Page 3 of The Mountain Man Bidder

The auctioneer fans himself. “Well now, looks like we’ve got a real competition here!”

“Six-Seventy-Five!” The feed store guy grins like he’s enjoying this.He shouldn’t be.I take another step, folding my arms over my chest, letting the full weight of my glare settle on him.

“One thousand dollars,” I say, my voice low. Steady.

He shifts in his chair but forces out a laugh. “I dunno, Pete. You got that kinda money?”

I growl, just loud enough for him to hear. “Don’t test me.”

He pales. Shakes his head. “I’m out.”

The auctioneer looks around. “One thousand dollars. Going once. Going twice…”

Silence stretches. My heartbeat is a hammer in my ears. I keep my eyes on Stella. Her lips part like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t. The gavel slams down. “Sold to the mountain man!”

A cheer erupts from the crowd, but I barely hear it. Stella’s still staring at me, her cheeks pink. She’s never looked more beautiful to me.

All I can think is…Mine.

Maybe it’s only for one date. And maybe it’s only because I’m forking over a thousand dollars for the opportunity. But right now, in this moment, I’ve won. I’ve protected Stella from all the other assholes, and I’ve made my intentions known.

I want Stella Lawson. In no uncertain terms.

And now, the whole town knows it.Yep, I gave the good people of Hawks Roost plenty to talk about.

Chapter 4

Stella

The moment I stepoff the stage, my head is spinning. One second, I was standing there, terrified no one would bid on me, and the next, Pete Callahan had outbid every last man in the room.

Pete Callahan.Will my heart ever return to its normal pace? Somehow, I doubt it.

People tend to focus on the fact that Pete’s a recluse. And he is that. But he’s so much more.

He doesn’t come to town often, but when he does, he seems to always make a point to pop into the library. He always flips through the books that are on the cart waiting to be reshelved—and then hereshelvesthem when I’m not looking. Like he’strying to spare me the extra work but doesn’t want the credit for it.

I’ve wondered on more than one occasion if he does it because he’s interested in me. But then I always dismiss the thought. After all, he seldom actuallytalksto me. He certainly never says more than “Hello” or “Have a good day.”

If he was interested, surely, he’d just ask me out on a date? A man as drop-dead gorgeous as him shouldn’t be nervous about asking any woman out.Especiallynot the mousy librarian who usually has reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose. I’m the least intimidating woman on the planet.

But he just bid $1,000for a date with me. So, hemustbe interested. . . right?

Lucy grabs my arm, dragging me toward the back room of the town hall, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Stella, oh my God. Pete Callahan just bought a date with you!”

I press a hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath. "I know. I can’t—I still can’t believe it. What kind of date do you think he’s going to plan?"

Lucy’s grin turns positively wicked. "Something romantic and rugged. Knowing Pete, it'll probably involve a bonfire, the wilderness, and those strong, capable hands of his doing unthinkably wonderful things.”

I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment.And with desire.“Don’t be ridiculous, Lucy.”

“I’m serious! You’ve got yourself a sexy mountain man version of a Jane Austen hero."

I laugh, shaking my head. "So, Pete Callahan is my Captain Wentworth?”

Lucy gives me a knowing look. "Stranger things have happened. And honey, did you see the ferocity in his face as he bid on you? I feared for the lives of the other men.”

Could it be true?Could Petewantme?

---