Page 20 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

“I think you’ll approve,” Hank said with a grin. “But, Annie, I’m real sorry this happened, but at the same time I’m so damn proud of you. I knew you’d make it big. That voice of yours, it’s like listenin’ to an angel singin’.”

“Thanks, Hank. It was a fun ride until it wasn’t, but I missed this place and everyone here. I can’t wait to see mom and dad. It’s just too dangerous to call them, for both of us.”

“Hopefully that guy—what’s his name again?”

“Geoffrey Palmer.”

“Geoffrey Palmer,” Hank repeated. “Hopefully he’ll decide you’re not here and take off. Are the keys in the car? I’ll drive it through the back fields. I can’t be seen from the road, then I’ll just jog back and pick up my truck.”

“Why don’t we follow you in my pickup then we can bring you back?” Brody suggested. “You wanna go for a ride Bella?”

Jumping off the couch, Bella spun around and started barking.

“I think that’s a yes,” Hank said with a chuckle.

”And I’d love to see the back fields and horses again,” Annie exclaimed.

“Then let’s do it,” Hank agreed. “Will you ride with me, Annie? I want to hear all about what it’s like bein’ on the road and performin’ in front of all those people.”

“You bet. Let’s go.”

* * *

While Brody, Hank and Annie headed off, at the hotel in the small township Geoffrey Palmer was fuming. The suite he’d booked was simply a room with a couch and coffee table against one wall. The four tall, muscled bodyguards he’d brought with him were sharing rooms with twin beds, and the limo driver had been called back to the airfield for a previous commitment. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the only places to eat were a far cry from the high end restaurants where Geoff would dine in Nashville.

But the greatest cause for concern was his realization that showing up at Brody’s ranch had been a grave mistake. Finally deciding on a new course of action, he texted his bodyguards and summoned them.

“Come in, come in,” he called impatiently as they knocked on his door. “I’m convinced Annie is either here or on her way,” he exclaimed as they entered. “It’s time for a change in plan. We’ll pretend to leave, but Gabe and John, you’ll stay here with me. I’ll explain how we’ll do this in a minute. Max and Stan, fly back to Nashville and start asking around. How the hell did she leave? Did she get hold of a car? Fly here in a private jet? Find the fuck out. I want answers. Got it?”

“Yes, boss,” they muttered in unison.

“Gabe, arrange a rental car to pick us up right away. Something basic. Do any of you recall that sign we passed on the way here advertising a campground?”

“Yeah, boss. I remember,” Gabe replied. “It said something like, Cabins and RV Spaces. Moonshine Lake Campgrounds.”

“That was it! Book the best two cabins they have available under your name and make sure you get clear directions. Now go. I need to make a call.”

The moment the door closed behind them, Geoff picked up the hotel phone and asked the front desk to connect him to the sheriffs office. When a young male voice answered, Geoff identified himself and demanded to speak to the sheriff.

“Mr. Palmer, this is Sheriff Cooper. How can I help you?”

“I’m leaving, but if Annie Baker shows up you must tell her to contact me. She’s under contract, and a clause of that contract requires her to stay in close communication with my office. If fourteen days passes with no word she will be in breach and can be sued. She stands to lose a great deal of money.”

“If I see her I’ll be sure to pass that along, Mr. Palmer.”

“I must also point out that besides her millions of fans, there are many people extremely worried about her, and some are dependent upon her for their livelihood. Annie Baker isn’t just a person, she’s a business. If she needs time off she can have it, but it’s extremely irresponsible and selfish for her to simply disappear.”

“Mr. Palmer, aren’t you worried?”

“Of course I’m worried,” Geoff snapped.

“It seems to me you should be lookin’ around Nashville. She might have met with foul play.”

“I can assure you that is being done. But she’s been restless lately and talking about missing home. I believe she decided to take a spur of the moment vacation and hasn’t told anyone.”

“If I see her I’ll tell her that as well.”

“Thank you. Now I must go.”

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