Casey grabbed Dina’s arm and had to stop her from chasing Melanie. “It’s okay, Dina,” she gently assured her. “We already hit her where it counts.”
Dina attempted to compose herself, but she still had an unpredictable look of hostility in her eyes.
“Come on,” Casey announced. “The bachelor auction is about to start, and we don’t want to miss it.”
Chapter Twenty-five
The bleachers in front of the stage were nearly packed for the bachelor auction. There were a lot of locals but also some visitors who just wanted to catch a peek at an authentic bachelor auction. It was actually the town’s way of balancing out the sexism surrounding the kissing booth. Now it was the women’s turn to objectify the men in town. Truth be told, the women enjoyed the bachelor auction possibly more than the men enjoyed the kissing booth. Most times, women bid on the guys just so they could watch neighborhood men clean their houses. Casey and Dina found a spot off to the side near a tree, while the guys had already secured their spot in the bleachers. Wiley took his position at the podium off to the side of the stage and looked at the large crowd with a pleased smile.
“Good afternoon, Darwood Falls.”
“Afternoon, Wiley!” the crowd yelled back.
“Oh, I can feel the love here this afternoon,” Wiley announced with a chuckle. “We’re about to start our annual bachelor auction. This year we have some fine new additions, and of course, the old favorites. Our first bachelor is new to Darwood Falls. Let’s have Diesel Mann on stage.”
Vaughn, Tucker, and Mitchell suddenly exchanged looks from where they sat near the stage. Diesel jumped up from his seat while dumping his food onto Ruger’s lap, made his way from the bleachers, and jogged onto stage. Wiley eyed Diesel and possibly thought the same thing as every other man in town. There was a soft murmur from the crowd, particularly from the women, to the brawny newcomer.
“Diesel is a thirty-six-year-old ex-Marine. He enjoys working out and--” Wiley hesitated then read from the index card, “--good food.” Wiley grinned and looked back at the crowd. “Should we start the bidding off at one hundred dollars?”
Diesel removed his shirt and tossed it across stage. His massively toned chest, muscular shoulders, and six-pack abs were revealed to the crowd. There was a round of gasps from the women. Numbers began flying up in every corner.
Vaughn shut his eyes and groaned softly. “I’m going to pretend I’m not here.”
“Huh, Jeannie’s even bidding on him,” Tucker remarked.
Vaughn suddenly looked up with surprise. “That better be her money.”
Wiley was having a tough time keeping up with the bids as the numbers flashed from around the bleachers. Casey and Dina looked at each other and exchanged smiles as Diesel flexed his muscles in every thinkable way. He was enjoying the attention, which was evident from the grin on his face. The bidding continued to climb as the female chatter rose. Ruger casually ate popcorn and appeared disinterested in the spectacle. Vaughn had his hand over his eyes and no longer watched.
“Two thousand twenty dollars--going once, twice, sold to the lovely Jeannie,” Wiley cheerfully announced.
Vaughn suddenly looked up with horror on his face. “What? No, no, no.”
Tucker and Mitchell laughed at Sheriff Holt’s reaction to Jeannie bidding on Diesel with his money. Jeannie jumped up and down excitedly. Vaughn collapsed into his seat and groaned lowly. Diesel left the stage with a pleased smile and met Jeannie at the payment table off to the side of the stage. Casey and Dina excitedly cheered him on. The next few guys went for the usual purchase of a couple hundred dollars.
“Next up, we have a former resident returned home,” Wiley said cheerfully. “Let’s hear it for Grey Remington.”
Grey trotted onto stage, smiled with some embarrassment, and waved. He was obviously self-conscious having to follow Diesel’s performance. The crowd happily cheered to him.
“Grey is co-owner of our antique shop due to reopen this summer,” Wiley announced. “Many of you probably remember him for his famous streak at the church picnic.”
Grey smiled at Wiley, raised his brows, and pointed at him while laughing. In Grey’s defense, he was only fourteen at the time and did it on a dare. The crowd was getting into Wiley’s storytelling about the bachelors.
