Chapter 30 Scotty
Scotty
The smell of kettle corn and wood smoke hangs thick in the air, carried on the cool bite of October. Kids dart between booths, laughter echoing off the square. Strings of amber lights crisscross overhead, and the big “Welcome to Fall Fest” banner flaps lazily in the breeze.
It’s Slade family chaos in full swing.
“Scotty!”
Axel’s voice cuts through the crowd just before a little kid with a candy apple runs smack into my arm. I look down at the sticky mess and then up at him, but he’s already running away as if it never happened, his mom not noticing either.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter, swiping at my jacket.
Axel hands me a beer. “Relax. You need to loosen up, man. You’re wound tighter than a damn lug nut tonight.”
“Yeah, probably ‘cause you keep running your mouth,” I shoot back. “You tell anyone yet? Because if you did—”
He lifts a brow, mock innocence all over his face. “Tell anyone what?”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m not playing Axel, this time I’m the one threatening to beat asses.”
He chuckles, low and taunting. “I don’t know, man. Maybe if you’re gonna propose in the middle of town, you should be prepared for a little attention.”
I grab his collar, pull him close enough that he can’t miss the warning in my voice. “You say one word, and I swear—”
“Easy, Romeo.” He lifts both hands, smirking. “My lips are sealed. Mostly.”
I shove him back, shaking my head. “I mean it, Axel. Don’t ruin this.”
Before he can smart off again, Adrienne appears at my side, cheeks flushed from the cold, hair loose around her shoulders. She’s wearing a deep green sweater that makes her eyes look like the pine trees behind the ranch, and for a second, everything else fades.
“What are you two arguing about now?” she asks, slipping her arm through mine. Her touch calms me.
“Nothing,” Axel answers too quickly.
“Uh-huh.” She eyes him, then glances up at me. “You look guilty. Both of you.”
I force a smile. “Just dude talk.”
“Right.” She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Anyway, come on, there’s a booth over there with fresh cider and elephant ears, and if we don’t get one soon, Brooklyn’s kids are going to eat them all.”
“Wouldn’t dream of standing between you and fried dough,” I say, letting her tug me toward the food stalls.
As we walk, I feel the weight of the small velvet box in my pocket. It’s been there all night, burning against my thigh, a reminder of what’s coming. Every step closer to the end of the night feels like stepping closer to the edge of a cliff.
Nate Palmer handed me the finished ring not even forty-eight hours ago, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret for much longer. The ring is perfect, the diamond that Axel was able to get from his mom is the perfect center stone.
We pass Ranger and Dolly by the pumpkin-carving tent and say hello. Tyler sprints by, chasing one of his kids with a wet wipe. Dolly’s snapping pictures for the town Facebook page. The whole damn family’s here, loud and happy, and I’m going to pop the big question tonight in front of all of them.
Shit, was this a good idea?
I tug at my collar. Adrienne laughs beside me, radiant in the glow of string lights. I swear, half the people here are watching her. She’s always been that kind of person to draw everyone in. And for once, she’s mine. Or at least, she will be.
If she says yes.
We stop at the elephant ear booth, the smell of cinnamon sugar curling in the cool air.
I hand over a few bills, and Adrienne grins when I tear a piece off and hold it out to her.
She leans in, takes a bite, sugar dusting her lips.
I can’t help it, I kiss her, quick, just enough to taste the sweetness.
Axel’s voice carries from behind us. “Get a room, man.”
Adrienne laughs, tossing him a look over her shoulder. “Jealous much?”
He’s leaning against a fencepost, trying to look bored, but I catch where his gaze keeps drifting—to Sadie, the new bakery owner across the square. She’s laughing with Brooklyn.
I nudge Adrienne. “Your brother’s got a little crush, in case you didn’t know.”
She follows my gaze and smirks. “Oh my God. He’s totally staring at her. Should I go say something?” she teases.
“No,” I warn. “Let him figure it out. I gave him a hard time about it a while back; he’s acting like he’s just being friendly.”
But she’s already laughing, whispering to Amelia and Milly, who burst out giggling. Across the way, Axel looks up, spots them whispering, and immediately looks anywhere but in Sadie’s direction.
“Subtle,” I murmur.
Adrienne squeezes my hand. “Slades aren’t known for subtlety.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “You’ve been quiet tonight. Everything okay?”
I try to act nonchalant. “Yeah. Just a little tired, baby.”
“You want to head out?”
“No!” I overcorrect, her eyes widening at my reaction. “Sorry, no. I want to stay. Besides, we have the bachelor auction coming up. We can’t miss that.”
