Chapter 20
20
T ansy had a decidedly uncomfortable two weeks heading into the Canada Day weekend.
The frustration started with the meetup with her dad. She and Jake joined him out by the firepit at High Water, hoping for less eyes around than if they showed up at the bookstore or her parents’ house.
Her father listened to their entire story without interrupting then shook his head. “This could all end really badly,” he warned.
“It could, but even a slight chance of success means we have to take it.” Jake motioned to her. “I wouldn’t do it if Tansy said this wasn’t what she wanted as well, but we’re both on board. We just hope that you’ll understand and help as much as you can.”
“Oh, I understand, and I approve. To be honest, this is exactly the type of thing I expect from my girls.” His wry smile took them both in. “Courage is knowing something might hurt and doing it anyway.”
“Stupidity is the same thing,” Tansy punted back.
“True.” Malachi patted her hand gently. “And this is why life is hard.”
Jake snorted so violently he choked. “Sorry.”
Malachi’s expression softened. “I won’t give it away, which means I apologize now for the dirty looks I might have to give you. And the dirty looks you will absolutely get from Sophie and the girls. And their grandmother.”
“I get it,” Jake said. “Just as long as in the end you know the truth and can vouch for me, I hope that will make the difference down the road.”
Her dad examined Jake again. “Sounds as if you plan on being around for the long term.”
Jake turned to Tansy as he answered and made her heart go pitter-patter at the expression in his eyes. “As I was informed by a very smart and wonderful woman, sticking around is what people in love do.”
Love. It was there in his touch. In every glance in her direction.
That’s what made it easier to focus on the good parts.
She had five full days of cooking for a weeklong booking that kept her brain more than busy. Jake was there at High Water ranch house every morning, noon, and night. Whenever he could, he passed through the house and offered a kiss or a wildflower or something that made her smile.
“You’re spoiling me,” she informed him when he brought out the massage oil and gave her a very satisfying rub down in the hour break she had between prepping breakfast and lunch for the crew in the art studio.
“Getting to have my hands all over you?” Jake leaned down to make eye contact where she was sprawled on the bed. “Not much of a sacrifice, Tans.”
She eyed the tent in the front of his jeans. “You’re into pain and suffering? Because there’s no time to deal with that.”
Jake rubbed a hand over himself, grinning as he watched her dress. “Nothing saying I won’t go deal with it myself.”
A shiver raced up her spine. The image of him in the shower, hand stroking his hard length, made her whimper. “That’s mean.”
“You can watch,” he offered. “Or I can tell you about it later.”
Revenge was served when she tormented him that night by doing a striptease and not letting him touch. He was swearing slow and steady by the time she crawled over him and settled onto his hard length with a happy sigh.
Yeah, the sex was great, and a good distraction because the other part of her brain never forgot that somewhere out there, Jeffrey still didn’t know he had lots of people in his court.
That courage her dad had mentioned? She needed a boatload of it as she pushed through the doors of the community center on Canada Day and headed for the bachelor auction.
Not that she intended to bid on anyone, but they all thought it was important she was there in case Melissa somehow had tapped into the town rumor mill.
Tansy didn’t intend to play any games this year, not the way she usually did. In spite of the messed up situation, a hint of amusement trickled in. Of course. For the first time, it wouldn’t be only her father she could torment, and here she was, on her best behaviour.
All the familiar faces were there, with families gathered around the long tables. She’d come too late for the potluck meal—feeling sorry for herself had really cut a hunk of time out of her morning. Plus, she didn’t need to do another round of explaining where Jake was without outright lying.
But now she was here, and ready to support her community the way she always did. Even though she wouldn’t buy any bachelor, she’d still donate to the fund. Because that’s what community-minded people did. And she was a positive, glowingly wonderful part of this community, and they were damn lucky to have her.
She’d just focus on those parts of her life instead of worrying what twisted bombs Melissa would drop on them next.
Rose waved at her.
Tansy marched over with her head held high and settled into the chair saved for her between Rose and Fern.
“Is Chance excited about today?” Tansy asked.
“Quivering,” Rose informed her. “If he gets much more excited, no one will be able to understand a word he says. His brogue gets really thick when he’s flustered.”
Fern offered a tight smile. “Even if they don’t understand him, you know the girls will still go gaga. Everyone loves an accent.”
