The room erupted in applause, and Alex left the stage.
“The items offered this year are incredible,” my sister’s husband said, joining us at the table and flipping through the glossy catalog each guest had been given when we arrived. “That ten-year vertical of Opus One might go for thirty grand.”
“At least,” my sister agreed as Wagner kissed my mom’s cheek, shook my father’s hand, then waved in my direction before taking his seat.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I heard someone say from behind me at the same moment I felt warm breath against my ear. “You smell amazing,” Snapper whispered. “New perfume?”
I glanced over my shoulder and rolled my eyes. “Same shampoo as always, just like the dress I’m wearing.”
“As pretty as you are, I guarantee no one’s looking at your dress, Saff.”
“Be polite and say hello to my sister’s family,” Felicity scolded. Like Wagner had, Snapper greeted my parents, then waved in Felicity’s direction. If my brother-in-law hadn’t stood to shake Snapper’s hand, it’s likely he would’ve ignored him. Not that Snapper was rude. He was just oblivious at times. A trait that served me well, since it meant he never picked up on the crush I’d had on him most of my life.
“Ma sent me to check out the auction items. Save me a dance after the bidding’s over?”
“You know it,” I said as he was walking away. He said it every year, and we’d never once danced.
2
SNAPPER
Iwas making my way back from the silent auction room when I nearly collided with Felicity Hope, who was waddling toward the ladies’ room with one hand pressed to her lower back.
“Whoa, sorry!” I steadied her with a hand on her elbow.
“Snapper.” She smiled, though it looked strained. “Isabel just cornered me. She appears determined to win the date with you this year. If she doesn’t, I fear she might murder my sister.”
I shook my head. “You’d think she would’ve given up by now.”
Felicity laughed, then winced. “God, this baby needs to come out already. I’m so done being pregnant.”
“How much longer?”
“Due date is around the end of the month, but the doctor said first babies usually come late.” She made a face. “Which means I could be like this for another two weeks—or longer. Mom and Dad are coming up at some point to help us get ready.”
“What about Saffron?”
Felicity’s expression shifted. “She says she needs to stay and handle the late harvest. You know how she is. Married to thatwinery.” She paused. “But I made her promise that the second I go into real labor, she gets on a plane. Mom and Dad did too. I need my sister there, Snapper.”
Her desperation stunned me, and I promised she’d be there, even though I had no idea if that was Saffron’s intention.
“Good.” She squeezed my arm, then winced again.
Wagner appeared then, looking worried. “You okay, honey?”
“Fine. Just needed to pee. Again.” She rolled her eyes. “Third time in an hour.”
He wrapped an arm around her and guided her toward the restroom, but she looked back at me. “Whatever’s going on with her—help her, okay? She won’t ask, but she needs it.”
“I will,” I told her, wondering if whatever she was alluding to had anything to do with Saffron saying she was calling in a favor this year.
Back at our table, Kick was waiting with that knowing look he always got when he was about to give me shit.
“You know, all you’d have to do is insist she let you take her on the date, given the trouble she goes to every year,” he leaned in and said.
I shook my head. “She’d never agree to it.”
Kick, who was also my best friend and team-roping partner, shook his head too and muttered under his breath. “You’re such an idiot.”
