Page 7 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

Stepping into the kitchen he poured the coffee while the sheriff settled into a chair at the table and petted Belle, but glancing across at him, Brody noticed he was casually looking around.

“Cream and sugar?” Brody asked, knowing there was nothing casual about it.

“No thanks. I’m not sure how to tell you this,” the sheriff began as Brody placed the mug in front of him. “It’s about Annie Baker.”

“What about her?” Brody replied, sitting across from him.

“Apparently she’s disappeared.”

“From where? And how can a superstar disappear?”

“Funny thing, that’s exactly what I asked when I got the call. Seems her manager, a guy named Geoff Palmer, is real worried. He called the police in Nashville, and when they found out Smoky Hill is her home town they called me. I know you two were close before she up and left so you’re my first stop. Have you seen or heard from her by chance?”

“I’m sorry to say I haven’t spoken to Annie in over a year,” Brody said solemnly. “But now I’m worried too. I hope she’s okay.”

“Accordin’ to this manager she’s been a bit depressed recently.”

“I hope you’re not sayin’ he thinks she might have tried to hurt herself. That’s crazy. Annie would never do that.”

“The officer I spoke with claims that’s what her manager was thinkin’, though he didn’t actually come right out and say it.”

“Not in a million years.”

“At first that’s what I thought, but she’s been away from here for how long?”

“A little over three years.”

“A lot can happen to a young woman in three years, especially comin’ from a peaceful little town like this and bein’ thrown into recordin’ studios and concerts the way she was. It can’t have been easy. Maybe her dreams turned into nightmares.”

“Sheriff, if things had become unbearable she would’ve called me, or her mom and dad. Maybe even come back. You know how stubborn she can be. If that girl wants to do something, she does it.”

“You’re right about that,” he said with a sigh. “The thing is…”

“The thing is what, sheriff?”

“A young woman checked into the hotel this mornin’, then suddenly left. She’d paid for two nights, but walked out and said she wouldn’t be back and didn’t want the refund.”

“You think it was Annie?”

“I don’t know what to think. The girl had long dark hair, and of course Annie’s blond, but I ran into Edith Swanson and she thought it was her.”

“Yeah, I know, Clive told me. He came here a little bit ago to give me a heads up. But if Annie came back she wouldn’t check into the hotel, she’d go home.”

“Unless she doesn’t want anyone to know she’s here.”

“If she shows up I’ll let you know, but only if she says it’s okay. I know Annie, and if she’s taken off with no word and doesn’t want to be found she’ll have a good reason.”

“Huh. Well, there is that. But if she does, let me know so I don’t waste any more time lookin’ for her. I’ll keep it under wraps.”

“You can do that? Aren’t you obligated to pass along the information?”

“That’s what’s known as a judgment call,” he replied with a grin. “Thanks for the coffee. Bye, Bella,” he added, bending down and petting her. “Uh, Brody, one more thing. It’s my darn shoulder—it’s actin’ up again. Can you work your magic for me?”

“Sure.”

As the sheriff unbuttoned the top of his shirt and turned around, Brody took a breath, then stepped up and gently massaged the affected area. Feeling the familiar tingling move through his fingers, he closed his eyes and continued until the sensation stopped.

“Better?’ he asked, dropping his hand away.

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