spies and spells 02 - betting off dead by tonya kappes Page B

frustration, though I did find it cute that he was a bit jealous.
    “Fine. Cut out the flirty shit. Got it?” His lips puckered with annoyance.
    “Fine,” I replied, mocking his tone.
    I watched as Amber Byrd put her paddle in the air as the auctioneer called for the last bid on Rails and Nails.
    “One million!” Amber screamed and flung her paddle in the air.
    The auctioneer yelled, “We have one mil, here.” He pointed his gavel at Amber, and then swept it in front of him in a fluid motion, pointing it at Riley.
    Riley shook her head. She looked over at Amber. Her eyes were dark. I paused for a moment. I hid the thick swallow in my throat and turned as soon as she looked back at me.
    “Going once, twice, sold to number 13!” The auctioneer hit his gavel on the stand and pointed to Amber.
    She squealed with glee.
    When the bid for stall number four came up, my senses went on high alert because it was the horse Forest also wanted.
    They weren’t about to let the horse get sold out from underneath them. They started their bid out at five hundred thousand dollars, which seemed to please the auctioneer to no end. No one else bid against them, which was probably because it didn’t seem to be a strong horse. Though the doping could change that.
    After Riley and Forest filled out the necessary paperwork, they walked over to us.
    “How do you like it?” Riley asked Mick and scrunched her nose in a playful way at him and shook her hips. I glared.
    “It’s great!” Mick’s voice was a little too chipper for me.
    Riley and Forest whispered something among themselves.
    “Are you getting in good with Riley?” Mick stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me. His warm breath grazed my ear, sending goose bumps along my shoulders and down my arms.
    “You two lovebirds.” Riley giggled.
    “Mmm, hmmmm.” I snuggled up close, taking advantage of feeling his nice warm muscles against me.
    “Ouch.” Mick jerked his arms away from me. “What burned me?” He held his arm out. There was a small red mark in the exact shape of the pendant around my neck.
    “Oh, baby.” Riley grabbed his arm. She tugged on him. “We’ve got some ointment that will fix you right on up.” She looked at me. “We’ll be right back.”
    They left me standing there by myself as everyone filed out of the barn, passing me by.
    “I’ve never won anything in my life,” the southern voice was sweet to the ear. Amber’s grin showed her accomplishment. “And I was afraid paddle number thirteen was going to be unlucky.”
    “Actually you didn’t win.” I hated to break the news to her. “You paid one millions dollars for Rails and Nails.”
    “Still.” She lifted and lowered her shoulders. “I still won against the other bidders.”
    She had a mass of auburn hair piled on top of her head. There was a trail of freckles that dotted along her nose. She had rosy cheeks and pale skin. She was cute.
    “You know what.” I decided to get to know her and not listen to Riley. I glanced over Amber’s shoulder to see where Mick had gone. “You are right. You did win. And Rails and Nails looks like a mighty fine horse. And I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
    “What’s that?” Her eyes popped open curiously.
    “The number thirteen gets a bad rap. It’s actually very lucky.” It was true. Poor thirteen. It was always a good number for me.
    “I sure do hope so. We’ve been saving up a long time. Unlike most of these people.” Amber’s voice got lost under the roar of the auctioneer as another horse was brought out.
    “Good luck with Rails and Nails.” Ranger walked over and spoke directly to Amber. I don’t think he noticed that I was there. “He’s a very special horse.”
    He stalked off.
    “He’s creepy.” Amber’s eyes swiveled upward.
    “If you’ll excuse me. I need to go find my husband,” I said. “It was nice meeting you, Amber.”
    “Did I tell you my name?” Her brows furrowed. Nervously, she shoved her