LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Five

      Grace tried not to groan when she saw Mayor Dodd making his way to the platform.

      “If I could have everyone’s attention!”

      “You go ahead without me,” she gasped. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

      Cole didn’t budge. “You’re the one who needed some fresh air.”

      What Grace needed was divine intervention. Because she’d assumed Cole would be long gone by now. Blissfully unaware that when he’d bid on her basket, he had inadvertently set a whole new chain of events into motion.

      Which might explain why she was feeling a bit nauseous.

      “Welcome, friends.” The mayor pitched his voice above the hum of conversation. “First of all, I’d like to thank Daniel and Esther Redstone for generously allowing us the use of their barn for the square dance this evening.”

      Enthusiastic applause followed the statement and the attractive, middle-aged couple who attended Grace’s church smiled and waved to the crowd.

      “Our little community has a lot of big things planned for the weekend and trust me, you won’t want to miss out on a single one of them,” Mayor Dodd continued. “Our first event starts bright and early tomorrow morning with a special competition that pays tribute to the brave men and women who settled Mirror Lake.

      “Eight couples will face a series of challenges that will help everyone appreciate how difficult life was a hundred and twenty-five years ago but—” the mustache rustled along with his smile “—we also wanted to make it entertaining.”

      A knot formed in Grace’s stomach, because she hadn’t expected Cole to be at her side during this particular announcement.

      “All the lovely ladies who took part in the social today agreed to have their names placed in this basket. From that group, we will choose eight participants.” Mayor Dodd held up an old fishing creel. “Will the eight women—and their escorts—please join me on the stage when I call out your names?”

      The fiddle player’s bow danced across the strings as the mayor dipped his hand into the basket and retrieved a slip of paper.

      “Our first contestant is...Sissy Perkins!”

      The Realtor’s shriek cut through the whoops and hollers that echoed through the barn. As she made her way toward the platform, Doug, the burly truck driver who’d won her basket, took her by the hand.

      “Kate Nichols! Come on down.”

      Kate grinned and bobbed a curtsey at the crowd. Alex followed at a more leisurely pace as she bounded toward the stage.

      Grace could feel her heart pounding in her ears, muffling the sound of the mayor’s voice as he shouted another name.

      What were the chances she would be chosen to participate? Over two dozen women had made baskets for the box social and only eight would be required to take part in the competition....

      “Contestant number three—Haylie Owens.” The mayor had pulled out another slip of paper.

      The teenagers in the far corner of the room cheered and nudged Haylie and Rob Price, her blushing date, toward the other couples.

      Grace held her breath as several more of her friends took their place in line. Abby and Quinn. Emma and Jake.

      “And last, but certainly not least—” the mayor paused and Grace closed her eyes as he reached for the final slip of paper in the basket.

      “Grace Eversea!”

      Heads began to swivel in her direction, but Grace’s feet were glued to the floor. Delia Peake bustled up, brandishing her pink-tipped walking cane like a sword.

      “Go on, Gracie. They’re waiting for you.”

      Grace stumbled forward as the crowd parted, clapping and shouting words of encouragement. Halfway to the platform, she realized she wasn’t alone.

      “I think you forgot something else.” A familiar voice murmured in her ear.

      “What?” Grace pushed the word past the lump of panic that had lodged in her throat when the mayor called her name.

      “Me.” Cole’s low laugh wrapped around her heart and squeezed.

      Why was he being such a good sport?

      Because he had no idea what he was getting into.

      Which was why, Grace decided, it was up to her to get him—them—out of it.

      As quickly as possible.

      “Each of the couples will be required to complete three different challenges, which I will announce right before the competition begins.” Mayor Dodd smiled when a rumble of disappointment stirred the air and Grace realized the omission had been deliberate. The competition had been advertised as one of the highlights of the celebration, but a little mystery would fan the people’s curiosity and guarantee a good turnout the following day.

      “But—” the mayor motioned to someone across the room “—this might give you a hint as to what is in store for the couples.”

      Happy, the lanky mechanic who was almost as old as some of the buildings featured on Grace’s historical tour, stepped out from the shadows, weighted down with tin buckets that clinked together like wind chimes as he ambled toward them.

      “Inside the buckets that Happy is handing out is a coupon our couples can exchange for one item at the beginning of the competition tomorrow morning.” The mayor’s eyes twinkled. “Agreeing on that item just might be the first challenge some of them will face.”

      Laughter followed the statement, which Grace knew had been his intention.

      She didn’t dare look at Cole. A private picnic lunch under a shady tree was one thing, a competition in full view of the entire community was another.

      “Andy will play one more song and then you can all go home and get a good night’s sleep.” Mayor Dodd grinned at the couples lined up in front of him. “You’re going to need it!”

      The fiddler began to play another lively jig as Happy paused in front of Grace.

      Cole reached for the bucket at the same time she did, and their hands touched. Grace’s heart began to flop around inside her chest like a freshly caught trout.

      She could only hope the mayor would let her exchange her coupon for another partner.

      * * *

      Grace had vanished.

      The last time Cole had seen her, she and the mayor had been deep in conversation.

      He had a hunch what the topic of that particular

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