Hart's Harbor. Deb Kastner

was all she’d ever known, and she was perfectly comfortable in this uncommon little part of the world. Up to and including taking her stand on the bachelorette block when it was her turn to do so, even flirting with the fellows to get a good price.

      But Kyle was different. He came from another world entirely. He was educated, distinguished, refined. He wasn’t some hick right off the farm who looked at the bachelor’s block as his opportunity to make his mark in the world.

      Her heart swelled into her throat. She could almost physically feel Kyle cringe from where she crouched in the tree as Chelsea made yet another bid. Gracie knew how much it cost Kyle not to jump right off that block and make a run for it.

      The next moment, her decision was made, and her heart was firm.

      She swung her leg around and shifted down, swinging herself so she was dangling on the branch from her arms, where everyone on the green could see her, if—when—they looked in her direction. There could be no mistaking what she was about to do.

      “One thousand dollars,” she said, her voice as crystal clear as her mind was made up, and as her heart was strong and true.

      “The doctor has been sold. To me.”