Shoved (Moonlit Lake Matchmaker #4)

Chapter 27

STORM

“This is all your fault, Lulu.” I glared and pointed a finger at my dog.

She looked up at me with innocent eyes and tilted her head, as if to say, Who me?

“Yeah, you. If you hadn’t run off and caused trouble at AJ’s restaurant, I wouldn’t have gotten roped into doing this asinine auction.”

As my luck would have it, not twenty-four hours after the most amazing date of my life last night with my exclusive non-girlfriend, some stranger would pay a lot of money for me to be their escort to the holidate of their choice. My head throbbed just thinking about it. AJ said most people will probably choose to bring their date to a Christmas party or family gathering—not a big deal. Easy for her to say. Frankly, I’d rather be trapped in an elevator with sugar-hyped carolers.

If only Serena would bid on me. I offered to give her the money, no matter how high the bidding went, and then I’d be her holidate. But she said as one of the organizers, she would be working the whole time. Even if she wasn’t busy, the committee wasn’t allowed to bid. It was against the rules.

I wanted to see those rules. There had to be a way around this.

Maybe I should have taken my sisters up on their offer to bid on me. The humiliation would be worth sparing me a nightmarish date.

I dropped Serena off at her shop this morning on my way to the office. Mom was more than happy to keep Sadie with her for the day. They were going to do chores together, play with the goats, and then make cookies. Those two had become best buds—inseparable.

Hyper-alert whenever we were out, I obsessively scanned the area and my rearview mirror as I drove but hadn’t noticed anyone following us. Hopefully, whoever had tailed them gave up and went back to where they came from. It was still important for us to stay vigilant, still keep our guards up, and eyes peeled for anything suspicious. And I still didn’t think it was safe for them to return home, not until we knew for certain they weren’t in any danger.

Not that I minded keeping them with me a while longer. Or forever.

At the end of the workday, I stopped by the flower shop to pick up Serena. She had a long line of customers she was helping. People were buying wreaths, poinsettias, centerpieces, and Christmas gifts. Busy time of year for her.

I looked back at my car, and saw Lulu sitting in the driver’s seat, like she was the one offering rides. Her paws were even on the steering wheel. Crazy dog.

While I waited inside for Serena, Tillie entered the store. “Well, Storm. I’m surprised to see you here. Thought you’d be getting yourself all dolled up for the auction tonight.” She winked and jabbed her elbow into my side.

“Not you, too. I get enough razzing from my siblings, Tillie. I don’t need it from you, too.”

“I think it’s wonderful that you volunteered.”

“Voluntold, is more like it,” I grumbled. “Hey. If I give you some money, will you bid on me? I’ll give you a thousand dollars. Whatever isn’t needed for the bid, you can either donate to the town or keep. Your choice.”

“Believe me, I wish I could, but I’m on the committee, just like Serena.” She leaned toward me and spoke behind her cupped hand. “Between you and me, I wouldn’t mind winning myself a strapping young lad to be at my beck and call.” She winked again, and I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and yell lalalala, to keep from hearing any more. “Don’t know who made that silly rule, but most of the women on that committee should be involved in the bidding, except for Lanie and AJ, of course. In fact, if I could buy those girls each a bachelor, it would make my matchmaking a whole lot easier. I could retire in the Caribbean, or something.”

“You? Retire? That’ll be the day.” I glanced at Tillie, who was always busy doing something. She’d never slow down. “What brings you here to the shop today, anyway?”

“I was just stopping to pick up some decorations Serena put together for the event.” She gave me a sympathetic look and patted me on the arm. “Don’t worry, Storm. Everything will work out as it is meant to.”

“That’s easy for you to say, but it won’t help me when I have to go on a holidate with the wrong woman.”

“This is the season for miracles. You never know what will happen.” She reached up and patted my cheek with her wrinkled hand. “Love will prevail, Storm. Don’t doubt that.”

Serena noticed Tillie and called her to the counter. “This box has everything we talked about at the meeting to decorate for the auction. I wish I could come and help set up, but as you can see, I’m swamped here.”

“No worries. There’ll be plenty of people to help. You did your part by making all of this for us.” Tillie waved me over. “Storm, put those muscles to work and carry this box to my car, will you?”

Serena was helping another customer but paused to catch my eye. “And Storm, you don’t have to wait for me. I’ll just walk to the auction when I’m done here. I’ll see you later.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll just come back and pick you up when you’re done here.”

She thanked one customer and then moved on to ring up the next one. “It’s only two blocks, Storm. I’ll be fine. Just go. I’ll see you there.” She waved me away.

Hmph. So much for spending some time with her before the auction and making sure she got there safely. I didn’t feel good about this, but maybe I was being a little overprotective. If I pushed her too much, she’d probably insist on moving back to her apartment.

Tillie was surprisingly silent as I helped her with the box. But gave me a hug at her car. “See you soon, Storm. I have a feeling this evening will be all kinds of unexpected.”

I shook my head as I climbed into my car. Tillie, Tillie. I didn’t want to even think of what her parting words might have meant. Unexpected didn’t necessarily mean good. I had to nudge Lulu over to let me get behind the wheel. My phone rang as I started the car.

“Hey, Jas. What’s up?”

“If you’re coming back to the farm, we can ride to the auction together.”

“Nah. I think I’ll stop back at my place to make sure everything is okay there. I’ll meet you at the school.”

“I could pick you up at your place if you want.”

“Why would you— Wait, a minute. AJ wants you to make sure I show up. Doesn’t she?”

“Yup. Got it in one.”

“You don’t need to babysit me, Jas. I said I’d be there, and no matter how much it pains me, I won’t stand them up.”

“We’re counting on you to bring the big bucks, man. Better be ready to strut your stuff. Work it a little. You know what I mean?”

My little brother knew how much I hated being in the spotlight, unless I was in court. But he couldn’t resist pushing my buttons or twisting the knife any chance he got.

“Shut it, Jaswipe. I said I’d be there, and I’ll go on the required date. That’s it. That’s all I’m doing.”

“Fine. Just saying you could be the top dog if you just?—”

I hung up on him, unable to listen to anymore of his nonsense.

When I pulled into my driveway, I saw Serena’s car parked near the house. It still had quite a bit of snow on it but appeared to be no worse for the wear after its time in the snowbank. A warm feeling grew in my chest seeing her car in my driveway, like it was home. Imagining Serena and Sadie welcoming me home here at the end of the day, brought a smile to my face.

What in the world had happened to me? I hardly recognized myself. Not that I cared. This was the life I wanted, and surprisingly, I was more excited about this new future than I ever had been about a law partnership.