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“Yes, I know him well and I thought I’d met all the brothers, but…”

“Oh, you don’t know me. I’m with a different chapter,” he interjected. “We’re based out of Memphis. I mean, we’re all Fury, just spread out across different states. Preacher and me go way back. He’s a good man and a hell of a president.”

There was warmth in his voice when he said Preacher’s name and hearing it brought a smile to my face—almost making me forget that sense of dread that was lingering in the back of my mind. “Yes, he is.”

Maybe the timing of it all was just a coincidence. Or maybe this was Hudson’s doing. There was no way I’d ever really know, so I left it alone and said, “Well, I’ve got two horses prepped for you to take a look at. Whiskey Rose is in the second stall, and Beau Sins is toward the end.”

“Great,” Riley replied. “I can’t wait to see them.”

“Well, let’s get to it.”

As I led them inside, I could still feel the anxious knot in my stomach and Vasili’s hands on my throat. I thought I’d finally put him and the rest of the Volkov family behind me and the boys. Clearly, I was wrong. I couldn’t think about that right now. I had to keep my head in the game, so I glanced over at Riley and asked, “It’s your father who owns the ranch, right?”

“Yes, but I’ve kind of taken the reins over the past year or so. He will always have a say, but he’s ready for a break and is eager to retire.”

“I understand. It can be exhausting at times.” When we reached her stall, I stepped inside, took Rose by the reigns, and led her out, giving them both a chance to get a good look at her as I said, “This is Whiskey Rose. Like I mentioned on the phone, she’s a Dutch Warmblood, and she lives up to the breed. She’s smart and amazing at show jumping.”

“Oh, she’s a beaut.” Excitement filled Riley’s eyes as she looked over to Lincoln and said, “Isn’t she just gorgeous?”

“That she is.”

“I’ve never had a moment’s trouble from her.”

“That’s great.” Riley smiled, then looked back at Lincoln. “Do you mind if I walk her out?”

“Of course.”

I handed over the lead, and Riley watched every movement like a hawk.

Whiskey didn’t disappoint. It was like she knew this was her moment, and she took every step with confidence. Riley smiled as she muttered, “Wow. She’s really something.”

I didn’t respond.

I just stood back and watched as Riley looked her over.

Once she was finished, she handed the lead back to me and asked, “And the quarter horse?”

“He’s a few stalls down.”

I led Rose back into her stall before taking them down to see Beau. I was pleased to see that Harlan already had him saddled. I don’t know how I would’ve managed without him. Harlan opened the stall door and stepped aside, waiting silently as I said, “This is our Beau. He’s three years old, and he’s out of Mason Bar bloodline.”

“So, he’s top tier.”

“He’s massive is what he is,” Lincoln announced. “Damn. He’s got quite the build.”

“And he’s fast,” I said. “And gives an unbelievably smooth ride.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

Riley gave him a slow walk-around, murmuring softly as she ran her fingers along his flank, checking hooves and his teeth. She was all business, but I could see it in her eyes that she liked what she saw. “I’d like to ride him.”

“Of course,” I said, swallowing the lump that had been stuck in my throat since Vasili showed his face. I needed to get through this. Needed to breathe. “You can take him out to the back pasture.”

Harlan and I stepped aside and watched as Riley mounted him and took off. She wasn’t gone long before she came back and announced that she wanted them both. She didn’t muddle numbers. She gave the asking price without question. They transferred the money into my account and then loaded them in their state-of-the-art horse trailer.

Before leaving, Lincoln came over and shook my hand. “Be sure to tell Preach that Murphy said hello.”

“I sure will. It was really great to meet you both. I hope we cross paths again someday.”