“You’ll love Colorado. It’s fantastically beautiful. Though sometimes it can be colder than your horses are accustomed to. But you’ll get used to it because you’re going to find the space and freedom worth it.”

She frowned. “Why should I go to Colorado?”

“Why not? You can’t stay here. After it’s repaired, I’ve been thinking about arranging to give Jubaldar to the citizens of Samlir in payment for their cooperation. You could go back to St. Eldon’s, but that would have sad memories and there wouldn’t be enough room for what I’ve planned.”

“You’ve planned?” She was beginning to feel indignant. “What do you have to do with me or my horses?”

“Nothing. If you want to turn me down. But you should really hear me out before you do. I think I might be offering you a deal you can’t refuse.”

“How can I turn you down when all you’re doing is talking nonsense?” she asked in frustration. “You’re not really saying anything. You remind me of Gilroy.”

He chuckled. “Then I’d better clarify immediately. That comparison frightens me more than you can dream. We’re not only taking your horses to Colorado, but bringing along every horse in this stable. That will be a total of thirty-two—which isn’t overwhelming for a horse farm, since I’ll be giving you plenty of help. I thought we’d ask Margaret and Gilroy to go with you for a while until you finish setting it up. It will give you time to become accustomed to running the business as well as the humanitarian side before you expand. You’ll have to work hard because Alisa is going to want you to have a tutor to finish your education, and you’ll have to spend a lot of time getting ready for the Niseans.”

Her eyes widened and she lost her breath. “Niseans?”

“Didn’t I mention I own an obscene amount of acreage in Colorado and Wyoming? It’s a shame to let it go to waste. I thought you might want to go back to those nomads who sold Chaos’s mother to Rossi and see if we can persuade them to sell us as many horses as they’ll let go. Perhaps we can strike a deal for the entire herd if I can talk the chief into sending some of his people to care for them and ensure their traditions will be preserved. I’ve been told that when I’m motivated, I can be very persuasive.”

“I believe it,” she said weakly. “Are you motivated?”

He smiled and said softly, “I couldn’t be more motivated.”

“Why?” She moistened her lips. “Why would you do this for me. Alisa? It won’t matter to her. I wouldn’t let it matter to her.”