Page 5 of A Christmas Auction

The woman’s hair was cut into a shoulder length bob. She was dressed in a tight black skirt that hit her mid-thigh. She wore black pantyhose and black sneakers. On top was a tuxedo shirt with a black bowtie. The father was dressed similarly, though he had on suspenders with his crisp white dress shirt and black satin tie. They looked like they just needed a red jacket with gold buttons, and they’d be ready for their circus act. Technically, we were in Vegas, so it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility, but they were far too old for that type of work.

“Mom! Dad!” Holly held both of her arms out and her parents went on either side of the bed to embrace their daughter.

“My baby! Oh, thank the good Lord you’re okay. What happened?” her mother asked.

Alana backed up and came to my side, then proceeded to take my elbow as though I was her escort. “We’ll just be on our way,” she announced.

“Oh, no! I want you to meet my saviors,” Holly stated. “Mom, Dad, this is Alana Toussaint and Bruno Castellanos. These two stopped in the middle of the night when I was being attacked by two men. They saved me. Bruno even took one of them out,” Holly gushed. “The other, I tased, just like you taught me.”

“You were attacked bytwomen?” Her mother sobbed, tears tracking down her face. “I told you that place was dangerous, honey. All the way out there on the outskirts of town, and you live and work there.”

Holly’s father left her side and approached us. He stood tall and put out his hand. “Adam Knight. I can’t thank you enough for protecting our girl.”

We both shook his hand while her mother approached.

“Noelle Knight,” she said, and instead of taking my hand she waved it away and flung her arms around my shoulders then pulled me into a tight hug.

“May God bless you with all you desire. Thank you. Thank you for saving our only child.” She pulled back, cupped both of my cheeks and smiled. She was a beautiful woman, and her gratitude made her effervescent, mirroring where Holly got her good looks from.

“It was the right thing to do,” I murmured, feeling uncomfortable with all the praise. “Shall we?” I gestured to the exit, my need to flee this emotional scene becoming more compelling the longer Holly’s grateful expression and pretty eyes searched mine.

“Holly, don’t forget to call.” Alana said as the happy family embraced once more.

The second we’d made our way through the hospital and out into the cool desert air, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

Alana laughed as we waited for her driver to roll up. “Uncomfortable in hospitals?” she asked nonchalantly.

“You could say that” I grunted.

“Or perhaps it was the beautiful woman you saved. Did Holly wiggle her way under your skin? She’s very pretty…”

“Alana…don’t,” I warned. “I’m not here as a bidder nor a candidate in one of your auctions. I’m perfectly capable of finding a woman all on my own if that was, in fact, something I desired.”

“Do you not desire a woman such as Holly Knight? I’d assume a woman like that was your type.”

“That woman is everyone’s type.”

“Then what’s the problem?” She turned to face me and crossed her arms over one another, one of her black brows arched in question.

“We’re not having this conversation,” I stated with an ounce of annoyance, so she’d get the hint.

“And why not?” Her voice rose slightly.

“Because I am only here to provide you with the security and invasive background checks you demand for each of your candidates and bidders. Remember the catastrophe that occurred in France months ago? You were the one that called in this favor. Do not think for a moment you’re going to drag me into a matchmaking scenario. I am not in the market for a bride. Not now, not ever. Got it?”

Alana tilted her head and stared at me for a solid ten seconds, likely choosing her words wisely. “Such an impassioned speech for someone who is…not in the market.” She enunciated the last part as though it was a challenge.

“Well, I’m passionate about not getting married.”

“Hmmm,” she hummed as the car drove up.

I opened the passenger door for her, the two of us standing on opposite sides of the door. Two strong personalities staring one another down.

“I guess we shall see how the month goes.” She pursed her lips.

“Guess we shall.”

Chapter 3

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