Chapter 15 #2
Dan hopped up on the stage and took the mic. “It’s true. Corbin had to have an emergency appendectomy. He’s fine and should be home tomorrow and I’m sure would love all the attention he can get. For tonight though, his mom turned off his phone so she could get some rest.”
“Thanks, Dan,” Paula said over the laughter. “Since we’re going to miss out on Corbin and all the fun it would’ve been bidding on him, y’all will make up on bids with his brother, Caleb.”
Caleb strutted up the stairs in a tuxedo with long tails and bowtie, much to the amusement of the crowd. He twirled a cane and walked across the stage in an imitation of Charlie Chaplin.
“Sponsoring our fine Caleb Chaplin is Curl Up lips parted slightly in the same confusion that was currently doing laps in his chest. So, it wasn’t her.
“Taylor! We don’t have all night!” Paula called, hand still shading her eyes like she was scanning the horizon for a reluctant hero.
Taylor dragged a hand down the front of his shirt, straightening fabric that didn’t need straightening.
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath. “And you’re still going.”
He pulled one hand from his pocket, lifted it in a half-hearted surrender to the crowd, and started forward.
“Taylor came all the way from Singapore to be here tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s make sure to make his trip worth it.
And his basket is donated by…” She shuffled the index cards she held in her hands.
“Ah! Annie at Bake Me Happy. A dozen of her famous cinnamon rolls plus a couple of strawberry fritters come with the highest bid and a certificate for a free baking lesson. That basket is almost better than the bachelor. Am I right or am I right?”
“Hey.” Taylor threw his hands up in the air with a shake of his head then shrugged. “I’d actually bid on that basket myself, Paula.”
“I knew you would. And now folks, we have a mystery bachelor here with us tonight. He has graciously donated his time. Can I have a drum roll please?”
The people obliged by pounding on the tables and their knees.
“Welcome, Mason McCormick!”
The yells and cheers drowned out any other words Paula had to say. Mason hopped up the steps, stood next to Taylor and waved. He was the most dressed down in expensive jeans, a button down and big ol’ cowboy hat.
Mason nudged Taylor’s shoulder. “I thought you weren’t being a bachelor tonight?”
“You worried about the competition?” He nudged Mason back.
“I’m the big hitter here, Compton.”
“You have the biggest ego, McCormick.”
“If we can have all the bachelors step off the stage until their turn. We have a troop of the cutest girls coming up now to show you their hip-hop dance moves and one of them is my granddaughter.”
The little girls went up one side of the stage while the bachelors went down the other. Taylor and Mason jostled each other down the stairs like they were two teen boys. Chelsey met them as they stepped off with a roll of her eyes.
She crossed her arms. “Still in high school, I see.”
Mason tried to give Taylor a noogie. “He started it.”
Taylor ran a hand over his head. “Stop. I have to look pretty as a bachelor.”
Mason laughed. “Are you worried no one will bid on you?”
“There are plenty of women who’ll bid on me.” Taylor turned to Chelsey. “Right?”
“I’m sure your mom will bid on you,” Chelsey said, her eyes wide as if her suggestion was innocent.
“Oh, please. You have to bid on me, Chelsey. I’ll be the laughingstock of Juniper Valley.”
Chelsey reached in her pocket and pulled out a couple of dollars. “Do you think two dollars are enough?”
“I’m sure my bid will have three more zeroes than that,” Mason drawled. He saluted and sauntered away. “See you after I win, Compton.”
“Let’s start off the bidding on Caleb Walker. Remember his poor brother who lost his appendix and couldn’t be here tonight with us.”
“Guess what I overheard, Tay?” Chelsey bit back a smile as the bidding frenzy started. “There’s a little girl behind us asking her mom if she could bid on you. She has thirteen dollars.”
“Don’t you think they should be at least sixteen years old to bid?” Taylor tugged on his collar and pretended to look scared.
Chelsey cupped her hand over her mouth and fake whispered, “I also heard that the ladies in the Purple Hair Club are pooling their coins to bid on you.”
Taylor grabbed his chest in mock horror. “You have to help me.”
She picked up strawberries and cream in a cup from a passing server and handed it to Taylor. “This should help.” She sat on a bench with a clear view of the stage and patted the seat next to her. “Relax for a minute.”
“Come on, ladies,” the police chief said. “Seven hundred dollars seems a little too low. Think about the amazing basket.”
“Seven fifty. Eight hundred. Let’s go.”
Taylor glanced at the stage in surprise. “Whoa! Where are these people getting their money?”
“They came prepared, as they do every June.”
“Sold to Ms. Shirley Smith for eight fifty!”
Corbin covered his mouth with his hand, but nothing could hide the huge grin his face.
“Please pay the people in the back and don’t forget your basket and your man.”
Gage was called to the stage next. He waved as the crowd cheered him on. Firefighters made a ring around the stage, shoulder-to-shoulder, arms crossed over their chests. His face reddened with the attention.
“Who’s ready to bid?” the chief hollered into the mic. She had another mischievous look on her face. Taylor felt bad for whoever was at the receiving end of that maniacal grin.
“Me,” the tallest fireman yelled. “I’m ready.”
“You don’t have to yell, idiot. Raise your number, like this.” One of the other firefighters raised his placard before he yelled, “He’s mine.”
Gage’s face darkened as he focused on his fellow firefighters with a look of confusion and annoyance. “What’s going on guys?”
“Just making sure you’re the winner.”