Free Carol Ritten Smith by Stubborn Hearts

best-looking man on earth for all she cared. She reminded herself that she despised Tom Carver. He was a scoundrel, an arrogant rogue who thought nothing … ”
    “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” welcomed Earl, interrupting her scathing critique of the blacksmith. An expectant hush fell over the school. “It’s great to see everyone here today. I hope we have some men with empty stomachs and full billfolds.” Everyone politely laughed. “As you can see, there are many pretty lunches to bid on, so let’s not waste any time. Mrs. Pickard, I believe you volunteered to be my assistant this year?”
    With one child in her arms and another tangled in her skirt, Mrs. Pickard made her way to the front. She handed the first lunch to Earl.
    He cleared his throat and began. “Gentlemen, the social is now open for bidding. What am I bid for this delightful box?”
    Immediately an arm shot high into the air. “I bid five cents.” It was Lewie Hanks. His underarm was stained with sweat and all those near him withdrew slightly.
    Earl acknowledged Lewie’s bid. “Thank you, I have five cents. Now who will give me a dime? Ten pennies then … come gentlemen … a pretty little package like this should be worth twice that.”
    “Fifty cents!” Orville Cook called out. With such a jump in the bid, everyone assumed he was bidding on his wife’s lunch. Someone raised it to fifty-five and Orville counter bid with sixty cents.
    “Orville knows a good lunch when he sees one. Now, who’ll bid sixty-five? Sixty-three then? Going … going … gone. Sold! Orville Cook for sixty cents! Thank you, Orville. Come pick up your lunch. Just drop your money in the can there. That’s right. Remember, gentlemen, no peeking until all the lunches are sold.”
    The next lunch was a tidy package wrapped with bright green paper and gold ribbon. Beth watched Bill’s shoulders straighten when Earl held it up for bid. Lewie Hanks opened with a nickel again, and Bill countered with a dime.
    Beth glanced sideways at the women. Annaleese Hewn was nervously biting her lip and Beth could see that, hidden partially in the folds of her skirt, her fingers were crossed. She smiled. Annaleese had been the answer to Beth’s prayers. Ever since Bill and Annaleese had started seeing each other, Bill’s obsession with having a horse had been completely forgotten. Annaleese had a positive influence on Bill, and Beth was forever grateful. Today she prayed he would have enough money to buy the young lady’s lunch.
    The bidding went up slowly, and in the end, Bill bought the lunch for two bits. Both he and Annaleese seemed delighted.
    Mrs. Pickard slid a large lunch forward to the table ledge.
    “Looks like whoever made this lunch packed enough for all of us,” Earl joked. Beth recognized it as Mrs. Pickard’s. By now everyone expected Lewie to open the bidding, but to their surprise this time a different voice boldly called out, “Ten cents!”
    “Lars Anderstom opens with a dime!”
    “Fifteen,” Mr. Pickard returned and Mrs. Pickard smiled ever so slightly.
    “Tew-bits!” Lars jumped the bid.
    “Thirty,” countered Pickard.
    The two men bid back and forth until the bid reached the astronomical price of seventy-eight cents. It seemed obvious to everyone it was Mrs. Pickard’s lunch the two men were bidding on, obvious to everyone except Lars. And Beth knew why. When the bidding finally stopped, Lars had bought the lunch, all ninety-six cents worth.
    Lars toted the enormous lunch back and set it on the floor beside him. He stole a quick glance at Beth and she gave him a gracious smile. It was the least she could do. Had he glanced at Mrs. Pickard, he would have seen her bubbling with excitement at having brought the highest bid thus far, and from a handsome bachelor to boot.
    Beth hoped he was fond of children.
    From the far side of the classroom, Tom saw Earl lift Abigail’s lunch, a somewhat large box wrapped in pink paper splattered with