by Becki Willis
The older woman shrugged. Until recently, she had held the title of Mayor of Juliet. She found that the increasing pressure of civic duties, however, interfered with her love of traveling. After several decades of public service, she handed off the baton to someone else and hit the road in her motor home. People still considered her the unofficial matriarch of the town, however, and insisted she make a speech for the monumental occasion of the Centennial.
“Weren’t you proud of Brash’s fishing team?” Maddy beamed, to no one in particular. “Blake was so excited to be a part of it. And third place isn’t bad!”
“He looked like a peacock, all puffed up for a parade,” her grandmother agreed. “They were all as pleased as punch.”
“When does the auction start?” Maddy asked. “Can I send my gift certificate up there with you?”
“Not a chance, girlfriend,” Genny said. “You have to go on stage and introduce your offering, then stand there while they auction it off.”
Maddy groaned. “I hate standing up in front of people. Can’t I just let you do it?”
“I’m offering my own donation, so no, you can’t. Remember to smile and look out at the crowd, encouraging them to keep bidding.”
“Wouldn’t hurt to show a little cleavage, either,” Granny Bert said. She reached over and loosened the top button of her granddaughter’s blouse.
“Stop that!” Maddy snapped, swatting her hand away. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“I can’t believe you don’t have any more cleavage than that,” her grandmother countered. She looked over at Genny’s generous curves and smiled. “Now this girl’s got some cleavage. And she knows how to show it off, too. You just watch. Her item will go for twice as much as yours.”
“That’s partially because she’s giving away a private dinner for two at New Beginnings, and I’m giving away four hours of free labor by In a Pinch. Hers is more exciting.” Madison looked over at her friend, with her blond curls in disarray and her cheeks rosy with exertion. With her heart-shaped face and dimpled cheeks, Genny was not a conventional beauty, but there was no denying the sparkle in her blue eyes and the charm of her smile. With a grudging reluctance, Maddy added, “Okay, and because she’s just so irresistibly cute.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll bid on your offering,” her grandmother assured her. “Run it up so you won’t be embarrassed by a low bid.”
Maddy’s response was dry. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
Granny Bert patted her arm. “I’m sure Brash will bid on it, too.”
“Hey, I was thinking of bidding on it,” Genny informed the older woman. “You might find yourself with some real competition, Granny Bert.”
“What on earth would you need my services for?” Maddy asked. “Oh, wait. A waitress? No, no, no. You know how clumsy I am!”
“You are not clumsy. You have a natural grace about you,” Genny insisted, not for the first time.
“Then how do you explain all those scrapes she manages to get herself into?” Granny Bert wanted to know. “She’s been stuffed inside an incinerator, caught in a steel trap, tied up in a cave, chased across a pasture by dogs, trapped in a hidden passage within a wall, and had a house burn down around her, to name a few of her recent exploits. You don’t want her going near your customers with hot food and beverages.”
“You forget, I was with her on some of those escapades,” Genesis reminded them both.
The older woman merely sniffed and looked around, peering out at the crowd gathered in front of the grandstand. “At least there’s a good crowd. Should be a lively auction. And with the cameras rolling, it ought it loosen people’s purse strings a bit. No one wants to look chintzy on national television.”
Madison agreed with the prediction. She surveyed the crowd, noting several people who might be willing to bid on her offering. Now that Granny Bert brought up the possibility, she worried her item might go for an embarrassingly low amount.
As her eyes scanned the would-be bidders, her gaze snagged on a pale man wearing a fashionable sports coat. Madison could not help but gasp.
“Genny!” she whispered, grabbing her friend’s arm.
In the middle of a sip of water, the water sloshed out and dribbled onto her chest. She made a clumsy attempt to brush it from her blouse. “Great,” she muttered. “Now I have a wet circle around my boob.”
“Should be good for bidding,” Granny Bert mused.
Madison ignored their comments. Her eyes were riveted on the blond man with the pale blue eyes. “Genny, you—you will never believe who’s in the crowd!”
