by Jill Lynn
He waited, not above pleading, until Ivy gave a slight nod. Yes.
Finn took a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet. Surely bidding wouldn’t reach that amount. He handed it to Lola.
Ivy snorted. “You’re crazy, Finn Brightwood. Here—” She held out her hand. “Let me hold it, Lo. I’ll keep track of it.”
Lola’s fist tightened around the money, but the I-don’t-think-so mom look Ivy shot her had her reluctantly forking it over.
“I want to hold the paddle first.” Sage lunged for it, then Reese. It slipped from Finn’s grip and the triplets engaged in a tug-of-war when Lola joined in.
“Hold on, hold on.” Finn snagged it back from them. Ivy would never forgive him if the girls threw down in a crowd like this. And he’d been foolish not to check who was first today. “This works just like everything else. Whose day is it?”
“Mine!” Reese raised her hand.
“Okay, Reese, you’re first. Who’s next?”
“Me.” Lola tossed Sage a sassy, victorious glance, her little arms crossing over her stylish yellow shirt. She looked like a model for a children’s store, with her cuffed jeans and ankle boots.
“You don’t have to be so mean about it,” Sage huffed.
They knew the rules, so while they might not be happy about it, no one argued. “God bless Ivy for coming up with the rotating order.”
She laughed. “You’re welcome. Girls—” her attention switched to them “—there are some games and coloring pages over in the kids’ corner. Go check it out.”
They scooted across the room, dodging between adults.
“I’m up next. I should go up there.”
Ivy’s teeth pressed into her lip.
“What?”
“It’s just...you haven’t been in town that long. I didn’t realize you’d dated anyone.” Was she jealous? What Finn wouldn’t give to find out.
“It was...recent. But only one date. It was nothing, really.”
“I thought you said you weren’t dating anyone because of what happened in North Dakota. I didn’t realize... It’s none of my business anyway. Never mind.”
I’d be just fine if it was your business, but I can’t do that. Not after he’d watched her celebrate her independence. Not after the stories she’d told him about Lee.
Her hand snaked up and tucked back a piece of her hair. She looked so pretty—always did. But he never told her so because of all the reasons not to.
“You look beautiful tonight, Ivy.”
Surprise registered. “Thank you.”
I’ve changed my mind about our previous discussion. No. It would be selfish of him to have that conversation. She had to be close to deciding whether she and the girls were going to stay in Westbend or continue on to California. Hadn’t she told him over and over again how she’d lost herself in her marriage? He couldn’t attempt to influence her. He just couldn’t. And that was if she’d even consider dating him an option. She’d said no in their previous discussion.
“Sounds like the bidding is done. I’d better go.” He tore himself away from her while wondering if he’d have to do the same next week...for good.
* * *
If Ivy didn’t have money from Finn burning a hole in her pocket and the way he’d pleaded for rescue playing on repeat in her mind, she wouldn’t be watching him stand on the auction platform at all.
She simply couldn’t have endured witnessing another woman bidding on him, winning time with him. Couldn’t have handled the thought of him almost kissing—or actually kissing—someone else. Somewhere along the way, she’d lost a chunk of her heart to Finn Brightwood. Unwise? Sure. But it had happened, nonetheless.
The question was, what was she going to do about it?
At the moment? Nothing.
She had other things to concentrate on, and figuring out the next step for her and the girls was higher on her priority list than dissecting her feelings for Finn.
The bidding started, and of course numerous women raised their paddles. Including one who looked like a teapot ready to steam.
She must be the woman he was avoiding. Why? Based on her looks, Ivy would say they were a match or at least in the same league. Who knew why Finn had gone out with her or why he didn’t want to again?
Not your business, Ivy Darling. And yet, he somehow felt like hers.
Finn coughed, then shot her a panicked look.
She’d forgotten to have the girls bid. She raced over to the kids’ corner and grabbed Reese, plunking her feet onto a chair.
“Going once,” Ryker called out.
Ivy helped Reese lift the paddle into the air.
“Going twice—oh, wait, we have a new bidder. She looks like a demanding one, Finn. You’re going to have your hands full.”
The crowd laughed.
The other woman bid again.
Ivy quickly pulled up another chair, situating Sage and Lola on it. She put the paddle in Lola’s hand and helped her wave it when Ryker checked for their next bid. She should have had the girls prepared to bid instead of being lost in her own thoughts.
They went back and forth a few times. After Lola lifted the paddle again at Ivy’s nudging, the other woman paused. Ivy’s pulse roared in her ears. They were almost to the limit of the money Finn had given her.
The bidding continued and hit the hundred-dollar mark. Only Finn. No one else’s bids had gone so high. Of course his would.
Whistles and applause came from the crowd. The bid was back to Ivy and the girls. She would have to break the barrier and go over the amount allotted, or they would lose Finn.
