One month later, on arriving at San Antonio International airport, Bonnie made her way to baggage claim and grabbed her suitcases. If it seemed she’d brought everything she owned with her, this wasn’t far from the truth. She’d moved out of Eric’s apartment the day after she caught him with Vici. In classic celebrity fashion, but a first time for her, Bonnie broke up with Eric via text:
In case I wasn’t clear, we’re done.
I took a role on location and I’ll be gone for weeks. Don’t call me.
Marvin had indicated someone from the show would be at the airport to greet everyone and drive them to Stone Ridge. Among the crowds of families rushing to loved ones and couples embracing at their reunion, Bonnie looked for someone with a sign that either had her name on it or “Mr. Cowboy.”
That’s when she saw him, standing patiently, holding up a sign that read, “Mr. Cowboy.” Older, his hair now completely white, he was still a sight.
Her heart tugged with the familiarity and comfort of home.
“Lenny!” Bonnie ran to him. “I’m so glad yours is the first face I get to see.”
“Bonnie Lee?” He tipped his cowboy hat, eyes wide. “Well, hell’s bells, darlin’, I sure didn’t expect to see you here! Just as beautiful as ever.”
She went into his arms, accepting the hug of a man who’d been a pseudo-father to her for many years.
He sat her back, inspecting her like a proud papa. “Does your mama know you’re here?”
“No, I decided to surprise her.”
“She’s goin’ to be happy as a pig in shit.” Lenny slapped his knee, then took two of her bags.
Bonnie pulled her other luggage toward the curbside. “Where are you parked?”
“I drove the Hummer the Beulah and the ladies bought the town a few years ago. Just as nice as a limo and roomier, I bet. I put in an ice chest and a twelve pack of beer in the back for y’all. We’re drivin’ in style.”
Just then a blonde zipped up to them. “I’m here for Mr. Cowboy, too!”
Bonnie turned to introduce herself. The young lady couldn’t be a day over twenty-five. Did she realize Sean was thirty-seven? She shook her head, remembering Hollywood would do their thing. Didn’t matter. She’d be out of here soon enough. If she wound up being the oldest here, big deal. Her age was the least of her problems when it came to Sean.
“Bonnie Wheeler.” She reached out with a free hand. “Also a…um, contestant.”
“Tabitha Eden.” She proceeded to hand Lenny everything she had, which was more than Bonnie did.
And she thought she’d overpacked.
“I’ll get a cart,” Lenny said and excused himself.
“This is so exciting!” Tabitha said. “I’ve always wanted to get married. And did you see his photo? Oh, swoon! A real cowboy, not those guys who model for the book covers.”
“Where are you from?”
Tabitha had a lovely southern lilt to her voice that had Bonnie feeling right at home.
“I’m from Atlanta! How about you?”
“I’m a fourth generation Texan, but I’ve been in Hollywood for the last few years.”
“Are you the actress? I heard we’d have an actress in our group!” Tabitha nearly levitated with excitement.
“That’s me. I’m originally from Stone Ridge. I…I know Sean.” She wasn’t certain how much she should tell this young lady about her past.
It was…complicated.
“You know him? Wow. So, I bet you know where all the bodies are buried, yeah?” She chuckled and elbowed Bonnie.
“Yep.”
“Have you been in any movies I might know?”
Ah yes, people always wanted to know about the movies. Never theater or sitcoms. Movies were the big time. She used to feel the same for the first few years, then settled on making a living. Not everyone could be Meryl Streep.
“You may have seen me on an Irish mafia show several years back, Kavanaugh’s Way. Most people recognize from there. Three seasons.”
“That was you? Oh wow, my brother loved that show. A little violent for me, but hey, this is probably going to be great for your career!”
Marvin seemed to think so. He thought Bonnie could use the show as a springboard into a secondary career in broadcasting if nothing else. He hadn’t even asked Bonnie if she’d be interested in becoming a TV “personality,” or famous simply for being famous because the answer was a resounding “no.”
