to work out the details, but he wants to film here in town.”

      Rick crossed his arms. “I more than want it. I’m going to have it or there will be no show.”

      Lizzie accepted the knife from his mom. She started to chop the tomato. “I understand that you want to avoid what happened last time, but there are certain requirements, restrictions, that the show places not only on the contestants, but—”

      He held up one hand. “Don’t try to produce me right now, Lizzie.” He turned back to his mom. “When are you going to stop worrying about me?”

      She tried to give him a smile, but he could see what it cost her. “You’ll always be my baby.”

      He hugged her and rubbed her back. “Someday you’ll have to trust me to make big-boy decisions.”

      “What’s wrong?”

      Rick turned to Dan, who had entered the kitchen, shrugged out of his suit coat and hung it on the back of a stool. “Mom’s worried about me doing the show again.”

      Dan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “So you’re really going to do it.”

      “Yes, Dan. I think so.” He glanced at Lizzie, who watched his reaction closely. “I’m almost positive.” He turned back to his mom. “I don’t want to make the same mistakes, so that’s why we’re doing the show here. You’ll get to know all the women throughout the whole process. And give me advice.” He turned to face Dan. “When I ask for it.”

      “Taping here means that we can showcase Allyn Pickles even more. Make a national audience aware of what we offer.” His mercenary brother’s eyes glazed over with the possibilities, and Rick sighed and patted his mom’s arm.

      “I’ll set the table, and we can discuss this over dinner. Okay?”

      She nodded, but he could tell she wasn’t really there. He walked to the cupboard and pulled out dishes and glasses, then disappeared into the dining room. It was mindless work, but that was what he needed to clear his mind.

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