She motioned for Sage to raise the paddle. Keeping her fingers firmly lodged in her mouth, Sage used her other hand to bid. The crowd cheered. Some people teased the girls, encouraging them. Ivy didn’t look away from Finn. She couldn’t. Their gazes were fused to one another. The chatter of the room faded, and she only saw him. The questions vibrating from the marrow of her bones were reflected on his features. Why? She lifted one shoulder in answer because she couldn’t give him more. Couldn’t tell him that she wasn’t sure she’d survive seeing him with another woman. How could she admit that when she was still torn over leaving or staying?
“Going once, going twice... Sold to the trio in the back!” Ryker called. The girls figured out they’d won and threw their arms in the air, engaging in their favorite celebration dance. Lola got knocked from the chair she was sharing with Sage just as Finn threaded through the crowd and reached them. He caught her midfall.
“You okay?” He set her on her feet.
“We won, Mista Finn. We won.” Lola paused to peer up at him. “What did we win?”
“Me.”
Her hands landed on her hips. “But we didn’t need to win you. We already have you.”
“That you do, Lola.” Finn ruffled her hair, his focus on Ivy, much like it had been when she’d upped the bidding beyond the money he’d given her. “That you do.”
* * *
Finn spent the remainder of the auction receiving congratulations and being teased about keeping up with the three girls who’d won his time and attention. At the end of the auction, Charlie thanked everyone for their donations and for celebrating the opening of the café.
Ryker stole the microphone from her. “I’d also like to celebrate this amazing woman who’s now opened a second business in Westbend.”
Whoops and cheers sounded.
“If you know Charlie, you know she’s not frivolous, she cares deeply for everyone around her, and she is nothing if not practical. She once told me she wouldn’t wear a wedding ring as a mechanic.” A gasp threaded through the room. “So I’ve come up with a different solution.” Ryker held up a photo of a ring tattoo. From Finn’s place at the back of the room, he couldn’t see the detail, but Charlie’s hand snaked up to cover her mouth.
“Got it designed just for you.” Everyone collectively strained to hear as the microphone slacked in Ryker’s grip. “Charlotte Joy Brightwood, will you marry me?”
Her head began bobbing before her “Yes!” caused a roar of approval to sweep the room. Charlie crashed into Ryker, and he spun her around in a circle before depositing her feet back on the floor.
After that there was kissing. Finn wrinkled his nose. He could be happy for them, but he still didn’t need to witness his sister locking lips.
It took him about fifteen minutes to make it up to the front to offer Charlie and Ryker congratulations since so many were doing the same.
He hugged Charlie. “Congratulations, sis.”
“Thank you!” Her smile was huge. “Did you see it?” She shoved the picture at him. The design was intricate, made to mimic a wedding band, and it definitely fit her sense of logic in not wearing a ring while working on cars. So very Charlie. And well done of Ryker to know her that well.
“It’s great. Very unique.”
“Isn’t it? I would never have thought of the idea, but I love it.” Her happy sigh spoke volumes.
Finn shook Ryker’s hand, slapping him on the back in congratulations. “Now I definitely didn’t show you up with some grocery store flowers.”
Ryker laughed. “Sorry I didn’t tell you. I did talk to your dad. I’m guessing he kept it from you?”
“He sure did.”
“I wasn’t sure you could keep anything from your sister, so that was probably for the best.”
It was true—he and Charlie were close. And that rift that North Dakota had placed between them had begun to heal when he’d had lunch with Charlie after church on Sunday and finally opened up about what had happened while he was there.
If Ivy could process her much harder scenario so well, Finn had determined to do the same. To be as strong as her.
His first step had been to share with his sister about what had gone on with Chrissa. She’d been understanding, of course. What else had he expected? And then she’d encouraged him to stay open and trust God for healing in all of it.
They’d moved on to other topics of conversation as if what he’d been through was normal, as if he was normal and hadn’t failed miserably at saving Chrissa.
It had been restorative for him.
More people came by to congratulate Ryker and Charlie, so Finn got out of the way. He could talk to them later.
It was seven o’clock. Things had gone smoothly, and now people were filtering out of the café. He found Ivy, Kaia and George bustling around, sorting dirty dishes and tossing paper products. Wiping down counters. Sweeping floors in the areas that had emptied.
In order to be a help, Finn grabbed items as he made his way to the counter and past Ivy, depositing them in the dish bin.
“So,” he asked her, “what do you plan to do with me now that you’ve won me?”
“I didn’t win you, actually.”
Charlie appeared, setting the clipboard and information from the winning bidders on the counter. “It’s true. Technically the triplets won you.” She pointed to the list. “Says their names right here.”
Ivy checked her watch. “The way I see it, we have an hour or less of cleanup here.”
Charlie nodded in agreement when Ivy glanced at her for confirmation.
“It’s seven, which means the girls aren’t at their bedtime yet. Which means you can take them out for ice cream.” Ivy beamed. No doubt the idea had taken root the minute he forced the girls—and her—into bidding on him. She’d likely been waiting impatiently since they’d won, for the opportunity to deliver her verdict.
Charlie hooted. “You earned yourself a babysitting gig, Finn.”
His stomach dropped to his boots. He wanted time with Ivy, too, but he couldn’t exactly say that, could he?
