Me: Nah, you’d be having a wild weekend getting laid.
Merry: LOL. Only you, Is, only you.
I laughed as I clicked off my phone. Merry had been my best friend since first grade. We’ve gone through it with each other, all of life’s ups and downs, heartbreaks, wins, losses, and pain. When I told her about the auction and flying on a solo trip, she thought I was nuts, but she supported me every step of the way.
The next day, after a delicious breakfast of room service, I checked out of my room and headed to the auction in an Uber.
Lovesbury, Montana, was picturesque with its snow-capped mountains and gorgeous views. The thick forests hugged each side of the small, winding roads. It reminded me of home, only much colder.
I took in the views, hoping for a distraction from my wild nerves. If I thought my butterflies were bad before, I was clearly mistaken. They morphed into a storm now, thrashing about. Yet I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.
Downtown was bustling with people and cars, but my Uber driver navigated it well and dropped me off on the corner. I hurried over to the Heartstone Square and slipped inside the warm, covered pavilion.Much better.
I waited in line to register to bid and took in the surrounding sights. Whoever was running the auction did an amazing job. They decked the place out with heart balloons and various Valentine’s decorations. A small, raised stage stood front and center, with a podium off to the side.
After getting a number paddle and an information booklet, I grabbed a seat and waited for the show to begin. Only ten minutes to go.
It felt like a lifetime, but finally, music began to play, and a woman, who looked to be in her early fifties, stepped up to the podium. She had striking blue eyes and blond hair pulled back into a tight bun.
“Hello, everyone! My name is Evelyn Hartwood, and I want to personally welcome you to the Valentine’s Day Auction! We’reabout to get started.” She described the auction and listed out the rules. The auction is running as expected, with the highest bidder winning a weekend with the mountain man you bid on.
The audience clapped and cheered when she finished.
A moment later, the show began.
As the men filed out, the crowd whooped and hollered, yet I couldn’t form a noise. Maybe because my mouth hung wide open with a great possibility of drool coming out one side.
Holy shit!
These men were even sexier in person—how is it even possible?!
They lined up in a row on the stage, all thirteen hunky men, and that’s when I saw him. The one I wanted since I laid my eyes on him the other day.
Bachelor number twelve.
Arden Waters.
A tall, rugged, muscular mountain man, with dark brown hair and eyes, and an even darker beard with some salt and pepper strands coming through.
Oh, so he wasolder.
My attraction to him was almost palpable, and I shifted in my seat, but it was no use. My panties were soaked, and I was a puddle of swooning goo.
I didn’t care how much I had to bid on him.
He wasmine.
CHAPTER TWO
Arden
An auction towin a weekend in my cabin?
No way. Not happening.
What the hell did this town think I was?
I’d already refused Evelyn Hartwood’s, the mayor’s wife of my hometown, Lovesbury, request to model with puppies, so why the hell would I say yes to this?
