“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 suit and a crimson red tie. His thinning gray hair was slicked back and he’d trimmed his beard to a chic, less wooly length. The older man strutted down the runway as Allison described his major selling points and reminded the audience about his plans of an evening cruise.
Pepper noted a low murmur running through the crowd as Bert reached the end of the runway. Clutching a bouquet of red carnations in one hand, he flexed his biceps with the other.
“Take it off, Bert!” A loud catcall rang out from the back of the room, followed by a rumble of laughter. Apparently he was a favorite with the ladies tonight.
Bert didn’t disappoint, slipping out of his suit coat and slinging it over his shoulder with a seductive arch of his eyebrow. He was really playing this up.
“All right, ladies, let’s get the bidding started. I’ll take the first bid of one hundred dollars!”
Pepper watched a paddle shoot up to her right.
“Two hundred!” a woman shouted from the back.
“Five hundred.”
Pepper turned in time to see Miss Vera thrust her paddle into the air. “One thousand!” she shouted.
A murmur ran through the room, followed by several seconds of silence. Go Vera, Pepper thought.
“Two thousand!”
Every head in the room turned to see Estelle Townsend, the owner of the local bakery, with her paddle raised. She smiled and gave Vera a smug look.
“Three thousand,” Vera snapped without blinking.
“Four!”
The announcer was stunned by the pricey battle. Bert, too, seemed surprised, and a little pleased, to have women fighting over him.
“Five,” Vera said, her voice deadly cold.
At this point, the room had gone eerily silent. Everyone was waiting to see what Estelle would do. Five thousand dollars was crazy. Pepp