Addy sat on her chair on the makeshift stage, watching the people trail in.

Malik was at the microphone really hamming it up. He had been the perfect choice for auctioneer, even though he had no experience.

“I see Sid Barrett is with us tonight,” Malik said. “Always on the lookout for another future ex-wife, eh Sid?”

In the crowd, Sid gave a perfect you got me gesture and the crowd chuckled as Malik continued.

“There’s Dr. Blum,” he said. “Hello there, sir. Maybe our friend the geologist is looking for a diamond in the rough on our stage tonight.”

He was rewarded with a chorus of laughs and groans.

“Oh, now this is a treat,” Malik said, “Mr. Travers has joined us. Have a seat, sir, have a seat.”

Addy searched the crowd and saw it was not Wade, but his father. Interesting for him to show up, after he’d pledged to sell his shares in the place.

Sam Travers looked directly at her, his eyes cold and accusing.

He must have known she’d organized this event. Good. He was an awful person and he needed to learn that bullying people who were smaller and less powerful wasn’t always effective.

In spite of her bravado, she couldn’t suppress a small shiver at the sight of his humorless smile. She forced her eyes away from him and into the gathering.

She spotted Remington, standing behind the back row, arms crossed in front of him as if he were Secret Service or something.

Was there no safe place in the crowd to look?

She glanced next to her. Nikki was cool as a cucumber. Funny how the other woman always seemed so nervous, but under real pressure she was hard as a diamond.

Malik stopped his patter at last and the bidding began. There were six women ahead of Addy and each one came up and grinned as Malik pointed out their accomplishments.

“You might think that her serve is admirable,” Malik said. “But tennis coach Constance Dean is a Psychology major at the University of Arizona, so spending time with her might resolve your unhappy childhood, as well as your weak backhand. Let’s start the bidding at twenty-five dollars.”

They had opted to start low so that no one’s feelings could be hurt by standing up there and not getting bid on.

Indiana sat in the front row, placing a first bid on each counselor, then giving way to other bidders. Each time he raised his paddle, Nikki buttoned her lips tightly, then relaxed when the danger had passed.

Addy tried not to be amused. It was so clear the two were into each other. It was only a matter of time.

At last it was her turn.

“Adelaide Barnes, come on up,” Malik said. “Addy is a great swim coach, who knows that the real way to a man’s heart is through an incision in the thoracic cavity. Addy is pre-med at Tarker’s Hollow College in Pennsylvania.”

“A thousand dollars,” Mr. Travers said loudly, before Malik even had a chance to start the bidding.

Addy felt the color leave her cheeks.

“A thousand dollars,” Malik echoed. “A very generous bid from a man of obvious taste. Do I hear one thousand twenty-five?”

There was a moment of silence.

Addy began to panic.

She did not want to go anywhere with Sam Travers. His son was a monster, and the look on the man’s face told her that particular apple hadn’t fallen far at all.

“One thousand simoleons,” Malik said. “Going once…”

A commotion in the back drew her attention.

“Wait,” Remington yelled out.

“Ah, another bid may be coming,” Malik said, waggling his eyebrows. “Someone’s been saving their tips for a rainy day.”

Remington was talking heatedly with Dr. Blum in the chair in front of him. After a moment, Remington pulled his necklace over his head and handed it to the older gentleman as Dr. Blum passed Remington his bidding paddle.

“Fourteen thousand dollars,” Remington said.

There were gasps from the crowd.

“I’m sorry, son, did you mean fourteen hundred dollars?” Malik asked kindly.

“Fifteen hundred dollars,” Travers said with a wince.

“Fourteen thousand dollars,” Remington repeated.

Malik looked to Travers.

Addy’s heart was in her mouth as she watched the man’s face go white with fury.

Then Travers threw down his paddle and marched away.

“Sold,” Malik sang out, “to the gentleman with the gigantic pecs. Enjoy your date, my boy, if you have enough money left to take her out.”

The sounds of the crowd seemed to melt away as she walked down the stairs of the stage to join Remington.

He took her hand and walked her out onto the lawn.

“You gave him your necklace,” she said.

“He offered me a lot of money for it before,” Remington shrugged.

“But, it’s special to you,” she said. “It reminds you of home.”

“It’s not special anymore,” Remington said, gazing down at her. “You are special to me. You are my home. I did not want you to marry that man. I bought you so that you could be free, to become a doctor, as you wish.”

“Wait, what?” she asked. “You thought I had to marry him?”

“Is this not what auctions are for - to obtain possessions?” He looked stunned. “I had thought that this was a barbaric custom abandoned by most of your people many years ago. But you proposed it yourself to save the place you think of as your home.”

“No, no it is for fun, for a date,” she said. “You know, to go to dinner and talk?”

“I see,” he said. She could practically see the wheels turning. “This will be a relief to my brothers,” he said at last, nodding.

“But… your necklace,” she sighed.

“No,” he said. “It was worth it. I found it easier to let go of Aerie than I do of you. But I will manage, Addy Barnes. You have made me a better person.”

Addy’s world spun on its axis.

He was willing to give up the memory of Aerie for her.

He was willing to sell his most prized possession, just to let her go.

“Remington,” she said. “Remington, I…”

He reached out to stroke her cheek so lightly.

“Addy,” someone called frantically from the direction of the lake. “Addy!”