I’ve never been more excited for something than I have this fundraiser.
Auctions are actually sort of easy to set up when you know what to do. My mentor in Manhattan planned a lot, and together—with my mother in tow—we spent a lot of time attending them.
But this one has me more excited than ever before.
Balloon arches cover the interior and exterior doors. The lovely sister duo of photographers from town have their cameras set up in the corridor outside the main hall for photo ops. With help from Sterling Ranch, we have over a dozen large round tables, all decorated with gifted flower arrangements from the florist, hand-curated gift bags from local businesses, and so many more little things that’ll get our bidders excited.
The podium at the front of the stage is decorated with hearts and snowflakes, theLove in a Christmas Wonderlandtheme coming together better than I ever could have imagined.
And no animatronics or set designers in sight.
Just locals who love their community and want to help.
Oh, and not a single soul to tell me it’snot good enoughand itcould be better.
“Don’t you think this is a little over the top?” a familiar, growly voice says from somewhere behind me.
Never mind.
“Oh, come on, Dad! It’s so cool!”
At least I’ll always have his daughter on my side. I can always count on the teen to put her dad in place for me. I barely contain the urge to roll my eyes at mypartner, the man I’m supposed to be working alongside. Likely civilly, though we can’t seem to agree on anything.
Which is why his daughter plays mediator.
I can’t help but think she loves doing it. Even though she’s on my side more often than not, she’s still her father’s daughter.
But I’ll take Opal Gates over Hunter Gates any day.
Turning, I plaster on a smile I know is fake. He knows it’s fake, but it’s the nicest thing I can muster whenever he steps foot into my masterpiece of a fundraiser.
When Opal spots me, she pulls her red and white candy cane from between her lips and rushes towards me, grinning. “OMG this is so cool,” she gushes, looking around, eyes bright. “Is the sign-up form full yet?”
I laugh a little to myself as I pull my cell from my pocket and open up the online form. There’s a paper version at Daisy’s Bar, another at the grocery store, and a third at the local bookstore. I’ve been going between all three almost daily, taking names for the date portion of the auction.
Handing the list to Opal, my eyes stray to her father. There’s a perpetual frown marring his features that tickles at a need to get under his skin. He kind of reminds me of my brother and his friends now: all work and no play. Only, I don’t think this man has ever played in his life. I’m pretty sure he’s been a responsible grump since before Opal was born. All I know is that he’s nearly forty and hasn’t had a date inyears. If I’m to believe Opal, that is.
“Oh, good, Uncle Finn signed up!” Opal announces, showing off the list to her dad. “Why can’t I put you or Uncle Link on there?”
Hunter grunts, hands shoved into the pockets of his flannel coat. “Because neither of us wants to do it.”
I press my lips together, stopping myself from rolling my eyes—again. “Consent is super important. Everyone on auction is there because they want to be.”
“Except for the firefighters,” she whispers. “Uncle Maverick is making them do it.”
I bite down on a laugh and shake my head. “Right. This is their charity fundraiser. But everyone else has to want to be there.”
“What about you?” Opal asks, grinning. “Are you going up?”
My gaze flickers to her father again, and I can’t help the flush that burns my cheeks when I find his stare already on me.Shit. Clearing my throat, I take my cell back and put it away. “Maybe.”
“You’re the host,” she says. “You should totally be up there.”
“I’m announcing.” Taking a step back, I reach for my tablet, which has all my work that still needs to be done. “I’m going to be really busy tomorrow night. And there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done now.”
And I need her to not ask any more questions.
Opal pops the candy cane back in her mouth and shrugs. “Fine,” she says around it. “Where do you want me, boss lady?”
