Chapter 2 Sylvie
TWO
SYLVIE
I’ve never been more excited for something than I have this fundraiser.
Auctions are actually sort of easy to set up when you know what to do. My mentor in Manhattan planned a lot, and together—with my mother in tow—we spent a lot of time attending them.
But this one has me more excited than ever before.
Balloon arches cover the interior and exterior doors.
The lovely sister duo of photographers from town have their cameras set up in the corridor outside the main hall for photo ops.
With help from Sterling Ranch, we have over a dozen large round tables, all decorated with gifted flower arrangements from the florist, hand-curated gift bags from local businesses, and so many more little things that’ll get our bidders excited.
The podium at the front of the stage is decorated with hearts and snowflakes, the Love in a Christmas Wonderland theme coming together better than I ever could have imagined.
And no animatronics or set designers in sight.
Just locals who love their community and want to help.
Oh, and not a single soul to tell me it’s not good enough and it could be better.
“Don’t you think this is a little over the top?” a familiar, growly voice says from somewhere behind me.
Never mind.
“Oh, come on, Dad! It’s so cool!”
At least I’ll always have his daughter on my side. I can always count on the teen to put her dad in place for me. I barely contain the urge to roll my eyes at my partner, the man I’m supposed to be working alongside. Likely civilly, though we can’t seem to agree on anything.
Which is why his daughter plays mediator.
I can’t help but think she loves doing it. Even though she’s on my side more often than not, she’s still her father’s daughter.
But I’ll take Opal Gates over Hunter Gates any day.
Turning, I plaster on a smile I know is fake. He knows it’s fake, but it’s the nicest thing I can muster whenever he steps foot into my masterpiece of a fundraiser.
When Opal spots me, she pulls her red and white candy cane from between her lips and rushes towards me, grinning. “OMG this is so cool,” she gushes, looking around, eyes bright. “Is the sign-up form full yet?”
I laugh a little to myself as I pull my cell from my pocket and open up the online form. There’s a paper version at Daisy’s Bar, another at the grocery store, and a third at the local bookstore. I’ve been going between all three almost daily, taking names for the date portion of the auction.
Handing the list to Opal, my eyes stray to her father.
There’s a perpetual frown marring his features that tickles at a need to get under his skin.
He kind of reminds me of my brother and his friends now: all work and no play.
Only, I don’t think this man has ever played in his life.
I’m pretty sure he’s been a responsible grump since before Opal was born.
All I know is that he’s nearly forty and hasn’t had a date in years. If I’m to believe Opal, that is.
“Oh, good, Uncle Finn signed up!” Opal announces, showing off the list to her dad. “Why can’t I put you or Uncle Link on there?”
Hunter grunts, hands shoved into the pockets of his flannel coat. “Because neither of us wants to do it.”
I press my lips together, stopping myself from rolling my eyes—again. “Consent is super important. Everyone on auction is there because they want to be.”
“Except for the firefighters,” she whispers. “Uncle Maverick is making them do it.”
I bite down on a laugh and shake my head. “Right. This is their charity fundraiser. But everyone else has to want to be there.”
“What about you?” Opal asks, grinning. “Are you going up?”
My gaze flickers to her father again, and I can’t help the flush that burns my cheeks when I find his stare already on me. Shit. Clearing my throat, I take my cell back and put it away. “Maybe.”
“You’re the host,” she says. “You should totally be up there.”
“I’m announcing.” Taking a step back, I reach for my tablet, which has all my work that still needs to be done. “I’m going to be really busy tomorrow night. And there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done now.”
And I need her to not ask any more questions.
Opal pops the candy cane back in her mouth and shrugs. “Fine,” she says around it. “Where do you want me, boss lady?”
I smile. “Go help with the gift bags. And Hunter?” I look towards the hulking, grumpy man. Something in my chest twists. “The guys are putting something up in the corridor. Go help them.”
The older man narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t complain. At least he has that going for him. As well as…
I shake my head and turn away from him, cheeks heating. No thinking about the grumpy mountain man. It does no one—me especially—any good.
He’s off limits anyway.
“Wow, this is looking so good!” Lydia gasps, entering the hall with Cade on her arm.
My brother’s best friend gives me an appreciative nod as he looks over the transformed space; the balloon arches are now paired with hanging icicle lights and hand-cut snowflakes from the local elementary school, giving this a more winter wonderland experience.
A local restaurant is catering for the evening and is also serving drinks, so flutes of champagne and glasses of wine from a nearby vineyard are being poured by the door.
The tables have been fully decorated for the evening, and the last of my pamphlets with all the donation portals have been printed and are laid out on placemats or are ready to be passed out.
“Knew you had it in you, Syl,” Cade says, which is probably the nicest thing he’s said to me in years.
I release a long breath and grin. This might be my best setup yet. At least, it’s the one with the biggest return. And I’m not going to have to deal with alcoholic mothers whining that her screen-addicted kids aren’t enjoying the party she wanted for them.
The only one who might put a damper on tonight is…
I hear them before I see them. Opal’s sharp squeal. Hunter’s grumpy growl. I wait for the irritation to rise, but I only feel nervous as I wait for my partner in crime and his daughter to enter.
They’re joined by the captain and fire chief for the area, the guys who technically hired me to put this together.
All three men are in sharp suits, which seems so at odds with the vibes of this small town.
Then again, we staged tonight as an excuse to dress to the nines.
Some of the older ladies are coming in their Sunday best; others are pulling out their wedding dresses to go with the theme.
Men are brushing off their own tuxes, and even the high school students are dressing like they’re going to prom.
My heart leaps into my throat when I spot Hunter. I hate to admit that he’s a handsome man, with his thick dark hair, short neatly trimmed beard, and stern grey eyes.
“This looks…” he comes to a stop, looking almost shocked.
“Good?” I reply, hand on my hip, heart fluttering. “I know. This is what I’m good at. Now, gentlemen, places please! We have an auction to start!”