Chapter 24

twenty-four

BEN

After the auction, I helped Pastor Adam and my friends tidy the room. We'd raised more than ninety thousand dollars for The Welcome Center. Adam was thrilled, and so was the rest of the community.

"I can't believe what Daniel paid for your necklace," Riley said as he stacked one chair on top of another.

"Or the bid he placed on your painting," Jonathon added. "If it weren't for him, the sale price on those items wouldn't have gone nearly as high."

Apart from helping The Welcome Center, I had no idea why Daniel had spent so much money. As well as taking home my necklace, he was the proud owner of a fancy barbecue and a large box of Jonathon's fudge. He probably earned a lot of money, but what he'd spent tonight was crazy.

"Does anyone know who was bidding against Daniel for Ben's necklace?" Jonathon asked.

Pastor Adam placed the gavel in a wooden box. "Everyone who wanted to bid at the auction had to pre-register. We'll have the bidder's name on our database, but I can't tell you who it was."

"Could you send them a copy of Ben's latest catalog? They might decide to buy another piece of jewelry."

I appreciated Jonathon's suggestion, but I wasn't sure it was a good idea. "If they want another necklace, they'll contact me. There must have been something about that piece of jewelry that drew them to it."

"Maybe it was because a supermodel had worn it on the cover of a magazine," Riley suggested.

Adam smiled. "Or they could like pearl necklaces."

Jonathon carried two chairs across the room. "At least it was sold to someone Ben knows. I wonder why Daniel bought it?"

I was thinking the same thing. The necklace was an expensive piece of jewelry—the type you'd give to someone who meant a lot to you.

Daniel walked into the meeting room. "The kitchen's ready for the café staff. Would you like a hand to stack the rest of the chairs?"

Before I could tell him we were okay, Adam handed him two chairs.

"Thanks. You can put these on the far side of the room. Normally, we would've left everything where it was, but we have a jumping jellybean program in here tomorrow."

Daniel's eyebrows rose. "Jumping jellybeans?"

"It's like a junior gymnastics class," Adam explained. "While the parents are enjoying church, a team of volunteers keep the preschoolers busy. You'll have to come along one Sunday. The team is always looking for people who can help."

The thought of Daniel helping little children do cartwheels and forward rolls made me smile.

Daniel didn't look as enthusiastic as Adam did. "Maybe on my next visit to Sunrise Bay."

As far as I knew, that wouldn't be happening any time soon.

"Congratulations on winning the necklace," Riley said. "Who's the lucky person who gets to wear it?"

A hot blush scorched my face. Thankfully, Daniel was too busy stacking the chairs on top of the others to notice.

"I didn't have anyone in mind when I bought it. I'm hoping Ben will change his mind and come to Manhattan. We could display it when I present him with the award he won."

Adam frowned. "You never told me about an award, Ben. Congratulations."

"It's not just any award, either," Jonathon said proudly. "It's the most sought-after jewelry award in America."

I picked up another chair. "I'm not going to the presentation."

Adam frowned. "Why not?"

"I like to keep a low profile. I'll pop this away, then head home. I've got a big day planned for tomorrow."

"Please tell me you're doing something exciting," Jonathon sighed.

"It is exciting," I assured him. "I'm finishing a necklace I started three months ago."

"That's not exciting. Why don't you take Daniel sightseeing? There's a regatta on the lake tomorrow. There'll be markets as well as the boat races."

"Daniel has already been to a market. He won't want to?—"

"It sounds like a great idea," Daniel said. "It's my brother's birthday next week. Apart from some candy, I haven't bought him anything. I might find something in one of the booths."

Jonathon and Riley smiled at each other before turning to me.

If they had any romantic notions about me and Daniel, they'd be disappointed. In a few days, he was going back to New York City. And I was one hundred percent positive he wouldn't be coming back.

"Well?" Jonathon asked me. "Is that a yes, no, or maybe to sightseeing?"

Daniel took the chair out of my hands. "I'll be on my best behavior."

"Are you sure you want to go to another market?" I asked. "There are lots of other things to do."

"I'd like to see the regatta. Besides, sightseeing is more fun when you're with someone else. What time do you want to meet?"

I sighed. "Is eight o'clock too early?"

Daniel sent me a heart-melting smile. "Eight o'clock's perfect. I'll buy you lunch as a thank you."

Before I could tell him it wasn't necessary, he took the chair to the other side of the room.