“All right. Ice cream it is. Want me to help clean up? Or take them now?”
Ivy softened. “Actually, taking them now would be more helpful than cleaning up. That way they’re entertained. And then you can cross your duty off your list. Especially since you gave us the money to bid on you.”
“All the more reason that I owe you one. You saved me.” Charlie was saying goodbye to a few remaining people, so Finn broached the question on his mind. “Why did you up the bid?”
“Why did you need saving?”
She deserved an answer, especially after their we-can’t-date conversation, so he gave her what he could.
“Because I’m an idiot.”
Her mouth curved reluctantly at that. It wasn’t enough to explain himself, but it was all he had to give.
“I upped it because it was a good cause...and because it seemed you needed us for some reason.”
“I did.” I do. “Well, thank you.”
She gave a hesitant nod. “You’re welcome.”
“Do you want me to bring the girls back to the bunkhouse after? I can have them start their bedtime routine so they’re at least partially ready when you get there.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I did make you bid on me when you didn’t want to be involved.”
“True.” She shrugged as if accepting. “That would be amazing, actually. Lina put their car seats in my car. It’s unlocked.”
“Done. I’ll text you when we’re headed home.” Home. That made it sound like they were together when of course they weren’t. But what if they could be in the future?
Only Ivy could answer that. Only she could tell him if she planned to stay in Westbend or not. And tonight, when she came back to the ranch, maybe he’d scrounge up the nerve to ask her.
And maybe he’d survive her answer, too.
Chapter Fourteen
George and Kaia had walked out to their vehicles together, leaving Charlie and Ivy in the now quiet space. There wasn’t much left to do. Just restock for tomorrow, since the café would be officially open, turn down the lights and lock up.
Would anyone show up? Would they be slammed or slow? Would Ivy know how to run everything? And how would Kaia do on her first shift? She’d been great tonight—attentive and hardworking but on the quiet side. George, on the other hand, was an outgoing personality, talkative, friendly. Between the two of them and Charlie, Ivy prayed the business would be a success.
When she considered the fact that she still wasn’t sure if she planned to stay in Westbend or not, she was strangely nervous about the success of the café.
But then, Charlie had allowed her to take ownership, to make decisions and pour her heart and soul into this little place. If she did follow through on her plans to move to her parents’, she would miss the freedom and success the café had provided for her.
And the people, too. Especially one dashing rancher who had ignited ever-so-strong feelings in her tonight. Would leaving Finn behind in Colorado hurt as much as Ivy imagined it would?
“The last time I saw my brother flirt was in high school.” Charlie’s comment was a scary reflection of Ivy’s thoughts, and she froze in the middle of restocking the to-go coffee cups. “Until tonight.”
“You mean with the other woman? The one he went on a date with?”
Charlie snorted. “No. I mean with you. He’s falling for you. And if you think I put him up to that in order to help my case of you staying in town, I did not.”
Ivy laughed as her chest constricted with confusion and hope and fear.
“Even I would find that going too far. He definitely figured out how to feel about you all on his own.”
Then why had he gone out with someone else? They’d decided not to get romantically involved, but that hadn’t kept her heart from leaning heavily in Finn’s direction.
“My first impression of Finn wasn’t the most fl
attering.”
“I can understand that.” Charlie tossed the dirty dishrags from tonight into a small laundry basket she’d brought down from her apartment. “And now?”
“I can’t help but wonder if he’s real. Which person is he? The first or the second? Or some version in between?”
“That’s a valid point. Before...” Charlie paused as if choosing her words. “He was different, before a situation that happened. And he’s been slowly coming back to life since then, I think.”
“You mean because of the woman in North Dakota?”
Charlie’s wide eyes relayed her surprise. “He told you about Chrissa?”
Ivy nodded.
Her expression relaxed. “Well, that’s good. Then I don’t have to worry about saying too much if you know what happened. I can’t stand how she played him, going all damsel-in-distress, dragging him into her chaos and then dropping him the moment he was out of sight. He should never have gotten involved with her in the first place, but that’s Finn—good to the core. Always seeing the best in people. Always trying to save people and enter into their mess with them.”
Ivy’s blood turned to ice in her veins. Always trying to save people and enter into their mess with them. Damsel in distress. Dragging him into her chaos.
So...it wasn’t just hurt that had kept Finn from pursuing anything romantic with Ivy. It was that she was a mess, too. He hadn’t wanted to repeat his last mistake with a disaster like her. Someone whose life was in shambles and being rebuilt. Someone who’d had a liar and a coward for a husband. Someone who was raising triplets by herself. Someone who’d managed to slide off the road while driving cross-country in order to be rescued by her parents.
When you put it that way, no one would want to get involved with you, Ivy. True, and yet, the wound was so deep, so raw, that it consumed her skin, instantly heating her body to flu temperatures.
Since Charlie was looking at her with expectation, Ivy forced an answer. “Right.” She swallowed the fiery ball clogging her throat. “Poor Finn getting taken in like that.”
