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“How dare they.”

I chuckled. “Gramps was good at things like that too. He tended to remember people by their horses, not so much their kids or wives.”

We came into the clearing near the east gate, where EP sat in the cab of his truck. He waved to us.

“Do you think the danger has passed?” I asked. “With Victor gone?”

“No.”

“Keith isn’t the same as his father.”

“We don’t know that the investors who want this property aren’t still eager for their cut.”

“So, we’ll keep an army here forever?”

He looked over impatiently. “Until I’m confident you’re safe.”

I knew that I shouldn’t push back, but I couldn’t afford the rest of their pay, and I didn’t think it made sense for Warren to continue to do this after he returned to Philly.

“Let’s see how the national show goes,” he said. “Please don’t make things more difficult for them while I’m away.”

“I’d never.”

The wooden structure came into view, so we left the horses tied to the post and hiked the small distance. Memories of the shooter were etched at the back of my mind, but I knew I couldn’t let that experience steal this place from me.

The sky began to turn amber as we sat down on the ledge of the worn wooden planks.

“Thank you, Warren.” My voice cracked.

He looked over. “For what?”

“For taking a chance on me.” I drew in a long breath. “I’m not sure I’d still be here if you hadn’t showed up with Phantom.”

“You would have figured it all out and never given the Merricks an inch.” He smiled. “You’re as much a warrior as Phantom.”

“That.” I pointed to him. “That’s what you need to do on the campaign trail.”

“I mean it, Eva.”

“So do I.”

“Well, our work isn’t done.” He looked back at the sunrise. “We still have Mira to track down and a whole new era of horses to raise and show.”

The thought pierced my heart, but I covered the pain so he didn’t catch it.

I couldn’t do it. Before he left, I’d need to let him know. There wasn’t any horse beyond Phantom for us. I couldn’t handle a future where he swooped into my life and knocked me off my feet, especially when my proximity to his career would destroy him.

The next twenty-four hours—they were the last I’d spend with Captain Warren Hayes.

Warren

AUGUST 2

The following day, after I’d packed everything I’d brought to Baker and approached the registration desk to settle my bill, Betty waved me over to the phone. Kenneth, again.

“Yes, I’ll be there this evening,” I said into the receiver.

“You promise? No more cold feet about this?”