Page 9 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

While the mist was thick he’d experienced worse, and as they continued through the calm, quiet forest he wondered if he’d misinterpreted the shiver he’d felt in the barn. As he began to relax his mind wandered back to Annie. The girl he loved and thought he’d lost was resting in his guest room.

For over two years they’d been inseparable.

They’d embark on endless trail rides and make love under the stars, or next to a pond with the sun baking their bodies. He’d toss her in the water then jump in after her, and she’d squeal while he laughed. She’d cooked delicious dinners, then tease him until he’d tell her behave or else. It almost always ended up with her over his knee, then in his bed.

But throughout their time together she talked about her dreams of becoming the next Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain or Miranda Lambert. He’d always known one day she’d have to follow her passion. He’d also known, in spite of the thousands of hopefuls in Nashville, she would stand out.

He’d been right.

When she’d called and excitedly told him about the management contract and how she’d be recording the very next week he’d been thrilled for her. But as their conversation ended, as much as he didn’t want to believe it, he suspected the beginning of her career marked the beginning of the end for them.

He’d been right again.

For the last year he hadn’t heard from her.

But something had driven her away from the fame and fortune she’d achieved and he didn’t know what to think…or do.

Whatever it was had scared her out of her wits.

The Annie he knew—and still loved—was fearless.

Luna suddenly stopped, snapping him from his reverie.

As she raised her head and pricked her ears he stared into the trees ahead of him.

“Easy girl,” he murmured, stroking her neck.

Suddenly she jerked her head to the left.

Darting his eyes in the same direction, he caught his breath.

CHAPTER SIX

In the trees about fifty yards away was a huge grey wolf standing completely still.

The worst thing they could do was run.

But feeling Luna’s heart thump against his leg he knew she wanted to do just that.

“It’s okay, Luna,” he purred, moving his hand down her neck. “Just stay still.”

As his mare and the wolf stared at each other he considered reaching for his gun and shooting in the air to scare it away. Though under normal circumstances a shot wouldn’t bother Luna, the circumstances weren’t even close to normal. But to his amazement the wolf sat down. It was a posture of relaxation.

With his heart still racing, and keeping his eyes on the predatory animal, he slowly turned Luna towards home. Though she was antsy he managed to keep her at a quick walk. When she finally let out several snorts signaling her brain was back in control, not her flight response, he too, let out a relieved sigh.

Reaching the barn, he led her inside, pulled off her saddle and brushed her off, but all the while the wolf remained at the forefront of his mind. He’d never seen one in the forest, though a few had been sighted in the hills east of the town. After returning Luna to her paddock, he lifted his phone from his pocket and placed a call to his lifetime friend and next door neighbor, Hank McLean.

“Hey, Brody, what’s up?”

“Mornin’, Hank. Hold on to your hat. I just saw a wolf.”

“Damn. Where?”

“Up the Smoky Hill trail. He was a beauty. I’m assumin’ it’s a male because of its size. Strange thing though. I was on Luna and he stood and stared at us for a minute, then sat down.”

“Sat down? Are you sure you didn’t dream this?”

“If you were tellin’ me the story I’d ask the same question. I know you like to ride naked but—”

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