Judy Christenberry - Randall Pride

“What raffle?” Russ asked.

“It’s for the Halloween festival,” Elizabeth explained.

But Toby knew she was in a difficult position. She didn’t want to hurt her cousins’ feelings by telling them they weren’t important enough for the raffle. She shifted her gaze to Toby, as if asking him to get her out of the bind, but he just smiled and waited.

A sudden glint in her eye alarmed him, however. She no longer was looking helpless. “You’re right, Toby. You should all get the same treatment. We’ll have a bachelor auction, and you can all participate.”

“Wait a minute. What do you mean a bachelor auction?” Russ questioned. “I’m not ready to get married.”

“Don’t be silly,” Elizabeth said with a smile directed at Toby. “You’ll each provide a picnic dinner and whoever pays for your picnic will share it with you. It’s the reversal of what women used to do to raise money.”

“You won’t have anyone volunteer for that,” Toby assured her.

“But you’re only committed for a picnic dinner and we’ll raise a lot of money. You’ll do it, guys, won’t you?” Elizabeth asked sweetly, smiling at them. “It’s for a good cause.”

“Aw, I guess,” Russ agreed, “since it’s for a good cause. If Red will agree to fix the dinners for us.”

“I’m sure he will,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “You will, too, won’t you, Rich?”

The second twin nodded, a rueful smile on his lips.

“And Toby? Unless, of course, you feel you’re too important to participate.”

He was ready to wring her neck. She’d trapped him into agreeing with her plan or look like a jerk to his cousins.

“Well, Toby?” she prodded.

“Yeah, sure. Now can I go get cleaned up before dinner is ready?”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll tell Abby you’re volunteering.” She smiled before turning and hurrying to the main house.

“You know, this kind of sounds like fun,” Russ said, grinning. “It saves us the trouble of finding a date, but it guarantees we won’t end the evening alone.”

“Maybe,” Rich agreed. “It depends on who bids for my picnic basket.”

“Hey, if they think Red made the food, they’ll all bid for it.”

“You idiot!” Rich said with a hoot of laughter. “Women don’t care about the food. They just want to jump your bones.”

“Even better,” Russ said. “Right, Toby?”

Toby still had his gaze fixed on the back door of the house where Elizabeth had disappeared.

“Uh, yeah. Right.” He’d even be okay with the idea if Elizabeth were one of the ladies bidding. He’d pray for luck. But she wouldn’t be. She was engaged. Maybe she’d even be married by then.

“I’m going in to shower. Save me some food.”

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