Chapter One
Thomas walked besidePercy, the manager of the cattle sales barn, and discussed the herd of cattle he’d brought in for the auction.
“Do you want one of my guys to auction your cattle, Mr.Howell?I already know how much you want for them,” Percy said.
“I’ve got a bit of time, so I’ll stick around.If I have to leave, I’ll text you,” Thomas said.
Percy nodded.“Good enough...”
Thomas grabbed hold of the little person’s shoulders when they barreled into him.If he hadn’t, the person would be on their ass.
“Scrappy, I’ve told you before, you have to slow down and watch where you’re going,” Percy admonished.
The person looked up.“I’m sorry, Mr.Percy.Mr.Malcomb needs something, and he said to hurry.”
Thomas had yet to let go of the person and was quite shocked to see it was a woman.He would have guessed child, but the breasts, although small, told him she was definitely older.
“What is your name?”
The girl turned her attention to him, and her eyes widened.
“Scrappy.”
“Your real name?”he asked.
The woman’s chin rose.“Scrappy.”
He scowled.
“How old are you?”Thomas asked.
“Answer me,” Thomas said when she pressed her lips together.
“Twenty-one or two, I think,” the woman said.
“You don’t know?”
She shook her head.“How old are you?”
Thomas heard Percy snort.
“I’m thirty-two.”
Scrappy shrugged and nodded.“Okay.I have to go.”
Before he could stop her, she tore out of his arms and raced away.He watched until she was gone.
Percy cleared his throat to get his attention.Thomas turned his way.“Who is that?”
Percy frowned as he watched the woman disappear.“She showed up about five weeks ago.I could tell she hadn’t eaten and looked exhausted, so I offered her a job.All I know is she goes by the name Scrappy, and that’s about it.She’s a hard worker and doesn’t ask for anything, but from what I’ve seen, she has nothing or no one.I’m waiting for the day I come to work, and she’s gone.”
“She stays here at the lot?”Thomas asked in shock.This was no place for a young woman to be during the day, much less at night.
“Yes.I’ve tried to take her home with me.Lucy wants to meet her, but she won’t leave Ranger and Jaxx.”
“Who?”Thomas asked.
“Ranger is a horse that was brought in for auction.One look at him, and Scrappy fell in love.She spends all her time with him.Jaxx is a dog that showed up here about a week after she did.The mutt won’t leave her side now.She takes really good care of both.In fact, I’m guessing she spends most of her money on them and nothing on herself.Both animals came in looking thin and defeated, but now look healthy and happy.”