“Your Twitter is going to explode!” he’d said triumphantly as if that made her a great actor and an overnight success.
But Bonnie considered Twitter a necessary cesspool. She live-tweeted the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Oscars once a year and otherwise occasionally re-tweeted something which didn’t tear anyone else down.
“And what do you do for a living?” Bonnie asked Tabitha as she helped Lenny load the suitcases.
“I’m a NICU nurse,” she gushed. “Oh, I love me some babies. I can’t wait to have my own. Sean is ready to settle down too and have a big family. We sound perfect for each other.”
“Is this the place for Mr. Cowboy?” A tall, lean brunette rolling only two suitcases with her joined them. “I didn’t see anyone with a sign, so I followed the women.”
Bonnie chuckled. “Good plan. I’m Bonnie Wheeler, nice to meet you.”
“Angela Stacey, lovely to meet you.”
Angela had flawless latte skin and an air of suave sophistication Bonnie had spent years perfecting. She didn’t know whether she could even be considered in Angela’s league. Time would tell.
In the next few minutes three more women joined them and then Lenny held up his hand. “No more room. Might have to come back if there’s any more of y’all.”
“I’m sure they can send out a car later if needed,” Bonnie said.
“Oh, so you’ve done this before?” Angela asked.
“Um, no. But I’m an actor and I’ve been involved in a few productions on sets in New Mexico and Georgia. Believe me, they’ll get everyone where they need to be.”
“What a relief,” Angela said. “I had hoped this wouldn’t be some rinky-dink project just because it’s a western version. I applied for the other dating show, but they turned me down. At least I made this call.”
“Where’s all your luggage?” Tabitha piped up.
“This is it.” She pointed out her two bags.
“For two weeks? How do you manage?”
“I travel all the time. You have to know how to pack with some basic pieces of clothing that you can simply accessorize in many different styles.”
“Besides, wardrobe is going to fit us for some outfits,” Bonnie said.
Approximately six women were packed into the Hummer. Most of them appeared a lot younger than Bonnie. But she was at last coming home where her age wouldn’t matter. She was Bonnie Lee Wheeler, daughter of Maybelle, member of the ladies of SORROW. Daughter of the late, great William “Buck” Wheeler. Niece to Beulah Hayes, President of the ladies of SORROW. Even if she hadn’t been home for years, she wrote home often and sent money to her mother. She’d be welcome, if not by Sean, by everyone else.
“Woohoo!” Tabitha pulled out a beer from the ice chest and cracked it open. “Let’s get this party started.”
From beside Bonnie, Angela smirked. “I think she’ll be out after the first day.”
Bonnie didn’t want to say, but she thought so too. Sean had never been into party girls and he claimed to be ready to settle down. Considering he’d been ready since the age of eighteen, she had no doubt.
“Do you have a strategy yet?” Angela said.
“A strategy?”
“A strategy to win this thing or at least get into the final four. You’re a smart woman. Are you the nurse?”
“No.” Bonnie pointed to Tabitha. “She’s the nurse.”
Angela blinked. “I thought she was the actress.”
“Nope, that’s me.”
Angela waved her hand dismissively. “Long flight from La Guardia. I must be off game.”
“The producers probably wanted me for the drama factor, but I’ve a feeling I’ll be gone after the first day.”
“Why? You’re beautiful and, so far as I can tell, not crazy.”
Bonnie laughed. “He won’t be interested in me.”
“You never know. Maybe you’re the one the producers will insist on keeping.”
“Insist on keeping?”
“Yes,” she said patiently. “Every one of these shows needs the drama. And most of them want the option to keep at least one candidate the bachelor can’t eliminate until they tell him he can.”
“What? Until they tell him he can?”
Bonnie swallowed hard. She pulled out her cell and viciously texted Marvin to examine the contract for the fine print. She did not want the producers forcing Sean to keep her. He should be able to let her go when he wanted to. She figured that would be immediately, unless he wanted to toy with her. Perhaps he’d like to torture her by making her watch him date all these gorgeous women.
