Riding in the Silverado’s front seat, Hunter can’t see everything in the dark. But from what he can make out, Purnell owns a lot of land. Has horses. A big farmhouse. Huge barn. And a pole barn. He pulls into the big wooden barn, drives up the center, and kills the engine and gets out. The ground is packed down hard by hooves and boot heels. Bright overhead fluorescents hang from the six-by-six joists that support the roof. Off to the left, hay is stacked in a loft over horse stalls. To Hunter’s right is a workshop. Concrete floor. Tools and tool chests, counters and vises, table saws and horseshoes, compressor, hoses, and air tools.

Behind him, Itch’s and Nugget’s bikes rumble to a stop. Hunter limps to the rear of the Silverado, where they meet him. Purnell lowers the tailgate. Places the two-by-twelve on the bed’s rear. The bike is tied down by straps, one side keeping the other taut. Unbuckling the bike. Balancing it, the guys roll it down the board—not an easy task with a flat tire and a somewhat bent rim. Wheeling it off to the side, heeling the kickstand down, leaning it next to the area where the tools are located. Hunter eyes the big red tool cabinets. Wrenches. Hammers. Mauls and axes. Everything to operate a farm, from running fence line to overhauling a tractor.

Purnell tells them, “Bunkhouse is down on your right. There’s bunk beds, sink, shower, bathroom, fridge with food and drinks. Make yourselves at home.”

From behind him comes a female voice. “Everything all right, Daddy?”

Purnell turns around, “This is my daughter. She’s the brains of this here outfit.”

Walking in from the shadows outside, she has caramel-colored hair with Tweety Bird–yellow highlights. Her eyes wear no hint of liner. Sun-freckled face. Wearing a blue-gray T-shirt and jeans with worn-out Ariat boots. Smiling she says, “Let me guess: rider hit another bison.” Glancing to Hunter’s torn jeans, she says, “Looks like we might need to get you cleaned up if you got the time.”

Hunter chuckles. “Got nothing but.”

Purnell waves Itch and Nugget to follow him, “I’ll show you guys to the bunkhouse back here, let you get cleaned up and settled in. See if I need to bring you anything or you can scrounge something up—got a little bit of everything back here. Up to you.”

Following Purnell, Itch says, “Just appreciate your kindness, man.”

Hunter sticks out his hand to the woman. “Hunter.”

A soft but strong hand takes his. “I’m Tara. Come over here, and I’ll take a look at you. Get you cleaned up.”