Page 12

Unpacking was sweaty work. Sydney had just gotten out of the shower and wrapped her hair and body in towels when her phone buzzed with a notification.

She grabbed it off the counter and checked the screen. There was a text from Birdie Caruthers, the nice woman she’d met at the Shop-n-Save.

You’re still coming tonight, right?

You bet , Sydney answered.

Would you like to meet me for some dinner before the big event? I can introduce you to some of the locals.

That was exactly what Sydney needed—to start making friends and getting to know people. It was the whole reason she was going to this auction. I’d love that. Where should I meet you?

A place called Howler’s Bar and Grill on Main Street. Can you make it in forty-five minutes?

That would be cutting it close, but Sydney could do it. I’ll do my best!

See you soon!

Sydney ran to her closet, grateful she’d spent the day getting it organized. She picked out dark-wash skinny jeans and a deep blue silk shirt shot through with silver thread. She paired the outfit with strappy silver sandals and large, thin silver hoops.

She did her makeup next, keeping it simple with a smoky eye and a nude lip, then because she had less time than usual, damp-dried her hair and twisted it up and pinned it in place, pulling out a few tendrils around her face.

She selected a black Valentino clutch with silver studs and tucked all her essentials inside, then she kissed Mackie goodbye and grabbed her keys. “You be a good boy. Mama won’t be out too late.”

As soon as she was in the car, she found the restaurant on the phone and started the navigation. It wasn’t far, which was good.

Took a bit longer to find parking as the town was hopping, but that just added to the energy she was already feeling.

She parked and headed toward the restaurant. She stopped outside the doors, glancing up at the sign. It looked a bit like a biker bar, but Birdie wouldn’t be at a place that wasn’t safe. Sydney shrugged and went in.

The place was busy, but she quickly found Birdie, thanks to her blue hair. The waving didn’t hurt, either.

Sydney headed to the booth where Birdie was.

“Have mercy,” Birdie said, her eyes widening. “Look at you! How many men followed you in here?”

Sydney laughed as she slid into the seat. “None, I hope.”

“I was cute when I was younger, but you’re hot enough to start a forest fire.” Birdie looked around. “I wonder if I should call my nephew and give him a heads-up. You might start a fight.”

“Birdie!” Sydney could only chuckle. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Grinning, Birdie leaned forward. “It might if they figure out who you are. I looked you up. Don’t get mad. I like to Google everyone. Never hurts to know who you’re dealing with.” Her eyes widened. “You’re famous.”

“I was, but not so much in the last few years.”

“Please, girl. You’re Sydney Marlowe. Symar Beauty? What the heck are you doing in this town? Don’t tell me you retired from modeling and decided to run your company from here?”

“No, not exactly. I sold Symar Beauty to Marilyn Cosmetics.”

Birdie’s mouth dropped open. “You did?”

Sydney nodded. “It’s not really public knowledge yet, but I’m sure it will be soon. If anyone’s interested in that sort of thing.”

“How much did you get for it?” Birdie shook her head. “Don’t answer that. Not my business.”

Sydney smirked. “I’m sure that will be public knowledge, too, so I don’t mind telling you it was fourteen million.”

“Fourteen…” Birdie blinked. “Dang. And you moved here?”

“Don’t you think this is a great town?”

“I do, but if I had that kind of money…” Birdie’s face screwed up for a minute. “No, I’d still live here.” She laughed. “I’m so glad you came for dinner. Sorry it was such short notice. I lost track of time.”

“No big deal. I made it.” Sydney opened her menu. “What’s good here?”

“Everything.”

A pretty redhead came to the table. “Aunt Birdie, what are you doing here? And who’s your friend?” The redhead took a good look at Sydney. “Anyone ever tell you that you look exactly like Sydney Marlowe?”

Sydney nodded, feeling oddly sheepish. “Um, yeah?—”

“Because that is her,” Birdie whispered in a loud voice.

“What?” The redhead blinked. “Are you really?”

“Yes.” What was Sydney going to do? Deny who she was? Her name was on her driver’s license. People would eventually figure it out. She’d just hoped it would take longer. “But please, I’m here because I want to live a different kind of life. One away from the spotlight.”

“I get that,” the redhead said. She stuck her hand out.

“I’m Bridget, by the way. Birdie’s my aunt, and this is my place.

It’s really nice to meet you, and if you want to be left alone, this is the right town.

I can’t speak for the tourists, but the citizens here understand that more than most. In fact, if anyone says anything about you, I’ll spread the word you’re not to be bothered. ”

“And they’ll listen,” Birdie said.

Sydney exhaled at those words, the kindness of the two women a welcome thing. “Thank you. It’s great to make your acquaintance. Your business looks very successful. You might be seeing a lot more of me. Although I am trying to learn to cook, so…”

Bridget laughed. “No worries. I better get back behind the bar.” She glanced to her side. “Here comes your server now. Enjoy your dinner.”