Their little sister seemed extraordinarily out of sorts. Tansy eyed her for a moment. “Are you okay?”
Fern raised a brow. “Are you?”
Low blow. Tansy made a face. “No, but I will be.”
Her far too honest response seemed to deflate Fern’s sails. She stared for a moment then dipped her chin once. “Yeah. I guess I will be too.”
There it was again. She’d been so consumed by her own problems she’d missed the signs that something was definitely up with Fern. Before Tansy could interrogate her, though, their father’s voice rang over the loudspeaker.
“We meet again, Heart Falls. And I for one couldn’t be more delighted.” Relaxed and immaculate as always, Malachi waved as he walked across the stage, microphone in hand. “Wasn’t that the most delicious lunch? Many thanks to the hands that prepared it. Including a loud round of applause for Marina Ray, and Buns and Roses, for continuing the tradition of providing pies for this event, even though it is no longer my daughter at the helm.”
“Yeah, Tansy,” someone shouted from the back of the room.
Malachi grinned. “Yeah, indeed. Which is a good introduction for the next thing I need to inform you of. Considering how many years I’ve been doing this, and all the excess excitement I’ve had to deal with— cough , Tansy, cough —I’ve decided it’s time to begin training my replacement.”
A huge roar of protest shook the auditorium.
Tansy exchanged amused glances with her sisters.
“You knew he would milk this for everything he was worth,” Rose said.
“Which makes it so tempting to be naughty,” Tansy returned, even though she really didn’t have the heart for it this time.
Damn Melissa to hell. Jake was supposed to be here, sitting by Tansy’s side in the audience. He was supposed to be her reason to not bid on the bachelors. He was supposed to be here because they meant something to each other, and they wanted to shout it to the rafters.
It was a small sacrifice if it meant Jeffrey got a second chance, but it gave Tansy another reason to be royally pissed at the woman.
Up on the stage, her father continued with great enthusiasm. “Now, now. I don’t plan to vanish on you, but I figure it’s a good idea to train someone before it’s necessary. I couldn’t be more delighted to be able to introduce to you someone you already know and love. My future son-in-law, Chance Gabrielle.”
Chance walked forward from the back of the stage, his bespoke three-piece suit cut to his frame like perfection.
“Holy shit, sis. You got yourself a looker,” Tansy said with approval.
“He’s dreamy,” Rose said with a sigh. “I’m a lucky woman.”
Fern sighed as well. “I’m happy for you.”
Tansy glanced over again, highly suspicious. Fern was not a sigher or a moaner. Fern was a do-er. “You and I are having a talk real soon,” she said quietly.
Her little sister blinked. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure it out.”
“Thank you for that welcome,” Chance said from the stage. “I’m delighted to be here today to uphold the high honour of this position. Mr. Fields has done a marvelous job keeping you entertained and on the straight and narrow, and while I can’t promise to do either of them nearly as well as he, I think we’ll have ourselves a bloody fine time.” Chance surveyed the audience until his gaze landed on Rose. “I have good memories of this event in my own right. I look forward to possibly shepherding more couples to their happily-ever-afters. And if not that, at least to a good date and some money raised for our community.”
Malachi stepped back slightly, approval written all over him as Chance continued.
“This year the money goes to the women’s shelter in Diamond Valley and to the care baskets for any new bairns in our community.” Chance paused and smiled over the audience. “I know you’re eager to meet this year’s bachelors. We’ve got a lovely crop for you to enjoy. Shall we meet them now?”
A cheer rose.
Behind Chance, the curtain that normally would’ve swept open to reveal the bachelors seated nervously in a long row remained sealed shut. Someone was jerking on the cable, but nothing moved more than a quiver.
Malachi held up a hand. “Small technical difficulties. One minute.”
Tansy’s phone vibrated in her pocket, and she absently fished it out as her father slipped behind the curtain.
Chance smiled at the crowd. “Starting me off with a challenge, are you? No matter. We’ll get you the bachelors in short enough order.”
Malachi poked his head through the curtain. “It’s stuck. I’ll send them out one at a time.”
In the pause, Tansy took a quick glance at her phone screen, and her smile froze on her lips.
