Page 30 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“Well, consider it mysterious in how you figure out the art of walking out on the runway without toppling over.” Kristi grinned. “Let’s put the scarlet lipstick on now and you’ll be totally glamourized.”

“Okay. Turn around slowly and look at the new version of you.”

Tori did just that…especially the slow part. And then she froze.

She was quiet so long that Lily and Kristi finally spoke.

“Tori…what’s wrong?”

“This is not G-rated. It would be hard pressed to say it’s even PG,” Tori began. “The skirt is slit so far up the side that there is no way I would dare sit down in it. And the top? What top? It’s cut almost down to my navel in front. The off-shoulder top is not there for much support.”

“Two positives.” Kristi spoke up. “First is that you are stunning in it…you might not think so but it could have been made for your figure or vice versa. Second…with the mask and headpiece, most people if not all will not know who you are. So you can have some fun with that. Isn’t that the point of the evening? Everyone is here to have fun and make some money for a good cause. So get out there and forget the comfort zone and have fun.”

Have fun. Forget the comfort zone. Right.Tori had a feeling that she would regret volunteering. And she might never live the night down.

Chapter Thirteen

“Matt, is thatyou?” Cade spoke in a quieter tone, not wanting to give anything away since no one was supposed to know who was in the auction. But remembered that Matt had burned his thumb on the grill doing the hamburgers and he noted the same red marks on the tuxedoed man standing a couple feet away, looking like he wanted to stay hidden behind the huge potted plant forever. Cade had moved over to stand a foot away from the man.

“What gave me away?” the man whispered back, keeping his attention on the rest of the room.

“Well, it might be the fact you look like you’re trying to hide in a potted plant. Or it could be that I remember the red marks on the side of your thumb came from your mishap with the grill at your daughter’s party. How are you holding up?”

“Besides actually trying to blend in with a plant for protection from the women around here, I guess I’m doing just great, Cade. Why aren’t you participating?”

“I had a meeting today in San Francisco. I didn’t think I’d get back in time, but we finished early and I just came in from the airport.”

“You know, you could take my mask and blend in and do the auction.”

“No thanks. I’ll just be content with bidding. Who do you suggest I should put my money on…so to speak?”

“Well, the lady in the white feathers over there might be interesting. Or the one in blue. Or…hold on! Who is that?”

Cade swung his gaze in the direction Matt was looking and he had to do a double take. “Talk about the lady in red. Who in the world is that?”

Matt shook his head. “I don’t know but I bet all the men are rushing to the nearest ATM and making transfers.”

“Which is your sister?”

“Sorry, I have no idea. She was dressed in her costume after I came out here to scope things out. Looks like the vision in red and black has gone backstage already. It was just a tease to get the bidders ready. And I see that Leslie is motioning to me. So last chance to take my place, friend?”

Cade shook his head with a grin in the man’s direction. “Wouldn’t deprive you of such an honor. You are making a great sacrifice for the cause.”

Matt turned and gave an impression of someone walking to the gallows.

The music started and the lights dimmed. A spotlight would pick up the person up for auction as they came out on stage, made their walk, and then turned for the bidding to begin. Cade edged closer to the end of the runway in hopes he would be able to recognize the woman he planned to bid on. He had to hope that something would tell him which was Tori.

The lady in white came out first. The bidding was spirited for the first one. Then one of the men came out. The ladies did not hold back. Luckily for the charity, the crowd was getting into the fun. By the fourth one to come out, which was Matt, they had broken a thousand-dollar ceiling with the last bid. It was clear that three ladies were dead serious in outbidding each other. Cade caught Matt’s pleading look behind his mask and only grinned bigger in response. One woman triumphed and it was clear that Matt hadn’t counted on her winning.

The final bid of the evening was the lady in red as she had come to be known in his mind. The music became pure Cajun slow jazz and the lady began her walk down the runway. And she was working it like no other. The cheering and clapping seemed to entice her to really sell it in the outfit that suited a pair of knockout long legs and a good amount of other areas of skin that flashed and sparkled as she moved. She was moving toward where he stood and he found there was something about her that held his attention. Then her gaze found his interested one and she seemed to turn away and then stop. A long length of leg played with the high split in the skirt and she gave a come-hither pose over her shoulder, a slow wink through the sequined mask, and then a scarlet kiss was blown in his direction. The crowd roared and then with a toss of her head, she made her way back to the center of the stage. The emcee, which was Leslie, opened the bidding and it was fast and furious.

The high bid was twelve hundred. Cade had held back as others outbid each other. It rose to fifteen hundred and it looked like one of the doctors from the local hospital just might win the lady. Cade nodded. The doctor lasted through two more bids and then Cade decided to end it all.

“Ten thousand dollars.” Silence in the room.

Leslie looked like she might pass out. But she quickly recovered and there being no one else who chose to outbid him, she shoutedsold. Thunderous applause broke out. Cade walked over to the steps where each person had been handed over to the person who bid on them. He watched the sparkling vision walk toward him. He raised his hand to help her down the steps. Once her hand was in his, he grinned. He had gotten it right.

“I seem to be the most envied man here tonight. Do you have a particular name or should I just call you my lady in red?”

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