“We’ll start the bidding at one hundred dollars,” Wiley announced. “Do I hear one hundred?”
A few numbers raised. Despite Grey’s non-impressive physic, it was obvious he was more popular than first imagined. Everyone knew about the murder of their parents and possibly wanted to get to know him a little better now because of the mystery surrounding his departure. Wiley continued with the bidding on Grey.
Dina finally raised her number. “Five hundred.”
There was a round of gasps from the crowd. All eyes were now on Dina standing with Casey by the tree. Grey looked at Dina, smiled warmly, and blew her a kiss.
“We have five hundred. Do I hear five hundred and ten?” Wiley banged the gavel and grinned. “Sold to our lovely kissing queen, Dina.”
Dina grinned at Casey, who handed her the money. Dina took the money and hurried to the desk near the stage. Grey met her there, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.
Wiley watched them kiss then laughed. “Well, folks, I don’t think Grey will be a bachelor much longer.”
Grey and Dina left the payment desk and joined Casey by the tree. Ruger also joined them with Diesel’s box full of food.
Grey looked around and appeared curious. “Where’s Diesel?”
“I haven’t seen him since he went off with the lady who bid on him,” Ruger replied.
Several bachelors went up for auction. During bidding on the fifth bachelor, faint female moans were heard. Several people in the crowd looked around to the sound. As the bidding continued, the moaning turned to cries of ecstasy. Wiley continued the bidding but was obviously distracted and now looked around as well. Vaughn and Tucker were alerted to the sound, left their seats, and searched the area for the source. A loud banging came from the nearby, closed ticket booth followed by a loud scream.
“Oh, God--yes!” came Jeannie’s voice.
The sound suddenly stopped. Vaughn approached the closed ticket booth and was about to open the door when Diesel casually walked out. He eyed Vaughn with little emotion.
“What’s up, bro?” Diesel announced.
Diesel walked past as Jeannie appeared from the ticket booth looking worn-out and rumpled. She attempted to fix her hair and looked at Vaughn with some embarrassment. She gently cleared her throat and scurried past him.
“Sheriff--”
Half the town saw their departure and stared after them with astonishment.
Wiley’s mouth hung open. He gently cleared his throat and attempted a smile. “I’d like to reiterate that the bachelor auction in no way promotes prostitution,” he announced and received several knowing chuckles.
Diesel approached Casey and the others by the tree. All four stared at him with shocked looks.
“What the hell was that?” Ruger suddenly demanded.
Diesel took his food from Ruger and gave him an irritated look. “What? She got her money’s worth.”
“You weren’t supposed to service the winner,” Ruger lashed out. “It’s not that kind of transaction.”
“Oh? No one told me that,” Diesel remarked casually. “Well, she was happy with the transaction.”
All four rolled their eyes and groaned. Sometimes Diesel was unbelievable. That it didn’t bother him was the most disturbing part. The bachelor auction continued. After Mitchell went for the standard couple hundred, Tucker was finally up for bid. The bidding started at the usual one hundred dollars and rapidly escalated. Young women bid on him with fury. His popularity hadn’t waned any in the last two years. Melanie was unusually silent. It was obvious that ship had sailed a long time ago.
“We have five hundred forty--sold for five hundred and forty to Mrs. Ridgeway,” Wi
ley announced.
The mayor laughed and patted his wife’s leg. She seemed proud of her purchase. Tucker waved to the crowd and headed for the payment table to meet Abby. Wiley consulted his sheet and grinned with pleasure.
“And last up is our fine sheriff,” Wiley announced cheerfully. “Let’s hear it for Sheriff Vaughn Holt.”
The crowd cheered for him. Vaughn reluctantly walked onto stage and stood tough. His discomfort was obvious but unfounded. Who wouldn’t bid on the sheriff?
“For those of you who are unfamiliar with our sheriff’s early years as a deputy; he was the only deputy to successfully get Mrs. Wilson’s cat out of the tree,” Wiley informed them. “He was also the first deputy to fire his weapon while responding to a call.” Wiley grinned. “Unfortunately for Mrs. Wilson’s cat, they were both on the same call.”
