Batter Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Book 1) (5 page)

“Hey, Caitlin,” he called out.

She spun around. “Yes.”

“How would your parents feel if I rented out the cottage for the rest of the summer?”

“
Y
ou like him
.” Abby wedged a slice of lime deep into her Corona bottle, watching it splash into her beer. “Admit it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Emma crinkled her nose, grabbed a large blue tortilla chip, and dunked it into the chunky mango salsa. The salt from the chip mixed with the sweet mango soothed her anxiety. She’d nearly eaten the whole bowl by herself.

Abby wiggled her finger. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You thought Jason Levine was just as sexy as I did. You’re not fooling me, dear cousin. It’s why you can’t stop talking about him.”

“Please, that man is a jerk.” Emma wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and reached for her margarita. On the rocks, with salt and just like she liked it. It was Wednesday Happy Hour, and Abby and she had stopped into the Buttermilk Tavern to grab a drink before the Summer Fling auction.

“So, it doesn’t bother you that he’s staying with Caitlin in her parents’ cottage?”

Emma ran her finger along the rim, licking the salt. Her suspicion had been confirmed yesterday, when she came home and saw Jason on the dock. “Not in the slightest.”

What was strange was she hadn’t seen Caitlin’s car in the driveway since Monday. Not that she was paying attention. Okay, maybe she was a little.

Abby grabbed a chip. “Well, maybe she just stops over to be hospitable.”

“Hospitable? That’s a G-rated way to describe it.” Emma shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t care.” She needed to forget about the arrogant reporter hooking up with her high school nemesis and concentrate on the task at hand. Tonight was a big step for her. She’d planned on bidding on a bachelor—that is, if her nerves didn’t get the best of her.

The other problem: Ever since her encounter with Jason on Monday, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. The way her fingers had tingled at just the touch of his hand had not gone unnoticed. As Abby paid for their drinks, Emma stared out the window. Why was he attracted to Caitlin? It couldn’t be her personality. It had to be physical.

It didn’t really matter. This man was trying to expose her. She sighed. Her mom had been certainly right about his sexy dimples and cute butt. She’d give her that.

“You ready?” Abby’s question jolted Emma out of her thoughts.

“More than you know.” She stood and grabbed her purse.

Abby gave Emma’s arm an encouraging squeeze. “You look great. Let’s go get us some flings.”

Emma smiled and peeked at her reflection in the window. She had decided to get dolled up for the auction in skinny jeans, strappy high heels, and a pretty pink satin top. Cascading blond curls fell below her shoulders. It’d been a while since she had made an effort. The male heads that she had turned when they first walked into the bar signaled she’d done well.

They walked the short distance to the Elks Lodge where the Summer Fling was taking place. Earlier in the day, Emma and her mother had delivered a selection of red velvet cupcakes, double fudge brownies, and sugar cookies for the event. If Emma chickened out on bidding, she could always seek solace in the back of the room with one of her yummy cupcakes. Those decadent treats would certainly make her feel better. They had on more than one occasion.

Opening the glass doors, they entered the crowded lobby—all women decked out in cute summer outfits.

Abby laughed. “Step aside, ladies! The Stevens girls have arrived!”

“Abby!” A young brunette Emma didn’t recognize hugged her cousin. “You ready to drop some cash?”

“Yes! I mean it’s for a good cause after all.” She turned to Emma and said in a low voice, “We’ve so got these women beat.”

“Maybe . . .” Emma scanned the line, recognizing many faces from the neighboring affluent town. “They might have larger wallets.”

Abby shook her head. “I don’t care what it costs. I didn’t get a fling last year. It’s not happening again.” She ran her finger across her lips. “So, do you know any of the guys participating tonight?”

“Not sure. I forgot to ask Bridget.”

Abby swatted her on the shoulder. “Emma, you didn’t do your research? Tsk. Tsk. You always do your homework. How are you going to know which guy is your match?”

She laughed. “Abby, I think you’ve forgotten; it’s a summer fling. I doubt any of the men in there are for anything long-term.”

“Tell that to Jessica and Matt.” Abby was referring to the recently engaged couple who were a fling last summer. Such a cute pair. They’d placed their wedding cake order at the Sugar Spoon just last week.

