Page 15 of Sweet Escape (Whispering Oaks Ranch #1)

Donate to charity, Buy a Cowboy

? Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) - John Michael Montgomery

Wilder

The Blossom Festival is in full swing, and a decent crowd has gathered around the temporary stage erected in the center of town. Oak Ridge is the epitome of cozy small town charm—the kind of place you only see in cheesy romantic movies.

It’s built in the foothills of a nearby mountain range, with a lake that surrounds us on two sides. I got so lost in the vastness of the Colorado wilderness that I almost forgot the beauty that exists in my hometown.

Colorful planter boxes and flower arrangements are scattered up and down the main thoroughfare, with booths lining each side of the main drag.

Artisans from all over the tri-state area gather here each year.

It’s a massive boost to our economy and the charities that benefit from events like the bachelor auction .

I’m standing just off stage with Emmy as my dad ransoms off each of his sons to the highest bidder.

I should be focused on the auction, but all I want to do is find Olivia and kiss her senseless.

I know she’s here somewhere, peddling her desserts, but there's nothing sweeter than her lips, and I’m dying for another taste.

I’m supposed to be up there with Jaxon and Griffin lined up like cattle, but Mama got called away at the last second, leaving me with an exhausted toddler asleep on my shoulder. With any luck, she’ll be gone long enough for me to avoid my impending doom.

Disappointment crashes over me when she returns just in time for Dad to call me on stage.

I wear a forced smile and walk out to hushed whispers from the impressive crowd.

There are a few recognizable faces in the audience, namely a heavily pregnant Ivy and her husband Luca.

Their daughter Rylin is bouncing on the spot, chattering away as she so often does, with a delicate floral cupcake in hand.

One of Olivia’s creations, no doubt. Ivy gives me a subtle wave, and I return the greeting with a flat smile and a nod.

Mama practically adopted Ivy into the family after her parents passed away while she was still in high school. By that time, I was long gone, settling into my new life in Colorado with Jess.

Now she’s back in our orbit, building a house at the ranch on a plot of land my parents set aside for her. She’s not the first stray Mama’s taken in, and she won’t be the last—that’s just how our family is. The more the merrier.

Dad’s booming voice comes over the speakers, instantly quieting the crowd.

No one commands a room quite like Russell Hayes.

“Up next is my eldest son, Wilder Hayes. He’s just returned from Colorado, and he’s ready to sweep you off your feet with an intimate picnic at Whispering Oaks Ranch, catered by Rosie’s Diner. We’ll start the bidding off at $350. ”

I roll my eyes at the ridiculous introduction. I won’t be sweeping anyone off their feet.

The first bid goes to a snickering Jax, who’s beaming at me from the back row.

I pin him with a warning glare, crossing my arms over my chest. A few more paddles rise in quick succession, but I’m no longer paying attention.

My eyes lock on a curvy blonde standing off to the left of the stage wearing an adorable frilly apron.

She’s nibbling on her bottom lip, and I want nothing more than to close the distance and tug it free, but we can’t afford to stir up any rumors just yet.

Rosie approaches Olivia, handing her a paddle.

A rush of warmth surges through me at the thought of Olivia winning, until she shakes her head and pushes it back at her grandmother.

They’re close enough to the stage that I can almost make out what they’re saying, and Rosie clearly isn't taking no for an answer. I swear her lips form the words ‘baby daddy,’ but that can’t be right.

We agreed to keep things a secret for now.

“Can I get $1000?”

Rosie ignores her granddaughter’s quiet pleas, her arm shooting up. Olivia’s gritting her teeth, eyes wide and pleading.

When he spots the interaction, Dad’s face flashes with something like recognition, but he quickly replaces it with a smile. “$1000 to Nosey Rosie! Do I hear $1200?”

Another paddle shoots up near the back row, and I realize it’s Mama holding Emmy in her arms.

Dad stifles a laugh at my expense. “Evie girl, if you wanted to have a picnic, all you had to do was say so. Can I get $1300?”

I scan the crowd, waiting for the next bid, but it doesn’t come.

I’m mortified at the thought that I might actually be purchased by my mother.

There’d be no coming back from that. Mama’s oblivious to my internal turmoil as she taps out a text one-han ded.

Rosie’s phone lights up in the front row, and she leans over to whisper something in Olivia’s ear.

