Syndi Powell - The Reluctant Bachelor

A SECOND CHANCE AT TRUE LOVE

Five years ago, Rick Allyn was publicly humiliated when he had his heart broken on the reality dating show True Love. Convincing him to sign up for another round of punishment isn’t going to be easy. But with the show’s ratings plummeting, producer Elizabeth Maier will have to persuade him to agree…or she’ll be putting in a job application at Rick’s small-town diner.

Elizabeth is confident this season will be different. With his prominent family, boyish charm and good looks, Rick is the complete package. Finding his soul mate shouldn’t be hard. However, as filming continues, she’s beginning to suspect that the perfect woman for Rick is her. That leaves Elizabeth with a tough choice: her job at True Love or a shot at the real thing.

Elizabeth studied the handsome man next to her.

When had she lost her touch? Most men jumped at the chance to have twenty-five beautiful women fawning over them.

“You owe it to America to be on the show.”

“Somehow I think you’re exaggerating.” Rick chuckled.

She was losing him. He wasn’t interested in money, love or fame. What else could he want? She changed gears. “If this is about reliving history, we’ll do a better job this time. You won’t end up humiliated and alone.”

“It must be nice to control the universe.”

She reached over and put a hand on his arm, and tried to ignore the skitter in her stomach when she felt his muscles underneath the denim jacket. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll guarantee it.”

If only she could have what she truly wanted.

Dear Reader,

One of my favorite television shows is The Bachelor, and I love the idea that you can meet the love of your life on a reality show. Of course, the reality is it doesn’t always work out that way, and I wondered what would happen if a bachelor was rejected on live television in front of an audience of millions? How could he come back from that and find a second chance at love? And what if it turned out to be with the wrong woman?

With those questions in mind, I started the story. I named my bachelor after my dad and gave him a lot of my dad’s qualities. I discovered that I wasn’t only writing a romance, but a story that would honor my dad’s memory in a small way.

I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did. And I’d love to hear from you at www.facebook.com/syndipowellauthor.

Syndi Powell

The Reluctant Bachelor

Syndi Powell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SYNDI POWELL

started writing stories when she was young, eager to find out what happened after the happily-ever-after in her favorite books, and has made it a lifelong pursuit. She’s been reading Harlequin romance novels since she was in her teens and is thrilled to join the Harlequin team. She lives near Detroit with her husband, stepson and a cat and dog who believe they run the household. She loves to connect with readers on Twitter, @syndipowell, or on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/syndipowellauthor.

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Dedicated to my dad, who I hope can read this book from heaven. I love and miss you. And to my mom, who introduced me to reading Harlequin books in the first place and started the love affair. Thank you both for your love and support.

Contents

PROLOGUE PROLOGUE RICK ALLYNTUGGEDat the sky-blue tie that had been looped around his neck by one of the production assistants of True Love, a dating reality show. Only moments away from proposing to the one woman he’d never believed he’d find, he should feel anxious, right? The butterflies running bases in his stomach only proved his human nature. After all, Brandy could say no. But she wouldn’t. Not to him. At twenty-five, he was the entire package—looks, smarts and, after his agent worked out the details of his contract, a major-league baseball player. Lizzie Maier walked toward him. Serious, as always. She was wearing a purple power suit; her long brown hair was tied up in some ridiculous style that only emphasized the sharpness of her cheekbones. And the grass-green of her eyes. He held up his hands in surrender. “What did I do now?” Lizzie shook her head and reached up to straighten his tie. “She’s almost ready for you.” She didn’t look him in the eyes, but kept her focus on his suit and the fit of it. “Are you sure about this?” Finally she looked up at him. “Brandy’s an amazing woman. Beautiful. Smart. What man wouldn’t want to be married to her?” “Right.” Lizzie nodded, then tapped her earpiece and shook her head. “They’re still not ready. Rick, I should tell you—” “Lizzie, relax.” “It’s Elizabeth.” “Not to me.” He winked at her. “I’m going to propose. She’ll say yes. Then you’re going to throw us the biggest, most romantic wedding that has ever aired on television.” Rick rolled his head around his neck to get out the tension. “Now, let’s get this show on the road. The rock in my pocket is weighing me down.” “What if she doesn’t pick you?” Rick laughed and shook his head. “She’s going to pick Wade? Give me a break. It’s not like all of us didn’t warn her about him. Brandy’s a smart girl. She knows.” “Rick—” “It’s fine. Really, Lizzie.” He straightened his shoulders and touched his tie. “I’m getting the girl. I’m winning her heart. And you can print that in the tabloids.” Lizzie tapped her earpiece again. “Okay, they’re ready for you.” She studied him, then sighed. “You’ve been a good friend to me during this show. Thanks.” He winked. “Let’s go propose on live television.”

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

PROLOGUE

RICK ALLYNTUGGEDat the sky-blue tie that had been looped around his neck by one of the production assistants of True Love, a dating reality show. Only moments away from proposing to the one woman he’d never believed he’d find, he should feel anxious, right? The butterflies running bases in his stomach only proved his human nature.

After all, Brandy could say no.

But she wouldn’t. Not to him. At twenty-five, he was the entire package—looks, smarts and, after his agent worked out the details of his contract, a major-league baseball player.

Lizzie Maier walked toward him. Serious, as always. She was wearing a purple power suit; her long brown hair was tied up in some ridiculous style that only emphasized the sharpness of her cheekbones. And the grass-green of her eyes.

He held up his hands in surrender. “What did I do now?”

Lizzie shook her head and reached up to straighten his tie. “She’s almost ready for you.” She didn’t look him in the eyes, but kept her focus on his suit and the fit of it. “Are you sure about this?”