“Well, I don’t even know if I’ll bid on anyone,” Emma said. Maybe she should have had that second margarita to sustain her earlier confidence. They reached the check-in table being manned by Betty from the Star Lite and Bridget.

“Emma! Abby! So glad you’re here.” Betty came over from the other side of the table and hugged them both. “Two of Buttermilk Falls’s prettiest young ladies.”

Emma could smell a little alcohol on Betty’s breath. Someone’s having fun tonight. Good for her. She looked over at her newly married friend whom she hadn’t quite forgiven for bringing the investigative reporter into her life. If Tom appeared tonight, she was going to give him a piece of her mind. “Hey, Bridget.”

Bridget sprung up from the table. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for you two. Here are your nametags and paddles. You’ll raise it high when you want to bid.” She waved a pink heart-shaped paddle in front of them. “I hope you brought your wallets.”

Emma smiled, rubbing her fingers over the pink, glittered paddle. “I don’t know if I’m going to participate.” She started to hand her paddle back, but Abby intercepted.

“She’s been saying that all night. Let’s go. Our flings are waiting for us.”

Her cousin pushed her into the lodge’s main room where a mixture of strong floral perfume nearly knocked Emma unconscious. The women from the lobby were quickly gathering inside and taking their seats. Squeals and laughter came from all directions.

Emma glanced around. The room itself was spacious with deep wood paneling. Along the wall were various award plates and ceremony pictures. She thought back to the many summers spent in this lodge with her mom and grandparents for pancake breakfast fundraisers or Friday night Fish Fry. She missed those times. Maybe she and her mother could come here for dinner one Friday night this summer. That might be nice.

She scanned the front of the room. A small black stage and podium had been set up where each bachelor would strut his stuff for a few minutes while the bidding took place. Emma suspected Betty would take on the role of auctioneer. At least, she did last year. The well-liked waitress adored the spotlight. With her high-pitched voice and fast rambling, she was pretty good at it, too.

Abby tapped Emma with her paddle and nodded to the entrance. “Well, look who decided to join us.”

Emma turned to see Caitlin and Jason strolling through the hall to two empty seats in the front row. “Why would they come here?” Emma croaked, watching as Jason took a seat and draped his arm around her high school rival’s chair.

Abby smirked. “You’re jealous. I knew you liked him.”

“No, I’m not.” Emma gripped her paddle, wishing she could practice her backhand with Caitlin’s head as the ball.

Emma turned, motioning for Abby to take two empty seats toward the back. “For the last time, I am not interested in Jason Levine.” She picked up her program off the chair, sat down, and crossed her legs. “I think they’re perfect for each other.”

Abby took her seat. “You can’t be serious?”

“Totally.” Emma nodded. “Queen Stuck Up and Snooty Reporter. I bet they have a lot in common.” She looked down and studied the program, pretending what was going on in the front row didn’t bother her in the slightest. The program’s fine print blurred on the page as her stomach twisted in a tight knot. Was it too late to sneak out the back door? The last thing she wanted was to spend the next two hours watching two people she despised fawning all over each other.

While Betty took the stage to welcome bidders and explain the rules, Emma couldn’t pry her eyes off of Jason’s back. He seemed to be having fun, joking with the bachelors lined up on stage and laughing with Caitlin.

She spotted an iPad on his lap. This couldn’t possibly be research for his story. Why did he find the goings-on of this town so fascinating? She sighed. He’d probably try to pin the outcome of tonight on her. She’d bewitched the bachelors, making them more appealing to the women so they’d bid against each other or something ridiculous. Perhaps she should hang low for the next hour and then dash out during intermission before he saw her.

Without warning, Jason turned around. His eyes locked immediately with hers, as if they were the only two in the room. His lips instantly curled up into a sexy smile. Her heart began to gallop and she broke contact, concentrating on her glittery pink paddle on her lap.

Remember, Emma. He’s the enemy.
God, she hated to admit it, but if he shot her another glance like that, she’d consider surrendering.

The first hour flew by with dozens of men parading on stage while single ladies fought over them. Within the first twenty minutes, Abby managed to snag a young veterinarian working at the animal shelter for the summer. With his short blond hair and square jaw, he was certainly handsome, and completely her cousin’s type. It didn’t hurt that he had brought a cute cocker spaniel puppy up onto the stage. Abby was a sucker for animals, which was a good thing since she’d be donating a nice sum to the animal shelter for her fling with the cute vet. Emma suspected her cousin would ask her if she could pick up some extra shifts to pay for her bid.

