Cal chuckled softly and then raised his hand. “I’ll bid four bits.”
Jesse raised his brows. He thought he knew his older brother, and lately, he wondered if Cal might have a secret love. Jesse’s interest sparked, and he looked forward to discovering the lucky lady.
Mr. Foster grinned. “Fifty cents? That’s a good bid, Mr. Slade. Do I hear fifty-five?”
Another man in the crowd reached out his hand and waved. “I bid fifty-five.”
Mr. Foster’s smile widened. “Good, good. Do I hear sixty cents?”
Cal nodded. “Sixty.”
“Thank you, Mr. Slade. Do I hear sixty-five? Does anybody want to go against Cal Slade?”
Jesse laughed and nudged his brother teasingly, then shouted, “I’ll bid eighty cents.”
Gasps echoed throughout the crowd, and Jesse realized everyone suspected that he would bid on Rosie’s basket like he had every year. This particular basket wasn’t Rosie’s because she always decorated hers in the same material as her dress.
Cal glanced down at Jesse and winked. “That’s too high for me. I’m out.”
“I bid two dollars,” a man’s voice shouted from the crowd.
Gasps exploded all around, and Jesse searched for the man who bid so high. Adam Fairbanks’ hand was still raised. His grin widened the longer he watched Summer.
Jesse’s stomach twisted. The basket was Summer’s, but he couldn’t outbid Fairbanks, especially because he didn’t want to embarrass Rosie in front of everyone.
Mr. Foster’s full smile showed his enthusiasm. “Oh, Mr. Fairbanks, that is an excellent bid. Remember, men, we’re thinking about the funds for a new church. So let’s loosen our moneybags and dig in a little deeper. Do I hear two dollars and ten cents?”
The auctioneer looked at Jesse, but he shook his head. How could he keep Summer away from the man she expected to marry? Plain and simple, Jesse and his brother must dig deeper into the man’s life to see if Fairbanks was respectable enough to marry Summer.
Mr. Foster ended the bidding by smacking his mallet down on the small wooden box in front of him. “Sold to Mr. Adam Fairbanks for two dollars,” he exclaimed, and the crowd cheered.
“Who does the basket belong to?” Cal yelled.
Mr. Foster glanced at the name on the card, then his eyes widened. “It belongs to Miss Summer Bennett.”
As Jesse watched Summer collect her basket and walk away with Fairbanks, he couldn’t keep from clenching his jaw and balling his hands into fists. But inside, his heart was breaking as the look of pleasure filled Summer’s expression. Jesse didn’t like it one bit.
* * * *
SUMMER SMILED AT ADAMFairbanks when he claimed her for the afternoon’s picnic. Her escort’s mouth lifted teasingly as if he played the part of the cat, and she, the canary.
“You’ll regret paying that much for my basket,” she warned. “I assure you my lunch doesn’t taste anywhere near a two-dollar dinner.”
Adam laughed and spread a blanket on the ground for them to sit on. “But you must remember, Miss Bennett, the money goes to help fund the new church.”
“True, but I still think you should not have bid so high.”
He sat beside her. “Ah, Miss Bennett. Your company is well worth two bucks. Besides, if we are to be wed by the end of the week, I think the town won’t be so surprised now.”
Her chest tightened, and it suddenly became hard to swallow.End of the week?She licked her dry lips. “You want to be married that soon?”
“Of course.” Adam winked. “Most mail-order brides marry within a few days of meeting their prospective husbands.”
She forced a light laugh as she opened the basket and took out the sandwiches and potato salad. “That’s good to know you are stretching the rules with me a little bit.”
“I’d do anything for you, Summer.” He paused. “May I call you Summer?”
She nodded. “And I shall call you Adam.”
