Page 14 of Beau & Autumn

“Because he doesn’t want to get eaten alive by Amber, Dolly, or any of her crew.”

Eden laughs. She’s just all happy because she got her man, even if it did cost her five hundred dollars.

“You sure?” Carrie jibes.

“Why else would I be doing such a thing?”

“Umm, because he’s a Bassett and let’s just say the Bassett boys are renowned for having big amounts of charm, as well as big dicks, right E?”

My eyes grow wide while Georgia makes an ‘Eww’ noise and covers her ears, pretending to sing.

Eden makes no bones about agreeing. “I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to a certain Bassett brother. I can only speak for Brook and I can confirm he’s hung like a horse.”

I can’t help but giggle. But my smile quickly drops when I notice Dolly Simpson is still eyeing the rest of the bachelors like they’re fresh meat for the picking.Maybe I need to keep my eye on the prize, that being Beau, like Eden did for Brook.

“Please, can you stop talking about my brothers’ appendages?!” Georgia folds her arms across her chest, her frown crumpling in annoyance. “Eyes on the ball.” She nods towards the stage.

That only sends a fit of little giggles around from us girls.

My eyes flick back to the stage. A lot of the women here are hot to trot for Skye’s brother, Travis, the new sheriff in town. I know everyone wants to snaffle him. Even Carrie said she would have had a go if she wasn’t married. Someone has got to beat Dolly to it.

It’s hard to know which way it might go. Dolly was spotted getting flirty with Easton just last week before the auction down at Moose’s. He’s one of Celeste’s brothers from Horse Shoe Ranch on the other side of town. He and his brother, Gaitley, are ex-bull wranglers and run their family's ranch now. Easton is up on stage after Beau, followed by Travis and their mutual friend Owen, and a string of other unsuspecting single men of Stoney Creek.

“I aim to please.” Eden claps her hands together. I know from the gleam in her eyes that she can’t wait to get her mitts on Brook.

“Don’t look now, Beau’s up.” Carrie nudges me again.

A hush dies down over the crowd as Verne comes over the mic again.

“Next up we have another Bassett brother, this time won’t you all give a warm welcome to the lovely Beau Bassett.” She pauses for effect while a round of claps ring out across the hall.

Beau looks like a deer caught in headlights but gives the crowd a little wave and a tentative smile. This isn’t his scene at all.

“Oh lord, he’s gonna tank,” I hear Georgia mumble. She’s sitting on the other side of Eden with Celeste. Hart and Skye joined us but they’re sitting in the row behind us. Little do they know, I’ve got Beau’s back. Well, Eden and Celeste know, but that’s it.

I lean over the back of the chairs. “Psssst,” I whisper-shout to Georgia while Verne adjusts her mic. “Don’t be alarmed if I’m bidding for Beau tonight. He doesn’t want to get eaten alive out there.”

She raises her eyebrows. “You two set this up?”

“Well, I haven’t won yet.”

“Give it your best shot!” Celeste giggles next to her.

“Beau is such a sneak.” Georgia laughs. “But I can’t say I blame him.”

Verne is back on the mic again. “… Beau spends many hours on his computer at the distillery where he keeps the accounts department and HR in check and dabbles in some marketing. In his spare time Beau likes to play video games and creates new gaming apps with his friends.”

It’s funny hearing Verne say ‘gaming apps’ when it’s clear she has no clue what it is.

I facepalm myself. Way to go Beauster.

He glances over at me and gives me a quick wink and tentative smile, as if he’s asking me telepathically if our deal is still on. Let’s hope I don’t have a fight on my hands like Eden did with Amber. That’s all I need. I give him a small nod of confirmation.

“Should we start the bidding at…”

“Fifty dollars!” comes a call from Dolly’s side of the room. I think it’s Teresa Mildwaters; one of the less boisterous of the group, but it’s still enough to scare Beau out of his wits.

I can tell from his wide eyes and slightly pale looking complexion that he would rather be anywhere than here right now. From the light shining off his forehead it appears he’s starting to sweat.

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