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them being slaughtered for food.”
    She smiled.  “For someone who acts so gruff all the time you’re
a real softie.  It’s sweet.”
    He blushed and she poked him lightly in the side.  “Also,
it’s kind of adorable how much you blush.”
    “I don’t blush.”
    She rolled her eyes.  “Of course you don’t.”
    The auctioneer called for the next animal and the crowd of
people around them pushed closer to the viewing section.  A large man wearing a
plaid shirt and cowboy hat brushed past her roughly, bonking her in the head
with his elbow and pushing her into Gabe.
    “You okay?”  Gabe scowled at the man as she leaned companionably
against his arm and rubbed her head.
    “I’m fine.”  She strained to see over the people in front of
her.
    Gabe wished she would move away.  Her arm was touching his
arm and it was causing not entirely unpleasant sensations in his belly.  It had
been years since he had allowed anyone but Lacey and Nat close to him, and her
casual disregard for his personal space was both exciting and disturbing.  He
shifted a little but instead of moving away, she shifted with him.  She smelled
good, a light floral scent that clung to her, and he inhaled deeply.
    She gasped loudly and he followed her gaze to the animal
that was in the viewing pen.  It was a small brown cow with white blotches, and
he frowned when Morgan pushed her way to the front.  He followed her and stood
behind her as she gazed at it.
    “The poor thing.”  She murmured.
    The man led the cow into the middle of the pen.  She was
limping and her ribs were visible.  Her udder was cracked with streaks of dried
blood and her right eye was missing.  She mooed pitifully as the auctioneer
began.
    The crowd stepped back, they had lost interest almost
immediately, and she glanced up at him.  “Poor little cow.  What will happen to
her if no one buys her?”
    He paused.  “She’s in bad shape.  Most likely she’ll end up
in the slaughterhouse.”
    She gave a low sigh of distress and turned back to stare at
the cow.  “Poor baby.  She doesn’t look very old.”
    As the auctioneer gamely called out numbers, trying to
entice someone to purchase the beast, Gabe studied Morgan.  She was leaning
against the pen, staring sadly at the cow.  He had never seen her anything but
happy and cheerful and his stomach twisted.
    Quickly, before he could change his mind, he raised his
hand.  The auctioneer nodded and immediately called out sold.
    Morgan, her back to him, had missed the entire exchange. 
She turned around and squeezed his arm excitedly.  “Someone bought her!”
    He nodded and she smiled at him.  “I hope she goes to a good
home.”  She watched as the cow was led out of the pen.
    The crowd was dispersing and she frowned.  “Is the auction
over?”
    “Yeah.  Listen I – “
    Her cell phone rang and she pulled it out, smiling a little
at the number.  “Excuse me for a moment please Gabe.”
    “Hi Andy.  I’m good, how are you?”
    She listened and then smiled.  “Actually, I’m at the auction
with Gabe.  Yep, the auction.  Tonight?  Sure, I’d love to.  I can meet you at
the restaurant around six if you’d like?”
    Gabe touched her arm lightly.  “I’ll meet you at the truck
in ten minutes okay?”
    She nodded and gave him a thumbs up before continuing her
conversation.
    Gabe walked away, trying to ignore the little niggle of
jealousy in his stomach.  It was stupid to be jealous of Andy.  Morgan was
dating Andy and she wasn’t interested in being anything but a friend.  And even
that he wasn’t so sure about.  He had a bad feeling that his sister had sent
her to live in the carriage house because she was worried and felt sorry for
him.  He sighed harshly.  He didn’t need anyone’s pity. 
    He tamped down the thread of anger that was starting in
him.  He had to pay for the damn cow and make arrangements to pick it up
tomorrow with the trailer.  He was already regretting