AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She swallows, clearly taken aback by my words.“Okay, I respect your decision to leave.Maybe I’ll see you around town.I’ll be at the charity auction tomorrow.”
I ball my hands into fists.“Oh, yeah?The auction raising money for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center?I didn’t peg you for a hypocrite.”
She looks momentarily stunned, as if my accusation struck a nerve.“I’m just doing my job, Grizz.I can’t change the decisions of a massive corporation.The auction is a way to give back to the community, whether you believe it or not.”
I shake my head, a bitter laugh escaping me.“Giving back to the community by tearing it apart.Real noble.”
I storm out, cursing like the devil and with my blood boiling in my veins.The fucked-up thing is that I still think she’s gorgeous and interesting, even though she’s about to screw this town and its wildlife over.
Well, not on my watch.Arguing with her clearly didn’t work, but convincing her by confronting her with the facts might do the trick.I’m going to that auction, bid on her, and show her why she can’t go ahead with her stupid plan of building a luxury lodge in Bearclaw Ridge.By the time I’m done with her, she’ll be begging her boss not to make an offer on that plot of land.
Chapter Three
Hannah
I’m a bit nervous about attending the charity auction Maddie talked about.Not because of the potential bidders but because of Grizz.I completely rubbed him the wrong way yesterday, and now he thinks I’m some coldhearted businesswoman who doesn’t give a shit about nature.
I’m not.Far from it.But as I tried to tell Grizz yesterday, I’m only a cog in the machine.Even without me, Mister Dickinson would still go ahead with his plans to expand his luxury lodges emporium.
I slip on a dress and grab my purse from the nightstand.Sloane, the woman running the bar, told me there will be a make-up artist and hair stylist at the auction who will work free of charge, so I don’t bother with anything besides popping in some black hoop earrings.
My hands feel clammy as I make my way to The Grizzly Grove.What if Grizz shows up there tonight?The chances seem high since he works at the Wildlife Center they’re raising funds for.I’d love to see him, even though I’m afraid of butting heads with him again.He’s grumpy, sure, but also passionate.Even though he was a bit harsh with me, I appreciate him standing up for what he believes in.And then there’s his hotter-than-hell looks.He looks like the kind of guy who would take care of his girlfriend in more ways than one and protect her at all costs.
I walk inside The Grizzly Grove, and Sloane points me to the back, where a girl called Quinn is waiting for me and the other candidates.I don’t dare to look over my shoulder to see if Grizz is around.
“Welcome, I’m Quinn,” a woman says to me.“I’ll be doing your hair and make-up for tonight.Come on, take a seat.”
I reluctantly slide into the chair in front of a makeshift vanity table.“Hi, I’m Hannah.”
“Looking for love tonight or just supporting the charity?”she asks while studying my face and hair.
“I’m open to whatever comes my way,” I answer.
She grins.“That’s a great attitude.”
“So, are you from around here?”
She wraps my hair around her curling iron.“I’m originally from Candy Cane Creek, a small town about five hours from here, but my best friend… Sorry, my boyfriend, lives here.”She gives me a dorky smile and blushes.“It’s so new that I’m still not used to calling Bear my boyfriend.”
“You look super happy.”
“I am,” she says, staring into the distance with a dreamy gaze.“Oh, shit.Phew, that was right on time.”
She lets go of my hair.Any longer, and it would’ve been burnt by her curling iron.I guess that’s what happens when you meet the one and live with your head in the clouds.I wish I had someone who made me that happy and goofy, but my work makes it difficult to date as I’m constantly flying out to different states and towns.It gets a bit lonely, to be honest.
Quin does an amazing job with my hair and my make-up.I look great, but not in an over-the-top way.
“Do you offer these services in a salon or something?”I ask her as soon as we’re done.
She shakes her head.“I don’t, but I’ve been getting so much awesome feedback that it is something I should probably consider.I do dream about opening a salon and working as a make-up artist for weddings and stuff like that.”
I give myself another look in the mirror, turning from side to side.“You should.You’re a natural.”
“Thanks, Hannah.And good luck out there.”
Her words remind me of what I’m doing here, and a new wave of nerves hits me in the stomach.I head to the restroom and do some breathing exercises, missing the opening part of the auction.I’m the fifth candidate, so I don’t think my missing the first ten minutes or so is a problem.
When I get back, Sloane gives me some last-minute pointers, and then I’m next in line.So far, the auction has been going great.Sloane tells me they’ve already received thousands of dollars to donate to the Wildlife Center.
