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Now it was time to focus on Helen.

He hadn’t been lying.

He did have plans for her.

Big plans.

And a surefire way to make sure she played ball.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The following morning Andy woke up early as he always did, but Helen was still sleeping. Not wanting to wake her, he quietly slipped from the bed, pulled on his clothes, and walked up to the barn to feed the horses and clean the stalls.

As he worked he thought about the conversation he’d had with her the previous night about the mystery man she knew only as Kenny. Though Andy didn’t like jumping to conclusions, he couldn’t shake off his worry. Walking into his office, he sat behind his desk, picked up his phone and called Sheriff Cooper. A few months before, Andy’s sister Annie, a celebrated country music star, had been in dire trouble and the sheriff had saved her life. Since the dramatic event, the family had become close to the likable lawman.

“Hey, there, Andy. Good to hear from you,” the sheriff exclaimed. How is everything?”

“Great. And you?”

“Couldn’t be better. I’m happy to say things have settled down since that drama with Annie, though why do I get the feelin’ something else might be brewin’?”

“I don’t know how you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Sense trouble.”

“Too many years on the job, I guess. What’s the problem?”

“Have you ever heard of a guy called Kenny?”

“Sure, I know a few fellas by that name. Can you give me a bit more info?”

“I wish I could. All I know is he’s out of Dallas.”

“I’m sure there are many guys called Kenny from Dallas. What’s goin’ on? You sound worried.”

“I am. He wants to meet Helen this afternoon at the Moonshine Restaurant. The thing is, he told her to keep it a secret and I have a bad feelin’.”

“Ah. Never ignore a bad feelin’. See if you can get a last name. I can run it by my contacts in Dallas. But regardless, I’ll make sure one of my boys is close by in case, and he can follow her home at a discreet distance and make sure she gets back okay.”

“Thanks, sheriff, that makes me feel a whole lot better.”

“In the meantime, I’ll reach out to one of my contacts and see if he’s heard of any bad actors with the first name of Ken, or Kenny. I’ll let you know if he comes up with anything.”

“I really appreciate this.”

“Any time, Andy. Any time.”

The conversation ended, but as another idea floated into Andy’s head, he placed a call to one of his closest friends. His famous sister’s husband, Brody King.

“Andy, hey, good to hear from you,” Brody exclaimed as he answered.

“Hey, Brody. How are you? How’s Annie’ doin’?”

“Great, she’s just left for the studio. Sure is handy havin’ it next door.”

“Do you have a minute?”