Page 2 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

“Tell her I’ll be there.”

“Will do. Bye.”

As Clive returned to his truck and climbed behind the wheel, Brody smiled and waved…but his gut was churning. Returning to the round pen, he moved through the gate and walked up to the jittery colt.

“I think we’re done for now, Tommy. Just hearin’ that girl’s name…damn…I swear it’s knocked the wind outta me.”

As if sensing Brody’s mood, the young horse lowered his head and gave him a nudge.

“Thanks, buddy,” Brody murmured, stroking his neck. “It was three long years ago, so why does it feel like last week? I’m takin’ you back to the paddock and gettin’ myself a beer.”

Snapping the lead rope back on the halter, he opened the gate and marched out. The young horse stuck by his side as they headed to the fenced pasture a short distance away, and Brody knew it wouldn’t be long before he wouldn’t need the equipment. As he walked through the gate and slid the halter off Tommy’s head, the colt didn’t amble away, but stood by Brody and stared at him expectantly.

“Hey, I’m okay. Go be with your buddies.”

The colt didn’t move.

“Okay, okay, I know what you want.”

As Brody began sliding his hand over the horse’s body, he lowered his head and let out a quiet snort. After a few minutes, letting out a sigh himself, Brody left the paddock and headed across a wide yard to his house. Walking in, he didn’t stop, but went straight to the refrigerator, pulled out a beer then slouched into a chair at the kitchen table.

“Hey, Bella,” he said as his cattle dog pushed her way in through the doggie door. “Where have you been?”

Bella barked, then trotted across the room, sat beside him, looked up and whined.

“You too? Okay.”

After taking another swig, he placed his hands on Bella’s head, then slowly moved them down her body. As he continued stroking, Bella leaned against his leg, but when he stopped, she picked up her paw and stared at him.

“More?”

She whimpered. Unable to refuse he started again, but also softly traced his fingertips around her head.

“There, now go to your bed and sleep it off.”

Yawning, Bella padded across to a furry mat against the wall and laid down. Watching her as he took another drink Brody felt a wave of contentment. He had no idea why he’d been blessed with the precious gift. That’s what his mother called it. A gift. He had the ability to calm animals, and sometimes people too, with just his touch.

Closing his eyes he recalled the last time he’d seen Annie. She was leaving and his heart was breaking, but he knew she had to go. Though she’d looked as pretty as ever there was worry and confusion in her eyes. He’d raised his hands and placed them on either side of her face.

“Hey, darlin’, if you feel you need to do this you’ve gotta do it or you’ll always be restless,” he murmured. “I’m not goin’ anywhere, and neither is this little town. You can always come home.”

“Sometimes I hate that I can sing,” she’d stammered as the tears fell from her eyes. “I hate that I have this—this—thing inside me pushing me to leave.”

He’d continued smoothing his fingertips over her cheeks, then down her neck, silently wishing her all the luck in the world and telling her she’d be okay. But when she’d climbed into her father’s car to be driven to the Greyhound bus terminal half-an-hour away, he thought he’d crumble into nothingness and become like the dirt the tires kicked up.

Somehow he’d survived.

When her letters and calls became less frequent, then she stopped responding altogether he wasn’t surprised. But the pain never left, and the empty space in his heart remained.

CHAPTER TWO

Driving an older model Ford Sedan, Annie had rolled through the town and checked into its only hotel under the name Angel Parker. She’d chosen Angel because that’s what Brody used to call her. It didn’t change even when he was upset with her. He’d take her wrists, hold them behind her back and say, “Does my naughty Angel need a spanking?” She’d flush bright red and argue, but all the while she’d be craving his special brand of attention.

Dropping her overnight bag on the bed, she moved across to the window and peered into the street. Even wearing the black wig, sunglasses and hat, she was afraid someone might have recognized her. If word got out it would be mayhem. She didn’t mind the fans and excitement, but she had to stay hidden. If word leaked out to the national media and her whereabouts became public knowledge she shuddered to think what might happen.

Taking a deep breath, she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed. She was desperate to call Brody, but she was exhausted from the endless drive. She needed to catch her breath and collect her thoughts. The conversation wouldn’t be easy.

She also longed to call her parents, but it wouldn’t be safe, not for them, and certainly not for her. There was only one haven, and only one person who could save her. Brody’s ranch, and Brody himself.

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