Epilogue
EPILOGUE
The following day, while Brody was welcoming the visitors for his clinic and helping their horses settle, Annie was busy on the phone. After contacting her lawyer and outlining the hellish months she’d suffered through and the recent events at the ranch, he assured her he’d break all ties with Geoffrey Palmer and the management company.
Her next call was to Julie Preston. The savvy PR agent who once represented Patty Henderson was horrified but not surprised by Annie’s account of her hellish days with the famous manager.
In the following days, Annie appeared on national television entertainment shows and national news shows sharing her story and warning eager young hopefuls to stay on the alert for predators like Geoff.
A few weeks later, the investigation into Patty Henderson’s deadly car accident was reopened, but already facing a slew of charges, on his lawyer’s advice, Geoff became cooperative and confessed to tampering with her vehicle.
In spite of her busy schedule, Annie took time out every day to watch Brody with his horses. One afternoon, gazing up at the forest, she noticed Smoky Hill was once again living up to its name.
“Are you ready to venture back there,” Brody asked, walking up to her. “We can go on that overdue trail ride.”
“I’d like nothing better,” she replied. “And I bet Bella and Rocky would love it too, though you know he’s still Merlin to me.”
“I don’t think he cares what you call him. He loves you to pieces, like I do.”
“Brody, I love you too, so much,” she murmured, moving her arms around his waist and leaning against him. “I thank God for you every day.”
“We’d better get those horses tacked up before I give into temptation and carry you back in the house.”
* * *
A short time later they entered the peaceful forest with Rocky and Bella happily sniffing the ground running along beside them.
“Thanks for this,” Annie said with a happy sigh. “It’s so wonderful to be on a horse and riding through this magical place.”
“Wait until you get to the top.”
“We’re going all the way up?”
“The conditions are perfect, and if you think this is magical, you just wait. How about we lope a bit.”
“Sure.”
“Come on you two,” he called to the dogs as he asked Maverick to step into a canter. In just a few minutes, the mist became thicker and Brody slowed back down to a walk.
“Not long now,” he said, shooting Annie a grin. “It get’s dense like this, then suddenly it’s—”
“Brighter,” she exclaimed, cutting him off.
“Yep, and see how the fog is breakin’ apart.”
“I do.”
As they moved through the last of the mist she suddenly found herself on a plateau under bright sun, but Brody continued to ride forward, then turned around.
“Oh, my gosh,” she breathed stopping beside him. “You were right. It’s like being in heaven. It is heaven.”
Beneath them the fog looked like puffy white cotton, while behind her the mountain peaks soared into sky, and huge white clouds drifted aimlessly overhead.
“Annie,” he began softly, “wherever I am, I’m in heaven if I’m with you.”
“Brody, I feel the same,” she whispered, barely able to make her voice work.
“Marry me, darlin’.”
“Marry you? Oh, my gosh, Really?”
“Really!”
“YES, YES, YES,” she exclaimed as happy tears brimmed in her eyes.
Breaking into a wide smile, he leaned across the space between them and pressed his lips against hers in a long, lingering, loving kiss.
* * *
Though Annie wanted to have the wedding at the ranch she was afraid it would be too easy for the paparazzi to intrude. It was Brody who came up with the answer.
“The campgrounds,” he declared. “You’ve never been there, but it’s a beautiful location. We’re keeping it relatively small so there should be enough accommodation for the guests, and there’s a bridal cabin overlooking the lake.”
“The campground is where Geoff stayed when he was on the run,” she remarked. “Talk about poetic justice.”
“Do you want to drive over there and check it out?”
“Absolutely!”
When they arrived unannounced, the manager was thrilled to meet Annie and overjoyed at the prospect of hosting her wedding. She immediately fell in love with the quaint log cabins, and found the bridal cottage overlooking the lake breathtaking.
The arrangements were made, and on the big day, the guests were met at the private airfield, but had no idea where they were being taken. No reporters had uncovered the details, and there were no helicopters or drones flying overhead.
On the big day, Rocky and Bella were dressed like a bride and groom, and stood like perfect angels as Annie and Brody exchanged their vows. When they moved into the restaurant for the celebrations, Annie surprised everyone by walking onto the small stage with her guitar.
“Brody, this is one of my wedding presents for you,” she began, adjusting the microphone stand as she sat down. “Thank you for saving me, and thank you for making me happier than I ever thought I could be. It’s called, The Cowboy’s Magic Touch.”
With just a touch he heals a heart.
With just a touch he calms a soul.
With just a touch he shows his love.
With just a touch he made me whole.
He’s the cowboy with a special gift.
A cowboy who is brave and strong.
With wisdom and a warrior’s spirit,
He will always fight to right a wrong.
He’s the cowboy with the magic touch.
Who brought love and joy to my life.
He’s the cowboy with the magic touch.
And I’m so lucky to be his wife.
* * *
Three months later, when Annie discovered she was having a baby, she decided to take a year off and recorded the simple song. It hit the number one spot on both the country and contemporary music charts.
“When you go back you’ll be a bigger star than ever,” Brody murmured as they cuddled in bed. “Everything you sing turns to gold.”
“And everything you touch is kissed with magic.”
THE END