Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter Page B

out with the auction.”
    “As a bachelor,” Lucy added enthusiastically.
    Paige aimed a scowl her way. This was not the way she’d wanted this to go down. She’d wanted to warm him up to the idea. Maybe hint around about it and give it a chance to sink in before she went in for the kill. Yeah, that’s what she’d been waiting for.
    “Um . . . ,” Riley said. “That would be a big fat no.”
    At his answer some of the tension eased from Paige’s shoulders, and she frowned at her reaction. She’d effortlessly talked three other single men into entering the auction and had been thrilled with their consent.
    “Why ever not?” Lucy asked.
    Riley’s body stiffened as he wiped his palms down his pants. “I can think of about twenty reasons.”
    “Well, we have to have at least one Callahan or the ladies’ll be disappointed,” Miss Trudy said. “And these two are taken.” Her gaze swung to Beau, who was nuzzling his nose in Eden’s hair. “Clearly.”
    Riley gave Paige a dark look, as if this was somehow all her fault. “Ain’t happening.” His voice was low and growly.
    “But we only have eleven bachelors,” Lucy said. “And we need an even twelve. Our theme is the Twelve Men of Summer.”
    “Not my problem.”
    “Come on, man,” Beau said. “Take one for the team.”
    “You know what?” Riley shifted from the booth, his movements rigid and jerky as he gathered his crutches. “You take one for the team. I need some air.”
    After turning another sour look on Paige, he hobbled away, through the restaurant and out the front door.
    “Whoops,” Lucy said.
    “Well, he can’t go far,” Zac said, earning a scowl from Paige.
    She scooted toward the aisle. “I’ll go talk to him.”
    Miss Trudy set a hand on her arm. “Now, now, give the boy some space. He needs to cool off.”
    A while later, as they finished their food, Paige was still trying hard to keep Miss Trudy’s advice in mind.
    Zac had slipped off to the kitchen again, and Lucy had gone to the restroom, when Sheriff Colton came by the table. Beau invited him to sit a spell, and when Miss Trudy didn’t budge, Paige scooted over, making room on her side.
    The sheriff took off his hat as he sat, revealing his shaved head. He’d been coming around Miss Trudy for years, blushing and stammering, but Miss Trudy wouldn’t give him the time of day. The others had found out only recently that the two had been secret high school sweethearts.
    “How’s the visitor center going, Trudy?” The sheriff eyed her across the table, his usual flush working its way up from under his collar.
    “As usual.” Miss Trudy took a delicate sip of her clam chowder.
    “Our class reunion’s coming up,” he said. “The emails have been flying back and forth. You planning to go?”
    “I haven’t decided yet.”
    “Should be a good group of us. Sure be nice if you could make it.”
    “You should go together,” Beau said.
    Miss Trudy shot him the look of death. A long pause hung in the air.
    “Oops . . . ,” Beau offered into the gaping silence.
    “I’d be honored to escort you, Trudy.” The deep pink had worked its way up into the sheriff’s cheeks, making them clash with his fiery red mustache.
    Miss Trudy tossed down her napkin and stood. “If I decide to go, I can get my own self there, Danny Colton.” Back ramrod straight, she grabbed her purse and stalked off toward the exit.
    The sheriff shrank in his seat, his face finding an even deeper shade of pink.
    Beau gave a nervous chuckle. “Was it something I said?”

Chapter 13
    R iley shuffled into the shelter behind Paige, who held the door for him. Things had been awkward between them since the night before. The thought of being on that stage beside all the other bachelors—whole, healthy bachelors—was enough to darken his already foul mood.
    What had the girls been thinking? Who’d want to go out with him now? Oh, he’d get plenty of bids all right—pity bids. His skin heated at the