The crowd laughed along with Wiley. Vaughn groaned, lowered his head, and covered his eyes.
“The cat was fine,” Wiley assured them. “Although his tail was a bit shorter.”
Vaughn was severely embarrassed and attempted to leave stage. Tucker and Mitchell grinned as each grabbed an arm and escorted him back onto the stage. The crowd laughed and applauded.
“Our sheriff is just a bit bashful, ladies,” Wiley informed them. “So let’s make him feel better and start the bidding at two hundred dollars. Two hundred for the most important position in town, if I may say so.”
Melanie grinned slyly and bid on Vaughn. Vaughn immediately frowned. Abby playfully bid against Melanie, allowing the price to escalate for their amusement. The two women smirked and played along for a few minutes.
“We have three hundred. Do I hear three twenty for our sheriff, who can shoot the tail off a cat at fifty yards?” Wiley announced.
Abby finally stopped bidding, allowing Melanie to claim victory.
“Three twenty?” Wiley again announced.
There was silence from the crowd.
Casey casually raised her number. “Four hundred.”
All eyes suddenly shifted to Casey, who didn’t react. Vaughn stared at her with some surprise.
Melanie appeared flustered and immediately held up her number. “Four fifty.”
“Five hundred,” Casey said without hesitation.
Melanie fidgeted and appeared to consider her response. “Six hundred,” she finally called out.
There was silence again. Several stares were now on Casey, who still showed no emotion while casually leaning against her tree.
“Do I hear--” Wiley began.
“One thousand,” Casey interrupted without batting a lash.
The crowd suddenly gasped. Wiley was equally surprised, although no one was as stunned as Vaughn was. Melanie was momentarily paralyzed by the large amount. She looked desperate.
“Any more bids?”
“Fifteen hundred,” Abby announced, breaking the silence and invoking loud murmurs.
Melanie appeared relieved and smiled gratefully at her mother.
Casey casually folded her arms across her chest while leaning against the tree. She showed no reaction then responded, “Two thousand.”
The crowd continued to gasp and looked back at Abby, who appeared tense. Diesel, Grey, and Ruger casually ate popcorn and appeared disinterested.
“Twenty-five hundred,” Abby finally called out, her voice crackling.
Melanie excitedly clung to her mother’s arm. The mayor just stared at his wife with a stunned look. All eyes were again on Casey, including Wiley. Casey casually held up her hand showing five fingers.
Wiley appeared shocked. “Five thousand?”
Casey gave him a thumbs up along with a tiny grin. The crowd gasped and looked at Abby. The mayor suddenly jumped on his wife and held her down.
“Five thousand going once, twice, sold to our town darling, Casey,” Wiley announced cheerfully while laughing.
Vaughn appeared stunned and stared at Casey with his hand propped on his gun belt. The crowd clapped and cheered. Casey stole some popcorn from Diesel, flashed a smile, and headed to the payment table near the stage. Vaughn crossed the stage, hurried down the steps, and met her by the table.
“What the hell was that?” Vaughn demanded.
She didn’t bother looking at him, but she knew his look was priceless. “Payback for all the crap you’ve put me through,” Casey teased while smirking.
“You do realize you’re buying a worker not the law,” he informed her firmly.
“I have a college degree,” she said matter-of-fact. “I think I know how these things work.” Casey wrote out a check and glanced at him. “You know, I just saved you from a fate worse than Melanie--her cougar mother. Try kissing my ass a little.”
Casey paid the elderly woman, June, at the table and turned to Vaughn with a smile. “By the terms of the auction, you’re mine from seven to three tomorrow,” she said with a look of humor on her face. “Be at my house dressed to work. It’s going to be a very long day. Like ‘boot camp’ long.”
She flashed a smile, cheerfully patted him on the chest, and walked away.
Vaughn shook his head and watched her leave. “How can something so small make my life so miserable?”
“Nothing a good, sturdy romp won’t cure,” June informed him from where she sat behind the payment table.
Vaughn slowly turned his head and looked at June behind the table. She smiled and seductively waved the check.
