The next few days were a flurry of activity. Quincy and Victoria spent Sunday morning saying good-bye, and the pain she felt from his departure surprised her. In her mind, it was illogical, and she felt like a lovesick idiot. Victoria put her fingers to her lips, remembering their final kiss and his words of love. The girls sat in the parlor trying to play a game of cards and failing miserably.

“Hel-lo,” Emma said, snapping her fingers and giggling.

“Oh, sorry! What did you ask?” Victoria said.

“Sophie and I are going for a ride. Would you like to join us?”

Victoria stood. “Absolutely.”

“Perhaps out to the lake?”

“Sounds good,” Victoria said. “Did you happen to see the horse Quincy bought for me?”

“Yes, he’s beautiful. Clayton told me that Richard bought him at auction. Apparently, it was the horse’s last chance. He was scheduled to be shot that afternoon,” Emma answered.

Victoria’s heart swelled at Quincy’s thoughtfulness. “I didn’t know that. What a sneak, Quincy said nothing.”

“Clayton said the moment Quinn saw him he wanted him. I don’t think anyone knew he wanted him for you, though. It’s all very romantic.”

Victoria’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes, it is. He’s such a beautiful horse, Em. Very sweet.”

Emma laughed. “You sound like Sophie when she’s talking about Samson.”

“What do I sound like?” Sophie asked as she walked back into the room.

“Dreamy. Like he’s the most wonderful animal that ever lived.”

“What-ever!” Sophie laughed. “I can’t wait to see this horse of yours in action. Jamie told me the story and it’s so romantic.”

Victoria blushed. “Emma just filled me in on the parts of the story I hadn’t heard and, I have to admit, Quincy did very well.”

“Yes, he did.” Sophie grinned. “Are you both ready? I left Junior with Hannah, and they’re taking a nap. Besides, it’s only going to get hotter.”

Emma clapped her hands in excitement. “Ooh! Let’s go for a swim!”

Victoria’s head whipped up. “Where?”

“In the lake.”

Victoria scrunched her nose up. “Is it clean?”

“It’s perfect,” Emma said. “You’ll see.”

“I’ll grab some towels and you girls change,” Sophie said.

Emma made a break for the door. “We’ll meet you in the foyer in ten minutes.”

Victoria rushed to her room, pulled her jeans on under the skirt she currently wore, and discarded the hoops. She had to admit she was excited to ride again. She was getting to know Rocky, so hadn’t ridden him much, but had a feeling that he would be her escape while Quincy was gone. She made it downstairs in record time. Sophie and Emma arrived shortly after her.

“Let’s go,” Sophie said, and they made their way to the barns.

Victoria and Emma’s horses were in the Maddens barn and Samson was in the Wades’, so the girls collected Samson first. Sophie’s arms were full, so she unlatched his stall door and whistled. He followed her like a puppy and it made Victoria laugh.

“I’ll get him tacked up and meet you in a minute,” Sophie said.

As the girls approached the Madden’s barn, they heard a commotion and rushed in to find Rocky whinnying and kicking at the stall as though there was a fire and he needed to escape. One of the soldiers was trying to calm him, but would get attacked when he went anywhere near the horse.

Richard rushed to assist, but only managed to frighten Rocky more, and then all hell broke loose. He kicked through the stall door and his hoof caught the soldier in his thigh. He started to rear, and Victoria was worried he might hit his head, so she slowly approached the stall and started to talk to him.

“Victoria, don’t get too close,” Richard warned.

“He won’t hurt me,” she said as she got closer to the stall. “Will you, Rocky? That’s a good boy. I’m here now. No one will harm you.” She made it to the partially intact stall door and Rocky calmed almost immediately. She put her palm out and Rocky took the sugar treat she’d hidden in her hand. “Shhh. That’s a good boy,” she crooned as she stroked his muzzle.

Unlatching the stall door, Richard reached for her. “Careful.”

Victoria eluded him and entered the small enclosure. “I’m fine. He just got scared. Didn’t you, boy? It’s okay now. We’re going to go for a ride. Does that sound good?”

Victoria slipped the bit in his mouth and the bridle over his ears. She fastened the chinstrap and then led him out into the barn.

“Well, I’ll be,” Richard said. “You are very unique.”

Victoria smiled. She knew that she would never give this horse up for any reason. She led him outside and let him calm down before attempting to saddle him.

Richard assisted the girls with the rest of their tack and then led each horse to the mounting block. Sophie was already mounted, so Emma went next in case Victoria needed a little more time, but Rocky stood perfectly still while Victoria got settled and then the girls took off toward the lake.

Growing up, Victoria didn’t have many friends who rode out of sheer joy. Several of the surrounding equestrian facilities bred champion horses, so there was always one to ride, but it was expected and rarely appreciated. Victoria on the other hand, always loved horses and she never took for granted the ability to run through an open field or jump a tall fence.

Riding with these two women was an entirely new experience for her. They both had a look of bliss as they flew over one of the fences and Sophie let out a holler of joy as they cleared it with many feet to spare. Victoria was excited to have others to share her passion with. She felt as though she’d been adopted into a very special family.