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“You’re right, I’m strung out. That drive was exhausting, and not just because it was so long. I was watching the rear view mirror as much as I was watching the road.”

“I bet you were. Speakin’ of which, I need to get that car over to Hank’s place. But, Annie, I need to tell him why so he’ll be prepared on the off chance someone asks him about it. You don’t have to worry, he’ll keep quiet.”

“I know he will. In fact, I’d really like to see him, but not his new girlfriend. She can’t know I’m here. We don’t know anything about her.”

“I agree. Okay, I’ll call him and ask him to pop over.”

As he moved his arm from around her shoulders and reached for the phone, Bella padded across the room and jumped on the couch between them.

“She missed you too,” Brody remarked shifting to give his dog space.“She can see how upset you are.”

“I thought about you a lot sweet girl,” Annie said softly as she hugged her. “You are so special.”

“Hey, Hank, it’s me,” Brody declared, speaking into his cell phone. “I need a favor. An important one. When you have a minute can you drop by? Just you though. I need to speak to you alone.”

“I hope he hears that message soon,” Annie remarked. “I wasn’t worried about having the car here but now I am.”

“How were you able to get hold of it without Geoff knowing?”

“A struggling guitar player I know buys cars needing work, fixes them up and sells them for cash. I made the arrangements with him when I ran into him at a party. He’s one of the only people I know who doesn’t like Geoff. He waited for me behind the building where the band and I rehearse. I pretended to go to the ladies room, but slipped out and there he was. I paid him and took off.”

“We need to find a way to thank him when all this is over. What’s his name?”

“David Forrester. He was close to Patty. She wanted him in her band but Geoff wouldn’t allow it. I’m definitely going to help David if I can ever get free of my management contract.”

“You will,” Brody said grimly. ”I don’t care what it takes, you will.”

“I hope so, and I hope Hank shows up soon. I wouldn’t put it past Geoff to send one of his goons back here to do more snooping.”

“Hank will be busy with his horses like I should be. I’m hostin’ a clinic here this weekend.”

“You are? What will you be teaching?”

“I’ll help people with whatever they need, but it’s advertised as, Learn to Speak Horse.”

“That sounds fantastic. I wish I could watch.”

“You can. I’ll be videoing the whole thing. You can sit right here and see it live on my computer.”

“Really? That’s great.”

“Would you like to take a trail ride tomorrow?”

“Yes, please. That would be wonderful. I haven’t been on a horse since I left here.”

‘That’s criminal. Why not? You’re such a great rider.”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely. Surely there must be decent barns in and around Nashville.”

“There were, and I did look, but my days were always so full. Rehearsals, writing new songs, social events, it was endless, and of course Geoff was always watching over my shoulder.”

“Gettin’ back in the saddle will do you the world of good.”

“I agree, one-hundred percent. I can’t wait.”

“Hold on, that’s a text,” he muttered as his phone beeped. “It’s Hank. He’s drivin’ through my gate right now. He sure will be surprised to see you.”