The Mountain Man’s Bid (Willow Ridge Mountain Men #5)

Prologue

SYLVIE

“You know, Sylvie, I really thought it would be…more,” Chantelle snarks, holding her martini glass high like it’ll make her appear more poised and less cheap.

I don’t know what she means by more when I planned everything to the exact detail she’d given me. It’s the perfect party she wanted for her little gremlin of a child.

It’s not my fault he only cares about his iPad and the bag of Cheetos he found stashed in the back of the butler’s pantry.

“Is there something else you would have preferred?” I ask sweetly, gripping my tablet tighter as her eyes swing over the magical Zootopia-inspired party.

A child party planner, I am not. I plan elegant galas that raise money for charities to make the rich feel better about themselves; throw events for patrons of the arts so they can show off collections or skills or whatever makes their money look good.

I’m a fantastic host of adult parties and can make even the blandest 1920s theme go a long way.

Hell, I’ve even managed an amazing murder mystery night with live actors, impressive decorations, and a set designer flown in from Vancouver.

Gremlins, though? They don’t appreciate my particular expertise. Well, most don’t. Quite a lot of small children love the animatronic animals. It’s the parents who are the real problem.

And it is exhausting.

Chantelle glances at me over her martini glass as she takes a sip. Red lipstick smudges the corner of her lips and on the rim of the glass as she lowers it. “It just isn’t as…wonderful as your normal stuff, Sy. Like…” She trails off, voice slurred. “It’s a little meh.”

Meh. That’s what I get for spending three weeks at nearly seventeen different locations sourcing her stupid party favours, finding the right fur for the robot rabbit, and getting the okay from Disney themselves.

All for meh.

It’s like something snaps inside me. I remember helping my brother’s best friend through memorial planning three years ago.

We’d coordinated with their fire chief and the town mayor on getting not just two separate ceremonies set up, but also helping pay medical bills for everyone affected by the fire in Willow Ridge.

They hadn’t asked me to help. My brother told me the news, and I got on calls with the town immediately to offer my services.

And what did I get in return? Letters from affected families. Flowers to my office. A video call from the daughter of the dead firefighter. Baskets of goods from all over town saying thank you.

Actual appreciation for my work.

All I can do is stare at Chantelle with disgust. “I quit,” I tell her. “Figure the rest out yourself.”

I walk off with her screaming after me, and it feels good. As I do, I grab my cell from my purse and dial my brother. He picks up on the first ring.

“Sylvie? Aren’t you at a birthday party right now?” he asks, bored.

“Any chance Cade knows of any work the town needs with fundraising?”

Tobias is silent for a moment. “I can make a call, but—”

“Thanks.” I leave the giant Cape Cod mansion and wave for the valet to bring my car around. “I’ll be there in a week.”