Begrudgingly, Olivia takes the paddle and raises it in the air with much less enthusiasm than I would expect from the woman carrying my child. I’ll take it. Thankfully, my mother backs down, and Olivia is declared the winner.

I hop off the stage, placing my hands in my pockets, passively ignoring my impulse to hug her. “Thanks for the save, Liv.”

“I couldn’t in good conscience let you suffer the humiliation of being forced to go on a date with your own mother.”

I grumble a curse under my breath.

Rosie laughs. “That was never going to happen. Evie was in on it the whole time. We were just trying to get you two together, not that you need an excuse,” she says, giving Olivia’s belly a sidelong glance.

“Grammy!”

“If you’ll excuse us for a minute, Ro, I’d like to talk to Olivia.”

“I’ve gotta get back to the booth, anyway. Have fun, you two.” She pats Liv on the shoulder and takes off around the corner.

“Please tell me you didn’t tell the biggest gossip in town about our happy little accident.”

“First of all, this”—she discreetly gestures around her midsection, talking through clenched teeth—“isn’t an episode of Bob Ross. And she figured it out on her own. In fact, she knew even before you did.”

“And she hasn’t told the whole town?”

“Contrary to what everyone believes about my grandmother, she is trustworthy when you need her to be. She would never betray me that way.” Judging by the dejected look on her face, there’s something she’s not saying, and I’m pretty sure I know what it is .

“Look at me, Cupcake.”

She bites down on her bottom lip as her eyes meet mine.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

“I want this. I want to tell the whole world about our baby. It wouldn’t bother me one bit if Rosie stood up on that stage right now and announced it to the entire town.

But you’re not ready, and that’s okay; I can wait.

So, whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your pretty little head.

” I lift my hand, intending to tug her lip free, but think better of it when I realize there’s still a huge crowd gathered around us. “Is that clear enough for you?”

She nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“You ever need a reminder, say the word. I’m willing to do whatever it takes until you believe me.”

She twists the ring on her finger. “I… um… I actually have an appointment coming up. Would you want to come along?”

“Yeah. I’d like that.”

“Ok. I’ll text you the details. I’d better get back to the booth before people start talking.”

She bounces on her feet, like she’s going to hug me goodbye, but changes her mind. It takes every ounce of my self-control not to follow through. We need to come up with a plan to tell our families soon. Olivia is temptation personified, and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.

Olivia

“We’ve sold out of damn near everything,” Grammy says as we pack up the last remnants of our booth. The crowd has dispersed with only a few stragglers left behind, and I’m damn near dead on my feet. If the nausea doesn’t do me in, it’ll be the fatigue. It’s a miracle I’m still standing.

“Go on up to the apartment, Liv. I’ll finish up here.”

“Are you sure? ”

“Go. I’m perfectly capable of cleaning up after myself. You’ve got to take care of yourself and that little snickerdoodle you’re growin’.”

I kiss Grammy on the cheek and turn to leave, narrowly missing the massive figure looming in the shadows. “Somethin’ you wanna tell me, Liv?”

Nick Bennett—my father.

Upon first glance, he might come across as intimidating, but to me and my mom, he’s a big teddy bear.

His six foot five frame has softened around the middle with age, and his once dark hair and beard are now a bright white, lending perfectly to his role as Santa Claus in the annual Christmas parade.

“Oh. Hey, Daddy. You scared me.”

He towers over me, crossing his arms over his massive chest and lifting a brow. “You’re keeping secrets.”

“I don’t know what you’re on about. I was just heading home.” I gesture over my shoulder in the general direction of the diner, doing my best to appear oblivious.

“Home. Right… you and your ‘little snickerdoodle’? I wasn’t born yesterday. When were you plannin’ to tell us?”

“I just found out. I was hoping to wait until the second trimester before telling anyone, but you know Grammy. She has a way of working things out on her own time.”

“And the father? Does Jake know?”

“It’s… not Jake’s.”

“What do you mean it’s not Jake’s? Olivia Bennett-Sullivan, who’s baby are you carryin’?”

“Mine.” The entire world slows as Wilder Hayes steps up behind me and places his steady hands on my shoulders, his thumb stroking a soothing pattern on my skin as that single word scorches itself onto my soul like a brand.

Mine.

His.

Ours .

“Wilder Hayes, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extends a hand, but the gesture goes unreciprocated.