by Syndi Powell
Rick glanced toward the dining room again. “There is someone, Mom, but...I don’t know.”
“You don’t know that you love her?”
He shook his head. “It’s complicated.” He handed her some dripping silverware. “She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever known. But I don’t think we can be together.”
She put the towel with the silverware on the counter and approached him. Put her hands on his cheeks. Forced him to look down at her. “Nothing is impossible if you know what you want. Do you love her?”
Lizzie walked into the room with more dirty dishes, and Rick moved away from his mom. He pointed to the coconut cake displayed under the glass dome. “We’re just finishing up the dishes. Then we’ll have dessert in the family room.”
“Great.” She smiled at his mom. “Dinner was fabulous, Mrs. Allyn. Rick obviously learned how to cook from you.”
“He begged me to show him how to make his favorite pancakes when he was four.” She glanced at Rick with a grin. “Been teaching him my secrets ever since.”
“Your hard work paid off.” Lizzie put the dishes on the counter and returned to the dining room.
Rick followed her with his eyes before turning to his mom, whose smile had faded. “Oh, honey. What have you done?”
Rick frowned. “I haven’t done a thing. We’re just friends.”
He turned back to the dishes and rinsed off a platter. When he tried to hand it to his mom, she reached up and hugged him instead. “Is she what your heart wants?”
“More than my heart, Ma.” He peered into his mom’s eyes. “What am I gonna do?”
* * *
RICK GLANCED AROUND the dining room table at his family, then at his three dates. He stood and held out his hand to Becky. “Want to go for a little walk?”
Becky nodded and took his hand. He hated to do this. Didn’t want her to go home yet, but he knew that more time wouldn’t change how he felt. He helped Becky into her coat, then took her hand again and led her outside. He waited a moment for Charlie to check lights and turn on the handheld. He gave a nod, so Rick walked with Becky to the end of the dock.
The thick layer of ice that once crusted the lake had thawed into a cracked surface that would soon melt. Winter would be a memory.
He turned to his date. “Becky...”
She took a deep breath. Held it in. Then let it out in a big sigh. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“I wish things could have been different. You’re amazing.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “There’s some guy out there who’s going to be a very lucky man someday.”
She backed up slightly so that his hand fell to his side. She turned and looked out at the lights from the houses across the lake. “Time will heal. There are other fish in the sea. It’s not you, it’s me.” She turned back. “Any other clichés you’d like to add to your speech?”
“Becky, I—”
“Don’t.” She took another step back and crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought we had something special.”
He closed his eyes. He knew what she meant. Knew what she was thinking. Hadn’t he been saying similar things when Brandy had left him? “I don’t think I’m the right man for you. You need someone—”
“Don’t tell me what I need, because you have no clue.” She shook her head. “If you did, you wouldn’t be saying these things to me.”
Rick winced. Gone was the sweet, funny Becky. Replaced by a hurt, angry one. “I’m sorry.”
“I bet you are.” She turned and left, brushing past Charlie and his camera.
Rick glanced at the cameraman. “That went well.”
“You know women.”
Rick nodded, but in truth he was learning he knew very little. He’d thought Becky would be gracious. Maybe tear up a little but otherwise accept his goodbyes.
He knew nothing.
ELIZABETH WATCHED FROM the kitchen window as Becky stormed to the waiting limousine and slammed the door shut once inside. She consulted her clipboard before Rick could return and they planned their next steps. So the hometown dates would be Brandy and Melissa. Chicago and Tennessee. City and country.
Rick opened the back door and shut it quietly behind him. Elizabeth walked over and rubbed his shoulder. “She take it hard?”
He nodded but didn’t explain. He looked around the empty room. “Melissa and Brandy?”
“I sent them back to the house to pack.” She held up the clipboard. “We really need to go over these plans.”
“Not tonight.” He walked past her into the family room, turned off lamps and checked the fireplace to make sure that the fire had been put out. When he looked back up at her, she walked toward him. He backed away. “Seriously, Lizzie. It’s been a long night. I’ve had to break another heart. I’m in no mood to talk about schedules and dates and finales, okay?”
She tilted her head to the side and watched him. “This is about more than Becky going home.”
He walked out of the family room and into the kitchen. Elizabeth followed him closely. “Rick, talk to me.”
He turned and faced her. “Why?”
“Because I thought we were friends.” She looked into his eyes. “Was I wrong about that, too?”
“What we are seems to go back and forth from colleagues to friends to more.” He started to put dishes from the dish rack away in the cupboards. “You made it clear that we need to keep our distance. And yet here you are. Alone. With me.” He turned and faced her. “So what is it that you want? For me to open up and talk or to stay away? Because, frankly, I’m getting whiplash with your mood swings.”
“Mood swings!”
He shrugged. “You have a better word for it?”
You bet there’s a better word. “How about I’m trying to help you? I’m trying to find you a wife.” Didn’t he get it?
“And keep your job while you’re at it.”
“I never made it a secret that my whole life is this show.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Especially now.”
