She laughed weakly and pressed her fingertips briefly against her forehead. “I think the heat’s getting to me.”
Concern darkened his face. “You look pale.”
Summer blinked hard once.
The movement felt oddly slow. Like her body wasn’t responding correctly.
“I’m okay.” Her voice came out softer than she intended. “Just dizzy.”
Gary reached carefully for her elbow. “Come sit down for a minute.”
Honestly, sitting sounded amazing.
The ground felt uneven beneath her feet as he guided her slowly through the shifting crowd. Summer glanced back over her shoulder toward Vander, but another group had moved between them.
“I should tell—”
“I’ll let him know,” Gary assured her. “Let’s just get you cooled off first.”
Summer nodded faintly because that made sense.
Didn’t it?
Her thoughts already felt strangely snarled together as they moved past rows of trailers reflecting the sun in a way that made her even dizzier. The lemonade sloshed in her hand and heat pressed heavier against her skin.
Then confusion flickered through her head.
Where was the bench to sit down?
Looking around, she frowned. “I thought—”
“Truck’s closer,” Gary said. “Has air conditioning too.”
Truck?
Something about that word snagged awkwardly in her brain.
Summer slowed. “I don’t want Vander thinking I disappeared.”
She stumbled, and Gary tightened his grip on her arm. “Easy there.”
The world tilted beneath her feet.
God.
What was wrong with her?
“I’ll tell him,” Gary promised again. “You just need to sit down.”
Her thoughts felt slippery. Hard to hold on to for more than a few seconds at a time.
Summer looked back again toward the crowded auction grounds, searching for Vander through the haze thickening steadily inside her head.
Couldn’t see him at all.
Fear stirred low in her chest.
The semitruck sat near the edge of the lot shimmering in the heat as Summer struggled to keep her balance beside him. By the time they reached the passenger door, her legs barely wanted to cooperate anymore.
