Page 151 of That Moment
“No!” I overcorrect, her eyes widening at my reaction. “Sorry, no. I want to stay. Besides, we have the bachelor auction coming up. We can’t miss that.”
“You’re excited about the bachelor auction?” She gives me a teasing look. “Something I need to know about you, Mr. Bescher.”
“Would you shut up?” I pull her into my arms and kiss her, her elephant ear almost getting smashed between us. “You love to push my buttons, you know that?”
Her eyes soften. “You love it.”
I chuckle, low. “Maybe.”
She leans in, whispering, “Come on, cowboy. Let’s go check out the carnival games before the bachelor auction starts.”
The crowd starts gathering near the big white tent in the middle of the square just as the announcer’s voice cracks through the speakers, cheerful and way too loud.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again! The annual Fall Fest Bachelor Auction—where every bid goes straight to the youth rodeo program!”
Adrienne tugs my hand, grinning like she’s about to watch a comedy show instead of a fundraiser. “Come on, we need front-row seats for this.”
“Front row?” I groan. “You realize it’s a bachelor auction, right? Are you collecting us now?”
“Relax. I’m not bidding on them, you know, half of them are related to me anyway.”
I mutter, “Funny,” but let her drag me closer anyway.
The tent’s packed. Brooklyn, Tyler, and Trent are already sitting up front, Amelia waving us over, Milly balancing a cup of cider. Axel, of course, is nowhere in sight.
“Think your brother chickened out?” I ask.
Adrienne laughs. “Please. Axel Slade lives for attention. He probably bribed them to let him go last.”
Right on cue, the music cuts, and Brooklyn struts up to the mic, her grin wicked. “Alright, folks! Before we start, I’d like to thank all the brave bachelors who volunteered tonight. As you all know, all of the proceeds will be going to our youth camps this year, and I want to thank each of you for your generous bets ahead of time.”
The crowd cheers, and Brooklyn finishes up her opening remarks. “We will be opening the auction tonight with a man that needs no formal introduction. A man who is a self-proclaimed,” she squints, reading the card in front of her before rolling her eyes and laughing. “A self-proclaimed ‘Renaissance man.’ Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Axel Slade.
The lights dim, a spotlight hits the stage, and the music starts to play. Big & Rich’s "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” blaring from the speakers.
The spotlight swings to the side of the stage, and there he is. Axel swaggers out like he’s on the damn cover ofGQ Ranch Edition, button-up rolled to the elbows, cowboy hat tipped low. The crowd erupts with laughter and a few hoots from the older ladies near the cider booth. He’s got on a ridiculously large belt buckle, his black jeans way too tight for anyone’s comfort.
Adrienne gasps, half-horrified, half-amused. “Oh my God! Why am I not surprised? ”
I can’t stop laughing. “Guess big brother’s about to get humbled.”
Axel leans into the mic, voice smooth. “Ladies, this is for charity, so dig deep. I cook, I clean, I?—”
“Lie,” Trent calls from the front row. The crowd roars.
Axel shoots him a glare but keeps smiling like he’s loving every second. “Alright, alright. Let’s start the bidding.”
Hands shoot up instantly. The bids climb fast, fifty, seventy-five, a hundred. Axel plays it up, winking and flexing after ripping off his shirt and sliding across the stage, milking every cheer.
But when I glance at Adrienne, she's looking past the stage, her attention on Sadie. She’s standing off to the side near the coffee booth, alone now, her sister must’ve left with her daughter.
Adrienne notices me looking at her and nudges me, whispering, “Would you look at that. I think that crush might be mutual. Maybe I should go over and introduce them. Start meddling in his love life for once.”
I snort. “Don’t you dare. Let him squirm.”
“She’s sweet. I talk to her almost every morning when I grab coffee. She moved here with her little girl, remember? Her sister helps with the bakery sometimes. Tonight’s her first kid-free night in months.”
I glance at Adrienne’s smile, the way her voice softens. “You already know her whole life story?”