“And for five thousand dollars, you should be flattered,” the elderly woman continued. “Why I remember giving blowjobs to boys behind the stage for cotton candy.”
Vaughn stared at June with surprise, shook his head, and walked away.
June called after him, “I still like cotton candy, Sheriff!”
Chapter Twenty-six
The crowd had returned to the stage area for the evening talent show. They were packed into the bleachers and sat on lawn chairs and blankets on the grass in an endless sea of spectators. The talent show was a huge draw for locals and visitors alike. Men and women from neighboring towns also participated in the show. It was open to anyone. Vaughn patrolled the area with some of the hired security. With that many people, things could get out of hand quickly, and it was their job to keep everyone safe throughout the show. Contestants showed off their singing talents, dancing skills, and various other talents. A comedian performed and had the crowd laughing so hard some were in tears. A magician attempted to pull off some amazing magic acts but failed miserably. His jovial commentary entertained the crowd, and no one knew it wasn’t part of the act. There were several singing acts that drew applause from the crowd. One women’s slinky attire may have had something to do with the tremendous applause she received.
Dina was up next with her singing and dancing routine. She wore a top hat, tuxedo style jacket with a white, low-cut top, and a short, black skirt while tap dancing and singing to “Putting on the Ritz”. The crowd applauded for her. Most would believe she had taken years of tap dance lessons, but she was actually self-taught. As Dina exited from behind stage, Sheriff Holt approached her. She eyed him and grinned.
“No autographs, please,” she teased.
“I caught your performance. You were great, Dina,” he replied but obviously had another motive for stopping her short of the locker rooms. “Have you seen Ruger or Diesel?”
“They’re with Casey,” Dina casually informed him. “I guess she’s having last minute performance jitters. I have to change before Casey’s performance. Why don’t you find a good spot and enjoy the show?”
“Yeah, I think I’ll patrol, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Have it your way,” Dina announced then muttered. “You usually do.”
Dina hurried toward the women’s locker room. Melanie was up next and performed her tap-dance routine in an extremely short dress and low-cut top. She looked fantastic on stage and her routine was flawless with amazing dance moves that would put even the professionals to shame. The crowd went wild over her amazing ro
utine. She appeared pleased with herself and the wild applause she received. Another woman performed a gymnastic routine for the crowd. Her routine was then followed by another magic act that was better than the first. There were more singers who performed. Most did well, although one was cringe worthy. Wiley appeared on stage after the last act left and applauded the young woman.
“Wasn’t she terrific?” he announced. The crowd applauded mechanically, but it was obvious her performance wasn’t very good. “Now, for our last performance of the evening, we have a last minute addition,” Wiley announced cheerfully and looked at his cue card. “We have ‘Casey and Company’ in a non-specified dance routine. Let’s hear it for ‘Casey and Company’.”
The audience applauded along with Wiley, who hurried offstage. Melanie, still dressed from her performance, slipped into a seat alongside her mother and father and maintained a devious grin. Dina rushed back to the stage area and squeezed in where she could. Vaughn paused alongside one of the nearby trees, casually leaned against it, and watched the stage. He failed at looking casually disinterested. The stage curtains opened to reveal Casey in a low-cut, sequin dress with tassels just covering her thighs and sequin heels. The scar on her left thigh was clearly visible even through her stockings. She stood facing Ruger, who wore dress pants and a flashy vest. Diesel casually leaned against the stage in what appeared to be an old-fashioned gangster’s zoot suit complete with hat and shoes. "Land of 1000 Dancers" began to play. Ruger and Casey started dancing Latin Jive to the music without missing a beat. They were amazing! Ruger spun Casey around in his arms as she danced wildly and seductively around him. They continued with an amazingly choreographed routine in a fast tempo. Casey flipped backwards over Ruger’s arm several times, and he spun her around his body with speed and grace. The audience appeared stunned. Melanie stared at their flawless dance routine with her mouth hanging open. Abby shared the same look of horror and clung to Melanie’s hand. Vaughn also watched with surprise and uncertainly straightened.
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