“You’re excited about the bachelor auction?” She gives me a teasing look. “Something I need to know about you, Mr. Bescher.”
“Would you shut up?” I pull her into my arms and kiss her, her elephant ear almost getting smashed between us. “You love to push my buttons, you know that?”
Her eyes soften. “You love it.”
I chuckle, low. “Maybe.”
She leans in, whispering, “Come on, cowboy. Let’s go check out the carnival games before the bachelor auction starts.”
The crowd starts gathering near the big white tent in the middle of the square just as the announcer’s voice cracks through the speakers, cheerful and way too loud.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again! The annual Fall Fest Bachelor Auction—where every bid goes straight to the youth rodeo program!”
Adrienne tugs my hand, grinning like she’s about to watch a comedy show instead of a fundraiser. “Come on, we need front-row seats for this.”
“Front row?” I groan. “You realize it’s a bachelor auction, right? Are you collecting us now?”
“Relax. I’m not bidding on them, you know, half of them are related to me anyway.”
I mutter, “Funny,” but let her drag me closer anyway.
The tent’s packed. Brooklyn, Tyler, and Trent are already sitting up front, Amelia waving us over, Milly balancing a cup of cider. Axel, of course, is nowhere in sight.
“Think your brother chickened out?” I ask.
Adrienne laughs. “Please. Axel Slade lives for attention. He probably bribed them to let him go last.”
Right on cue, the music cuts, and Brooklyn struts up to the mic, her grin wicked.
“Alright, folks! Before we start, I’d like to thank all the brave bachelors who volunteered tonight.
As you all know, all of the proceeds will be going to our youth camps this year, and I want to thank each of you for your generous bets ahead of time. ”
The crowd cheers, and Brooklyn finishes up her opening remarks.
“We will be opening the auction tonight with a man that needs no formal introduction. A man who is a self-proclaimed,” she squints, reading the card in front of her before rolling her eyes and laughing.
“A self-proclaimed ‘Renaissance man.’ Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Axel Slade.
The lights dim, a spotlight hits the stage, and the music starts to play. Big & Rich’s "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” blaring from the speakers.
The spotlight swings to the side of the stage, and there he is.
Axel swaggers out like he’s on the damn cover of GQ Ranch Edition, button-up rolled to the elbows, cowboy hat tipped low.
The crowd erupts with laughter and a few hoots from the older ladies near the cider booth.
He’s got on a ridiculously large belt buckle, his black jeans way too tight for anyone’s comfort.
Adrienne gasps, half-horrified, half-amused. “Oh my God! Why am I not surprised? ”
I can’t stop laughing. “Guess big brother’s about to get humbled.”
Axel leans into the mic, voice smooth. “Ladies, this is for charity, so dig deep. I cook, I clean, I—”
“Lie,” Trent calls from the front row. The crowd roars.
Axel shoots him a glare but keeps smiling like he’s loving every second. “Alright, alright. Let’s start the bidding.”
Hands shoot up instantly. The bids climb fast, fifty, seventy-five, a hundred. Axel plays it up, winking and flexing after ripping off his shirt and sliding across the stage, milking every cheer.
But when I glance at Adrienne, she's looking past the stage, her attention on Sadie. She’s standing off to the side near the coffee booth, alone now, her sister must’ve left with her daughter.
Adrienne notices me looking at her and nudges me, whispering, “Would you look at that. I think that crush might be mutual. Maybe I should go over and introduce them. Start meddling in his love life for once.”
I snort. “Don’t you dare. Let him squirm.”
“She’s sweet. I talk to her almost every morning when I grab coffee. She moved here with her little girl, remember? Her sister helps with the bakery sometimes. Tonight’s her first kid-free night in months.”
I glance at Adrienne’s smile, the way her voice softens. “You already know her whole life story?”
“Small town,” she says with a shrug. “News travels fast.”
Brooklyn’s voice booms through the speakers again. “Going once, going twice, sold! To Mrs. Henderson for five-hundred-fifty!”
Axel gives a mock bow, clearly pleased with himself. He grabs his torn shirt from the stage and walks down to join Mrs. Henderson, taking her hand in an over-the-top kiss. The crowd goes even wilder. Adrienne’s giggling so hard she can barely breathe.
When the auction is over, Adrienne walks us over to where Sadie is still standing. I knew she couldn’t leave it alone.“Are you enjoying the show?”
Sadie laughs, cheeks pink. “I can’t believe she actually got him up there.”
“Trust me,” Adrienne says, “get to know him a little more and you won’t be surprised. That man was born to entertain, at least, that’s what he thinks.”