Matching Mr. Right (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Series Book 1) by Tamra Baumann

just like you don’t do real relationships, I don’t do one-night stands.” She finished off her wine. “Besides, most men need a little time to work up to the sight of my legs.”
    Why had she just told him that? Probably the wine’s fault. She’d better quit drinking before she did something really stupid.
    She saw rather than felt Nick’s big hand pat her knee. “I’m sure your legs don’t look as bad as you think, Shelby. Besides, you have many more interesting body parts. That dress is doing a fine job displaying them tonight.”
    She could have kissed him for that. If he’d been anyone other than Nick Caldwell, she would have. “Yeah, well I don’t look as good as you do in that tux. But then, you already knew that I’m sure.”
    “You’re slipping, Shelby. That sounded dangerously close to a compliment.”
    Before she could finish their sparring match, her aunt’s voice over the speakers asked Shelby to join her on stage. “Well, this is it. See you on the other side.” She slapped her beaded purse into his belly. “Guard this with your life.”
    Shelby stood and threw her shoulders back, plastering on a smile as she made her way to the podium. If she was going to be displayed like a piece of meat, she’d be filet mignon. She’d never give her aunt the satisfaction of seeing her sweat.
    Her uncle Jack was a pain in the butt with his protectiveness, but at least he was nice to her. Her aunt Victoria had never wanted children and had resented that her uncle insisted Shelby live with them.
    Careful to lift her dress as little as possible while ascending the stairs, so as not to expose her legs to everyone, she took her place beside her aunt.
    Please don’t let me pass out. Or puke up all that wine.
    Aunt Victoria plastered on one of her fake smiles for the crowd. “As some of you may know, we were supposed to have the handsome and dashing Michael Reading with us here tonight. Every woman’s dream date and every man’s best friend. Unfortunately for us, he’s shooting a commercial overseas and was unable to make it at the last minute.”
    Shelby closed her eyes, suppressing a moan. She’d look like ground beef after her aunt’s glimmering introduction for the man she wasn’t.
    “As a last resort my niece was available to step in. Shelby writes children’s books as one of her many little hobbies. Some of you may better know her by her pen name, Summer Sinclair?”
    Many little hobbies? She could choke her aunt.
    When Shelby met Nick’s gaze, he shook his head and then joined in with everyone else and clapped.
    Wait. They were clapping for her?
    The loud applause, mostly from the women in the audience, had her aunt blinking in surprise. “Oh, thank you for being so understanding. The venues were obviously chosen with Michael in mind, but if you win, you may bring up to two children along as well. So, let’s get the bidding started. Remember, the proceeds will benefit our wonderful charities.”
    Shelby held her breath as the first bid flew out from the back of the ballroom. Squinting against the bright lights, Shelby made out an older woman holding up her auction paddle. “Five hundred dollars.”
    Mostly female voices called out as the bid grew to a thousand, then slowly built to thirty-five hundred. She’d beat out the crap painting, so it wasn’t a complete bust.
    “Four thousand!” The call came from Nick’s dad.
    Shelby’s stomach dropped.
    Panic shot through her as she searched for Nick. His seat was empty. Did he ditch her after all? If she had to go on a date with his father she’d definitely hit Nick over the head with her bat. Hopefully he’d just gone to the restroom and would get back in time to save her. Nick mentioned his father liked to date younger women. Maybe she was too old for him?
    No, his dad hadn’t made any moves on her earlier. He was a complete gentleman. But either way, it’d be too uncomfortable to fathom.
    Then a lady in the front bid forty-one hundred