Chapter 3 Hunter
THREE
HUNTER
Ihate to admit she’s right.
This is exactly the sort of thing the town needed.
A table sponsored by the elderly at the retirement home have been laughing and enjoying themselves since they came in, and they’re showing their appreciation every time Opal goes by with her friends with the small donation buckets they’re toting around.
The firefighter table, with a chair decorated for Rhodes with his turnout jacket draped across the back and his photo on display, is filled with familiar faces.
The guys who used to cause all sorts of mischief, the ones I watched grow up, look older but are engrossed in the evening—and are placing their own bids.
Somehow, Sylvie filled the place with half the town, and even more are waiting to come in.
The date portion of the auction hasn’t even started.
Only the physical items have gone out so far, including a chance to secure a spot at Sterling Ranch for a wedding, an evening at the Jade Garden, five free meals at Dawson’s Diner—that went fast, though no surprise there—as well as a few other big-ticket items that had locals scrambling and happily giving away their hard earned cash.
And it’s all because of Sylvie.
There’s something about her that has everyone upending their wallets, and I can’t help but watch in awe as she sells off a hamper made by several local businesses for nearly two hundred dollars. Nothing in it is worth that much, so it feels like theft, but I don’t hear a single complaint.
There’s a reason she’s up there and I’m not.
I can’t help the twinge of jealousy as she announces the first bachelor to take the stand.
His eyes are focused completely on her, and even from here, I can tell he’s more than just interested.
Normally, I wouldn’t blame him—or any of the guys here.
The event planner from hell is stunning. Even I can admit that.
She’s all long legs with thick thighs, even in her announcer getup.
The Santa hat sits perfectly atop her curled blond hair, and the Sexy ‘Mrs. Claus’ outfit hugs all of her thick curves too perfectly.
She knows how to plan an event and execute it by the way the crowd is glued to her, and she knows how to work them for all they’ve got, too.
Beside me, Everette has been quietly logging all the money raised so far, and although it’s not enough to save the station, it’s a damn good start.
“Now, for the event you’ve all been waiting for,” Sylvie announces. The hall suddenly quiets down, except for the soft music playing in the background. “Our very first date auction!”
Cheers erupt throughout the crowd. Some guys at my table even get up to hoot.
The last thing I want is my daughter getting attached to this woman, but I fear it’s already too late for that as I catch Opal with her uncles at a nearby table clapping, her attention completely on Sylvie.
“Now, our first bachelor of the night claims he’s good with his hands…
and your trucks. If you’re anything like me, then you might have been caught in our most recent blizzard, so you’ll recognise Mr. Vincent Brooks from Brooks Auto Shop.
He would describe himself as being a gentle giant with a sweet tooth to match, and when he’s not working on your cars, he’s a cat dad to Miss Petal the Maine Coon!
Vince here is giving up a night to one lucky person looking for an evening of tasting wine at Jade Gardens then a stroll through the winter markets in town.
Let’s start the bidding at twenty dollars! ”
It goes on like that for half an hour. Sylvie brings up a bachelor—or bachelorette—the bidding starts small at twenty, and suddenly it’s jumping into the hundreds.
Vince went for two-fifty to the bookshop owner in the back.
One of the Sterling boys, even though he’s engaged, got bid for three-hundred and was claimed by our town’s very own matchmaker.
A doctor from the hospital went for four hundred by one of her colleagues, and we hadn’t even gotten to the firefighters yet.
“Okay, okay. Our next contestant is one of Willow Ridge’s very own firefighters from House 278.
Finn Gates, brother of my partner in crime, currently volunteers with the brigade when he’s not helping mountain rescue.
Wow, what a hero?!” Finn climbs onto the stage to the sound of cheers, grinning as he winks at Sylvie. I can’t help but grit my teeth.
My heart hammers in my chest, a total overreaction to watching my baby brother wrap his arm around Sylvie and plant a kiss on her cheek. There’s nothing romantic about it. They barely know each other.
So why does it feel like my insides are being twisted?
Sylvie smacks him on the chest with a laugh.
“Finn here is one of the youngest firefighters left at the station still volunteering, and he claims it’s getting a little lonely.
