Page 25 of A Moment In Time

“Well, that was a long time ago. When I was younger than the both of you.”

Gage patted his shoulder. “You’ve got this, Uncle Rand. Remember, you have a guaranteed bidder.”

Rand looked around the crowded room. “I haven’t seen her yet, though. Maybe she decided against it.”

“She’ll be here. She’s a Rafferty. They always follow through.”

He sighed. “I guess we’ll find out.”

After a few rounds, Delaney addressed the crowd. “As you all know, there aren’t many available Calaways left. But I’m happy to say that we have three of them participating in the auction today.” There was a round of applause. “And first up is my brother-in-law, Rand. It’s been a few years since he was up here.” She thought for a moment. “A lot of years, actually. But if you’re looking to spend the evening with a handsome, mature cowboy, I open the bidding for Rand Calaway.” She waved him over as the crowd applauded again. “Who wants to throw out the first bid?”

A woman near the front of the crowd raised her hand. “Seventy-five dollars.”

This got the rest of the group excited and the bidding rose quickly to $325.00.

Gage nudged Corbyn. “Son of a bitch.”

“The old guy still has it.”

When it sounded like the bidding was stalled, Delaney said, “The bid is three-twenty-five. Going once.” She looked around the room. “Going twice.”

“Three-seventy-five.” Wynter was at the back of the crowd and waved a hand. Delaney gave her a nod.

When no one else raised the bid, Delaney ended the round and smiled. “Looks like all you local ladies were outbid by out-of-towner, Wynter Rafferty.”

Gage whistled as everyone clapped for Wynter while she made her way to the front of the room. Rand looked relieved and quite pleased to see her as he went down the steps to join her. When Delaney looked at Gage and Corbyn, Gage gave his brother a light shove.

“You’re next.”

“Might as well get it over with.” Corbyn joined his mother on the stage.

Delaney smiled at him. “And here’s my oldest. And of course you all know him. He’s been keeping you all healthy for the last several years.” Corbyn’s applause was louder and longer than Rand’s. Delaney held up a hand. “Okay. Let’s start the bidding for Dr. Calaway.”

The bidding for Corbyn rose pretty quickly, then seemed to stall out around three-hundred. Just as Delaney was about to call it, Cassie rose her hand. “Three-fifty.”

Corbyn cocked his head at her, then smiled. Cassie shrugged.

Delaney closed the bidding at $350.00, with the winner being Cassie.

Gage shook his head. If that didn’t signal to Corbyn that Cassie was interested in him, nine years older or not, nothing would. But now it was his turn. He still felt like he was going to draw only silence. He stepped up next to his mother.

She put her arm around his waist. “And last but not least, our favorite newspaper editor, and enthusiastic photographer, Gage.” The applause seemed to fall somewhere in between Rand’s and Corbyn’s. Which made him feel a little hopeful.

He was also shocked when the bids started coming in. When it seemed like he was going to end up in the hands of Lily, the town librarian, Sydney made her way to the front of the crowd.

“I have three-hundred sixty-seven dollars and fifty-four cents.”

Gage started laughing, and Delaney shook her head. “Unless anyone wants to overshadow that cuteness, I think we have a winner.” The crowd clapped and Delaney declared Gage was sold. He went down the steps and smiled at Sydney. “Why did you do that?”

She took his arm and whispered into his ear. “I didn’t want you stuck across the table from Lily. She’s even less verbal than you are.”

“So you did it to save me from a boring dinner?”

“Yes. Of course. Why else would I do it?”

Gage grinned. “I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“That’s what I do. I have two jobs now. And both of them involve saving you from yourself.”

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