Page 31 of Falling For You

A grumble erupted from my lips as my shoulders lowered in defeat. “Fine.”

“And there’s one more thing.”

I looked into the brilliant blue sky and shook my head. “What more could there possibly be?”

“Well, to make things fairer, we want everyone to wear a costume.” She chuckled. “We want everyone unrecognizable, so there’s no cheating.”

I laughed and shook my head. “What do you mean,cheating?”

She pushed her lips into a concerned expression. “I don’t know. I just don’t want anyone going up there and getting no bids because…”

“Because why?”

“Well, what if they’re not a looker?” She grimaced.

My hands flew to my mouth. “Millie, there’s someone for everyone.”

“Oh, believe me. I know that more than anyone, but what if that someone isn’t in Buttercup Lake, and that poor soul feels bad?”

“That has to be the sweetest thing I’ve heard recently.”

“So, it’s a deal?”

I nodded. “Deal.”

“And just write a little something up about yourself that sounds alluring.”

“I don’t know if I can cook something up like that, but I’ll do my best.”

“Oh, you’re quite the catch. All your siblings are. I just don’t know why I couldn’t talk any of them into the auction.”

My foot automatically stomped. “Wait. What? My brothers and sisters aren’t doing it?”

She shook her head. “Nope. No matter what I tried, they each said no.” She shrugged and turned back toward the main lodge. “It’s in two weeks. I’ll email you the details, and if you need any help with a disguise, let me know.”

I nodded with a quick wave before letting myself into my cabin.

It figured I was the one sibling who got roped into this.

Chapter Eight

Violet

I sat at my laptop to upload some of the images from all the meals I’d cooked recently. I’d made my mashed potatoes look extremely scrumptious and the chicken pot pie golden and buttery.

Now, I found myself in a predicament. I had to conjure up something witty and inviting to draw visitors to my blog and social media.

My mouth puckered in annoyance. If I couldn’t write something fun to get people to make my recipes, how was I supposed to beg them to bid on me?

The thought crept up on me all afternoon. How did my siblings tell Millie no and live to tell about it?

Millie was tricky and determined, and the only thing I had managed to do was figure out which costume to wear to disguise myself.

I took in a deep breath and inhaled the incredible aromas from the casserole I shoved in the oven before I climbed into the shower. There was nothing like a good casserole that said Welcome to Wisconsin, and I'd made plenty of them since I returned. This one happened to be a little more daring than some. A Reuben casserole, complete with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Rye bread for the topping.

Headlights shined through the kitchen window and bounced off my laptop, creating a glare across my screen.

And it hit me.

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