He stalked toward her. “And maybe my job is to show you that there’s more.”
He pulled her into his arms and looked down into her eyes. She wanted this. She didn’t want this. Finally, he released her.
Elizabeth bit her lip and struggled to pull her emotions together. She bowed her head and stared at her feet while Rick finished putting dishes away and started to turn lights out in the kitchen. They stood in the dark, silent room. He walked to the back door and opened it. “Goodbye, Lizzie. I’ll see you in Chicago.”
“Why are you so upset?”
He handed her the car keys. “Drive carefully. It’s starting to snow.”
“I care about you, Rick.” More than she should, if she wanted to admit it. She walked closer and took the keys from his hands. “But you’re right. I need to stay away from you.”
“Fine.”
“Fall in love, Rick. Just not with me.” She gave him one last look, then stepped out into the cold night.
* * *
RICK LOCKED THE FRONT door and stood quietly for a while. He turned to head to bed, when he saw movement on the porch. The sheriff had mentioned that there had been a break-in a few streets over on Lawn. Well, it wasn’t happening on his watch. He whipped open the door. “Gotcha.”
Dan and Brandy jumped apart. Rick stared at them, then walked back into the house and slammed the door.
“Ricky, wait.”
He turned to his brother, who stood alone in the foyer. “For what? So you and Brandy can stage a repeat performance?”
“We weren’t doing anything.”
Rick doubted his words. “Then why act guilty?” He returned to the kitchen and locked the back door.
Dan followed him. “I think I love her.”
&
nbsp; Rick stared at his older brother. Was he kidding him with this? “I chose her tonight because I thought she and I might still have something.” He held up his hands. “But she wants to be with you instead? How did I end up here again?” He shook his head and closed his eyes. Five years was definitely not long enough. “I should have known. Should have seen.”
“We didn’t even see it until tonight.” Dan took a few steps toward his brother, then stopped when Rick backed away. “I thought it was just me. That she couldn’t...” He groaned. “I’m not the marrying type, but when I look at her, I see her in a white dress in a church. Heaven help me.”
“This isn’t helping me.”
Dan shook his head. “My plan was to wait until the end. When you picked Melissa.”
“What makes you think I was going to pick her?”
“Because she’s perfect for you. We all see it.”
Rick nodded, not because he agreed but because he didn’t know what else to do. “I’m glad you’re deciding my life for me.”
“Someone has to. Because you seem to be completely willing to sail through without going after what you want.” Dan stood taller, reminding Rick of his father. “I know what I want. And I’ll go after it. But I’ll wait. And then she’ll be mine.”
“And she feels the same way?”
Dan nodded. “I think so. It’s what we were talking about when you interrupted.”
Rick leaned against the kitchen counter and gazed at his feet. “How did you know you wanted her?”
“When you know, you know.”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Rick knocked on the door to Lizzie’s hotel room. She’d called him an hour earlier, requesting a meeting. Didn’t say why. And he didn’t ask. But his damp palms and the warmth spreading across his chest made him think that his life could change when she opened the door.
The door opened, and she ushered him inside. Before she could say anything, Rick started. “Lizzie, I don’t know why I’m here, but I have to tell you something.”
A second knock at the door stopped him from telling her. He’d been so sure about what he had to say, but Brandy walking into the room changed that. He shook his head and started to leave. “I don’t need to be here for this.”
Lizzie blocked the doorway. “Oh, yes, you do.” She pointed to the bed. “Sit.” She turned to Brandy and pointed at the chair by the window. “You, too.”
He had no choice but to obey with that authority in her voice. He sat on the edge of the bed and turned to face Lizzie rather than looking at Brandy. Ever since seeing her with Dan last night, he’d felt as he had five years ago. Betrayed. Bewildered. And wondering what was wrong with him. Was he really that bad a catch that she would keep choosing someone else? He’d thought they had something again. And again he’d been wrong. So wrong.
Lizzie looked at them both, then sighed. “Does someone want to tell me what happened after I left last night? Or do I have to fill in the blanks myself?”
Rick glared at Brandy. “Why don’t you ask her? She’s the one who’s been lying this entire time.”
Brandy stood and faced him. “It wasn’t lying.”
Rick stood, as well. “Then what else would you call sneaking around behind my back?”
“We didn’t do anything!”
Lizzie stepped between them and held up her hands. “Stop. Both of you.” She snapped her fingers, and they both sat again. “Brandy, do you want to continue on the show?”
Rick jumped to his feet. “Why should it be her choice? I’m the one looking for a wife here. She’s the one who lied and cheated. Again.”
Brandy looked over at him, then down at her hands, remaining silent. Lizzie looked at Rick until he sat back down on the bed. She buried her face in her hands. When she looked up at them, she seemed tired. Ready for this to be over. Rick knew exactly how she might feel.
Lizzie looked at Rick. “If you want to send Brandy home and bring Becky back, we can reshoot the last episode. Make it look as if you had in the first place.”
