Chapter 7
SEVEN
T he entire town had turned out for the firehouse fundraiser, an event that combined charity with a healthy dose of eye candy. The firehouse lawn was crowded with folding chairs, a makeshift stage, and food trucks lining the edges. Children ran around with sticky hands clutching snow cones, and a local band played upbeat tunes that added to the festive atmosphere.
Haley tugged at her shirt, adjusting it for the hundredth time as Verity nudged her elbow. "Relax, Hales. You look fine. Besides, no one’s looking at us. All eyes are on the abs tonight."
Sure enough, several firefighters roamed the area in fireman pants, boots, and nothing else. Their chiseled torsos gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight, muscles on display as they mingled with the crowd. The effect was… distracting, to say the least.
"I’m just saying," Verity continued, taking a sip of her lemonade, "if there was ever a reason to burn something in your kitchen, this would be it."
Haley gave her a look. "You know I’m here for one firefighter in particular. And if you could stop ogling the rest of them, that’d be great."
"Oh, come on," Verity said, grinning. "You don’t think Ian would appreciate a little healthy competition?"
Haley rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. "Focus. We need to make sure I have enough to win this."
Verity tilted her head, her expression growing more serious. "How much did you bring?"
"Five hundred," Haley said, her stomach tightening. "That's all I could spare."
Verity winced. "That’s not going to cut it. Have you seen the bids?"
Haley’s gaze swept over the stage as one of the firefighters strutted across it to a chorus of whistles and cheers. The bids were already climbing past six hundred, and they weren’t even halfway through the lineup.
"Great," Haley muttered, running a hand through her hair. "This was a terrible idea."
"Don’t panic," Verity said. "I’ve got another hundred on me. We’ll figure it out."
Before Haley could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "Looks like you two could use some help."
Haley turned to find Ian’s brothers approaching, their grins identical and full of mischief. Dennis, the oldest, led the group, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Verity. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, his gaze lingering before he cleared his throat and gave a nod of acknowledgment.
"What are you guys doing here?" Haley asked, caught off guard.
"What do you think?" Dean replied, his tone casual. "We’re here to make sure you win."
Haley’s eyebrows shot up. "You’re kidding."
"Not at all," said the third brother, Derek, tossing an arm around her shoulders. "We pooled some cash together. Figured you might need it."
Haley blinked, completely taken aback. "Why?"
Dennis shrugged, his gaze flicking to Verity again before he answered. "Let’s just say we have a vested interest in making sure Ian ends up with the right bidder."
Verity raised an eyebrow. "You mean you don’t want some random cougar with a fat wallet snatching him up?"
Dennis’s lips twitched. "Something like that."
Haley’s heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and nerves. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft. "I mean it."
"Don’t thank us yet," Dean said, winking. "You still have to outbid half the town."
The auction rolled on, the crowd growing louder and more animated with each firefighter who took the stage. Some played up their performances, flexing their muscles or tossing their shirts into the crowd. Others kept it simple, offering shy smiles that somehow earned even more enthusiastic bids.
When Ian finally stepped onto the stage, Haley’s breath caught in her throat. He looked… incredible. His broad shoulders, sculpted chest, and easy confidence drew whistles and cheers from the crowd. But it was the way he scanned the audience, his eyes landing on Haley, that sent a jolt through her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee announced, "our next bachelor is none other than Firefighter Ian Johnson! You’ve seen him save kittens, lift weights, and drive the fire truck like a champ. Now’s your chance to win a whole day with this local hero!"
Ian smirked, leaning into the microphone. "A whole day, huh? I’m going to need a schedule."
The crowd laughed, and the emcee grinned. "Bidding starts at five hundred. Do I hear five hundred?"
Haley’s hand shot up, her heart pounding.
"We’ve got five hundred from the lovely lady in the front row!" the emcee called. "Do I hear six?"
Another hand went up, and Haley’s stomach sank. She was already outbid, her initial amount disappearing in seconds. Verity nudged her. "Don’t give up! We’ve got reinforcements."
Haley nodded, raising her hand again. "Seven hundred!"
"Eight!"
"Nine!"
The bids kept climbing, and Haley’s nerves twisted into a tight knot. Dean stepped forward, pressing a wad of cash into her hand. "You’ve got this."
She raised her hand again. "One thousand!"
The crowd murmured, and Ian’s eyes widened slightly. He leaned into the microphone. "Are you guys sure this is legal?"
"Don’t worry about it, Johnson," Derek called from the audience, his face slightly flushed. "Just smile and look pretty."
Haley shook her head and turned to Derek, lowering her voice. "I can’t take your money—it’s too much."
Derek flushed deeper, scratching the back of his neck. "It’s not a big deal. Really, it’s just sitting there, and if it helps you win, then it’s worth it. You can pay me back if you really want, but I’d… rather you didn’t."
Haley blinked at him, surprised. For the first time, she saw a different side of Derek—quiet, thoughtful, and maybe even a little shy. She smiled softly, her gratitude threatening to spill over. "Thank you. I mean it.""
The crowd roared with laughter, and Ian shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "You guys are the worst."
"Two thousand!" a voice shouted from the back, and Haley’s heart plummeted. She turned to Verity, panic etched on her face.
"We’re out," she whispered. "I can’t go higher."
Dean stepped in again, handing her more cash. "Yes, you can."
Haley hesitated, then raised her hand one final time. "Two thousand five hundred!"
The crowd erupted, and Ian’s grin faded into something softer, more serious. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable as the emcee called for final bids.
"Going once," the emcee said. "Going twice… Sold! To the lady in the front row!"
The crowd cheered, and Haley felt a mix of relief and embarrassment as Ian stepped off the stage, his brothers clapping him on the back as he approached her.
"So," he said, stopping in front of her. "Was that your plan all along?"
Haley crossed her arms, trying to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks. "What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good cause."
Ian chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Well, I hope I’m worth it."
Verity leaned in, whispering loud enough for both of them to hear. "Oh, don’t worry. She’s going to make sure you earn every penny."
Ian raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "I look forward to it."
As the crowd began to disperse, Dennis lingered near Verity, his gaze roaming over her a little too long. Verity smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. "Something you want to say, big guy?"
Dennis cleared his throat, looking uncharacteristically flustered. "Just… nice work out there."
Verity grinned. "Thanks. I aim to please."
Haley couldn’t suppress her laugh as Ian shook his head, muttering, "This is going to be interesting."
And for the first time that night, Haley couldn’t help but agree.