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She knew her aunt could easily compete in wealth with the other guests. Not only was she the only daughter of Joseph Foster, Paige’s great-grandfather, who had founded Foster Oil, but she’d married into the Fleming family.
“I really can’t have you doing that. Let’s just enjoy the night and watch everyone else spend their money instead.”
Her aunt patted her hand. “Think about it, okay. You could have fun with one of them.”
Paige nodded, even though she had no intention of changing her mind. Allowing Aunt Bebe to purchase her a ticket to the auction was one thing. Letting her spend a ridiculous amount of money so she could go on four dates with a man she didn’t know was another.
“How long are you staying?” she asked, changing the subject. Perhaps that would keep her aunt from offering to purchase her a man again.
“Only until tomorrow afternoon. I’m meeting your uncle in North Carolina. His sister is having a sixtieth wedding anniversary party. Earl’s whole family will be there. We won’t be there long though, if you want to take a little vacation and come visit us.”
As much as she’d love to take a short trip down to Texas, Paige was saving her vacation time for a trip to see her brother, Joe, his wife, Trish, and their new baby in Virginia Beach. “I wish I could. But I’m already going down to visit Joe and Trish in August. I still haven’t met Gabby.”
“She’s a little angel. She definitely has her mom’s coloring, but otherwise, she looks just like your brother did as a baby.”
She’d seen the pictures her parents took when they’d gone down as well as the ones her brother had sent, and agreed with her aunt’s assessment. Her niece resembled Joe more than her sister-in-law.
Paige and her aunt continued their discussion of Gabby until other guests joined them, then the conversations at the table changed as the women discussed the men soon to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Although she had no intention of bidding herself, she did find the conversation amusing as the women assessed each bachelor. First they listed his finer points, which included his looks, his connections, and his assumed bank account. Next, they moved on to his shortcomings. Once they finished that, they made their predictions concerning how much each bachelor would go for and who in attendance might put in the highest bids. By the time dinner ended, the women around her had assigned a dollar amount and paired each bachelor with a potential winner. Paige didn’t care who went home with whom. She only wanted the auction to get underway. The sooner it did, the sooner she could go home and take off her heels. The darn things were pinching her toes. Tomorrow she’d have blisters. That was what she got for buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first, something she rarely did, but she’d been in a rush the evening she’d shopped for tonight’s outfit.
“I think the fun is about to start.” The woman, who’d introduced herself as Molly, nodded toward the stage.
Paige glanced toward the temporary stage and watched Marilyn Belmont step behind a podium. Although Paige suspected the woman was in her late fifties, she was still beautiful, with dark blonde hair and the famous Sherbrooke blue eyes. It was no wonder all the woman’s children were so attractive.
“Thank you all for being here tonight. For more than seventy years the Helping Hands Foundation has worked to improve the lives of others. It wouldn’t be able to do that without the help and support of each and every one of you.” Applause broke out and Marilyn paused in her speech. “And now I’d like to introduce to you Rose. This evening’s fundraiser has been her baby. She has spent countless hours on it to ensure everyone has a wonderful time.” A thirtysomething woman joined Marilyn at the podium and smiled out at the crowd as polite applause filled the ballroom. “Rose will be handling the evening from here.”
With her final sentence, Marilyn exited the stage and rejoined her family while behind the podium Rose adjusted the microphone. “Before we start, I would like to again thank each and every one of you for attending tonight. As you know, all the proceeds raised tonight will go toward supporting the various projects the Helping Hands Foundation funds, including the new battered women’s shelter being opened in Pawtucket next month.”
Another round of applause erupted. Once it stopped, Rose spoke again. “This evening we have twelve eligible bachelors up for auction. Their names and bios are all listed in the programs handed out earlier. Each gentleman will take the winning bidder out on four romantic dates. Everyone present tonight can make as many bids as they wish, however, if your bid is accepted, you cannot bid on any of the remaining bachelors. Now to start off the fun, let’s meet our first bachelor.” Rose paused while the spotlight moved off her and toward the man walking out onto the stage dressed in a black tuxedo.
“His picture doesn’t do him justice,” Aunt Bebe whispered in her ear.
Paige agreed. While the man looked handsome in the picture featured in the program, he looked even better in person. “Not everyone photographs well.”
Up on stage, Rose continued on before Aunt Bebe could comment any further.
“Our first bachelor this evening is Colton Horne. Originally from Georgia, Colton attended Brown University and now lives in Providence where he works at Merrimack Investments.”
Colton walked the entire length of the stage. When he reached the far end, he stopped and winked at Molly, the woman seated next to Paige. At least, it looked like he winked at her. Immediately a round of applause broke out, and then he returned to stand closer to the podium.
“For the winning bidder’s first date, Colton has an exciting night in Boston planned, including a stop at Platinum.”
“What’s Platinum?” Aunt Bebe asked loud enough for everyone seated around the table to hear.
Paige’d never heard of Platinum, but assumed it was some type of nightclub.
“Boston’s premier nightclub. I’ve been a few times. The last time I went I saw Seth Vallencourt there with Paris Novak, as well as Anderson Brady and Selena Cruise,” a younger woman across the table answered, confirming Paige’s suspicions.
“Well, he’s not for you,” Aunt Bebe said. She knew how much Paige disliked crowded nightclubs and bars.
“Aunt—” Paige didn’t finish before Rose’s voice once again came t
hrough the speakers.
“This evening we’ll start the bidding at five thousand dollars.”
Across the room Paige saw Milan Novak raise her paddle, starting the evening off.
It didn’t take long for the dollar amount to increase as other women in the audience put in their bids. Eventually, only two bidders remained, Milan and another woman Paige didn’t recognize two tables over.
