Chapter Twenty-Seven
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
For several terrifying minutes Geoff thought he’d be exposed. Brody and Annie had come perilously close, and though he was sure he hadn’t made a sound Brody’s dog had barked, and both horses had stopped and stared. Now they’d finally left, and Geoff tried to calm his racing heart.
His plan had been simple.
Jog across the empty field next to Brody’s ranch as he had the day before, slip into the forest, watch the house, and the moment he saw Annie alone he’d try to talk to her. If she put up a fuss he’d gag her, tie her up, and carry her back to his car.
But things had gone horribly wrong.
He’d driven off the road to park his car in the same spot he’d found the previous day, only to end up in mud. It was deep, and fearful of getting stuck he’d stopped before reaching the cover of the trees.
When he’d walked around the bend in the road and hurried towards the open field, he’d seen no deputy parked across from Brody’s gate. He’d been relieved and optimistic, only to discover the car was now on the ranch and near the house.
Angrily climbing over the fence and into the open field, things had abruptly gone from bad to worse. His feet had sunk into the wet, mucky ground and he’d stumbled over. With his hands and clothing covered in the wet, sticky, smelly dirt, he’d angrily trudged forward. As he did he’d cursed the weather, cursed Gabe and John for deserting him, cursed Annie for running away, but most of all he’d cursed Brody for interfering in her life.
Entering the foggy forest had been unnerving.
It was completely still, but with sudden, alarming noises. Then to his horror he’d heard Annie and Brody talking. Barely a second later he’d glimpsed them through the mist riding towards him. As he’d ducked behind a tree the dog had barked. Geoff had cringed, and though panic-stricken, he was ready to run, but miracle of miracles Brody had called the dog back, then he and Annie had turned around headed for home.
Now trying to calm himself, Geoff took several long deep breaths and tried to figure out what to do next. He could change out of his muddy clothes when he returned to his car, but he had nowhere to take a shower. And with a deputy parked near the house he couldn’t get near the place.
He finally decided there was only one thing to do.
Hike down to the edge of the trees, watch as he’d originally planned, and hope for an opportunity. Convinced his luck couldn’t get any worse he started off.
* * *
When Brody and Annie returned to the barn and began untacking the horses, he noticed she was unusually quiet, but as they carried their saddles into the tack room she began to hum.
“What a pretty melody,” he remarked, walking up behind her and moving his arms around her waist.
“Thanks. It just came into my head. I have a song brewing.”
“Called?”
“No idea,” she replied with a smile, turning around and wrapping her arms around his waist. “Will you walk back to the forest with me?”
“Uh, sure, why?”
“I want you to meet Merlin.”
“Merlin?”
“He’s a dog. That’s what I named him. I don’t know how he ended up there, but—”
“Annie, you know you can’t trust a wild dog.”
“That’s just it, he’s not wild. He’s calm and sweet, but I think the horses scare him. That’s why I want to walk back.”
“What does he look like?”
“He’s grey and white, more grey though, and big, really big.”
“Good grief! Annie! That’s no dog, that’s a wolf. I’ve seen him.”
“He’s not a wolf! There’s nothing aggressive about him. You may have spotted a wolf but it couldn’t have been Merlin.”
“Annie—”
“This is why I didn’t mention him before,” she exclaimed. “I knew you’d be worried and jump to the wrong conclusion.”
“Of course I’m worried,” Brody retorted, throwing his arms in the air.
“I’m worried too! About him! I’m sure he’s lost.”
“Okay, let’s start at the beginning. Did you actually pet this dog, or just see him?”
“I’ve run across him twice. The first time he came really close, the second time was right before you arrived with Luna.”
“You mean just now?”
“Yes, just now. I crouched down and he came right up to me. I was petting him but when he heard you he ran off.”
“I don’t know what to make of this. Darn it,” he muttered as his phone rang. “I have to take this. It’s one of the people coming to the clinic.”
“No problem. I can put the horses back in the paddock if you want.”
“That would be great, thanks, darlin’.”
Striding from the tack room and hurrying to his office, he settled behind his desk and accepted the call. Though the questions the woman began asking had been covered in the information he’d emailed, he realized she was nervous and just needed reassuring. As he patiently talked her through the various details he could sense her relaxing.
“Thank you so much for explaining everything,” she said gratefully as he finished. “I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m really nervous. I don’t want to make a fool of myself.”
“Everyone feels the same when they attend a clinic, especially for the first time. You don’t have to worry. It’s all about learning, not judging.”
“I’m so looking forward to this.”
“I am too. If you think of anything else just pick up the phone, otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks again, Brody. I can’t wait.”
“You’ll have fun, I promise. Bye for now.”
“Bye, Brody.”
Smiling as he ended the call, he rose to his feet and walked back into the barn.
“Annie?”
But it was only Bella who came trotting in from outside.