Chapter 24 #2
They pushed through most of the items up for auction, with the biggest bids going to the porch swing, just as Cali suspected, and a beautiful farmhouse dining table—won by Mr. Winslow, the owner of Candlewick Orchard.
Cali swore she caught Minka glancing around the room in a panic, searching for his son Grady.
But just as soon as the thought registered, Minka was behind her phone again.
Finally, just when Cali thought they might have forgotten about it, the auction for the keepsake cat box started. She won it easily, as by that time most of the town had already spent its money and enthusiasm on other items up for auction.
“I guess you didn’t have to warn me not to rescue after all,” Ethan commented.
“No, but one can never be too careful. You’ve got a habit of rescuing things that don’t need saving,” she reminded him.
The crowd hushed, and Mrs. Ellery and some of The Nine gathered behind the mayor on stage.
Mrs. Ellery took the microphone. “I have some excellent news for you all. The official numbers are in. Tonight’s grand total will fund 30 stray cats from intake to adoption.
That’s approximately 85 months of foster care for anyone in Autumn Ridge willing to open up their home to foster.
Food, litter, meds, vet visits—the Nine Lives Club can now cover all of that.
” The crowd cheered. Cali leapt to her feet in surprise.
Mrs. Ellery waited for everyone to settle before she went on.
“In plain terms, this fundraiser was a huge success. Every bid tonight turned into full bellies, vet visits, and safe sleeps. So if you see a stray cat, please tag us on social media using one of Minka’s hashtags or call me or the Autumn Ridge library and ask for Cali Jacobs.
Let any one of us know, and we’ll rally to get it some shelter and food. ”
More clapping, more cheering. The town’s enthusiasm for their win seemed to match the enthusiasm of The Nine.
“Congrats, congrats!” the mayor said, taking the microphone again. “Before we leave, may I also say a few more words? You all know how much I love to do it.”
A few heckles came from the crowd, but everyone remained seated as waitstaff rushed in to collect empty dishes and glasses. Next thing she knew, Carl was screaming “Do it, Mayor!” at the stage, and all of Ethan’s coworkers were on their feet and clapping.
Mayor Pennington grinned so big her eyes disappeared behind her glasses. “Ethan, can you come to the stage?” she asked.
Ethan pointed at himself, perplexed. He glanced over at Cali, and she shrugged her shoulders at him.
Her stomach dropped as she watched him shuffle up to the stage, remembering what Carl said about Ethan’s “send-off.” Maybe the mayor was giving him some sort of medal or key to the city before they left for the next construction project.
Her eyes searched the room for Minka, wondering if she had the heart to stick around for this part.
Then the mayor started in on another speech.
“I first met Ethan Cross when he offered to build a bench for our cemetery to memorialize Autumn Ridge’s fallen soldiers,” Mayor Pennington started.
“Ethan’s stepdad is a veteran, and Ethan and his crew have been fixing more than City Hall this year.
They’ve been rebuilding the heart of this town.
Ethan, specifically, has been rebuilding community spirit by rolling up his sleeves to fix everything under the sun.
So the city council thought it was only right he get to roll out his new business in style. ”
Behind them, on a screen, someone projected an image. Ethan turned around and saw a large white cargo van with the name “Crosstown Repairs” emblazoned on the side, parked in front of City Hall with the Mayor waving beside it.
“We’re so happy you decided to stay and be part of this community, Ethan. That van will get one more tune up and meet you at City Hall on Monday.”
“Woohoo!” Carl screamed, his face nearly red. Cali couldn’t help but laugh at his unbridled joy. “Come here! Come here!” he called up to Ethan, and as he stepped down, the guys all huddled around him, football-style.
“And while we’re at it,” the mayor continued, “because there’s no community without compassion—The Nine will also be getting a new transport van for their furry rescues, courtesy of the council.”
Another picture appeared with a similar van with “The Nine Lives Rescue Squad” written on it, decked in paw prints.
Mrs. Ellery was behind the wheel in that photo.
Cali gasped and covered her mouth. Her eyes first met with Minka, then almost all of The Nine found each other’s startled faces in the crowd.
“Thanks to Mrs. Ellery for keeping our secret. We couldn’t imagine this place without you all. ”
The applause built until it felt like the whole ballroom was vibrating.
Cali clapped until her palms stung, but even that couldn’t shake the tightness in her throat.
She’d spent the past couple years watching people leave Autumn Ridge, chasing bigger, louder lives—and now here was Ethan, choosing to stay.
For once, it felt like the town was giving something back, not taking it away.
Beside her, Leo appeared, wiping at his eyes with the corner of a cocktail napkin, muttering something about allergies.
Minka was next to him, grabbing Cali’s hand like a kid spotting Santa.
Ethan broke away from his cheering crew and made his way toward them through the crowd.
When he reached Leo, the two pulled each other into a full-bodied hug that made the room erupt all over again.
“Hands off my firefighter!” someone shouted through the noise.
“Before you all head out, we have one more surprise. If you’ll follow us out to the parking lot, Autumn Ridge has something sparkly to say thank you.”
Mrs. Ellery leaned toward the mic with a grin. “And this way, we can clear the ballroom before anyone gets into a fight over the firefighters.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. The trio turned toward Lynne, who was scowling behind the bar. Leo frowned and cleared his throat.
Cali leaned closer to Ethan and whispered, “The running joke is that Mayor Pennington keeps getting re-elected because she’ll set off fireworks for any and every reason.”
Ethan grinned down at her. “That’s my kind of Mayor.”
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Leo huffed.
“You guys still coming out to O’Donnell’s for my birthday?
Halloween night?” Cali and Ethan nodded.
“Catch you there then. This smoke is bound to set off some false alarms throughout town.” His phone rang then—a desperate, angry voice on the other end of the line.
“I swear it’s just smoke, Chief,” they heard him say as he slipped through the ballroom doors.
“I know. Happens every time. But I’m headed to the firehouse now. ”
The rest of The Nine and some of Cali’s library staff did offer to help with coats so everyone could watch the fireworks together.
In no time the crowd was spilling into the parking lot, calling names, waving to neighbors.
Cali lost track of Ethan as she grabbed her coat and purse and the wave of people pushed her beyond the hotel doors.