He shook his head. “I sent Becky home because I didn’t see a future with her.” He turned and glanced at Brandy. “I saw one with you, though. Always thought that’s the way it was supposed to be.”
“Rick, I’m sorry—”
He held up his hand to stop whatever she might say next. “What if the reason I saw you in my future was because it was supposed to be you with Dan, and not with me?”
Lizzie turned to him and opened her mouth but stayed silent.
He continued, “I’m not saying I’m not hurt. And a little angry. I still feel like you lied to me.”
“I didn’t think the feelings I had for Dan could go anywhere. I didn’t know he felt the same way.” Brandy closed her eyes. “I like you, Rick, but maybe I should drop out. Give you a chance to find real love.”
Lizzie threw her hands up in the air. “So where does that leave us? Is Brandy going home? Is Becky coming back? How do you want to handle this?” Lizzie looked between them both. “I’d like to hear some suggestions because I’m out of them.”
Rick glanced between both women. “I don’t think Melissa would like to know she won by default. It’s not fair to her or the audience.” He rose and walked toward Brandy. “Would you be willing to stay on? We can pretend for the cameras for the last few shows.”
She bit her lip. “But is that fair to you?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m proposing to Melissa.” But even as he said the words, he knew he didn’t mean them. If he did, he would be more excited. More certain. If anything, he only felt more confused. “What else am I supposed to do? What do you want from me, Lizzie?”
“I want you to be happy. Does this decision make you happy?”
“The fact that my brother is in love with one of my contestants?” He shook his head. “Nope. Not happy about that. But I can’t do anything to change it, can I?”
The room started to close in on him. He held up his hands. “I need some air.”
He left them behind.
* * *
ELIZABETH WATCHED Rick go. Wished she could ease his pain. Instead, she turned to Brandy. “You should have told him from the beginning about Dan.”
Brandy frowned. Almost pouted, which Elizabeth thought was more annoying than anything. The woman shook her head. “I thought my feelings were one-sided. I didn’t know he felt the same.”
“Then you should have told Rick you were having feelings about someone else. You’ve done this to him twice, Brandy. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope he kicks your butt to the curb for this.” She walked to the door and held it open. “Unfortunately, Rick is a nice guy, so he won’t. He’ll forgive you and accept you. And let you get away with it.”
Brandy walked through the door, then stopped and turned. “What about the show?”
“That’s up to Rick now. But I’d start packing my bags.” She slammed the door in the other woman’s face.
Her heart reached out to Rick. It was bad enough that Brandy had rejected him before, but now this? Small comfort in the fact that it had been done behind closed doors rather than on live television.
She picked up her cell phone and dialed Rick’s number. Wasn’t surprised that her call got directed straight to voice mail. She hung up the phone and considered the possibilities.
Without the sense that the proposal could go two different ways, much of the drama and romance would be left out of the last dates. As well as the live finale. If the audience knew who Rick had chosen, why would they tune in?
She sank to the bed, head in her hands. Should she call Becky and ask her to come back? Give them a chance to redeem the show?
Or keep all this quiet and proceed with Brandy and Melissa?
Again she thought of Rick. He didn’t deserve to be treate
d like this. He deserved love. True love. The kind that poets wrote about and singers sang about. The kind that made her show popular.
The kind that just maybe she deserved, too.
She sighed, not wanting to think about that, grabbed her phone and dialed another number. When he picked up, she held her breath. “Will you meet me in an hour at the factory? We need to talk.”
* * *
DAN MET HER in the pickle factory parking lot, leaning against his car as if the gray skies and melting snow on the ground didn’t affect him. She’d asked him to meet her here thinking he’d be more comfortable on his own turf, and since it was Sunday there wouldn’t be too many unwanted eyes and ears for their conversation. Elizabeth got out of her SUV and walked toward him. He held up his hands. “We haven’t done anything yet.”
She nodded and removed her sunglasses to look at him. “But you haven’t made this easy on me. Especially with Rick.” She shook her head. “What were you thinking?”
“For once, I was thinking about myself. Not Rick. Or the company. Or the town.” Dan turned up the collar of his coat. “I love her.”
“I knew it. I could see it happening right in front of my eyes. But I thought I could control it. Just like everything else.”
“No offense, Elizabeth, but you can’t control love.”
She looked at him and slowly nodded. “I think I’m finally realizing that.” She crooked her head at the factory. “Mind if we continue this conversation somewhere warmer?”
Dan led her inside the factory, where the hissing and whirring of machines and conveyor belts filled most of the space. He walked her down the hallway to his office and held open the door for her.
She surveyed the room. It was much like Dan. No-nonsense. Neat. Organized. And focused on business. She turned and leaned against his desk. “What do we do about Rick?”
Dan frowned and looked at her as if she’d asked about climate change. “He’ll honor his commitment to the show, of course.”
“I meant about his heart.” She pushed off the desk and approached Dan. “He’s really hurting right now, and I need to find him.”
“Well, he’s not answering my phone calls.” Dan held up his cell. “I’ve called him every fifteen minutes this morning. No response.”