“I’ve done my research.” She patted the laptop case she hadn’t let go of once. “Financial planner here. My strategy is to wind up in the top three, then I’ll slowly pull back, and let him know I’m not interested in starting a family right away. I’ll drop a few hints here and there. That’s what’s most important to this guy, believe me. Then, I’ll be eliminated.”
“You want to be eliminated?”
“I don’t think it’s fair to string him along until the end the way some of these women will do. Believe me. But if I at least wind up in the top three, it will be an incredible boost for my new podcast, ‘Girl, you should be a millionaire.’ Have you heard of it?”
Podcast? Bonnie gulped, feeling decidedly naïve. Her strategy was to leave this show with the least amount of damage to both her heart and mind.
She needed a better strategy.
Sean hadn’t been this nervous in years. He waited in the Truehart’s great room decorated in a classic western theme, if the cowboy was a multi-millionaire. The fireplace was stone hearth and massive, the plush leather couches were big enough to accommodate a crowd.
The hair and make-up crew were playing with his hair, spraying something that made him sneeze. Then someone bent to shine his boots.
“I should do that.” He pulled back his foot.
“That’s what we’re here for,” the wardrobe lady said. “Every guy in America would want us to be on a first date with them. You’re a lucky man.”
“Yeah.”
Lucky and nervous. Possibly even a little bit…worried. He didn’t scare easily but he hadn’t experienced the adrenaline rushing through his blood at this level since he heard a gunshot over a year ago. He’d run outside with his shotgun to find Winona had been shot while attempting to save Riggs from the madman Henderson cousin. He thought he deserved the ranch instead of the foster kids Cal and Marge had adopted. Everything worked out, and Sean nicknamed Winona “Shotgun Annie.” But he’d been on edge for weeks afterward.
In a few more minutes, ten women would arrive, one by one, and introduce themselves. The rest of the evening, so-called “cocktail” hour, would involve him spending a little time with each woman. After conferring with Lori, he’d eliminate six of them in the same night. His neck had already broken out in a sweat as he pictured hurting someone’s feelings. But Lori was here for moral support and direction, and also Elton and the rest of the small crew.
“You’ve got this!” Lori now said with a thumbs up.
She’d changed from her standard jeans and T-shirt into a black pantsuit and high heels.
He did a double-take. “Thanks for making me sound intelligent. That reel? First rate.”
“No prob. You’re the one with the abs.” She motioned for him to walk outside. “Ready for this, champ? Now, we’re rolling all the time, so no worries if something goes terribly wrong or you trip, spill a drink on a lady, or curse. We can cut all that out in editing.”
“You can cut out all my cursing? Shit, why didn’t you tell me that before?” He grinned and positioned himself just outside the front door to the Truehart mansion.
“We’re rolling!” Lori said. “Look happy!”
“I am happy,” he mumbled under his breath.
He would get his foundation started.
Plus, within a few months, I could be married. Maybe even with a little one on the way if I work fast.
And after the longest dry spell in history, he was ready and willing.
Just out of camera shot, he spied a crew member guiding a young lady toward the walkway leading to the front door. She was dressed in tight jeans and a yellow top dipped low to showcase an amazing rack. Gulp.
“Hi, I’m Tabitha Eden. And I’m…” She stared up at him. “Oh, gosh I forgot what I was going to say.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Tabitha.” Warmly, he took both of her hands in his, accepted a hug, and waved her inside the mansion.
Another beautiful woman approached, tall, elegant, dressed in a dark suit with a tight skirt and matching jacket. She had incredible legs.
“I’m Angela, and I don’t believe in wasting time. I’m a financial planner and the only thing lacking in my life is a serious relationship. I want to settle down. Feel free to ask me any questions. I’m an open book.”
“Well, thanks. Good to meet you.”
