“There are only a handful of these known to exist. One went up for auction a couple years back. Went for, I think it was about fifteen, and yeah, brother, that’s freaking million.”
“It will buy hiking boots.”
Riley stared at Annika as if she’d grown gossamer wings. “You could buy a small third-world country with what’s in this sack, and I’ve only skimmed over a part of it. Where the hell did you get this?” She shook the gold coin.
“I found it.”
“You . . . found it.”
“Yes. It’s fun to find things, and I like pretty things. Do you like it?”
“I freaking love it.”
“You can have it.”
“Say what?”
“You can keep it. A gift.”
Seeing Sawyer about to speak, Riley held up a finger. “You’re going to just give it to me.”
“You like it, so a gift. For a friend.”
“Riley, you can’t—”
She cut Sawyer off with a look. “What do you take me for? Can I have another one instead?”
“One you like better? Yes, you pick. Everyone should pick one, the one they like better.”
“I’d like this.” Riley picked an old drachma. “Ten, maybe fifteen bucks,” she told Sawyer. “I’m going to keep it with me, for good luck. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Sawyer, you pick! You came for me. Pick something pretty.”
He kept it simple, picked out a U.S. quarter. “For good luck.”
“Sasha is next. Pick one!”
“Take one of the pieces of eight,” Riley told her. “You know you want to.”
“It’s too—”
“Believe me, she can spare it. Go ahead.”
“For luck then. Thank you, Annika.”
“Now, Bran. Breakfast was very, very good. Pick one.”
For sentiment, he took an Irish punt, then kissed her cheek. “You’re a fine, good friend, darling. Now, will you trust me with your coins, as I’d like to put them somewhere safe.”
“I trust my friends. You’re my friend.”
“And you’re a rare flower. Let’s get these back in the bag here.”
“The Augustus,” Riley began.
“It’s handled it so far. I’ll put these away, Annika, and today we’ll buy you your hiking boots and whatever else there is. A gift from us.”
“Oh, thank you.”
He hefted the bag, looked at Sawyer, Riley, Sasha. “Trust me with it?”
“You wouldn’t break her trust,” Sasha said.
“Make it right and tight, Irish.” Riley blew out a breath when he nodded and walked back into the house. “Hey, Sawyer, how about you and Annika handle the KP. Sash and I will deal with the chickens today.”
“Sure. Let’s clear the table, get the dishes done.”
“Then we’ll go shopping?”
“Looks like.”
Riley gestured to Sasha, walked out of earshot. “Is she, you know, challenged?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that. She’s . . . I don’t know how else to describe what I get from her. She’s pure.”
“It’s more than that. I’m not saying she’s not pure, but she’s evading. People just don’t find priceless coins on the floor, on the ground, in the back of a drawer. And she had hundreds of coins. Hundreds, and the couple dozen I saw? Even taking out the heifer, she had a tidy little treasure there. Where’d she get it?”
“If you think she stole it, I have to say I don’t think she’s capable of that sort of dishonesty.”
“I don’t think she stole them, but, Sash, I make my living finding things, and I’m damn good at it. Nobody’s good enough or lucky enough to just find coins like that.”
Riley paused at a little shed, pulled out two buckets, scooped feed into one of them.
“She would’ve given it to me. She’d have been happy to give me that priceless coin, so money doesn’t mean a thing to her. There are secrets in there, and likely major ones.”
“I know. I know it, but I just don’t want to push her to tell us. I’d rather she told us when she’s ready to.”
Riley angled over a look as they walked past the garden to the clucking chickens. “A lot of people, probably most, get pissed when someone holds something back, then lets it spill.”
“I think we’re all entitled to judge for ourselves when and if we’re ready to tell our secrets. Everyone has them.”
“Let’s all remember that. Okay, do me a favor?”
“If I can.”
“I’ve got that five riding with Bran that I can get our new girl in, outfitted, and out inside twenty minutes. Help me keep it moving, will you?”
“Sure. What are friends for?” Frowning now, she watched the chickens strut around—and stare at the humans, she thought, with tiny eyes. “I don’t know how to feed chickens. Or get eggs from them.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
CHAPTER SEVEN