Rejected Bride Bought Giant Cowboy At Auction—Unaware He Carried The Love She’d Prayed For

Chapter 2

The silence stretched like a held breath. Every eye in Dead River’s main square turned to stare at the woman who had just bid five dollars on a man no one else would touch.

Margaret Cross’s face went through a remarkable transformation — surprise, confusion, then a thin smile that never reached her calculating eyes. “Kora, dear,” she called out, her voice dripping with false concern. “Are you quite sure you’re feeling well? After everything that’s happened…”

“I’m perfectly well, thank you, Mrs. Cross.” Kora’s voice was steady, though her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. “Is there a problem with my bid?”

The auctioneer recovered quickly, clearly sensing the drama that would make this year’s charity event unforgettable. “Five dollars going once! Five dollars going twice! Sold to Miss Kora Bell!”

The gavel came down with a crack that echoed through the square.