by Karen Ward
As the evening progresses I find myself having fun watching the bidding. Whenever a bachelor is sold, the winning bidder gets to go onto the stage and escort them back to their table.
Barry is at the auction, he is standing in the shadows at the back of the room with his four buddies from Drake Security watching the proceedings. He would even be enjoying himself if he didn't know he had to get up on the stage in a few minutes. He really dreads having to spend time with some woman who is not Melanie. Even if it's just dinner, he is dreading every minute.
Barry's agent grabs his arm, "Come on, we need to get you out of sight!" He pulls him back stage and is flitting around him like a mother hen. Frank is very relieved and pleased with Barry's appearance. He really does look much better than that day at the ranch. The dark circles under his eyes are gone and his muscles are back in shape. He has gained some weight and no longer looks sickly. He hopes the rest of tonight goes as planned.
Barry's stomach is full of butterflies, which is stupid. He has been through so many things like this. It must just be the dread. He'll be glad when this whole thing is over and done. Then he is going to Seattle to find Melanie. He is going to win her heart if it is the last thing he ever does.
When the time comes and the announcer calls his name, he takes a deep breath, plasters his trademark smile on his face, and walks to the front of the stage to a thundering applause with catcalls and whistles. Nothing like feeling like a piece of meat he thinks disgustedly.
The lights are so bright that Barry can't see anyone in the audience so he smiles and struts back and forth the length of the stage. He removes his jacket and shows off the muscles he has been working so hard to redevelop over the past few weeks. Scoot and his buddies have been helping him by putting him through workouts similar to boot camp and he is proud of what he has accomplished in such a short time.
One of the women in the audience yells, "Show us your six pack!" The audience starts chanting, "Six pack, six pack, six pack," Barry slowly unbuttons his shirt and parts the sides revealing his rock hard abs. The audience goes wild!
Barry thinks to himself I didn't realize I was going to have to strip for these people. He hopes they don't ask for anything else! Then the auctioneer starts the bidding and Barry buttons his shirt and replaces his tuxedo jacket. Still smiling he is waiting to see what happens.
******
When the auctioneer calls Barry's name I think I am going to faint, I start to stand but my father pulls me back down in my chair and hands me a bidding sign. "Bid on him," he encourages. "Bid as high as it takes to win him," he adds.
I nod at him. The time has come for me to fight for Barry.
Patricia whispers in Eric's ear, "Be very quiet and watch. Your Mom is going to bid on Barry and he doesn't know she's here!"
Eric's eyes are as big as saucers with excitement. Are his Mom and Barry going to get back together? Wow! Won't that be great! His heart is pounding with anticipation.
So when the announcer calls for bids Melanie joins the fray. When the bidding gets up to six figures she looks at her Dad and he encourages her to keep bidding, so she does. When Melanie's bid reaches one million dollars a collective sigh rumbles through the audience. The announcer says, "Sold to the beautiful young lady up here in the front in the red dress!"
Barry is absolutely shocked! Some woman in the audience wants to have dinner with him so badly that they are willing to pay a million dollars! He just can't believe it! He is extremely curious to see the woman. The auctioneer said she's beautiful but he was probably just making talk. He looks toward the steps leading up to the stage, waiting. His heart is pounding with anticipation.
My Dad grabs my arm and escorts me to the stairs. He is so excited. He prays that his idea to get them back together works. He is about to find out!
I am so nervous I am shaking from head to toe. I hug my father's neck, "Thank you Daddy." My old self doubts begin to push their way into my mind. What if Barry is disappointed? What if he really cares about the woman he was pictured with in that tabloid? I shake my head. No! I am going to fight for Barry. I am going to win his heart!
With tears in my eyes and determination in my heart, I step onto the stage and watch for his reaction as Barry sees me for the first time.
Barry is waiting patiently for the winning bidder to step onto the stage. His heart is pounding with anticipation and those butterflies in his stomach are flitting around and around. When he sees her, his eyes widen, and a huge grin spreads across his face. Joy engulfs him in waves. It's Melanie! Melanie bid one million dollars to have dinner with him!
He opens his arms to her as she slowly walks toward him. Stepping into his embrace he lowers his head and kisses her. Not one of those brief little pecks like the other bachelor's have been giving the winning bidder. He gives her one of those long, drawn out, deep, toe curling kisses and the audience roars its approval. When he ends the kiss, he gazes lovingly into her eyes, and whispers, "I love you Melanie."
The photographers are snapping pictures, the audience is roaring its approval, and Melanie smiles back at Barry. Her heart is soaring with joy. Barry still loves her! With tears in her eyes, she smiles and says, "I love you too Barry." He takes her hand and tucks it around his arm and escorts her back to her table.
Barry's heart is soaring! Melanie said she loves him! He wants to shout it from the roof tops!
In the very back of the room four former Marines wipe tears from their eyes, and high five each other. All signs indicate the first one of their band of brothers is about to get married. Who will be next?
Scoot watches his buddy Barry through hooded eyes. He remembers being that happy once and he remembers how much it hurt when he came home from work early to find her in his bed with the banker. Never again! Never will he risk his heart to another woman! All he wants from his disastrous marriage is his son. Elena won't let him see his son. Now that he has a stable home he is going to sue her for custody again. Maybe this time he can at least force her to allow him visitation.
******
When Barry and I reach the table where the rest of the Brentwoods are waiting, he hugs Eric to his chest and says, "I love you little man!"
Tears streaming down his face Eric replies, "I love you too Barry."
Barry gives Patricia Brentwood a warm kiss on her cheek and then he shakes hands with Mark. He says sincerely, "I can never thank you enough."
Mark smiles and says, "It is my pleasure. Take good care of her Son."
