Chapter Twenty-Seven

The auctioneer closed the bidding and welcomed Mayor Clark back to the podium. The mayor thanked all the participating bidders and the bachelors. She encouraged everyone to enjoy refreshments while a crew of volunteers moved chairs against the wall and the band set up for the dance.

The crowd dispersed into small groups. Wade and Emmett meandered over to where Addison and Nell stood.

Emmett handed Nell a white envelope. He waggled his eyebrows. “Let’s see where we’re to have our date.”

Nell accepted the envelope and ran her finger under the sealed flap. She withdrew a certificate. Her cheeks pinked. “The Dockside, that new place out by the waterfall. Maybe we should wait until the weather warms and we can sit outside.”

Emmett agreed.

Clamping down on his wayward thoughts, Wade handed his envelope to Addison. She opened it and held the certificate forward. “Le Chalet. Sounds very French and very romantic.”

The lights dimmed, and the band struck up its first number, a waltz. Wade offered his hand and swept Addison into his arms. He held her close. She looked more beautiful than anyone had a right to look.

“Le Chalet is the sort of place a man takes a special woman,” he said.

She drew back a little, gazing into his eyes. “Did you know the woman who bid five hundred on you?”

Wade whirled Addison around the floor. The lilt of her voice caused his belly to do a flip-flop. “I know most of the locals pretty well. With so many tourists at the auction, I didn’t see anyone I recognized.”

As her body molded perfectly against his, sparks of awareness ran through him. Everything inside him grew still and quiet. Everything except his heart. He drew back to appreciate the bold but feminine lines and curves of her face, focusing on her lips for longer than he should—long enough to cause a stirring sensation below his belt.

His breath feathered the top of her hair. He inhaled the subtle sweetness of her shampoo. Her fingers toyed with the nape of his neck, sending sensual slithers of desire to places that were responding with a sweet ache.

He bent closer as she tilted her face, her lips slightly parted, inviting, and then just as his mouth took hers, his phone whirred and vibrated. A rueful annoyance flashed in her eyes, replacing the dreamy glint.

He scowled, pulling his phone from his pocket and looking at the caller ID. “It’s Millie.” He blew out an aggravated breath as he escorted Addison off the dance floor.

The song ended. Emmett led Nell over to where Wade stood with Addison.

Wade’s jaw clenched when he disconnected. “There’s been an accident. Car and a moose collided. I’m sorry, Addison.” He placed his hands over hers and kissed her knuckles. “This isn’t the way I’d hoped the evening would end.”

“Don’t you worry, Wade. We’ll see to it she gets home,” Nell declared.

Addison sighed and patted Wade’s shoulder. “Such is the life of a lawman. Truly, I hope no one is badly hurt. Go, and if I don’t see you before—Merry Christmas.”

He bent and lightly brushed her lips with his. Addison watched him wend his way through the crowd, stopping only to speak to his sister and mother. Both women grabbed their coats and followed him through the double cafeteria doors.

****

Dressed in flannel pajamas and heavy robes, Addison and Nell regaled J.J. with comments and quips about the auction. Nell giggled like a young girl when she said, “I almost peed myself when Brenda yelled out a sixty-dollar bid. She was the first bidder. And the expression on Emmett’s face was priceless.”

“Speaking of surprises—Nell, did you recognize the voice of the woman who bid five hundred on Wade?”

J.J. sputtered. “Someone actually bid five hundred dollars?”

“We’re not joking, J.J.” Nell elbowed Addison. “You have to admit Wade is one handsome hunk and a prize catch, if a woman can rope him and put her brand on him.”

J.J. remarked, “Sheriff Grey seems like a stand-up guy, but my guess is he’s no pushover.” She finished off the cup of Nell’s old-fashioned German Glühwein. “I still can’t believe someone bid that much money on him.”

Nell arched an eyebrow at J.J. “Don’t forget all that money goes for a good cause. Not to speak of getting to spend the evening over dinner with him.”

Nell sat pensive for a moment. “It almost seems like I’ve heard that voice before. The room was filled with lots of tourists. It could have been anyone.”

“Yeah, well there’s that.” J.J. unfolded from the sofa. “By the way, who did have the winning bid?”

Addison cleared her throat and grinned. “Ahem, that would be me.”

J.J. matched Addison’s grin. “I’m not even going to ask what the final bid was. As Aunt Nell said, it’s for a good cause.”

Nell yawned as she stood. “Tonight was the most fun I’ve had since I can’t remember when.” She gave each woman a hug. “Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve. Let’s sleep a little late in the morning. For the remainder of the day, we have a lot of cooking to do.”

Addison tipped her cup forward. “I’ll turn out the lights. Goodnight, Aunt Nell, J.J.”

Addison stood in front of the living room window watching snow feather down from the sky. Behind her the fire crackled, casting a warm glow around the room. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she took in the twinkling lights on the tree, the garland, and the angel topper.

She felt content and happy. She thought about Wade and his sensuous lips against hers, his sexy smile, and how the aroma of his cologne mingled with his masculine scent. Desire stole through her. She tamped down a rush of emotions that she shouldn’t be feeling. It’d been months since she’d had sex, and she refused to give in to carnal needs.

She wanted more. She wanted to be cherished and loved by only one special man—Wade.