Free The Reluctant Bachelor by Syndi Powell Page B

nursing home was inspired. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
    Rick felt his cheeks warm. He looked down at his feet, which were covered in uncomfortable leather dress shoes. “I remember how pleased as punch my grandpa was when a young thing paid him some attention after Grandma died.”
    “Seeing the women in this light is going to really help the audience perception. Maybe give us less drama than the catfights they might expect. But why not show off a better side of humanity, right?” She took a deep breath. “We needed to change the focus of the show after the last producer left, and I think you might be what we need.”
    “Don’t give me all the credit, Ms. Executive Producer.” He glanced over her shoulder at the line of studio personnel watching them. “I don’t remember all the suits the last time I did this.”
    She leaned in closer and dropped the volume of her voice. “They want to make sure I do my new job right, I guess. Don’t let it worry you. I got this.” She winked at him, and the previous nervousness fled from her demeanor. He could tell that she was now in the zone.
    He nodded. So was he.
    * * *
    E LIZABETH ADJUSTED R ICK ’ S microphone and checked the levels to make sure it was picking up sound. One of her assistants had already done it, but her job meant that she double-and triple-checked anything and everything. “Talk clearly, but don’t shout. The mike is strong enough to pick up even a whisper.” She picked up an earpiece from the counter behind her and handed it to him. “Take this. If you get lost or tongue-tied, I can guide you through.”
    He shook his head and tried to hand it back. “And I thought we were having a nice moment. No.”
    She sighed, knowing that she could lose this battle, and she never lost. “Just in case. I’ll be your Cyrano.”
    Again, he handed it back to her. “We’re doing this my way. And we’re keeping it real.”
    She groaned and wanted to stamp her heels. Unfortunately, she didn’t think that would serve her cause. “Real isn’t selling on TV.”
    “We have an agreement.” He closed her hand on the earpiece, and this time she accepted it. “I don’t need you, but thanks.”
    She smiled up into his eyes. “But you do need me. Otherwise we wouldn’t both be here again.”
    “Funny.” He took a few deep breaths. “Okay, let’s do this. I’m ready.”
    Charlie walked by them with his handheld camera. “Network says we’re back from commercial in ten.”
    Rick’s bravado paled slightly. Elizabeth adjusted his tie again. She wasn’t about to lose her star now. “Remember. They’re here because of you. They want your attention. They want your love. You don’t have to be anything but who you really are.” She turned him around, then pushed him through the swinging doors into the hall. “Knock ’em out.”
    * * *
    R ICK BLINKED at the bright lights and couldn’t see one face in the crowd that he knew was gathered in front of them. He held up a hand to shield his eyes from the glare. “I know they talk about the bright lights of fame, but this is a bit much.”
    He heard a few chuckles. Score. “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. And welcome to Lake Mildred.” He’d had a speech all prepared, but the words failed to come to mind. Instead he rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get this party going with an oldie but goody.”
    He turned and nodded toward the director, who started the band playing a slow tune popular when his parents had been young and dating. Good choice. He walked into the crowd and found a woman who had to be eighty years young. “Care for this dance?”
    She tittered and blushed as he helped her walk out onto the dance floor and started to sway slowly while she hung on to her walker. “You taught ninth-grade English, right?”
    The older woman nodded. “You always were the charmer, Ricky.”
    A young woman with more hair than dress approached them. She beamed widely at them. “Mind if I join