Page 17 of Unlikely to Stay
“My dad.”
“Okay, he’s a good one.Your dad’s a hottie.”
Breckin wrinkled her nose.“Ew!”
“Not for me!But for some nice lady.He deserves to be happy.”
“Agreed.”
“Who else?”
Breckin began naming off a list of other men in town including Clay Harris, the kid cop, and Barry Wise, the Fed Ex man who moved to Parker last year.Since he delivered ninety-nine percent of the town’s packages, CC figured it made sense.But still, the majority of the bachelors were over the age of sixty.
“I also have a few guys from Lakeview who said they would come.Friends of Griff’s.And…I’m gonna ask Brant.”
”Well, don’t expectmeto bid on him.I told you…I don’t want anything to do with him.The sooner you and Annie believe me, the better.”
Breckin let out an exasperated huff.“I don’t understand you.”
CC stuck out her tongue.“Fine.Don’t understand me.”
Breckin stuck her tongue out at CC.“Fine.Misunderstanding achieved.”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Breck, but that’s not going to be enough money to help get the gym in working order.”
“That’s why I talked to Annie about bringing some of her adorable animals in need of homes to auction off instead of charging a flat adoption fee.Sadie is going to make all sorts of baked goods and I’ve been around town and asked all the local shop owners for donations.Jo at Pick Everything but Your Nose is donating a free bouquet a month to the high bidder.Max is donating one of those fancy new weed eaters he just got, Johnny Swanson is donating a Yeti cooler, Lickety Split is giving away twenty-four free pizzas, Griff is giving a hundred dollar gift certificate to the bar and Jesse is donating a gift certificate for the feed store.The drug store is donating a gift basket of all their handmade soaps and lotions and Gretchen is giving away five free vet consultations.Kelda even offered a donation to teach a Kamasutra class for senior citizens but I told her it wouldn’t be necessary.”
CC stared at her friend, mouth agape.“You did all that?For me?How long have you been keeping it a secret?”
“Annie and I have been working on it for a couple of months now.”
“You kept it a secretthat long?I didn’t think anything in Parker could be kept a secret for that long.”
“That’s the thing about small towns, Cees.When the people love you, they really rally behind you and can keep a secret.And this town…well, this town really loves you.Especially the old women whose hair you dye all colors of the rainbow.”
“Griff,what brings you to the clinic?I didn’t think muscly, tattooed men like you ever got sick.”
Brant had been incredibly surprised when he walked into examination room two to see Griff sitting on the paper-covered examination table.Since Brant had been in Parker, he hadn’t seen his friend one time for any medical issues.Griffin Stephens was as healthy as a horse.
“I’m not really sick.”
“Then why come in the clinic?I have a phone, you know.You have my number.You could’ve just called or texted me.I answer it.”
“Well, I’m calling in a favor.And this is a favor I needed to ask in person.”
Brant groaned.“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this favor?”
“So a few years before you came to Parker, CC bought the hair shop from her mom.”
“Really?I didn’t know that.”
“Yep.She also bought the empty building next to the shop from my aunt with the intention of creating a twenty-four hour gym for the town.”Griff ceased his talking.
“And?”Brant asked, making a waving motion with his hand.“Are you asking me to help her finish it?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what exactlyareyou asking?”