Page 32 of Sweet Escape
Olivia: I’m not going to fake an illness to rescue you from the auction, Big Guy.
Chapter9
Donate to charity, Buy a Cowboy
?Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) - John Michael Montgomery
Wilder
The Blossom Festivalis in full swing, and a decent crowd has gathered around the temporary stage erected in the center of town. Oak Ridge is the epitome of cozy small town charm—the kind of place you only see in cheesy romantic movies.
It’s built in the foothills of a nearby mountain range, with a lake that surrounds us on two sides. I got so lost in the vastness of the Colorado wilderness that I almost forgot the beauty that exists in my hometown.
Colorful planter boxes and flower arrangements are scattered up and down the main thoroughfare, with booths lining each side of the main drag. Artisans from all over the tri-state area gather here each year. It’s a massive boost to our economy and the charities that benefit from events like the bachelor auction.
I’m standing just off stage with Emmy as my dad ransoms off each of his sons to the highest bidder. I should be focused on the auction, but all I want to do is find Olivia and kiss her senseless. I know she’s here somewhere, peddling her desserts, but there's nothing sweeter than her lips, and I’m dying for another taste.
I’m supposed to be up there with Jaxon and Griffin lined up like cattle, but Mama got called away at the last second, leaving me with an exhausted toddler asleep on my shoulder. With any luck, she’ll be gone long enough for me to avoid my impending doom.
Disappointment crashes over me when she returns just in time for Dad to call me on stage. I wear a forced smile and walk out to hushed whispers from the impressive crowd. There are a few recognizable faces in the audience, namely a heavily pregnant Ivy and her husband Luca. Their daughter Rylin is bouncing on the spot, chattering away as she so often does, with a delicate floral cupcake in hand. One of Olivia’s creations, no doubt. Ivy gives me a subtle wave, and I return the greeting with a flat smile and a nod.
Mama practically adopted Ivy into the family after her parents passed away while she was still in high school. By that time, I was long gone, settling into my new life in Colorado with Jess.
Now she’s back in our orbit, building a house at the ranch on a plot of land my parents set aside for her. She’s not the first stray Mama’s taken in, and she won’t be the last—that’s just how our family is. The more the merrier.
Dad’s booming voice comes over the speakers, instantly quieting the crowd. No one commands a room quite like Russell Hayes. “Up next is my eldest son, Wilder Hayes. He’s just returned from Colorado, and he’s ready to sweep you off your feet with an intimate picnic at Whispering Oaks Ranch, catered by Rosie’s Diner. We’ll start the bidding off at $350.”
I roll my eyes at the ridiculous introduction. I won’t be sweepinganyoneoff their feet.
The first bid goes to a snickering Jax, who’s beaming at me from the back row. I pin him with a warning glare, crossing my arms over my chest. A few more paddles rise in quick succession, but I’m no longer paying attention. My eyes lock on a curvy blonde standing off to the left of the stage wearing an adorable frilly apron. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip, and I want nothing more than to close the distance and tug it free, but we can’t afford to stir up any rumors just yet.
Rosie approaches Olivia, handing her a paddle. A rush of warmth surges through me at the thought of Olivia winning, until she shakes her head and pushes it back at her grandmother. They’re close enough to the stage that I can almost make out what they’re saying, and Rosie clearly isn't taking no for an answer. I swear her lips form the words ‘baby daddy,’ but that can’t be right. We agreed to keep things a secret for now.
“Can I get $1000?”
Rosie ignores her granddaughter’s quiet pleas, her arm shooting up. Olivia’s gritting her teeth, eyes wide and pleading.
When he spots the interaction, Dad’s face flashes with something like recognition, but he quickly replaces it with a smile. “$1000 to Nosey Rosie! Do I hear $1200?”
Another paddle shoots up near the back row, and I realize it’s Mama holding Emmy in her arms.
Dad stifles a laugh at my expense. “Evie girl, if you wanted to have a picnic, all you had to do was say so. Can I get $1300?”
I scan the crowd, waiting for the next bid, but it doesn’t come. I’m mortified at the thought that I might actually be purchased by my mother. There’d be no coming back from that. Mama’s oblivious to my internal turmoil as she taps out a text one-handed. Rosie’s phone lights up in the front row, and she leans over to whisper something in Olivia’s ear.
Begrudgingly, Olivia takes the paddle and raises it in the air with much less enthusiasm than I would expect from the woman carrying my child. I’ll take it. Thankfully, my mother backs down, and Olivia is declared the winner.
I hop off the stage, placing my hands in my pockets, passively ignoring my impulse to hug her. “Thanks for the save, Liv.”
“I couldn’t in good conscience let you suffer the humiliation of being forced to go on a date with your own mother.”
I grumble a curse under my breath.
Rosie laughs. “That was never going to happen. Evie was in on it the whole time. We were just trying to get you two together, not that you need an excuse,” she says, giving Olivia’s belly a sidelong glance.
“Grammy!”
“If you’ll excuse us for a minute, Ro, I’d like to talk to Olivia.”