“Judging by the look on your face, I’d guess John Paul Nobles.” The movie star had ties to The Sisters and had been Maddy’s celebrity heartthrob since high school.
“No. Look out there, behind Jerry Don Peavey. That—That looks suspiciously like Pembrook Harris!”
Genny’s eyes narrowed as she followed her friend’s gaze. “He would,” she mumbled darkly. “I should have known he wouldn’t leave town.”
“What? He’s been in town and you didn’t tell me?”
“You were already freaking out over the party. I didn’t want to worry you.”
“But Genny, you should have told me!”
“I thought you had a restraining order against that fool,” Granny Bert said.
“It lapsed. I didn’t bother renewing it when I moved back home,” she admitted. “I didn’t think he would follow me here.”
“You want me to rough him up for you?” Granny Bert offered. “I still know karate, you know. And that new thing, Krav Maga. It’s even better.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think that will be necessary,” Genny said with an amused smile. “I think Cutter wanted to challenge him to a duel, but I wouldn’t let him do that, either.”
“You kill all the fun,” the old woman groused. “I’d love to see his perfectly combed hair all mussed up and hanging in those creepy eyes of his. A nice black circle might look good around one of them, too.” She stared at the man, imagining how he might look after a fight. She turned back to Genny with a hopeful, “You sure about that Krav Maga offer? Have you ever seen me in action? I’m a pretty tough adversary. No one wants to challenge me in class. Dolly Mac Crowder claims I cracked her rib at the last tournament, but that’s only because her bones are old and brittle.”
Hoping to appease her, Genny promised, “I’ll think about it.”
“Good. And don’t look now, but you’ve got more troubles than just the spooky-eyed dandy. Look who else is back in town, and trying to cuddle up to your man.”
Maddy stretched her neck to see. “Is that Callie Beth Irwin?”
Genny was confused. “How does she know Pembrook?”
“Not Pembrook, girl. Your man Cutter.”
“He—He’s not my man,” Genny denied, but the news stung. The dark-haired beauty and Cutter had often gone out, even though he insisted she was never his girlfriend. Genny wasn’t so sure he had made that fact clear to the young woman, however. And Callie Beth never made any secret of her feelings toward the cowboy firefighter.
The younger woman had been out of town most of the summer, but judging from the look on her face as she gazed up at Cutter, she intended to pick up on the relationship right where it left off. Her arm wound around his as she laughed at something he said.
“I’m sure they’re just visiting,” Maddy was quick to say. “Catching up on all that’s happened since she’s been gone.”
“Where was it she went again?” Granny Bert asked.
“Uhm, I think somewhere... away.” Genny’s answer faltered as she watched the woman reach up and brush Cutter’s cheek with a kiss. He didn’t pull away, she noted.
“That’s right, she was in Saudi Arabia or somewhere,” Granny Bert recalled. “Her daddy has some sort of big oil business and she travels with him a lot. I hear she actually works in the business with him, unlike her momma, who just goes along to look important.”
The mayor’s speech w
as winding down. “If you two will excuse me,” Genny said, “I need to check on something before the auction starts.”
“Are you alright?” Maddy asked in concern.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Thanks for the water.” She flashed a smile meant to be convincing. “I really do need to make certain everything is ready for the live auction. If you’ll wait over there, I’ll try to get you in early so you can be done with it. Wish us both luck, Granny Bert, and don’t forget to bid.”
The auction was soon underway. Granny Bert did not have to run the price up on Maddy’s offering; it went for a respectable four hundred and sixty dollars.
Genny was near the end of the lineup. With her blouse now dry but sporting a slight water ring, she soothed her hair and stepped out on the stage, careful to keep her eyes off the left side of the crowd. Cutter was mid-way in the group, Callie Beth still by his side. Pembrook was further toward the back. Genny focused on the middle of the crowd and smiled broadly, as the auctioneer began his spiel.
