Page 38 of Billionaire Games
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The smellof over-ripened fruit hit Kel’s nostrils as she entered the old grocery store on the edge of town. For most things, she’d go to the new supermarkets, but for steaks, she always went to the tried and true, Old Buck’s Pantry. Her family trusted the butcher who’d been there forever and a day.
“Hi, Kel,” her Aunt Stella called out to her as she came around the corner with a basketful of white wrapped meat.
“Whoa,” Kel said as she looked at the basket. “Did you leave any meat for anyone else, Aunt Stella?”
The old woman laughed. “I have men to feed, and I thought some fresh breakfast sausages and steaks to go with the fried eggs they love so much would get them to stick around a bit longer. And you’re welcome for that, my dear niece.”
“And what does that mean, Aunt Stella?” Kel asked with a clueless expression.
“Your men are staying at our bed and breakfast, of course. Didn’t they tell you girls that?” Stella looked confused and put her hand on her hip as Kel shook her head. “Well, I wonder why that is.”
“Did the guys ask you things about us?” Kel asked her aunt. “Because they all took us on exceptional dates yesterday and we all thought they were a bit on the psychic side.”
“Oh, yes!” Stella said with a grin. “They asked your uncle and me about things you girls like. So, they made a good impression then?”
“Great ones, actually,” Kel said. “But it’s kind of not that great now that I know you told them what we like.”
Stella threw her arms up as she said, “That doesn’t matter one bit. They took the time to ask questions and find things out. Now, that’s what’s important. They made the plans, and they made the effort. Not many men do that nowadays. I hope you consider yourselves lucky they want to know that much about you and make you happy!”
Kel didn’t want to tell her elderly aunt why the men would go to all that trouble, so she nodded. “And how long did they say they’d be staying at your inn?”
“They didn’t. I’m not sure how long we’ll have them there. All I know is that they were going to go have lunch at Peterson’s Grill. They said they’d be out for the night. I supposed they’d made plans with you and your sisters.”
Kel shook her head. “No, they haven’t. But I expect a call soon. They can’t seem to leave us alone.”
“And how lucky you should feel about that!” Stella said. “Those men are some handsome devils, I tell you what!”
“That they are,” Kel agreed. “Thanks for the intel, Aunt Stella. I need to pick up steaks for dinner.”
Leaving her aunt’s company, Kel suddenly didn’t want to cook steaks anymore. She opted to leave the store and call her sisters. If the men were all out eating, then maybe they could show up and surprise them.
She made the call that had her sisters heading to the little café where Stella said the men were. And with any luck, they’d catch them in the middle of talking shop about their bet.
