Page 48 of Sunrise & Serenity

The horse and rider pick up speed, then come to a sharp stop before backing up and turning. When they thunder toward us, I almost gasp. Just before they reach the crowd, the horse stops and pivots, sending dirt spraying into the air.

“That was fast,” I breathe.

“You want fast,” Holden says. “Just not messy.”

His shoulder grazes mine, and I can’t resist leaning in. “What’s next?”

“Cattle work.”

As if on cue, another gate opens, and a handful of cows trot into the ring.

“This is the best part,” Taryn says, tilting forward in her seat.

Unable to look away, I follow the pair as they move toward the cows. The horse’s movements are quick and controlled as they single one out.

“They make it look easy.”

“It’s not,” Holden murmurs. “It takes timing and teamwork.”

When I look up at him, he’s focused on the action in the ring, eyes narrowed, but his jaw isn’t tight. He might even be relaxed.

It looks good on him. Attraction rushes through me in a wave, and it’s increasingly difficult to dismiss it as simple appreciation for a good-looking man. I quickly turn back to the ring. The cows are already being herded out, and the horse and rider are leaving. I missed the finish.

“Lot twelve will be available this afternoon,” the announcer says.

“Is Chance going to buy him?” I ask.

Holden shakes his head. “He’s a gelding.”

I open my mouth to ask, but before I can, one corner of his mouth lifts. “Means he won’t be making any babies. Chance is looking for breeding stock.”

The gate opens again, and another horse and rider enter. The announcer starts his spiel, and the process repeats.

As the demonstration continues, Holden occasionally murmurs in my ear to tell me whether it’s a horse they’re interested in.

It’s nearly impossible to concentrate when he’s this close, but I force myself to focus on capturing action shots. By the time the last horse has been shown and we’re warned that the auction proper will start in an hour, I’ve got quite a few.

“Let’s go,” Holden says.

Dutifully, I stand and shuffle toward the stairs.

A man exiting at the same time jostles me, and Holden’s arm is between us before I can react. “Watch it,” he growls.

The man’s eyes dart between us, then he tips his hat at me. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him.

My breath catches as Holden rests his hand on my waist, guiding me toward the exit.

I glance over my shoulder at him. A frown line between his eyes smooths away when he meets my gaze.

“Everyone is in a rush to get food and drink before the auction. No one’s paying attention to what’s going on around them.”

I turn back, not sure I should be enjoying the warmth of his hand and the solid presence of his big body behind me as much as I am.

Unfortunately, as soon as we get outside, both disappear.

Taryn grabs my arm and tugs. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat and have a look around before the auction starts.”