Their server, a young woman named Carla, took their orders. Sydney went with the steak salad, while Birdie opted for a bacon cheeseburger with Cajun fries. Sydney got water; Birdie got a sweet tea. Both were delivered right away.

“So,” Birdie said. “Looking forward to the auction?”

Sydney took a sip of her drink. “I guess. I’ve never been to a bachelor auction before. But I like that it’s raising money for the animal shelter. If I get a chance, I might talk to them about volunteering.”

“That would be great. I’m sure they’d love the help.”

“What do you do for work? Or are you retired?” Sydney was genuinely curious. The woman seemed to have a lot of energy.

“Not retired. I work at the sheriff’s department. My nephew is the sheriff. I work at reception and sometimes help with computer stuff.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool. I love that.”

“I know what you’re thinking. Most older women aren’t good with computers.”

“True, but they don’t usually have blue hair, either, and it’s pretty clear you aren’t most older women.”

Birdie grinned. “You got that right. So are you going to bid on a bachelor?”

Sydney hadn’t really thought about it. “Are you?”

“I can’t. I have a serious boyfriend. Jack Van Zant.”

“Good for you. He must be something special to keep up with a woman like you.”

“He’s a good guy,” Birdie said. “Understands that I need time to myself occasionally and lets me be me. We get on great. We’ve done some traveling together, too.”

“I’d love that kind of relationship. Where you let the other person be who they want to be. I think so many people get into a relationship thinking they’re going to change the other person. Doesn’t make sense to me. If you don’t like them for who they are, why get involved in the first place?”

“Very true. And very smart. If there are any good men that come up for auction, I’ll let you know.

Might as well bid. You have the money. And you never know when something like that could turn out to be how you meet the man of your dreams. It would certainly make a fun story to tell your grandchildren. ”

Sydney grinned, nodding. “I can’t argue that.”

She couldn’t imagine meeting a man in such a way, though. Not that she wasn’t going to be open to whatever the universe wanted to bring her. But a bachelor auction? Wasn’t that a little too on the nose?

Still, bidding a few times might be fun, even though she couldn’t see herself winning. If nothing else, she might help drive up the other bids. She did have the money, and it was going to a good cause, so why not?

Their food arrived. The salad was enormous, and Birdie’s burger looked amazing with a heaping side of fries that Sydney couldn’t take her eyes off.

“You want to steal one, don’t you?” Birdie asked. “Help yourself. There’s no way I should eat all of those.”

Sydney snagged one. It was crispy and spicy thanks to the Cajun seasonings. “These are good.”

“Why do you think I order them?”

They ate, chitchatting about all sorts of things. Mostly Birdie filled Sydney in on the hot spots in town and then moved on to the most interesting people she knew.

All in all, Sydney felt like she’d gotten a much-needed education on her new place of residence. “You should be on the tourism board.”

Birdie grinned. “My nephew, the one who’s the sheriff, would love that. My other nephew is the fire chief.”

Sydney laughed at the sarcasm alone. “I’ll have to meet these nephews of yours someday.”

“I’m sure you will, hopefully for a good reason and not because you need them.”

“Agreed.”

They paid their tab, which was shockingly low thanks to a Friends and Family discount.

“Sydney, do you want to ride with me? We’re both coming back this way after the auction, so I can drop you at your car.”

“Okay, thanks, but how about if I drive? I find I learn my way around faster if I’m the one behind the wheel.”

“Works for me.”

“I’m just parked around the side.”

Together they walked to Sydney’s car. She was amazed by how many people said hi or gave a little nod of greeting to Birdie.

“You’re practically the mayor,” Sydney whispered.

Birdie just grinned. “I’ve been here a long time.”

The drive out to the lake and the new community center was lovely. As they passed through town and some of the residential areas, the landscape became a touch more rural.

“I looked out here when I was considering a home,” Sydney said. “It’s very pretty, but I decided I wanted to be closer to the heart of town.”

“I don’t blame you. I like being able to walk to things. And it’s easy enough to come out here if I want to get away a bit. Although even this area is getting built up now.”

The community center was a bright, cheery spot that had been transformed with festive banners, glittery streamers, and balloons. In the lobby, adoption centers had been set up, one for cats and one for dogs.

Sydney pressed her hand to her face. “Oh, Birdie, look at them! How is anyone going to walk out of here without adopting?”

“I think that’s the point. You need a friend for Mackie?”

Sydney loved that Birdie remembered her dog’s name, although they had just talked about him at dinner. “You know, I’ve thought about it. Especially now that I have a backyard.”

Birdie pointed. “We need to go to that desk to get you registered to bid.”

“Okay.” Sydney filled out the paperwork, provided a credit card to secure her bid, and was given a paddle with a number on it.

“All right,” Birdie said, with obvious anticipation. “Let’s go get a seat.”