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He turned back. “Yes?”
“The next time you think my sister’s well-being is in jeopardy, do me a favor and just call me instead. I’d really prefer that you just stay the hell away from my sister.”
Grant narrowed his gaze and squared off his shoulders. “I think I’ll let Pepper be the one to decide whether she wants me around.”
“I think shooting you in the eyes with pepper spray made that pretty clear. Leave my sister alone. I don’t want to have this discussion again.”
He wasn’t even going to acknowledge Logan’s decree. Pepper was a grown woman and did what she pleased. If he thought for a second that she’d pepper sprayed him on purpose, he’d certainly walk away. Instead, he threw up his hand in a dismissive wave. “It’s nice seeing you again, Logan,” he said before disappearing around the corner.
Grant forgave himself for white lies in the name of politeness.
Pepper hadn’t been there since it was completed, but the new high school gym looked great. As a thank-you to the committee that helped raise the money to rebuild it, the school had allowed them to hold the bachelor auction there. Meeting up with Ivy and Blake outside, the three went into the event together.
The committee had outdone themselves with the Valentine’s Day decorations. There was a big stage with a
runway that extended into the audience. It was surrounded by round banquet tables draped in red and pink tablecloths. Each table had a centerpiece with pink, white, and red carnations in a fishbowl with red marbles in the bottom. Miss Francine had gotten her way. They didn’t get overpriced roses out of her for free.
The curtain beyond the stage had cardboard cutouts of classic Valentine’s shapes hung on it—cupids, hearts, and flying arrows of love.
Once they turned in their tickets, they were given programs and the ladies were handed numbered auction paddles shaped like hearts. “Oh,” Pepper said, trying to return the paddle, “I’m not bidding.”
Jeanette Kincaid just nodded and dismissed her. “That’s okay. You just keep it. We’re giving one to all the ladies. You never know when you might be . . . inspired.”
“I’m not—” Pepper began to complain, but Ivy tugged her aside.
“You don’t have to use it. Sit on it if it makes you feel better.”
Pepper frowned and followed Ivy and Blake inside. They selected a table close to the stage. “Why are we sitting right at the end of the runway? Are you hoping to bid on a handsome fella, Blake?”
He chuckled and pulled out a chair for Ivy to sit down. “Not exactly. I’m hoping just to harass my brothers when they come out. But, actually, Grant provided me with a short list of women he cannot be purchased by. If any of them have a winning bid, I’m to have Ivy bid and save him at any price.”
Pepper settled into her own seat with a laugh. “I didn’t realize Grant had standards.”
“Neither did I,” Blake said with a chuckle. “Would you ladies like a drink? The mayor went to a lot of trouble to get it cleared for Emmett to serve drinks at the event. I figure we should buy enough drinks to make it worth Emmett’s time. He did have to close Woody’s to do this.”
Normally at this sort of thing, alcohol, especially on school property, was a no-no. But when the commissioner was on the committee, strings got pulled. If they wanted the women in town loose enough to lay down serious money for the cause, alcohol was absolutely necessary. The menu was limited to wine, beer, and a special “love” martini.
“I’ll take a love martini,” Pepper said.
Ivy asked Blake for a white wine, then turned back to her. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get drunk and do something stupid?”
“It will have to be straight moonshine for me to bid on anyone.”
Ivy laughed and flipped open her program. “They’ve got quite a list of gentlemen here tonight. You know, I’m happy to loan you some money if you would like to bid.”
Pepper snorted indelicately. “Um, no thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I make it a rule never to borrow money from friends. And if I’m going to borrow money from you of all people, it’s going to be for something important, like a kidney transplant, not for a hot date on a made-up, over-commercialized holiday.”
“Suit yourself,” Ivy said, returning to her program. “I didn’t know your brother was going to be a part of the auction.”
Neither did Pepper. “Mayor Gallagher must’ve gotten to him. From what I heard, no single man is safe.”
“I guess so.” A few more pages in, Ivy’s eyes got big. “Bert Swenson!” she declared, pointing out the older gentleman’s photograph. “That’s interesting.”
“Hmmm . . .” Pepper said thoughtfully. “That’s why Miss Vera is here tonight, I bet. She was threatening to bid on someone a week or so ago. She got a little flustered when your mother recommended she start dating Bert.”
“Well, she’s got competition.” A crowd of older women brushed past their table and sat a few feet away. Ivy watched them sit down. “That crowd had two divorcées and three widows. I doubt any of them are bold enough to bid on Simon.”
“This might be more interesting than I thought. Every one of those women was in the salon this week. They’re on the hunt. I’m anticipating a silver cat fight.”