If you like hiking, spending time in nature, and then destroying all that hard work with pastries from Indigo Patisserie in town, then Finn might just be your guy!
And because he’s our first strapping firefighter for the night, our bids are starting at one hundred! Do we have a hundred?”
“Psst,” Opal hisses, claiming the chair to my left. “Spot me a hundred?”
I grimace and look over my shoulder as it gets claimed. “No.”
Opal pouts, twisting her lips. “Fine.”
“Doesn’t count as a fundraiser if you’re stealing funds from the old man running it,” Everette teases, sitting back.
I pass my old friend a glare, but he doesn’t seem to notice, because his gaze is locked on the stage. Suddenly, I hear Sylvie shout ‘sold!’ And once again, the crowd cheers with excitement.
“Congratulations, Loretta, you can claim your man at the desk in the back and drop your donation there with our lovely volunteers. I’m sure Finn can’t wait to show you his favourite picnic spot once the snow clears!
” Sylvie claps Finn off the stage, and I watch him go to the older woman at the retirement home table in the middle of the hall.
But I can’t help it. As soon as my brother is out of sight, my attention returns to the blonde on the stage.
“Okay, folks, we’re going to have a brief intermission.
The lovely chefs and team at Jade Gardens will be bringing out your meals, and then we’ll get to the rest of your hunky firefighters and gorgeous ladies looking for evenings of fun! ”
“You have to admit, she knows what she’s doing,” Everette says.
“Right?” Opal turns to him with a grin. “And Dad almost didn’t pick the auction idea. I had to beg for him to do it.”
“Oh, is that so?” a sweet voice asks as the chair to my right is pulled out.
I stiffen, the smell of wine and florals hitting my nose. Sylvie has a flute of red wine in hand, which she sets down with a tight smile. When our eyes meet, she crosses her arms.
“I knew you were hesitant, but I didn’t realise Opal had to be my chief supporter.” Sylvie runs her eyes over me, lips quirking with a smile. “But tell me we’ve proved you wrong.”
A lump forms in my throat, one I try to swallow past. “The night’s not over yet.”
“Dad!” Opal admonishes, smacking my arm, while Sylvie rolls her eyes.
The blonde meets my stare, mischief twinkling in her dark brown eyes.
“I’ll make a believer out of you yet, Hunter Gates.
Maybe I should have let Opal put your name in the hat.
” She leans forward, and for a moment, I can’t breathe.
Not when all I can smell is her perfume.
“Then you might have learned to respect my craft.”
I make myself swallow past the lump in my throat and remind myself she’s teasing me because she’s 26 and to her, I’m an old man.
I might not yet be 40, but that probably doesn’t matter to her.
There’s still an age gap of thirteen years, as well as a more obvious reason I can’t be having any thoughts about this woman.
And she’s sitting on my other side.
“Yeah, Dad.” Opal pokes me in the side, cutting through the tension with ease. “Anyway, did you put your name in, Sylvie?”
Those dark brown eyes leave mine as she turns her attention to Opal. I don’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved over not feeling the weight of her stare on me any longer.
Sylvie smiles sweetly and shakes her head. “I can’t comment.”
Those words have something sinking in my chest. “And why not?”
“Because it would ruin the surprise,” she purrs without looking at me. “Anyway, I don’t see Everette or Maverick on there. Hmm?”
My oldest friends both look away. They might have convinced most of the young ones to toss their names in the ring, but neither added their own. At least they look ashamed. I know it’s for personal reasons, even though they’re both single.
Everette’s the first to shake his head. “Better let the young ones make fools of themselves than us.”
“Can’t imagine the county will give us the green light if they see the captain and chief getting up on stage to get auctioned off to the highest bidder,” Maverick adds, chuckling.
Sylvie hums, and I feel her eyes before I see them. “I don’t see any excuse for you, though, Hunter.”
“It’s because Dad’s a grump,” Opal says before I can respond, another damn candy cane in her mouth. “And he has no life. It would mean he’d have to plan a date, which he’s incapable of. I mean, look at him. You think he picked that suit out? No. I did. He’d be nothing without me.”
She’s not wrong. Without her in my life, I’d be without purpose. Hell, she is my purpose. Why I do what I do. And she’s the reason I don’t put myself out there.
