Page 9 of Rose's One Night to Forever
July 1, Heart Falls Community Centre
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Satisfaction whirled inside as Rose made the final adjustments to the table decorations for the Heart Falls Canada Day community event.
A.k.a. children’s games, a family gathering, a communal potluck, and for some reason, a bachelor auction. It was the strangest combination of events, but somehow, Heart Falls made it work.
Bonus, it meant income for her. The payment for providing decorations for the tables and stage would cover most of this month’s expenses. Which meant, in a few hours, she’d have another successful event under her belt and the entire month of July to sock away extra money.
A little extra to tuck away was important. Last month she’d overheard Mr. Jordon confirm he was retiring and closing his photography shop—which meant the space next door to Buns and Roses that she’d been eyeing for years would be up for grabs. It would be the perfect opportunity to expand Buns and Roses.
July was shaping up to be amazing. Wonderful and everything she’d hoped for.
Her love life was still boring, though, and seemed to be stuck that way. The one night of bliss she’d stolen kept rolling through her brain more often than was helpful. Especially since every time she remembered what she’d done, she had to keep biting her tongue to avoid spilling the beans to her sister or her friends. Other than Petra, who had gotten the limited-edition, condensed-digest version the following morning, no one knew.
Nope, that night was a lovely part of Rose’s history now. She was glad she’d gotten to enjoy the experience, but now she was ready to focus on the other things in her world that needed to be taken to the next level.
After the potluck and pie sale were done, the tables were pulled to the side of the room. Chairs were rearranged and the auction began.
Malachi Fields, Rose’s father and beloved emcee for the event, stepped onto the stage and smiled at the room. His dark curly hair was shot with silver at the temples now, but he was still handsome and very much the showman he’d always been.
He gripped the microphone in one sturdy hand and addressed the room. “Welcome to the annual Heart Falls bachelor auction. Funds today are earmarked for the Hope Fund and the Heart Falls Newcomers Committee. We want to be able to welcome refugees to their new homes and care for those who have lived in our community for years and need a hand. So bid often and be generous. Let’s meet our bachelors, shall we?”
Rose didn’t plan to bid this year. She had in the past, when she had specific goals—like a partner for a wedding she planned to attend. Otherwise, she knew all the local men, and while some were fun to dance with, none were long-term-relationship material for her. She’d find another way to donate to the community fund.
She let her mind drift to the week ahead and calculating how much they could offer Mr. Jordan to take over the lease on his shop. It took laughter and Tansy jostling her elbow for Rose to realize her sister was acting up.
Again. Typical Tansy.
Once Rose paid attention, it became clear Tansy was bidding wildly for all the bachelors. Like, for every single one. So far, she hadn’t bought a date, but she’d managed to push the donation amounts far above what was usually paid at the event.
“Five hundred twenty-five.” Tansy grinned at the woman in the front row who was bidding on the youngest Stone brother, Dustin. “You know you want him.”
“Five-fifty. And I’m tapped out.” The woman shook a finger in Tansy’s direction. “Which you know because I told you that this morning when I grabbed my coffee at Buns and Roses. Sneaky pants.”
“Hey, it’s for the good of the community,” Tansy said. Her pale cheeks were flushed red with energy and happiness.
“No more bids,” Malachi announced quickly, darting a warning glance at Tansy. “Sold for five-fifty.”
Rose nudged Tansy’s shoulder and spoke quietly in her ear. “You’ve done that five times now. Upped the bid until they’ve reached their max and then bowed out. Dangerous game, sis.”
“Not really. I mean, if I accidentally won, I’d pay up and stop. But since I might have overheard a few different conversations over the past week at Buns and Roses and pretty much know everyone’s limits, it’s mostly fun.”
Rose gaped at her sister. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I know. But it’s for the good of the community, so fair or foul, I’m working my magic.” Tansy rubbed her palms together and grinned evilly.
From the podium, their father clapped his hands to regain the room’s attention. “I have a surprise for you. One final bachelor on the bidding docket is two more bachelors. I’ve just been handed this information and am thrilled to share it with you.”
He gestured to the side of the stage. The men who had already been bid-on all stared toward the curtain.
Two new men stepped forward, one familiar cowboy and a man in a gorgeous suit. He turned to shake hands with one of the other men on the stage, his face hidden from view.
“You all know Cody Gabrielle, building manager at Red Boot ranch. He’s thrilled to introduce his older brother to us. Recently returned from Ireland, I understand. Chance plans on settling here in Heart Falls and doing what he can to expand our artistic horizons with a gallery and art studio.”
Her father continued speaking, but Rose couldn’t hear through the rush of blood in her ears.
Chance. Ireland.
