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Cooper’s side at every opportunity.
    “He doesn’t want her, you know.” Aggie’s voice at Gabby’s side caused her to look away from the painful sight.
    Gabby shot another glance at the two heads buried together under the tent, then turned back to Aggie. “I’m sure it’s none of my affair. Excuse me, I’ll be back in a minute.”
    Gabby forced herself to walk leisurely to the restroom, where she sat in a stall getting a firm hold on her emotions. She couldn’t do the jealous girlfriend routine, as Cooper was not really anything to her but her boss, discounting the episode on their ride earlier in the afternoon. She’d never fought for a man in her life, and she wasn’t about to start now. One thing she wasn’t going to do was let that woman see how much she had upset her, so she squared her shoulders and walked back out of the bathroom with a confident mask on her face.
    She sat beside Aggie and chatted about all sorts of topics, never letting on that anything was out of the ordinary.
    Dave seemed to have forgiven her for their initial encounter and had given her a fresh start. Eventually, the topic rolled around to Gabby’s background.
    Aggie asked, “So where are you from, Gabby?”
    Dave said, “Look out, Gabby, here comes the third degree.”
    Aggie whacked him on the arm. “No such thing. I’m just trying to get to know her.”
    Gabby grinned. “It’s okay. I’ve lived all over. My family travels with Renaissance festivals, and we move all over the country every two months or so.”
    Aggie said, “Renaissance festivals?”
    Gabby smiled and said, “You know, the fairs where they dress up like people from the medieval times and do skits and sell souvenirs to tourists.”
    Dave said, “I’ve heard of those. What does your family do?”
    “Well, it started out with my father, who is one of the jousters. Over the years, the whole family has gotten involved in one role or another. I am a squire for my father mostly, but I’ve done juggling acts and some acting,” Gabby explained.
    “Show us some juggling?” Aggie urged.
    Gabby looked around, suddenly shy. “I haven’t done any in a while. I’m a little rusty.”
    Susan walked up then. “What’s going on?”
    Dave said, “Gabby’s trying to wimp out of showing us her juggling tricks.”
    Gabby knew she was stuck when Susan said, “Oh, yeah?”
    She sighed. “Okay, okay. I need some objects. How about those apples.”
    She launched into a simple juggling routine, adding more and more apples and oranges until they all collapsed in a big mess… right in front of Cooper.
    Cooper reached down and picked up an apple. “Gabby, I’d like you to meet my uncle, Jedidiah Harris.” He took a big bite of the apple.
    Jedidiah stuck out his hand. “Gabby, it’s really nice to finally meet you. If you need anything at all, be sure to let me know, okay?”
    Gabby took his hand. “I will, Mr. Harris. Thank you so much for hiring me. Pay no attention, no fruits were injured in this performance or any other.”
    “I’m sure all safety precautions were taken at all times.” Jed put an arm around Cooper. “And don’t let this guy give you any trouble.”
    Gabby gave Cooper a look, then whispered to Jed, “I can handle him.”
    Jed said, “Ya know, Miss Gabby, I think you can.” He walked away then.
    Cooper took another bite of the apple in his hand, then leaned down. “You can handle me, hmm, little girl?”
    Gabby shot him a look over her shoulder and said, “Yes, sir, I can.”
    With that Cooper walked off, shaking his head. “We’ll see about that, Miss Gabby.”
    When they got back to the table, Dave patted Gabby on the back. “Thanks for the birthday performance, Gabby. I loved it.”
    Aggie said, “We have a fair coming up a few weeks from now. There’ll be a rodeo and all—lots of folks compete. I think you’d get a kick out of it. I’ll be judging pies, but Dave and Jed here will be helping with the bull riding. You just