Page 40 of Cabin Fever With My First Flame

I laugh. “She saved that much, huh?” I let the thought hang in the air as the Emcee continues the auction.

And now we introduce our next and final bachelor of the evening,” the host of the evening says. “He graced our townwith his presence 20 years ago at the ripe old age of 16, then vanished into thin air. In that time, he has been lauded as a hero, saving countless lives and thousands of homes from wildfires on the West Coast. He’s a qualified smokejumper with enough muscles to tear down trees with his bare hands. He can leap tall buildings in a single bound, and tonight, he can be your prince who rescues you from the New Year doldrums with a kiss to ring in the New Year! Welcome the Ghost of Christmas Past, Finn Hollister!”

And the crowd goes wild!

I walk out onto the stage and then unbutton my suit jacket, striking a pose and tossing my head back. People laugh as I do a fake model walk, and someone from the crowd yells, “Work it, Hollister! Work it!”

The Emcee starts the bidding. “Do I hear $500?”

“$500!” Bryce’s sister, Amanda, shouts.

“$600!” says a voice in the back. I narrow my eyes to see through the bright light, but I can’t make out the identity of the second bidder.

“$700!” Amanda says, scowling at the woman.

“$1,000!” the woman says, slowly making her way through the crowd. Bailey comes into sight, dressed to the nines in a deep scarlet dress with a single sleeve on her shoulder. The form-fitting attire hugs her every curve. Her make-up is done flawlessly, and she looks natural and beautiful. I’ll admit, she looks stunning, but the thought of her with a messy bun, reindeer pajama pants, and snow boots gets my heart thumping.

$2,000!” Amanda says.

Bailey’s mom and dad stand behind her, as do her three girls. “$2,500!” her mom shouts.

Amanda doesn’t relent. $3,500! Bailey, you had your chance with Finn. Now it’s my turn!” she screeches.

I palm my face as the bidding war continues. When the temperature in the room begins to rise, I get a not-so-bright idea and strip off my jacket. Amanda becomes so flustered she outbids herself and shouts, $4,000!”

Bailey’s face falls, the price becoming too rich for her blood. Chief Zimmerman leans over toward Bailey and whispers in her ear. She whispers something back, and he smiles, giving her a gentle squeeze. “$4,500!” he shouts.

The Emcee sputters. “Um, Chief, you can’t date your own crew. It’s against policy.”

Zimmerman laughs. “I’m helping out true love. I don’t plan on kissing anyone other than my wife tonight!”

Amanda scowls. “$6,000! First, you got Finn, but then you got Daniel. Why do you get all the good men in this town?!”

One of our other probies yells from the back of the crowd, “I’m available for free Amanda! Go out with me!”

Daniel comes up behind Bailey and joins everyone else who is supporting this bidding war. He smiles at me. He wraps his arms around his daughters, and I feel my jealousy spike until he stands up straighter and says, $10,000!”

The Emcee sputters. “Um. Uh. I know Finn is hot, but is he reallythathot?”

Daniel laughs. “You can’t put a price on true love!” Then he realizes what he’s said and amends, “True love between Bailey and Finn! Not Finn and me!”

Amanda realizes that the whole town will rally behind Bailey, but she gives it one last go. $10,500!”

I pull out my phone and check the balance in my savings account as the Emcee says, “10,500 going once!”

“Two seconds!” I shout as my account begins to load.

“Going twice!”

I look at her with mock contempt. “Two seconds!

And…

$10, 672!” I shout. “Amanda, you’re a sweet lady, but that woman right there is my future,” I say, pointing to Bailey.

The Emcee pulls the mike away from her mouth and whispers, “You can’t bid on yourself, Finn.”

I take the mike from her hand and say, “If I have my way, it’s going to end up being a joint account anyway!”

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