Page 55 of Wateredge | AllFreeNovel

SEREN, WIVES & CRUDITÉS

TONIGHT!

Have you put on your best dresses and tuxedos? Have you broken in your dancing shoes? Have you brought your wallets?

The fundraiser for the Refuge is tonight. The town hall is expecting over four hundred guests, and we have been reliably informed that about half as many more will show up and try to buy tickets to enter on the spot. Mayor Allende stated that while she cannot turn people away, it will cost them a pretty penny, which indeed is the point of the entire event.

The town has really come together to facilitate this event, which promises to be one for the books. The Refuge staff, the Tavern, and Cupcake have all lined up to provide refreshments for the fundraiser, and we expect outstanding food.

Several prominent citizens and businesses have donated items, on which the attendees will bid to top off the donation pot even more.

As promised, we shall report on the Best Dressed List. We hear Headmistress Nox will wear Dior, and there are rumors that her wife will sport a tuxedo. Watch this space, because we sure as heck will be watching.

—Crow’s Caw

“She’s really something.”

Sam Threadneedle, in a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and suspenders, sidled up to Seren and offered her a champagne flute. Since Seren herself had worked for almost an hour to chill and keep the drinks on ice and ready to go at a moment’s notice, she allowed herself this one.

The fundraiser was indeed a success. From the expression on Paloma’s face and that of her deputy mayor for social programs, money was flowing.

But of course, the “she” Sam was referring to was neither Paloma nor the deputy, no matter how well both of them were doing tonight. The “she” in question was flitting from one table to another, making sure everyone was fed and entertained and enjoying the evening.

Seren had been sampling everything that was brought out of the kitchen after she was shooed out by Lark earlier for being “underfoot and hovering.” And maybe she had been.

Still, under Lachlan and Victoria’s supervision of the servers, the catering was a resounding success. Seren had even heard Marsha McMons, the busybody that she was, comment that the focaccia sandwiches were so good, she had dropped more money in the collection bowl just because of them.

Well, if she was going to talk like that, Seren would overlook her big mouth. Even if she had winked salaciously in Lark’s direction upon greeting her earlier. Seren was just grateful that Victoria was back in the kitchen and not there to give the woman a piece of her mind.

Sam had not been as invasive nor as tactless. Seren doubted the woman even could have been even had she wanted to. Because Sam was a sweetheart. And Sam was a friend.

“She worked very hard on this.” Seren took a small sip of the drink, wishing she could cool it even more.

Too many eyes.

“The food alone is astonishing, and I cannot praise her enough for her organization of the auction. The items she cajoled the donors into giving away, the little projects and surprises she came up with. And the way she ran it? Spectacular, really. I think we will have enough money to start planning the expansion, you know? There’s a piece of land behind the current building, and so many very necessary things we could do with it.” Sam grinned, her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders, her expression open and cheerful. “This wasn’t even close to anything Madam Mayor could envision when we strategized future steps for the Refuge.”