Betty announced a ten-minute intermission and Emma stood. While Abby went to the front of the room to introduce herself to her fling, Carter Manning, Emma headed to the back dessert table and grabbed a cupcake. Leaning against the wood panel, she pulled the silver wrapper down and took a bite. She closed her eyes, enjoying the delicious treat. Her mother always knocked these red velvet cupcakes out of the park. Pure bliss.

“Quick. Tell me who I’m going to marry?”

Her eye lids flew open. Jason stood in front of her, grinning from ear to ear.

“You’re going to die alone.” She took another bite. “Miserable and alone.”

“Ouch.”

She shrugged. “You asked.”

He reached over and grabbed two sugar cookies, his arm brushing hers. “Maybe these are a safer bet than your cupcakes.”

She turned away. “Don’t count on it.”

He smirked and walked back to his seat. Emma watched him, biting her lower lip. God, even his stride was sexy. What was it about this man that turned her on? Clearly, he was a first-class jerk. Although, Bridget had been quick to say the other day that he was a nice guy.

Emma stared as he handed Caitlin a cookie. They were again smiling and laughing. How could he possibly have such a good time with someone so shallow? Emma brooded and finished her cupcake. One more hour and she’d hightail it out of there, with or without Abby.

“All right, everyone, let’s get started!” Betty boomed into the microphone. “Ladies, we’ve got plenty more bachelors to make your summer flings.”

Emma crinkled up her cupcake foil and napkin, tossed both in a nearby garbage can, and took her seat. She shook her head as she gazed at the front row. If Jason and Caitlin were having such a good time together, why didn’t they just go get a room already? She mentally smacked herself upside the head. Why did she even care?

Forty minutes later, Abby nudged her in the rib. “You need to get that paddle ready. There are only two more guys left. You’re bidding on one.”

Emma twisted the paddle in her hand. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t be waving it. As the evening went on, none of the guys on stage did it for her. Sure, there had been some cute ones in the bunch, but she’d either known them since she was in elementary school or they were the guys that frequented her bakery on Monday nights, hoping she’d draw their names out of her hat. Her special someone wasn’t among these men. Not by a long shot.

She studied the program. The last two bachelors were definitely not for her. She’d be happy to write a check to the animal shelter for a couple of hundred dollars to support their efforts, but she was simply not going to spend her summer with a truck driver named Bud or Evan, the botanist. What would they talk about? She knew nothing about trucks or plant life.

She looked over at her cousin. “I’m sorry, Abs.”

“You’re not going to bid, are you?”

“I don’t think so.” Emma turned over the pink paddle in her lap, running her finger over the glitter. “Not this year.”

Abby winced. “Who are my fling and I going to double date with now?”

Once the final two men had flings, the women stood and began to clap for all the bachelors who had lined up on stage for a round of applause. Betty led the hooting and hollering, but suddenly jumped off stage. With everyone standing, Emma couldn’t see what was going on up front. She hoped the old woman was okay and glanced around to see if there were any paramedics nearby.

In seconds, Betty returned to the podium and took the microphone. “Okay, ladies. Take a seat. I’ve got a special treat. We’ve got one last-minute bachelor entry for the night.”

Abby sat down and tugged on Emma’s arm, pulling her into her seat. “It’s a sign! You
have
to bid on this guy, whoever he is. ”

Betty held her microphone up to her lips. “Let’s hear it for our last bachelor and latest visitor to Buttermilk Falls, Jason Levine.”

Emma’s jaw dropped.

“Dammit,” Abby cried, loud enough for the women around them to hear. “I mean, damn hot pick. Go get him, girls!” She leaned in and whispered to Emma, “I would have paid double for that one.”

Emma watched as Jason hopped onto the stage. In his blue buttoned-down shirt, jeans, and loafers, he definitely was rocking a handsome preppy look. Would Caitlin be sporting the same shirt tomorrow morning? She cringed at the thought.

“One hundred!” A young elementary school teacher in front of Emma and Abby screamed before Betty had even started the bidding.

Abby grabbed Emma’s hand and hoisted it up. “Two hundred!” She yelled.