“Next up is pretty little Genesis Baker, proprietor of Naomi’s finest new eatery, New Beginnings. I doubt there is anyone here tonight who hasn’t already sampled some of Genny’s fine cooking, so you know how special this next item up for bid is.”
Before he could say more, someone from the crowd called out, “One hundred dollars!”
The auctioneer chuckled. He lived in the county and was auctioneer at The Sisters Livestock Auction, so he knew most of the people present. “Well, thank you, Jimbo, for that opening bid. But let me tell these other fine folks what it is you’re bidding on. Folks, Genny here is not only pleasing to look at, but this little lady can cook! She makes some of the finest fried chicken I have ever tasted, and let me tell you, I am somewhat of a connoisseur of fried chicken.” He rubbed his extended belly and the crowd chuckled. “She makes something called risotto that is so good and so creamy, it will make you want to slap your momma. And don’t even get me started on her desserts. She studied in Paris, you know, and had her own catering business in Boston. She is a master at her craft. So believe me when I say, you’ll want to reach down in your pockets and pull out everything but the lint!
“Genny here is offering a romantic dinner for two, your choice of menu items, complete with wine and dessert. You’ll have the entire restaurant to yourself, so that she and her staff can pamper you like royalty. Jimbo Hadley started the bidding off at a steal of one hundred dollars. Do I hear—”
“One hundred and fifty!” someone broke in.
“Two hundred!”
“Two twenty-five!”
“Two fifty.”
The crowd did the auctioneer’s work for him. He had trouble, in fact, keeping up with the bids that flew from every direction. Men and women alike threw up their hands to vie for the coveted prize.
As the price steadily rose, a few of the contenders shook their heads in disappointment and dropped out. Others pitched in for the first time.
“Five hundred.”
Genny searched the crowd for the bidder, curious to see who had raised the bid by a solid sixty-dollar increase. She smiled when her eyes fell on James Callaway. He was a professor at Blinn College and taught duel-credit classes at The Sisters High. He had asked her out on more than one occasion, but so far, she had been hesitant to accept.
He was a nice-looking man with a quiet, easy disposition. He had a good personality and she enjoyed visiting with him when he came in to the café. His proclivity for crazy ties hinted there was more to him than met the eye. Maybe she should take him up on his offer, she thought. Particularly if he was willing to spend five hundred dollars on one of her meals.
“Six hundred.”
It was a new voice. Genny’s eyes flew to Cutter, whose jaw was set at a stubborn angle. Beside him, Callie Beth giggled and touched her hands to her mouth, thrilled with his generosity. She assumed the dinner for two was meant for her. Genny, however, saw the way Cutter glared at the other man. Two bright spots of color appeared in her cheeks.
“Six-fifty.”
“Seven.”
While the professor hesitated, considering his options, another voice came from the back of the crowd.
“One thousand dollars.”
A murmur went up from the crowd. Several people gasped, Genny being one of them. Pembrook stepped forward, a pleased smile playing across his lips.
James caught Genny’s eye and gave her a regretful shake of the head. She offered a weak smile, mouthing a silent ‘thank you’ for his efforts.
Cutter broke in, his voice firm. “Fifteen hundred.”
Callie Beth gasped. She grabbed Cutter’s arm, but he spared her no glance. His eyes were steady upon Genny.
“Two thousand,” Pembrook called.
Another murmur from the crowd, as they picked up on the tension between the two men. This was about more than raising money for a worthy cause and getting a little something for the donation. This was personal.
“Well, folks, it looks like we have ourselves a bidding war! Two thousand dollars is our top bid. Do I hear two thousand twenty-five?”
Cutter jerked his head to up the bid.
“Two thousand, twenty-five. Do I hear two thousand fifty?”
“Fifty,” Pembrook acknowledged.
“Seventy-five,” Cutter said.
“Two thousand, seventy-five, folks,” the auctioneer said in astonishment. “Going once, going —”
“Three thousand.”
