Page 21 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

Karen gave her a stern look.

What? She’d said she wanted lively, fun people here. Jackie was being lively.

“Handy. He’s an expert with sticky doors, broken screens and painting walls and house trim.”

“Yawn,” Daisy-Mae said, patting her mouth. Jenny grabbed her hand, hushing her.

“Any sixes here tonight who need a handyman?”

Daisy-Mae tried to make Jenny raise her number.

“He’s looking for a woman who can cook and freeze him a month’s worth of meals,” Karen read. Most of the numbers that had been raised dropped instantly.

Jackie cupped her hands and hollered, “It’s called the frozen foods aisle, sweetheart. Someone needs to check the year. Women left the kitchen years ago.”

Some of the women laughed and nodded.

“Ladies,” Karen exclaimed, her tone almost begging, “this is a good deal. If you know how to cook, a couple hours in the kitchen will get all those pesky broken, sticky doors in your home fixed.”

“That’s what my landlord is for,” Jackie muttered. “If I wanted that kind of nuisance, I’d own a house.”

“Can I bid on this guy even though I have the wrong number?” Daisy-Mae called out.

Karen glanced at Laura, who was shuffling papers. She shrugged.

“If nobody else bids, then yes,” Karen declared.

“I thought you said ‘yawn’?” Jackie said to Daisy-Mae, who ignored her. “And when did you learn to cook?”

“It’s called the internet.”

“I’m bidding! I’m bidding! Don’t open it up to other numbers,” MayBeth Albright hollered. She was a library volunteer in her fifties, and as Jackie recalled, she made amazing muffins, meaning her cooking would likely satisfy any man. Plus she lived in one of the tiny original homes a block off Main Street, which was a handyman’s dream.

Jackie spun in her seat. MayBeth was the last remaining bidder. She was beaming, her excitement clear.

“Oh my gosh. We have a match,” Jackie said.

“You’re our winning bid, MayBeth,” Karen said, looking pleased. “Congratulations.”

The crowd cheered as Laura pulled back the curtain’s edge and a tall man with broad shoulders stepped forward. His eyes met MayBeth’s and Jackie could have sworn the woman nearly swooned. He was probably five years younger, but the way the two looked at each other had promise.

Jackie sighed, her matchmaking heart satisfied. “I bet they’re married in a year and a half,” she whispered to Jenny, who looked at her like she was crazy.

Daisy-Mae leaned forward to speak across Jenny. “Less than a year. Have you forgotten where we live? I bet she has a ring on her finger in five months or less.”

“We weren’t talking about a ring, we’re talking about a wedding. MayBeth has a large family, and it’s going to take a lot to plan her big event. Year and a half.”

Daisy-Mae shrugged, then agreed. “Ring in five months or less, wedding in less than a year and a half.”

“You’re both incorrigible,” Jenny said. She brightened. “Do me! How long for me?”

“You have to find someone first.”

“Just like the rest of us,” Daisy-Mae declared.

Jackie nodded, suddenly very aware that she had already found someone. Someone who would never work out. Maybe she should really get into this auction tonight and go crazy with some bids. Maybe that’s all it would take to meet someone new. Someone who would distract her from thinking about Cole all the time.

“Our next helpful bachelor is a four,” Karen announced, consulting her clipboard. “Ladies, if you have number four, listen up!”

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