Melissa: I’m at the Heart Falls lookout. You want Jeffrey? Come get him. Just you, or no deal.
Holy crap. Tansy’s legs moved before her brain registered what was going on. Only as she stood and prepared to leave, the curtain fluttered, and cheering began as one long jean clad leg after another slipped into view.
Jake stepped onto the stage. He handed a card to Chance then stood to the side, arms folded resolutely over his chest.
Completely caught unaware, Chance glanced between Jake’s oh-so-familiar face and where Tansy stood next to Rose.
The clapping died down, and a bit of whispering rose on the air.
Rose caught Tansy by the hand. “Sit,” she murmured. “We’re here for you.”
No, Tansy needed to leave, but right now? When all attention was firmly on her? Not a good idea. She reluctantly lowered herself back to the folding chair.
Chance raised his hand in the air to get everyone’s attention, although it wasn’t as if he needed it. People were fixated on what was about to happen. “First bachelor for auction this afternoon is a relative newcomer to the community. But then again I’ve been told if you haven’t lived here for twenty years, you’re a relative newcomer. Please give a warm welcome to Jake Skye.”
Applause rang out, and more than a few heads turned in Tansy’s direction as she resolutely kept a smile on her face. She deliberately didn’t meet Jake’s gaze, but instead focused intently on Chance. Willing him to move quickly to get this over as soon as possible.
As if he’d heard her thoughts, Chance cleared his throat. “We should get started because we have a lot more gentlemen waiting trapped on the other side of that curtain. Don’t know what might happen if we keep them in the dark for too long, so do I have any bids from the audience?”
At the side of the stage, one of the old-timers stood. Over seventy, with a long white beard that hung to his chest, Martin Fogell wore his ever-present overalls, albeit they were a clean pair today.
“I’ll start it off.” Martin ignored the good-natured laughter and shook his finger at the nearest table. “None of that. Not bidding for me, although I could use someone strong to help me clean an old outbuilding. No, I’m in charge of the pre-set offers. There’s a set bid of fifty dollars offered for the first bachelor.”
No.
No, no, no . Tansy’s smile barely clung to her lips, and her stomach was somewhere in the vicinity of her feet. She’d completely forgotten about this particular bit of pre-planned mischief. She’d set this up ages ago, like last fall, well before she and Jake had gotten together.
Martin pulled out a sheet of paper and read carefully. “Says here Time to get things rolling , and the fifty bucks is offered by Tansy Fields.”
If she thought the rafters had shaken before, now she was nearly deafened by the shouts of surprise. Only for a moment, though, before utter silence fell.
Chance glanced around the room in shock at the strange response. “Well now, that’s a fine first bid. Do I hear fifty-five? Fifty-five for this fine bachelor who says…” He lifted the information card in front of him. “He’s highly skilled in planning and organization. So if you want to organize your shed, Martin, he’s willing to help.”
Usually that sort of a straight line would’ve provoked some innuendo. Instead, there was nothing but a hushed buzz. Only now there were smiles as well, and a shifting of shoulders as people glanced around the room, ping-ponging between Tansy and Jake.
Then the murmuring rose in volume.
“Not falling for it.”
“She’s only going to bid us up,” someone else said.
“Nice try, Tansy. Won’t work this time.”
Every comment was accompanied by a wink or a wave or a smile from people who were loving the drama of the moment.
For fuck’s sake.
All those years of having a marvelous time messing with bidders at the bachelor auction was coming back to bite her. All around the room it was clear that everybody thought this was a set up. No one believed she and Jake had actually called it off.
All of Heart Falls appeared to believe they were in it together, and that this was simply another ploy to raise money.
Tansy lifted her gaze to Jake’s. She didn’t know what was worse. The fact that she had somehow accidentally bid on the man she loved exactly when she needed not to bid, or that everyone around them thought she was trying to pull a fast one.
All she wanted was for this to be over and Jeffrey to be safe.
“Come now. Do I have any other bids?”
Tansy couldn’t take it anymore. Social media would have this sale posted in seconds flat. Maybe if she got to the falls quick enough, she could explain the mix up to Melissa. Maybe it wasn’t too late.
“I need to run. Take care of the bill for me, and I’ll explain later.” She forced a smile on her face, squeezed Rose’s hand, then slipped from the hall without a word.