What does a mother's love cost?

The dust bit at Juniper's eyes, sucking the moisture right out. Figured that the biggest auction of summer would happen on the hottest, driest day of August. If her son Aster weren't so fascinated by the offered junk, she'd be cool in the shadow of the Johnson's barn.

Well away from Aster's best friend Rory's mother. Sourest woman the world ever did see, and the person Juniper hated the most, right after Aster's no-good mother.

Didn't matter none. Juniper could handle her sniping and gossiping for Aster and Rory.

At least until the auction heated up, all because of that woman's unreasonable hate for all things Juniper.