Pembrook pulled from the crowd and stepped closer to the stage. In spite of herself, Genny took a tiny step backward.
Cutter saw the look on her face. She was obviously frightened of the man. He pulled free of Callie Beth’s grasp and strode to the very edge of the stage. Keeping his eyes trained on Genny, he willed her to trust him. His voice was strong and clear.
“Five thousand dollars. Cash.”
Amid whistles and cries from the crowd, the auctioneer swung his gavel. “Five thousand dollars! Going once, twice, and gone! Young man, you just made some little lady awfully happy.” He looked at Callie Beth, assuming she was the recipient. “Come on up here and claim your prize. You just bought yourself a dinner for two.”
Cutter whooped in victory and turned toward the steps. He was detained by well-wishers and smiling faces. By the time he made it to the stage steps, Callie Beth was beside him.
“Oooh, Cutter, I can’t believe you did that! That is so romantic!” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
“Uh, Callie Beth, I, uh—” He stammered, trying to find a diplomatic way of setting her straight.
The auctioneer urged them forward. “Come on up here, you two, and claim your prize. We still have one more item to go, and then we can all settle back and enjoy some nice gospel music by several of the local churches. A nice close to a very successful Centennial Celebration kick-off!”
In the blur that followed, the crowd gave a hearty round of applause for the evening’s biggest donor, Callie Beth glowed as she stepped onto the stage, Cutter glowered, and Genny plastered on a fake smile. And Pembrook Harris slipped silently from the crowd, his icy blue eyes filled with hate.
Chapter Nine
Genny called herself a hundred kinds of fool.
Breakfast came and went on Monday morning, but Cutter never showed.
The lunch hour passed.
Still no Cutter.
She was tempted to throw out the apple turnovers, right along with the bag of trash she delivered to the dumpster. It would serve him right. She muttered the thought under her breath as she swung the bag with more gusto than required.
Disappointment stung bitter upon her tongue. She was not only disappointed in herself for believing she had a chance with the younger man, but she was sorely disappointed in Cutter; she thought he was better than that. In spite of the many women under his spell, she always thought he treated them with respect. She never categorized Cutter Montgomery as a player.
Not until he kissed her and made promis
es he had no intentions of keeping.
Not until Callie Beth came back in town and reclaimed her spot in his life.
“Doesn’t anyone know how to close a lid?” she continued to grumble. Her temper was on a short leash.
She slapped the cover down over the trash bin. That was when saw the message.
‘Trash, just like you. GB is white trash.’
Genny sucked in a deep breath. The bright pink writing showed up well against the dark background of the dumpster. Judging from the drip marks, the words were written with spray paint, the kind that glowed in the dark.
She darted a guilty look around the secluded parking lot, afraid someone else might have seen. Good. She was alone.
Or was she? The hairs on the back of her neck pricked to attention. Genny quickly threw the lid open once more, so that the words were hidden from sight. With a backward glance over her shoulder, she scurried back to the safety of the café.
Inside was not much better.
“Genny, phone call on line one,” Thelma advised. “And the Health Inspector is here. Someone called in a complaint.”
Genesis moved forward on wooden legs.
This day just kept getting worse.
***
Homecoming Festivities continued that afternoon.
All elementary students were entered in an art contest, assigned to draw their interpretation of something that made their towns special. Junior high and high school were given a similar task, asked to write essays with the same topic.
Prominent citizens around town judged the contests and were broken into two panels. Genny was on the art panel, along with the president of the Naomi State Bank, Juliet jeweler Sharinda Dewberry, and the chief of the local fire department.
“Where is Montgomery?” Barry Redmond barked, noting the vacant chair. “If I could get away from my job as president of the bank, he could surely pull himself from his welding machine!”
“Maybe there was an emergency,” Genny murmured, considering the possibility for the first time.
“I heard sirens,” Sharinda agreed. “Someone said there was a brush fire out on County Road 281.”