* * *
In between customers that day,Josh rearranged the appointments for the following week, making Wednesday as light as possible for Seth. Then, once the day at the garage was over, he had a lightning quick shower and dressed for his evening responsibilities as Catie’s bartender at the bachelor auction.
Even though he wanted nothing to do with the event, he was impressed with what she’d pulled together. This would be the biggest charity fundraising weekend Pine Harbour had ever seen, he was sure of it.
And they wouldn’t miss him not being on the stage.
Olivia Minelli found him as soon as the school gymnasium doors opened. “Hey there, Mr. Bartender.”
“What can I get you?”
“One lemonade and one light beer, please. January told me you’re looking for a travel agent who can find you a last-minute flight.”
He grabbed her drinks. “Yeah. At this point, I’m considering driving to the airport tomorrow and begging for a standby seat.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I’m pretty sure Isla knows someone who can get you a flight.” A line started to form behind her. “I’ll find you later.”
He lifted his voice as she left. “Thanks!”
Business was steady after that, even after the auction began.
“Our first bachelor tonight is Pine Harbour’s own Bailey Patel,” Catie said, flashing a megawatt smile from her MC podium on one side of the stage. “Bailey is a businesswoman who loves a new challenge, and a soccer player—”
Josh let out a whoop for his sometimes teammate, along with a few of their other friends.
Catie waited for the cheering to die down. “Her favourite food is her mother’s biryani, and she loves animals. This year, she’s going to take her winning date on an after hours midnight prowl through Pine Harbour’s favourite businesses. Break intoBake Sale!and raid the cupcake icing. Bust into Pine Harbour Brewery and steal a six-pack of their wheat beer. And end the night by sneaking onto the dock at Howe’s Marina and watching for shooting stars. Leashed pets are welcome on this date. Let’s start the bidding for Bailey at five hundred dollars.”
There was a fast bid from someone on the soccer team, and then it was immediately one-upped by the local vet.
“I hear six hundred, do I have six-fifty? Six-fifty to the young man in the County Country t-shirt. Do I have seven hundred? Seven hundred to the good animal doctor, thank you. Seven-fifty…”
A few people hopped in on the bidding, but the vet prevailed, and a night of hijinks with Bailey was secured for fifteen hundred dollars.
An exceptional start to the night.
Josh didn’t pay attention to most of the other bachelors. He focused on serving beer, and keeping an eye on Olivia Minelli, who hadn’t come back yet.
He’d track her down if need be.
Or just go to Toronto. Hell, he could drive across the border and catch a flight out of Detroit if that was easier.
“All right folks, we have one more auction to get through, and then we’ll bid you all a good night. As a reminder, if you have won any of the auctions already, please see the cashier before you leave for the night, or our trusty enforcer will visit you tomorrow to collect payment.”
That was Will, who gave everyone a menacing look, which would probably be more fearsome if he weren’t wearing a polo shirt and khakis.
Josh rolled his eyes.
“Our final bachelor of the night is…unavailable to walk the runway. But to represent Pine Harbour’s favourite mechanic, we have a stand-in. Please welcome Isla Petersen, the owner-operator ofBake Sale!”
The crowd broke out in delighted shouts as his sister-in-law strutted onto the stage in grease-marked jeans and a faded t-shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal her biceps—which were also streaked with grease. She waved a wrench at the crowd.
Josh almost dropped the can of beer in his hands.
Slowly, he set it down and gripped the edge of the counter.
He was going to kill them.
Isla reached where her sister-in-law was standing at the podium and gave a final, exaggerated flex. Catie turned to the index card in her hand. “Josh Kincaid is a thirty-four-year-old married man who likes to restore muscle cars, play soccer, find hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and sleep in late. His idea of a hot date starts with an oil change and ends with a lube and filter check. The winner of this auction gets a year of free engine maintenance—if you know what I mean, ladies—”
