Page 48 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
“We were never married,” I finally said. “He’s not in Max’s life. Hasn’t been for years.” The words sat heavy, but it felt good to push them out.
“Hard road,” she said softly.
I nodded. “Still walking it.”
A kid darted past, riding a carved stick sorhox and shouting, “Hyaah,” like an outlaw chasing down a chumble. The stick’s fabric muzzle bounced with each step.
Gracie grinned. “Isn't that cute?”
“They take it seriously.”
She pointed to a cowboy wannabe strolling down Main Street in full gear, from spurs fixed to his boots, chaps over his jeans, to the fringe dangling from his leather, long-sleeved shirt. “I wish I had enough confidence to wear fringe.” She gave a mock sigh, then swept her gaze over a couple walking by dressed like they were about to audition for a Wild West movie, both dressed like gunslingers. “Tell me that guy’s pants aren’t made of actual leather. Wouldn't it rub in all the wrong places?”
I snorted, nearly spilling my tea. “How do you think of stuff like that?”
“I’m cursed with taste. And excellent peripheral vision.”
She was funny. Not in a rehearsed way. Sharp, real, quick-minded. An actual adult who hadn’t lost her sense of play.
“So,” she said, straightening, lifting her phone off the table. “Picnic basket auction. We thought something like in the movieOklahoma. I saw it once when I was really young. An activity like that would be awesome tourist bait, plus community fun, and great PR.” She opened a blank document. “We can host it five days from now. The tourists can create picnic baskets. I'll makesure Aunt Inla has some in stock in the general store, though I believe I saw a pile of them near the back. They could buy meals from the restaurant or ingredients at the general store and make the goodies themselves. Let's encourage quirky baskets, maybe themes. That'll build excitement.”
“Great ideas.” I wasn't sure why she needed me to help when she had it well in hand, but I was happy to be asked.
“The proceeds will go to Bright Hope Animal Shelter. Whoever wins each basket gets a date with the basket maker if both are in agreement.”
I shifted in my seat, thinking it through. “You’ll need announcements. Posters in the bakery, restaurant, hotel. Maybe tabbed sign-up sheets with a number they can call if they have questions?”
“That’s good. Yes.” Her fingers flew.
“And maybe instead of only shouting bids, people could also write them down. Some folks get shy when it's public.”
Gracie gave me a bright look. “Discreet number bidding. Love it. You’re clever.”
“More like practical.”
“Which is why this’ll work. We balance each other well.”
That made me smile.
“Any other ideas?” Gracie asked, frowning at the screen.
“Who will run the auction and where can we hold it?”
“We can host it in the barn. I checked the schedule, and it’s free until three that day. There’s a wedding after, but we can clear out in time for them to set up. They’ll mostly use the back anyway.” She nudged her head to where it had been built at the end of Main Street. “I'll ask Tark to run the auction itself. He can rope in some of his brothers to help. Whoever's good with the public.”
I thought about it from all angles. “I can't think of anything else.”
“We can chat again tomorrow, but I'll get those flyers made tonight and will plaster the town with them in the morning. I picked a short timeframe because people come and go all the time but most don't stay more than a few days. We'll make sure everyone knows the baskets can be simple. This doesn't need to be a huge endeavor or overwhelming on their part.”
With a nod, Gracie tapped a final note into her phone, then set it face down on the table. Her pastries were half gone, and her tea cup sat nearly empty between us.
She leaned back, stretching one leg under the table until her foot tapped mine. “So,” she said, her tone light, her eyes too knowing for casual. “Are you thinking of entering a basket yourself?”
“I don’t want to thrust myself out into the public eye like that.”
She frowned but nodded. “I understand. How about bidding on any baskets? You could do it anonymously.”
“Oh, well. I hadn't given that any thought.” Still, my stomach flipped. I glanced at my plate and stalled for a heartbeat. “Hmm.” I picked up my cup like it suddenly needed checking. “I think I’ll help run this with you. Make sure it all goes smoothly from behind the scenes.”
