The Husband Hunt (a novella) (The Bachelor Series) by Kiki Abbott Page A

was returning to Brent. His opinion mattered although she wasn’t sure why. The decision to leave had nothing to do with Brent and everything to do with the fact that this sexy, interesting man named Crane was watching her parade around in her bikini, making a stupid fool of herself on a ridiculous dating show when all she wanted was to find someone exactly like Crane for herself, not Liam, not Brent. In the last two weeks, being in close proximity with these two men was the perfect opportunity for Jaxie to compare types-- Liam and Crane, and know that what she wanted was someone exactly like Crane. And she would hold out for that even if she was turning thirty in a few years and had hoped to have children by then. “I’ve learned a lot about myself here.” She couldn’t go home and have a baby with Phillip. He’d find a loving partner and hopefully she would too someday and they’d have their own babies somehow. “I don’t know how I was so stupid only three weeks ago.” Jaxie began to cry. She sobbed for the relationship that was over with Brent, and for the baby she would never have with Phillip. “I’m sorry, but I just realized how alone I am and...and...”
                  Crane was no exception to the rule that men can’t stand to see a woman cry. He patted her arm and tried telling her to stop but it was no use. Jaxie felt like a locked door had been flung open and all the tears came flooding out.
                  He rushed around the front of the car to open her door and pull her out to the driveway she let herself fall heavily into his arms blathering on about what a stupid mistake Brent had been, how she originally just wanted to show him she was fun. “But now I know I am exactly who I am and I can’t apologize for that. I’m practical and planned and I like me that way.”
                  Crane wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his warm chest, rubbing her back, reassuring her with soothing words like “I know. You’re not. You won’t. It’ll be okay.” His soft t-shirt absorbed her tears
                  “Oh, easy for you to say.” She pulled back. “You have a wife and children and this perfect life but I’m going to be thirty soon and I’m no farther ahead than I was at twenty.”
                  “You’ll be okay.” He stopped rubbing her back. “I don’t have a wife.”
                  Jaxie stopped crying. “Your girls, your wife,” she sniffed. Pulling back, she searched his face which had that look of sadness again.
                  “At least I don’t have a wife, anymore. But I do have two beautiful children and that is something to work towards even if you end up parenting alone.”
                  “Oh. I’m sorry. I thought you were married.” Jaxie wiped her nose on her sleeve and then realized what she’d done. “Oh God, I’m a mess. I’m just emotional because I’m trying to figure out what to do with my life and for some reason I chose you to unload on.” She smiled and as he wiped her face with his sleeve, they laughed pitifully.
                  “Surprisingly, we see a lot of tears on this show.” He reached in his jean pocket and pulled out a tissue. “I keep these handy because my kids are still young.” He shrugged and handed her the tissue.
                  She blew her nose softly and took a deep breath.
                  Crane stared at her. “You are even more pretty when you cry. You know that?” He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips, and she didn’t pull back.
                  Was this even allowed?  He didn’t seem to think it was such a terrible idea. An apology didn’t follow the kiss.
                  “Let’s get you back to the mansion and you’ll be that much closer to leaving the show tomorrow.”
                  The mansion! Jaxie realized