I smile. “Go help with the gift bags. And Hunter?” I look towards the hulking, grumpy man. Something in my chest twists. “The guys are putting something up in the corridor. Go help them.”
The older man narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t complain. At least he has that going for him. As well as…
I shake my head and turn away from him, cheeks heating. No thinking about the grumpy mountain man. It does no one—me especially—any good.
He’s off limits anyway.
“Wow, this is looking so good!”Lydia gasps, entering the hall with Cade on her arm. My brother’s best friend gives me an appreciative nod as he looks over the transformed space; the balloon arches are now paired with hanging icicle lights and hand-cut snowflakes from the local elementary school, giving this a more winter wonderland experience.
A local restaurant is catering for the evening and is also serving drinks, so flutes of champagne and glasses of wine from a nearby vineyard are being poured by the door. The tables have been fully decorated for the evening, and the last of my pamphlets with all the donation portals have been printed and are laid out on placemats or are ready to be passed out.
“Knew you had it in you, Syl,” Cade says, which is probably the nicest thing he’s said to me in years.
I release a long breath and grin. This might be my best setup yet. At least, it’s the one with the biggest return. And I’m not going to have to deal with alcoholic mothers whining that her screen-addicted kids aren’t enjoying the party she wanted for them.
The only one who might put a damper on tonight is…
I hear them before I see them. Opal’s sharp squeal. Hunter’s grumpy growl. I wait for the irritation to rise, but I only feel nervous as I wait for my partner in crime and his daughter to enter.
They’re joined by the captain and fire chief for the area, the guys who technically hired me to put this together. All three men are in sharp suits, which seems so at odds with the vibes of this small town. Then again, we staged tonight as an excuse to dress to the nines. Some of the older ladies are coming in their Sunday best; others are pulling out their wedding dresses to go with the theme. Men are brushing off their own tuxes, and even the high school students are dressing like they’re going to prom.
My heart leaps into my throat when I spot Hunter. I hate to admit that he’s a handsome man, with his thick dark hair, short neatly trimmed beard, and stern grey eyes.
“This looks…” he comes to a stop, looking almost shocked.
“Good?” I reply, hand on my hip, heart fluttering. “I know. This is what I’m good at. Now, gentlemen, places please! We have an auction to start!”
THREE
HUNTER
Ihate to admit she’s right.
This is exactly the sort of thing the town needed. A table sponsored by the elderly at the retirement home have been laughing and enjoying themselves since they came in, and they’re showing their appreciation every time Opal goes by with her friends with the small donation buckets they’re toting around.
The firefighter table, with a chair decorated for Rhodes with his turnout jacket draped across the back and his photo on display, is filled with familiar faces. The guys who used to cause all sorts of mischief, the ones I watched grow up, look older but are engrossed in the evening—and are placing their own bids.
Somehow, Sylvie filled the place with half the town, and even more are waiting to come in. The date portion of the auction hasn’t even started. Only the physical items have gone out so far, including a chance to secure a spot at Sterling Ranch for a wedding, an evening at the Jade Garden, five free meals at Dawson’s Diner—that went fast, though no surprise there—as well as a few other big-ticket items that had locals scrambling and happily giving away their hard earned cash.
And it’s all because of Sylvie.
There’s something about her that has everyone upending their wallets, and I can’t help but watch in awe as she sells off a hamper made by several local businesses for nearly two hundred dollars. Nothing in it is worth that much, so it feels like theft, but I don’t hear a single complaint.
There’s a reason she’s up there and I’m not.
I can’t help the twinge of jealousy as she announces the firstbachelorto take the stand. His eyes are focused completely on her, and even from here, I can tell he’s more than just interested. Normally, I wouldn’t blame him—or any of the guys here. The event planner from hell is stunning. Even I can admit that.
She’s all long legs with thick thighs, even in her announcer getup. The Santa hat sits perfectly atop her curled blond hair, and the Sexy ‘Mrs. Claus’ outfit hugs all of her thick curves too perfectly. She knows how to plan an event and execute it by the way the crowd is glued to her, and she knows how to work them for all they’ve got, too.
Beside me, Everette has been quietly logging all the money raised so far, and although it’s not enough to save the station, it’s a damn good start.
“Now, for the event you’ve all been waiting for,” Sylvie announces. The hall suddenly quiets down, except for the soft music playing in the background. “Our very first date auction!”
Cheers erupt throughout the crowd. Some guys at my table even get up to hoot.
The last thing I want is my daughter getting attached to this woman, but I fear it’s already too late for that as I catch Opal with her uncles at a nearby table clapping, her attention completely on Sylvie.
“Now, our first bachelor of the night claims he’s good with his hands…and your trucks. If you’re anything like me, then you might have been caught in our most recent blizzard, so you’ll recognise Mr. Vincent Brooks from Brooks Auto Shop. He woulddescribe himself as being a gentle giant with a sweet tooth to match, and when he’s not working on your cars, he’s a cat dad to Miss Petal the Maine Coon! Vince here is giving up a night to one lucky person looking for an evening of tasting wine at Jade Gardens then a stroll through the winter markets in town. Let’s start the bidding at twenty dollars!”
