come, and she’s keeping Cara. She was babysitting her granddaughter too since her son and daughter-in-law were invited to come tonight. I’m sure you’ll meet them later.” He chuckled. “Cara talked about those chickens all week long. She’s probably going to drive you crazy.”
“Aw, I’m glad she had a good time. And you can bring her to see the chickens anytime you want.” She turned to her left when she caught a glimpse of Layla coming toward them with two glasses of white wine. She handed Darlene hers, smiled at Dave, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, followed by a hug. Darlene backed up to give them room.
“Dave, Dave. You are more handsome every time I see you.” Layla eased away, glanced at Darlene. “You know Darlene, right? She’s one of the teachers at the school.”
“She’s actually Cara’s private one-on-one teacher.” He smiled.
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Cara’s lucky to have her.” Layla took a gulp of her wine. Such a nice compliment from Layla, and only minutes ago, Darlene had her pegged as a snob. Maybe she’s a nice snob. She took a sip of her wine, but lowered her glass when Dave spoke up.
“Yes, Cara is lucky to have her.” His voice was warm and genuine. Darlene felt her cheeks warm for the second time around him.
“Thank you. Cara is a pleasure to teach.”
Layla set her empty wine glass on the table with the auction items. “Penny is waving me back to the table in a very dramatic way. Good grief, I was just there. I guess I better go see what she wants now. Excuse me.”
Darlene picked up Layla’s empty wine glass, afraid someone would knock it into the kitchen items that Layla thought were so tacky. She eyed the mitts, towels, and apron again. She’d come to check on it later. If no one bid on it, she would give up the turquoise and do it herself. It would be a shame if no one showed appreciation for the craftsmanship and time that went into making them.
“Did you find anything you can’t live without?” Dave nodded down the table.
“I bid on one thing. A turquoise necklace and earrings.”
“A jewelry junkie?”
“No. I don’t ever buy jewelry . . . not jewelry like that.” She shrugged. “But I really like that set.”
“Then I hope you get it.”
“What about you? Find anything you like?”
Dave accepted a glass of wine from a passing waiter, took a sip. “I found a painting that I think Cara would like.” He laughed.
“Don’t tell me. The painting of the three chickens and the barn, the one down at the end of the table?” She nodded to where she and Layla had just come from.
“That would be the one. And there are a few things I’ll be bidding on in the live auction.”
Darlene shifted her weight. Her feet were already hurting in the silver heels. “So I guess it’s dinner, then the live auction?”
“Yes, then they have a dance. I guess they figure the longer they keep people here, the more they’ll drink, and the looser their checkbooks will get.” He grinned, then looked toward a small stage at the front of the plaza. A woman was adjusting the microphone. “I suppose we should take a seat.”
Dave stepped aside so Darlene could go in front of him. When she reached her table, which was right in the front, she noticed an area between her table and the stage that she assumed would become a dance floor later. She turned to see Dave sitting down beside her.
“How about that?” he said.
Darlene hadn’t even looked at the other name after she’d met Penny, George, and Bob. “This is great. It’ll be nice to sit next to someone else I know.”
He leaned close, put his arm around her, and whispered in her ear, “Penny and George are about as snooty as they come, but George’s father is a hoot. You’ll love him. He’s got a ton of money, and he only hands it out to Penny and George as he sees fit.” He nodded at Layla. “And of course, you know Layla. I don’t know of anyone with as big a heart as hers. I didn’t even think about the two of you knowing each other. I should have. Your farms are right next to each other.”
Darlene laughed. “Uh, Layla’s house is a lot more than a farm. It’s a ranch, an estate. Simply gorgeous.”
“Well, it takes time to get our places the way we