The Husband Hunt (a novella) (The Bachelor Series) Read Online Free PDF

thinking we’re going riding so if it turns out to be some formal event, I will look very silly.” They walked towards the house.
                  He made a gesture to lock his lips and smiled at her. Again, her heart raced at their exchange. Cameras were just getting set up inside, none running yet, and Crane motioned for them to walk through to the back yard where they “wouldn’t be in the way.”
                  “Are you coming on our private, seven-person date?” Jaxie grinned.
                  “No, I’m just here to say a few words on camera, then back again tomorrow to say a few more words. Then the next day I get to say even more words.” He looked into her face, as if studying her worth. “But then you know how it is to be the on camera talent.”
                  She nodded. “But you’re a producer too, I heard. Seems like you do more than just look pretty on camera.” They stood by an arbor of flowered vines, overlooking the pool.
                  “I’m executive producer of the show with three other people, so yes, I have an interest in everything going well.” He looked up in the trees where some birds were squawking. “My office is just fifteen minutes down the road from here.” He motioned towards the driveway. “I’m there part time, here part time.” He looked at her, an expression on his face that she couldn’t read. “I’m always trying to develop something marketable.”
                  She wanted him to mention the cooking show again. “Well, you are very good on camera. I was watching you last night.” She considered herself a good judge of camera appeal.
                  “Thanks. I started out on the Discovery Channel, believe it or not. Hosting a show on wild animals.” His smile was so sweet, and lovely, and genuine that Jaxie felt a hot rush all through her body.
                  “You’re really photogenic too. I watched footage of your spots on King 5. Did you know that I was one of the people who chose you to do the show?”
                  She was surprised. And embarrassed, for some unexplained reason. “Do you like hosting this show?”
                  “Yes. I do.” He flashed her a look. “I mean, sometimes it gets ridiculous, but it’s fun and great exposure and extremely successful, even if you are the one person in the world who hasn’t seen it on T.V. yet.”
                  She laughed. Admitting to him that she was doing The Husband Hunt for the exposure seemed worse than saying she was rebounding from her breakup with Brent, which wasn’t exactly the truth either. “I’m surprised that you chose me.” The air between them was charged with tension. “I’m not sure what to say.”
                  “You could thank me if you’re glad to be here.” He motioned to the mansion. “Or hit me for encouraging you.”
                  Jaxie grinned. “How about I thank you, as I hit you.”
                  When he laughed, she felt all fluttery in her tummy.
                  He added, “Don’t forget to hit yourself while you’re at it. You signed on.” With that, Crane walked into the house, his athletic gait impossible to ignore.
                  Who was this man and why was she more interested in Crane than going on a date with Liam?
    *  *  *  *
     
                  Three hours later, the girls and Liam had finished their trail ride in the hills above Topanga Canyon and everyone was having a romantic picnic for a group of girls and one guy in a grassy field. The crew had set up a dining room vignette in a stand of hickory trees, and it was as picturesque as anything Jaxie had seen in awhile. Checkered table cloth on the grass, mounds of flowers in the center, cowboy hats hung on the backs of their chairs, eating barbequed chicken and laughing