Page 46 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

“Sure thing, and for the record I’m not expectin’ to run into this guy. If I thought that I’d go in alone.”

“Why don’t you think he’ll be there?” Annie asked.

“Comin’ through that open field next door would be tough goin’. It’s a muddy mess, and the fog in the forest is no picnic. I just want to see if there’s any trace of him.”

“Oh, yes, I see. I hadn’t thought about that, but I still want to check those rocks.”

“That will be my job,” Frank declared. “You and Bella will have to stay back.”

“We will, right Bella?”

“About Bella,” Brody began. “I think I should keep her here. She was runnin’ off when we went out before. If she wasn’t actin’ like she is I wouldn’t mind, but right now I want to keep an eye on her.”

“Understandable,” Frank remarked as they headed out the door. “And that fog is lookin’ pretty thick. Probably a good idea.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

As the deputy stopped at the barn, Bella jumped out first and Brody followed, but the moment he stepped into his office he felt something was wrong. Bella was also sniffing around as if picking up a fresh scent. Not seeing anything he decided the situation with Geoffrey Palmer had him unnerved, and Bella was probably smelling a rodent.

Letting out a sigh, he sat down at his desk and pulled a folder from the top drawer. It contained a release form, a list of rules, some general information, and the schedule of events. But as he began reading it to make sure there were no mistakes, he couldn’t concentrate.

Walking back outside with Bella, he entered the paddock and approached the colt. Working with the horses settled his nerves as much as theirs. As he stroked River’s neck and the young horse began to relax, Brody felt his own stress leave his body.

He continued for several minutes, then glancing towards the forest and seeing the deputy’s car he thought about joining them, but he still needed to check the paperwork and print out several copies. Telling himself if they weren’t back by the time he was finished he’d jog up and find them.

* * *

When Frank and Annie had entered the forest, she’d immediately noticed how much thicker the fog had become and wasn’t sure if she’d be able to find her way. But she soon spotted the track she’d taken and in just a few minutes she was pointing out the rocks to Frank.

“I’ll see what’s back here, but please stay where you are, Annie,” he ordered, shining his powerful flashlight in front of him and making his way behind the big boulders. “Damn! Someone was here. Come and take a look at this.”

“What is it? What have you found?”

“Clear footprints. See?” he declared, shining the light on the ground. “They’re fresh and they were made by a man.”

“Oh, my gosh. They have to be Geoff’s. He was here.”

“The question is, where is he now? Hold on, what’s this?” Frank muttered, stepping forward and bending down. “Clothes! Dirty, muddy clothes. These need to be bagged. I have to call the sheriff.”

“Bagged?” Annie repeated.

“Picked up with rubber gloves and placed in a plastic evidence bag.”

“Oh, just like on television.”

“Yep, just like that. I’m callin’ the sheriff,” he said, lifting out his phone, “Darn it, the signal’s too weak.”

“But, Frank, if those are his, what’s he wearing? He can’t be running around naked.”

“I was just thinkin’ the same thing. Where could he pick up clean clothin’? He sure as heck didn’t come into the house.”

“The barn! Brody keeps a few things in a cupboard there. I wonder if he’s still in the forest,” she murmured, feeling goosebumps popping across on her skin.

“I need to get you back to the car,” Frank said solemnly, “and I mean right now.”

“I agree! I’m feeling really creeped out.”

* * *

---