Chapter Twenty-Five
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Geoff had managed to leave the campgrounds without being seen, but now he wasn’t sure of his next move. He couldn’t return to the cabin or the crappy hotel and he had no intention of sleeping in his car. But he wouldn’t leave Smoky Hill without Annie. Needing to think, he drove to the dirt road that led to Lake View Point, and pulling to a stop, he stared at the magnificent view. The sun was shining, the lake looked like glass, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It seemed anything was possible. He needed to brainstorm with someone, and there was no-one better at coming up with ideas than Barry.
“Barry Stein,” his friend declared, accepting the call.
“It’s me, Geoff.”
“What a relief. I’ve been so worried. Update me. What’s happening? And don’t leave anything out.”
As Geoff outlined the recent dramatic events, he heard Barry quietly groan.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Geoff grunted. “You think it’s time to leave here, but I’m not going without Annie.”
“Geoff, please listen to me. You can’t take this any further. You’re obsessing. You need to get back here before you find yourself doing something you know you’ll regret. Let it go. Walk away. You can do it.”
“But--“
“You absolutely cannot put yourself in another Patty Henderson situation,” Barry exclaimed. “Do you hear what I’m saying?”
“Fuck! Why did you have to bring that up?”
“Because you needed to hear it!” Barry barked, then lowering his voice he added, “Annie just needs a break. Give it to her. She’ll come back to you. She will. She’ll miss performing and recording and she’ll—”
“It’s too hard,” Geoff muttered. “I’m not letting her stay here with that cowboy hick. She’s mine. She belongs to me. I made her. I created her. How can you ask me to walk the fuck away?”
“You must, and when you get back I’ll take care of you. We’ll visit Dr. Weissman together. He can help you.”
“Fucking Weissman. He’s just a pill-pushing quack,” Geoff growled. “I know where Annie is. All I have to do get her alone. Once I talk to her she’ll understand. She knows we belong together. She does. Her head’s just all twisted around because of that fucking cowboy.”
“Where are you?”
“Huh?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at a place overlooking a lake, why?”
“If you won’t leave, I’ll fly there right now and help you deal with this.”
“NO! Just tell me how to get her out of here! I need a plan.”
“Geoff, you can’t win this one.”
“The hell I can’t! Watch me!” Geoff yelled, and abruptly ending the call, he turned off his phone and marched back to his car.
* * *
The moment Annie stepped outside, she stopped and stared past the paddocks. Smoky Hill was living up to its name. The air was still, and a thick mist shrouded the forest on the gentle slope.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful this is. It looks like an oil painting.”
“Yeah, it’s breathtakin’,” Brody said softly, moving his arm around her shoulders. “Like it can’t be real. Look, even Bella’s watchin’,” he added, glancing down at the happy dog fixated on the sight.
“It’s magical. I have to go there.”
“I wish I could join you. I have to clean the stalls and get the horses out, but you go ahead if you want.”
“I should help you.”
“No need. I do this every mornin’, it’s no big deal, and there’s some other stuff I have to finish up. Just don’t venture too far in. After lunch we can take that trail ride.”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
“That would great. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” he said as they started walking. “It’s the other way around.”
“Why? What have I done?”
“You’re here. I know you’ll be takin’ off again to do what you do, but right now you’re with me, and there’s nothin’ in the world that makes me happier than havin’ you beside me.”
“Brody…”
“It’s true, darlin’. God gave you a gift to share with the world. Just as long as I know you’ll come back I’m good. Well, not good, but I get it, and you have my blessin’.”
“I love you so much,” she mumbled, fighting a rising surge of emotion. “It almost killed me not being able call or write to you. I was in prison with that horrible man.”
“Hey, it’s over,” he promised, pulling her into his arms. “Karma will step in and take care of him. We’re here together and that’s what matters.”
Sinking into his arms and closing her eyes, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The many months spent writing songs, recording and performing had been a dream come true. But through it all there’d been something missing. Now she knew it was being away from the man she loved. When Geoff had turned the dream into a terrifying nightmare, the missing piece became a gigantic chasm she never thought she’d be able to cross.
“There were times I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she whispered, pulling back and staring up at him as the tears trickled from her eyes.
“Hey, like I said, I should’ve come lookin’, and if you’re ever outta touch again I will, and that’s a promise.”
“Thank goodness you didn’t. I can’t even imagine what Geoff would have done. He’s like a king in that town.”
“Yeah, so I gathered, but now the evil man beneath the crown is about to be exposed. The people he’s used and abused will have their justice, and the ones still bowin’ and scrapin’ will have their freedom,” he said solemnly as he ran his hands up and down her back.
“That feels so good,” she said softly, letting out a heavy breath. “Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Tonight will you caress me like that all over my body?”
“You just read my mind. I’m just not sure if I can wait that long,” he said with a grin as he stepped back. “You’d better take that walk before I pick you up and carry you back to the house.”
“I won’t object.”
“Maybe not, but the horses will. They need to get out, and I need to get to work. But I promise later tonight, my hands will cover every inch of your naked body. And you know I always keep my promises.”