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“That’s sexual tension,” Mellie says. “And when you get it out, just don’t do it in my new hot tub.” She snorts.
I roll my eyes. “I would never...” I say, but then I start laughing, too. My heart feels so happy. I needed this. I needed them. These women let me in and became my close friends. Maybe I should let him in, too.
* * *
The auction starts in the room in the firehouse that the town uses for meetings and events. There are tables set up, and plates of cookies, cakes, and desserts donated by everyone line the wall. Music is playing, and the event buzzes with energy and fun. There’s even a giant disco ball hanging over a makeshift stage in the center of the room.
The Freedom Valley firefighters are gathered around the stage. Someone’s even taking pictures to make a calendar to sell as part of the fundraiser as well.
The guys participating in the auction are leaned up on the side wall, and everyone looks like they’re enjoying themselves. Even Preston.
They came here for me.
I start to choke up, and my hand goes to my chest. I look over at Preston and find his eyes are on me, but he’s not laughing anymore. He says something to Ty, then strides over. As he gets closer, I get hotter. It feels like it’s twenty degrees warmer all of a sudden.
He takes me by my upper arm and pulls me aside gently, looking into my eyes like he’s trying to figure out something. “What’s the matter, Sunshine?” he asks.
Him. He makes me so nervous. And all of this is just so much. But so good.
“I’m just a little overwhelmed,” I say, wiping my eyes. “I don’t do well with attention on me like this.”
“We just want to help.” He looks deeply into my eyes, the look soothing me.
“It’s really nice,” I admit. “I don’t know how I can repay everyone.”
“No need for that. I’m sure you’ll be there to help other businesses out someday.”
I nod. “That’s true. I will.”
“Let’s just hope at least one person bids on me.” He winks.
“Preston, you will have so many people bidding on you. Look at you.” Catching myself, I quickly say, “If I was interested, um... which I’m not.”
“Oh, you’re not?” He leans down to murmur into my ear. “Seems to me like you were pretty interested in that hot tub.”
My face flushes, and I look around to see if anyone heard us. I love his hands on me, protectively holding me. But we’re interrupted by Allie, who has the microphone.
“Hey, everyone! We’re going to get started here. Who’s ready for a picnic with a hottie?”
The crowd cheers and claps, and Preston walks back to stand with the other guys being auctioned off. The one thing I love about Freedom Valley is that it’s a town with a lot of older people who pour their love into the younger generations. The room is full of lonely silver-haired ladies waiting around with coolers and picnic baskets with signs with numbers on them.
I smile as I overhear their conversations.
“My homemade pecan pie is to die for. What did you bring, Mildred? You better have brought your German potato salad. It’s the best.”
“They take this very seriously,” Mellie tells me as she hooks her arm through mine and pulls me in for a quick hug. “Aren’t they hilarious? Who would have thought lonely older ladies with money that just want to feed someone and have some company would all get into this so much?”
“Yeah, but some of these guys are married and fathers,” I say with a laugh.
“It’s all good fun. One of them is trying to bid on Ty to get him to fix her old Buick.”
“Is he going to do it?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Absolutely. She’s got pecan pie. And he’s a sucker for a good homemade pecan pie.”
We turn our attention back to the stage. “All right, thank you, everyone, for coming. Just remember, this is all good fun, and we’re excited to bring the community together, eat some yummy picnic lunches, and get Paige’s bookstore opened. Let’s hear it for Turn the Paige!”
The room erupts in cheers and clapping. Happy tears fill my eyes as I wave and nod to the crowd.
