Feeding the Fire by Andrea Laurence Page B

turned back to her. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get drunk and do something stupid?”
    “It will have to be straight moonshine for me to bid on anyone.”
    Ivy laughed and flipped open her program. “They’ve got quite a list of gentlemen here tonight. You know, I’m happy to loan you some money if you would like to bid.”
    Pepper snorted indelicately. “Um, no thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I make it a rule never to borrow money from friends. And if I’m going to borrow money from you of all people, it’s going to be for something important, like a kidney transplant, not for a hot date on a made-up, overcommercialized holiday.”
    “Suit yourself,” Ivy said, returning to her program. “I didn’t know your brother was going to be a part of the auction.”
    Neither did Pepper. “Mayor Gallagher must’ve gotten to him. From what I heard, no single man is safe.”
    “I guess so.” A few more pages in, Ivy’s eyes got big. “Bert Swenson!” she declared, pointing out the older gentleman’s photograph. “That’s interesting.”
    “Hmmm . . .” Pepper said thoughtfully. “That’s why Miss Vera is here tonight, I bet. She was threatening to bid on someone a week or so ago. She got a little flustered when your mother recommended she start dating Bert.”
    “Well, she’s got competition.” A crowd of older women brushed past their table and sat a few feet away. Ivy watched them sit down. “That crowd had two divorcées and three widows. I doubt any of them are bold enough to bid on Simon.”
    “This might be more interesting than I thought. Every one of those women was in the salon this week. They’re on the hunt. I’m anticipating a silver cat fight.”
    “A what?” Blake asked as he approached the table carefully, gripping three drinks in two hands. He placed them on the table and took his own seat.
    Pepper eyed her pink drink with the heart-shaped strawberry slice floating on the surface. “We’re putting our money on a senior rumble over Bert Swenson.”
    “I don’t know,” he said, glancing around. “This place is packed, and Fred from the diner is on the auction block, too. Never underestimate a man who can cook.”
    “Yeah, even your grandmother is here,” Pepper noted.
    Blake’s eyes widened and he spun in his chair. Adelia Chamberlain was sitting two tables away with the mayor, the county commissioner, Reverend Yates, and their respective spouses.
    “Rumor has it they got some celebrity to host the auction tonight,” Ivy said.
    “I’m sitting next to a rock star and an NFL quarterback. Who could trump that?” Pepper asked.
    The lights in the gymnasium started to dim and the master of ceremonies for the night—WVTM Channel 13 weather girl Allison Price—stepped out onstage to the sound of applause.
    “Really?” Pepper said dryly. “That’s the best they could do?”
    Ivy snickered, but any response was muffled by Allison as she began to speak.
    “Good evening, everyone, I’m Allison Price from WVTM Birmingham. I hope all the ladies here tonight have brought their checkbooks and are ready to support the Rosewood Tornado Fund by having a wonderful Valentine’s Day with one of the bachelors we’re offering tonight. In your booklets, you’ll see a photograph and description of each bachelor, including the date they’re offering. Bert Swenson is offering a candlelight dinner for two at Whittaker’s restaurant and an evening cruise on Willow Lake in his boat. And Simon Chamberlain is offering a whole weekend in Chattanooga, including a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium and an overnight stay on the Delta Queen river boat hotel. There’s something for everyone, ladies, so let’s see how much we can raise for this great cause!”
    Pepper giggled and leaned into Ivy. “A weekend trip with Simon?”
    “I doubt they’ll share a room,” Blake muttered.
    “First up,” Allison announced, “Bert Swenson!”
    Bert stepped out onto the stage wearing his best black