Page 36 of Mr. Winter
Hearing his name hurts my heart and my pride. His refusal to appear will put a big hole in my credibility. It is my issue, however. I was the one who added him prematurely, and now that I know what he does, I understand him not wanting to be the center of attention. He’s not his grandfather and doesn’t thrive off everyone liking him. I’m not saying Old Man Winters wasn't genuine, I’m just saying he and Jack’s approaches to the same responsibility are different.
“I’m sure that’s it. Espen would be big news, as will the woman brave enough to bid on him.”
Mr. Fairhope chuckles. “Yeah, okay.”
I don’t know why he responded the way he did, but I cannot focus on that right now since Espen is supposed to go after Paul gets off the stage. I swear I’m going to have gray hair by the new year.
Maralee accepts the check from Cara, the lady who bid on Paul. Duh! They’ve been flirting with each other all year, both too shy to make the first move. My nerves skyrocket. The room is virtually quiet as they wait for Maralee to call the next guy. The town hasn’t seen him, and as I suspect, still will not see him.
I don’t know if Maralee is being herself or just pausing for dramatic effect, but I have to remind myself to breathe. I didn’t check. I’d decided to wait until this moment to see if anything I said sunk into that stubborn man’s head.
“Our next bachelor is the heir of the Winters family. The date he’s chosen is still unknown.” Maralee laughs. “His profile is just as mysterious as he. Ladies, get your paddles ready for Espen Winters!”
There is some clapping, mainly there are hushed whispers of excitement and speculation. The curtains open to an empty stage. Some laugh as if it’s a joke, but I feel as if I just might pass out.
Mr. Fairhope appears at my side and pats my back in the soothing fatherly way my dad would.Is there a manual for that?The whispers rise in kind of a soft roar as the stage remains empty.
Maralee calls his name once more just in case he missed his cue. My head drops when the curtains begin to close, but the crowd gasps and begins whispering again.
“Looks like it’s good to believe in Christmas miracles,” Mr. Fairhope muses.
My head snaps back to the stage to find Jack standing there in all black. His hair is parted on the side and coiffed out of his face, the tux looks custom, and his chiseled jaw has the same blond stubble from this week. His hands are in his pocket, and his usual scowl is in place. On that stage is the last place he wants to be, but he’s there. I don’t care if he showed up in pajamas as long as he came, and he did!
The bidding starts. As paddles fly up, Maralee is on her last call for five-thousand dollars when Jack’s voice booms with an announcement.
“One-million dollars!”
Maralee giggles and fluffs her graying hair. “Mr. Winters, you can’t bet on yourself.”
Jack’s expression tells her to shut up as he pulls the check out of his breast pocket and walks over to her. “I just did. I won’t be going on any dates. I’ll just take my souvenir and leave.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Winters,” Maralee stammers.
“Arden, get your ass over here.” I look skyward and ask Santa not to let me cuss this man out publicly. “You heard me,” Jack challenges me.
“Word of advice, when your man calls you, go.”
I look up at Mr. Fairhope stunned. I have no words. I’m not concerned about him reading the room. I’m shocked because that one statement gives me insight into how he rolls.
Grudgingly, I head to the part of the stage where Jack is waiting with his arms folded like he disapproves of my response time. Without a word, he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder much to the shock and amusement of those attending.
“Seriously, Jack,” I hiss. I don’t even try to fight him because I know too well how that always turns out.
“I told you how I felt about hesitating with me.”
Instead of having the decency to leave out the back like he had appeared, Jack jumps off the stage and walks me through the crowd, forcing people to part to make way for us. Mack and Kimberly laugh entirely too hard for people who are supposed to be my friends. We are outside in the cold when I try to speak again.
“Is this some over the top extra ass way of marking yourterritory?”
“You have a problem with that?”
“Um...just confirming what just happened.”
“Uh-huh, and I can tell you what’s about to happen. I’m going to spank your ass for not bidding on me.”
“I can’t-”
He puts me on my feet and stares down at me. “You’re supposed to break the rules for the one you love.”
