Chapter Twenty
CHAPTER TWENTY
Annie Baker was the community’s most famous resident. She had left for Nashville several years before to chase her dreams. After succeeding beyond her wildest expectations, she’d ended up in the hands of an abusive personal manager. But she’d managed to escape and had returned to the cowboy she’d left behind. They were married at the Moonshine Campground, and though she still toured and produced albums Smoky Hill was her home.
Katy Miller had grown up in Danville, but she and Annie had been in a choir together, and for a short time had created an all girl country band. To their dismay it had fallen apart when the other two members left the area. But Katy and Annie had remained close, and often met up for lunch or dinner at the Moonshine restaurant. When Katy called the following morning and asked Annie if she could find out the last name of one of the guests, Annie didn’t even ask why, and soon got back to me with the information.
“It’s Bradley, Craig Bradley,” she declared. “The address given was in Danville.”
“Great, thanks, Annie. I promise to fill you in when I can.”
“No problem, but before you go, you mentioned you’ve started dating Doug Anderson. I can’t believe that poor guy was innocent all that time.”
“Yeah, it was pretty bad.”
“So…I don’t know if he has any plans now that he’s been cleared, but a friend of mine, Helen Rutherford, is looking for a barn manager. Actually her parents are. Do you know the Rutherford Estate?”
“Absolutely I know it, and I know Helen. We’ve often crossed paths ”
“Well, the thing is, they had stables built on the estate and now they’re ready to bring in some horses, but they have no-one to manage the barn. The job comes with a gorgeous guest house. I’ve seen it. Helen lived in it for a short time before she hooked up with Brody King and got married.”
“Oh, wow. This could be a Godsend. Now that his name’s been cleared he’s looking for a new place to live, and he’s ready for a better job. He’s more than capable of running his own barn, but—”
“You don’t have to say anything else. With that horrible accusation hanging over his head his hands were tied.”
“Exactly.”
“Let me talk to Helen and get all the details. This could be a win—win.”
“Thanks, Annie, that would be super. And thanks for getting the information about Craig.”
“I’m dying to know what this is about.”
“I promise to tell you soon as I can.”
* * *
Doug had just finished putting the last horse out in its paddock and was walking back to the barn when he received a text from Katy. The message made him stop short.
Craig’s last name is Bradley. I just searched him on the internet and you won’t believe who he is.
Intrigued, Doug broke into a jog and hurried into the kitchen to find Katy at the kitchen table drinking coffee and staring down at her iPad.
“Doug! I’m so glad you’re here,” she exclaimed, darting her eyes up. “This is crazy. Craig Bradley is an international surfing champion. He’s famous.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No, look.”
Sitting next to her, he stared in shock at the images of the handsome surfer holding trophies over his head, and posing with glamorous models in skimpy swimwear.
“You’re right. I can’t believe it,” Doug exclaimed. “How did Beth Green even meet a guy like that?”
“No idea, but that’s him.”
“This just doesn’t make any sense,” Doug continued, picking up the iPad and studying the pictures. “Hold on…the guy at the bar looks a lot like him, but his physique is different. Or am I wrong?”
Squinting as she studied the photograph, she suddenly let out a cry.
“Oh, my gosh, you’re right. Does this mean the guy at the bar is pretending to be him?”
“It’s the only explanation.”
“So…what do we do?”
“There’s only one thing we can do. Talk to Sheriff Cooper. But we have to speak with Jim first.”
“But you can’t leave the ranch. Should I go over there and see him?”
“Jim doesn’t know you like he knows me. He probably won’t open up.”
“Then I can stay here and you can go.”
“Thanks, darlin’, but it’s Monday. Clients can come and see their horses and take them on trail rides, but the arenas are closed. I have to drag and water them. When I’m done with that there’s a ton of other stuff I have to do.”
“We told him we’d call and check in on him,” Katy said thoughtfully. “Maybe he’ll tell us over the phone.”
“Good idea. It’s worth a shot,” Doug replied, lifting out his phone and placing the call.
“Hello, Jim. It’s Doug and Katy checking in,” Doug declared, placing the call on speaker. “How are you?”
“I’m feeling better already. I woke up about half-an-hour ago. I swear I had the best sleep I’ve had in a very long time. Not only that, breakfast will be delivered shortly and I’m actually hungry.”
“That’s wonderful,” Katy exclaimed. “I’m sure you’ll be feeling like your old self in no time.”
“Thanks to both of you.”
“Jim, we discovered something startling about your wife’s, uh, friend, and we need to contact Sheriff Cooper,” Doug said solemnly.
“Ah…I understand. You found out he’s a phony.”
“You know about him?”
“Not everything. I don’t know his real identity, but I saw them together once and I knew there was something wrong.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Katy interjected.
“I don’t mean to sound unkind, but a man like that…I can’t see him being interested in my Beth. She was conned and when she finds out she’ll be so humiliated. What she did to me is almost unforgivable, and I realize there’s no way to avoid contacting the sheriff, but I just want to find a way to protect her. This man took advantage of her. You see…there’s something you don’t know about Beth. She has some issues.”