I know the horror stories. Not just about kids not meshing with stepparents, but what can happen behind closed doors.
It’s not just about getting along; there could be power plays, abuse, and other things the parent doesn’t even realise are happening—or is too blind to see—between the stepparent and child.
During my years at the station, I saw it happen. Not much, but enough to keep me on edge and remind me I’m the reason Opal is in this world, and she’s the only thought I need to have.
And I can’t let the younger blonde on my other side make me forget that.
When the auction is back in full swing and Sylvie is no longer sitting beside me, I feel like I can breathe again.
She runs through several more guys from the volunteer service, as well as the guys who plan to stay with the house once it re-opens.
We have quite a few who remain volunteers regardless of the state of the firehouse, others who volunteer where they can, whether that be like me, or on the mountain with the rescue team.
They all go in the hundreds. And that includes ladies, too.
Nurses from the hospital. The paramedic team is still working hard despite the lack of support.
The photographers documenting the event.
Hell, the new owner of Daisy’s Bar is here by some miracle, and Maverick is the one to win a date with her.
Even though I know I shouldn’t be surprised, I am.
It’s almost insane to think Sylvie could have convinced so many people to come out and do this.
And she’s not even from Willow Ridge. Hadn’t stepped foot in our town before I picked her up at Daisy’s during the last blizzard.
“Okay, folks, we have one more to bid on. She’s not from around here, so be kind,” Sylvie announces, setting her microphone in its stand.
I watch as she pulls her stool from the side stage over to the mic, taking a seat quietly.
“Sorry, I’ve been on my feet for hours, and the heels might look lovely, but they’re a killer. Am I right?”
Women in the crowd laugh, shouting their agreement. Sylvie still has them wrapped around her little finger.
Everette pushes his cell towards me, the number of donations he’s counted almost making me sick. It’s not enough to get the house permanently re-opened, but it could pay some of the guys. And it hasn’t even been matched yet.
Sylvie’s older brother promised he’d match what she raised, and so would his friends buying the land the old lodge sits on. Cade Abernathy has already committed to double what we get tonight.
It might actually be enough.
Because of her.
“Although our next bachelorette is new to town…” Cheers erupt, mainly from the men, at the announcement that the last to bid on is a woman. I’m not na?ve to think it could be anyone else but her. Opal’s question hadn’t just been for jokes. She’d been serious. And right.
Sylvie is about to be the last contestant in her own little game.
A lump forms in my throat as she continues, “Okay, okay. I can tell you’re excited.
Your next bachelorette came to Willow Ridge hoping to help you guys rebuild a legacy.
The firehouse and the firefighters who serve there deserve everything you guys have done for them, and more.
And this newbie will be setting up a mystery date with all the bells and whistles.
Which is why I have put myself up for auction. ”
More cheers. Beside me, Opal hoots, clapping wildly with excitement. I force myself to join in despite the strange tightening in my chest.
Sylvie waves a hand, silencing the crowd. “Alright, folks. By now, you should know the drill. We’re starting our bids at a nice even hundred. Do we have a hundred?”
Immediately, bids skyrocket. One hundred goes to one fifty. Then it jumps to two eighty. Someone in the back offers three hundred even. The ladies from the retirement home offer three hundred and ten with laughs. My own fucking brother shouts three fifty.
I’m frozen in place until someone behind me yells, “Three sixty!”
I whip around to glare at Opal, who has my bidding paddle in the air, a mischievous look glinting in her eyes. Before I can retract that bid, someone beats it by another ten, pushing it to three seventy.
Then my daughter shouts, “Three ninety!”
The paddle waves in the air.
There’s no one shouting to match or beat it.
From the stage, Sylvie tries to maintain control, but her eyes are wide, and there’s a dark flush to her cheeks. All night, she’s been picture perfect.
“Going once!” she shouts, looking around almost desperately. “Going twice!” Still no answer, and it has my stomach sinking. “Sold. You know where to take your donations. Thank you, folks, for a wonderful night, and please enjoy your dessert.”
Then she jumps off the stage and stalks through the tables like my daughter didn’t just bid for a date with her—on my behalf.