Page 24 of Highest Bidder
The Ocala Stockyard is the closest auction to our house. I don’t have to drive all over Florida to go to work, and I freaking love it. I'm one step away from skipping into the office, singing at the top of my lungs. Like that wouldn’t freak them out about the woman they just hired. Instead, I casually walk inside. A blast of cold air hits my face as I walk through the front door, and it feels amazing. I’m still getting used to the Florida heat. The humidity is foreign to me, the way it causes my hair to be extra poofy, not that it ever lacked in that department.
The front desk lady looks at me. “Are you Hunter?”
I nod, smiling at her, and step forward. I open my mouth to say something, but she keeps talking.
“The boss is waiting for you in his office.” She points to a door over her shoulder before going back to typing.
“Thank you,” I say, walking around the large counter. I knock on the open door and peek my head inside, only to find JT, Aaron, a man who I assume is the boss - his name is Thomas - and Myles, in the corner all staring at me. Why is Myles here? He doesn’t work the cattle auctions. Does he?
“Hey there, Hunter,” the man says. “I’m Thomas.” He gets up and shakes my hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you from these guys.” He motions to the other three men in the room. “It’s good to put a face to your name.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I reach my hand out to shake his. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you letting me help out. I love cattle auctions and can’t wait to get out there,” I say while also trying to rein in my excitement. I look over his shoulder at the other guys in the room and give them all a smile. But when my eyes find Myles, I pause. He’s meeting my gaze, and he’s giving me a look I’ve never seen before. Butterflies swarm in my stomach, and I quickly look away.
“The guys will show you around. I know you grew up aroundcattle auctions. So do what you feel comfortable with. JT and Myles usually help wrangle the cattle while pointing out bids. We like to have extra hands, just in case. Aaron is our main auctioneer, but since the auction goes so long, we like to give him extra breaks. Today, I’d like you to shadow Myles since he’s usually the one to give Aaron a break. If that’s alright with you?” Thomas asks, then looks over at Myles.
Before I can reply, Myles speaks up, “Yes, sir. But I was thinking.” He steps toward the boss. “Why don’t we let Hunter give Aaron the breaks today? I’m sure we could learn a thing or two from her.”
I have to keep my jaw locked so it doesn’t hit the floor. To say I’m shocked is an understatement. I might have to look around for some hidden cameras because this must be a prank. Myles wouldn’t even show me around the building on my first day. Now he’s suggesting I take his job? I look over at JT to see if he’ll give me any clue on what is going on, but he only gives me a wink. Alright, I guess I have to figure out what’s going on by myself.
Thomas nods, looking at Myles. “Sounds good. Just be sure to show her everything and who the regular bidders are.”
“Of course,” Myles says. He walks toward the door and motions for me to go first through it.
I walk out of the office, pausing because I don’t know where to go. Myles lightly touches my elbow to tug me in the right direction. The only problem is that his light contact sends a bolt of excitement through my body.Seriously?It’s not like I’ve never been touched by a guy before.
We walk down a hall, and I can’t help but glance over at Myles as he waves at a few employees. Some even ask him how his weekend was. He seems to be in his element, more so than at the car auctions.
“Why are you here?” I stop walking and fold my arms across my chest.
He pauses, looking over his shoulder, and turns to face me. His eyebrows furrow. “I work here.”
I roll my eyes. “No shit. Why do you work at a cattle auction? It’s not beneath you?”
“No?” he asks like it was a weird question. “Why would it be?” He takes a step toward me, putting his hands in his pockets. “This auction gave me my first shot. JT, too. It’s not just a job for me here. I’ve worked here for a decade. These people have been my family since I was eighteen.”
My mouth falls open. James thought this other world was beneath him, but Myles makes it sound as if he holds them in higher regard. I guess he doesn’t expect me to respond because after a few seconds, he continues down the hall.
“You’ll notice that there are men who bid on specific cattle, but I’ll point them out to you. You ready for this?” Myles glances at me.
I blink a few times, still processing what he’s saying. I finally nod when he stops walking and eyes me up and down. “Yeah. Definitely.” I lift my chin.
He smirks. “I have no doubt.”
On my first day, he was positive that he would have to bail me out and take over the lane. But now he’s acting confident in my ability and suggested the boss let me take his place. It’s confusing to say the least, but it’s making me more attracted to him.
I see the door to the main room up ahead, and I take in as many details as I can. Cattle auctions are similar wherever you are. So I don’t feel the need to look around, but I don’t think I can continue to stare into his face. I still feel his gaze on me, and it’s unnerving.
“You’re a pro at this, aren’t you?”
I look at his relaxed body. His hands rest in his pockets, and a lazy grin plasters his face. He’s in his element, and it makes me relax too.
“My dad is Conrad Smith. What do you think?” I playfully arch my brow.
He stops walking as soon as we are standing in the large room where the auction is held, and leans over, pressing his body against my side. His breath tickles my ear as he says, “Alright, Hershey. Let’s see what ya got.” Giving me a wink, he pushes the gate open.
What has gotten into him?I’m left speechless while I watch his firm ass walk into the round pen, soon to be flooded with cows. But I try my best to push him out of my head. I want to show Thomas I have what it takes. Female auctioneers at car auctions are rare. Female auctioneers at cattle auctions are unheard of. A lot of the older men who come to the cattle auctions are firm believers that this is a man’s job. I have to make sure I’m not distracted or someone will complain that I don’t know what I’m doing and get me fired. And it wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened.
A cattle auction differs completely from a car auction. It’s held in a large room and there is a circular pen in the middle on the ground with a gate for the cows to come and go. On one side of the room, there is a stage located above the cows for the auctioneer and block clerk. The majority of the other side of the room is all seating similar to the Coliseum. The seating gets higher the further you are from the pen so everyone can see what is being sold. It’s very informal. The bidders are in casual conversation while the cows are sold. Everyone knows each other, so it’s hard being a new face in the room.
