Page 73 of A Rancher's Vow

Yeah, it felt good to know that Silver Stone was still helping the community, more than the small contribution he’d arranged on his own that hadn’t been revealed yet.

He wasn’t sure who started the chant. The refrain began low from somewhere near the back.Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Along withDus-Tee, Dus-Tee, Dus-Tee.

That’s when Dustin realized everyone was staring at the stage, attention fixed on him and Charity.

Malachi stepped back, hands raised as if he was leaving the choice up to them. It was a lot of on-the-spot pressure, and Dustin turned to reassure her they could bow out.

Charity caught him by the collar and hauled him in for a kiss, hot and insistent and so fucking right that it took everything in him not to sweep her up into his arms and—

Public place, Stone. Keep it PG.

The voice of reason? Sucked.

She pulled back just far enough to wink at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright, but her smile was real as she whispered intently, “Now, let’s get off this stage before someone decides we need to reboot your King of the Pixies barn dance.”

“Hell, no. Making a break for it.”

They rejoined the rest of the family at the table. Tucker patted him on the back, and Ginny curled her arm around Charity’s shoulders. As the official auction began, Dustin sat back and enjoyed the time.

Ignoring the few continuing stares from curiosity seekers was easier now. Also, watching the auction from this side was super entertaining, after being one of the nervous participants for the past five years. Being bid on was just as bad as the fear ofnotbeing bid on.

Which reminded him of his pre-planned mischief. When Shim stepped forward, Dustin nudged Charity. “Watch.”

She raised a brow.

“Back in Heart Falls for his fourth year, Shim Choi is moderately good with computers, can sort of dance…” Malachi raised the note card in his hand and frowned. “…and is somewhat adequate with horses.” He frowned at Shim, who had pressed his hands to his temples as if in pain. “You didn’t write this.”

“No, sir.” Shim glared at Dustin. “But go on. Literary endeavors should be encouraged. Even if they’re pure fiction.”

Malachi sighed as he glanced around the room at the audience. “The actual auction is simply not entertaining enough anymore, I can tell.”

“Start the bidding, Dad. I offer twenty-nine dollars,” Fern called out. “Hey, Shim.” She waved.

He’d barely lifted his hand in acknowledgment when another woman called out, “Thirty-seven.”

In rapid succession, the bids of fifty-three, sixty-seven, and seventy-one rang out loudly.

Malachi couldn’t keep up, but that was okay because Shim was shaking his head and laughing out loud. “Seriously?”

When Charity leaned against his side, Dustin twisted happily. “Yeah?”

“What’s going on?”

Shim heard the question and answered loudly enough it was picked up by Malachi’s microphone. “It appears I’m aprimeexample of bachelorhood. Because all the bids so far are prime numbers.”

Dustin’s game ended soon enough when someone not in the know bid high enough to knock his prearranged partners out of the running.

As soon as the final bachelor was bid on, the room erupted into the cleanup stage. Chairs were stacked, tables broken down, while people milled about enjoying final conversations.

The Stone family gathered themselves up. Kelli paused beside where Dustin and Charity were saying goodbye to Ginny and Tucker.

“Good turnout. Hey, Tee, just wanted to let you know we’ve set the girls’-night-out gathering to Ginny’s house on Tuesday. Prepare to get crafty.”

Charity blinked. “Oh. Okay. Thanks for the invite.”

Luke shrugged as he gave Charity a kiss on the cheek then patted Dustin’s back. “Don’t look so surprised. All the Stone gals will be there. Dustin, see you tomorrow on early shift.”

They were gone, leaving Dustin with a very subdued Charity as they said their goodbyes and he guided her to his truck.