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“It is impressive, isn’t it?”
“Almost as impressive as the lady who put this together.”
“You are such a charmer, Zeke Reynolds.”
He sipped and grinned.
“So are you finally going to tell me what your mystery item is?” she asked.
“When it’s time to bid, I’ll announce it.”
She really wanted him to reveal the contents beforehand so people could be prepared, but he seemed set on keeping it a secret so there was nothing she could do but swallow her slight pique and wait.
Barber Edgar Carter, sporting his freshly trimmed muttonchops and shiny bald head, would be the auctioneer. When Eddy and Mary determined it was time to get under way, he stepped to the table set up at the front of the room.
It was a fun evening. Bids flew fast and furious for the offered items: Jim Dade’s angel food cake went to Mrs.Rossetti, Janet Foster’s hairdressing service went to Lady Ruby, whose eggs were won by Jim Dade. Sylvia had put up a full course meal for bid. It hadn’t come up yet but Eddy was anxious to see who’d win it. She glanced over at Rhine and found his eyes waiting. He gave her a nearly imperceptible salute with his punch cup and she smoothly looked away. In light of their conversation on Monday, she hoped he wouldn’t make a bid on the dinner, but knew there was no guarantee.
Zeke’s secret turned out to be a window, of all things. He explained, “The folks up in Reno who ordered it changed their minds.” Windows were expensive, especially the size of the one he had up for bid. He promised to install it for whoever got the winning bid. Edgar opened the bidding, and after a few rounds of back and forth between Whitman Brown and Janet, Whitman won.
“Going to use it for the new church once we get it built,” he announced, and the applause filled the room.
“Next up,” Edgar said. “A bottle of champagne donated by the Union Saloon.”
A buzz went up and Eddy stilled. Rhine hadn’t said anything to her about what his contribution would be. She turned and gave him a quizzical look. He simply smiled and inclined his head.
Edgar said, “Now who wants to give the first bid?”
Eddy was astounded to hear Rhine’s voice ring out.
Beside her, Zeke asked critically, “What’s he up to now?”
Eddy had no idea.
Because Rhine had more money than anyone in the room, he of course proposed a bid no one could match, let alone best.
“Sold to Mr.Fontaine,” Edgar declared.
While everyone watched with confusion and curiosity, Rhine walked to Edgar, took the bottle and then handed it back to him. “My gift to you and Aretha for your anniversary.”
Edgar’s eyes widened. Aretha’s hand flew to her mouth, and with tears in her eyes she rushed to Rhine and gave him a hug and a peck on his cheek. Edgar shook his hand excitedly and the crowd applauded wildly.
It was one of the sweetest gestures Eddy had ever seen. “How thoughtful,” she said.
“Yes it was,” Zeke replied grudgingly.
She heard the edge in his voice but paid it no mind.
By the end of the hour most of the items were gone. Sylvia won Mr.Rossetti’s wringer, and Eddy knew housekeeper Maria Valdez would be pleased when laundry day came around.
The last item on the docket was Sylvia’s full course dinner. To Eddy’s relief, Rhine didn’t bid, but Amos Granger did, along with Whitman Brown and Zeke, but it was Doc Randolph who won the day with a bid so high it rivaled Rhine’s offer for the champagne.
Doc walked to the table and told the crowd, “I’m giving this money to Sister Mary and the children under one condition.”
Everyone waited.
“Sylvia has to be my dinner partner.”
Eddy’s jaw dropped.