******
When we go up to Barry's suite in the hotel where the auction was held, we find a bottle of chilled champagne and a cold supper waiting. He closes the door to the suite and pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply. He says, "Oh, Melanie, it is so good to have you in my arms again. I have missed you so much!"
Smiling I say, "I missed you too. I'm so sorry Barry. I just didn't realize how much Darren's words had affected my thought processes. Please forgive me for what I put you through."
He places a finger on my lips, "Shhhh, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are here now, in my arms." Nervously he asks, "Melanie, did you mean it when you said you love me?"
"More than anything. I love you more than anything."
A wave of relief and happiness rolls through Barry. Finally! Melanie loves him!
When Barry removes his tie and coat and carries them into the bedroom to hang, he calls, "Melanie?"
As I walk up beside him I see my suitcase lying on the end of the bed open with a beautiful negligee on top with a note from my Mother. "We love you Melanie."
Barry says surprise obvious in his voice, "I think we were set up."
I smile, "It sure looks that way."
******
Melanie Brentwood and Barry Farrady are married on Valentine's Day in a small ceremony in front of the huge stone fireplace in the great room of the Rock Springs Ranch. I am given in marriage by my father Mark Brentwood. Dylan Drake, Scoot, serves as Barry's Best Man and Jan
a Murray serves as the Matron of Honor. All of the members of the Drake Security team, Bob and Virginia Kenner, Bud and Mary Wilkes, the Murrays from the Rocking J Ranch, and Barry's agent, Frank are in attendance.
I wear a beautiful antique lace gown and carry a bouquet of red roses. Barry and Scoot are dressed in black tuxedoes with red cummerbunds. Barry is a nervous wreck. He can't believe that this is his wedding day.
He looks over at his mother and Bob Kenner and she is smiling warmly at him. He smiles back and his heart overflows with love. His Mom is happier than he can ever remember seeing her.
Virginia is so relieved and so happy. Finally, Barry has found the woman of his dreams. Now she can relax and enjoy her new husband.
Pinky looks at his buddy standing before the fireplace and a smile spreads across his face. He knows his telling Barry his tragic story had something to do with the change in Barry's attitude. He is glad he was able to contribute to his happiness.
Barry waits patiently as Jana Murray walks slowly toward the front of the room. She looks lovely in a red dress and carrying a long stemmed red rose. She smiles at Barry and he returns her smile.
Eric is walking slowly toward him carrying the wedding rings. He is so handsome in his tuxedo. Barry's heart expands with love for the young boy. He is a good boy with a kind and generous heart that Barry will be proud to call his son.
Eric is so excited. Barry is about to become his Dad! How cool it that! His heart is pounding with excitement and he grins at Barry.
Walking beside Eric scattering red rose buds along the floor is Dani Murray, Jacob's daughter. She is dressed in a dress identical to Jana Murray's.
When Barry sees Melanie enter the room on the arm of her father, his breath catches in his lungs and his heart pounds heavily. She is so beautiful with her dark blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. A warm smile spreads across his face and tears fill his eyes. He feels so blessed that this beautiful woman is about to become his wife.
I am a shaking like a leaf. I am clinging tightly to my father's arm because I am afraid my legs won't support me if I turn loose. As we enter the room and I see Barry standing in front of the big stone fireplace smiling at me, my heart skips a beat. He is so handsome. I stare into his deep blue eyes as we advance toward him and I feel his love flowing over me. He is so kind and generous and he loves Eric like he is his own son. How did I ever get so lucky as to have this gorgeous man fall in love with me? .
I think back to only a little over a year ago and remember how scared I was the first time I walked into this room. I honestly didn't know that night if I would live to see the morning with Darren Calloway so close on my heels. This man, my soon to be husband, is truly my hero. Thank you, Lord for bringing him into my life at just the right time.
Standing in front of the room filled with our friends and family, we say our vows. As Barry looks into my green eyes and promises to love, honor, and cherish me, his eyes fill with tears. When I smile at him, his heart soars with happiness.
******
After the reception, as Barry and I are preparing to leave for a short honeymoon at a private island in the Caribbean, I toss my bouquet at the crowd of well wishers. When it lands in Scoot's hands, a look of horror spreads across his face and he turns and tosses the bouquet to Goose who turns and tosses it to Pinky who turns and tosses it to Stump who calmly hands it to Dani Murray. Dani Murray turns and grins at Eric who high fives her.
Laughing I say, "No Scoot, it's yours. You can't give it away!"
Scoot adamantly shakes his head and says, "No way! I'll never get married again!"
Laughing Barry warns, "Don't ever say never, it always comes back to bite you!"
About the Author
Karen Ward is the pen name used by Glenda Hays.
Glenda grew up in Texas but traveled the United States as a healthcare consultant for many years. She has over twenty years in the healthcare industry and has spent many hours on airplanes and in hotel rooms reading the stories of her favorite Romance writers.
A few years ago she found herself one of the millions of Americans on the unemployment rolls and after a few months began to put some of her own stories down on paper. She loves the challenge of writing and plans to spend every spare moment sharing her love of her heroes and heroines with the world.
Glenda is divorced with two grown children and three grandchildren. She lives in a small town in the DFW Metroplex.
From the Author
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it and will recommend it to your friends. Please don't forget to rate the story before you leave.
Be sure to read the other stories in the Wounded in Wyoming Series:
FINDING DIAMOND GIRL
SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME
MAKING NEW MEMORIES
RENEWING LOST LOVE
UNCOVERING HIDDEN TREASURE
COMING SOON!
TEXAS LOVING SERIES
LOVING MR. CREEP
LOVING THROUGH THE PAIN
LOVING MY CATLOVING CINDERELLA