The next girl they brought out looked like the proverbial girl next door. Sean couldn’t help but smile. Dressed in a short yellow dress with matching cowgirl boots, he thought for the first time: maybe this could work.
“Hi, I’m Jessica, and I teach first graders in my home state of Massachusetts. I can work as a teacher anywhere in the country as long as I get my credentials.”
“You would like winters in Texas.”
“Oh, I bet I would.” She smiled shyly.
Nice. Very attractive.
One after another, Sean met beautiful, intelligent, and educated women. A real estate agent who swore she could and would live anywhere in the USA, a dancer, a teacher, a fitness trainer, a lawyer. He thought many of the women could easily relocate to Stone Ridge and keep their careers. It would be up to Sean to get this message across. Stone Ridge was home base and there would be zero negotiating.
“How’s it going?” Lori came up to him.
“I’m going to have a hard time, that’s for sure. These are some truly incredible women y’all have chosen.”
“Well, we do our best. We have one more lady.”
Sean turned expectantly but coming up the walkway was none other than Bonnie Lee Wheeler.
Thick outrage uncoiled in him and pulsed through raw and untethered. She was from Hollywood so of course she’d think this was a great opportunity to advance her career. Still, this was a cheap trick.
For a moment he couldn’t speak.
“Hello, Sean. As you know, I’m Bonnie Lee Wheeler from Los Angeles. Originally from Stone Ridge.”
“Is this a joke?”
“They didn’t tell you about me? I understood you knew I’d be here and were okay with this.”
“No, I didn’t. And I’m not.”
“I’m here because I’m also ready to settle down.”
He snorted. “Are you?”
“Yes. Probably.” She tipped her chin in the way she always had when he’d challenged her. “Why else do you think I’m here?”
“I have no idea. Look, I don’t have time for this. I’m serious. This…” He waved around to indicate the production. “Isn’t a joke to me.”
“Me, either.”
“We had our chance.”
“I’m here anyway and what happened before is ancient history. We’ve both changed so you can’t blame me for trying again. If you want to get rid of me, that’s your choice.”
Sean stared back at her. He’d be lying to say he didn’t online stalk her from time to time when feeling nostalgic. Sean had watched every movie, every series, every commercial she’d appeared in. Now, standing before her, she was more stunning than she’d been at twenty-four, when she’d left him for the last time.
A little older, thinner, her eyes not as earnest and open as he remembered. She eyed him with suspicion. Then he remembered the contract allowed the show to choose one woman to stay through each elimination.
This could be the woman. Who better than an actress to stir up drama?
“See you inside.”
Bonnie made to walk past him into the house, but he blocked her way. “Hang on.”
Sean motioned to Lori to join them and then pointed between him and Bonnie. “Did you know about this?”
“About what?” Lori said.
“This is my ex, Bonnie Wheeler. She’s an actress from Los Angeles.”
“Oh, get out of town! That’s absolute genius.”
Sean glared at her until she wilted.
“I mean, it’s maybe good TV?”
“Listen, Sean.” Bonnie reached for his forearm and squeezed. “I can help you navigate through all this, if you’d like.”
He shrugged her off. “Help me? How are you going to help? I’ve had all the help I’ll ever need from you.”
“Okay, if this scene gets too intense, I’ll cut in edits, but keep it going,” Lori said, moving to the side, rolling her hand behind the camera. “Good work here.”
“This isn’t funny. No one told me about her.”
“What part of reality did you not understand?” Lori went hands on hips.
“The part where y’all mess with my life and waste my time.”
“No one’s wasting your time. We want a little entertainment while we watch you fall in love, if that’s not too much to ask.”
“Maybe it is too much to ask.”
He didn’t want Bonnie here, making him crazy and edgy, wondering what she’d do next. Hadn’t she tortured him enough over the years?
This is what I wanted, or at least what I agreed to. The foundation will get a hefty grant. And
I’m supposed to have fun with beautiful women. If all this results in a real marriage, great.
If not, it’s only a few weeks of my life.