Ask Anyone by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online

said.
    She blinked as if he’d pulled the idea out of thin air. “How did you know?”
    He chuckled at her pretense of amazement. “I might not be the professional cop that my brother is, but that horse you sent was a definite clue.”
    â€œIsn’t he the most amazing thing?” she said, her eyes lighting up. “You have no idea what I had to go through to find that particular carousel. It’s very rare.”
    â€œI’m sure,” he said. “Thank heavens, though, you got it out of my front yard.”
    Her mouth dropped open, and she looked as if he’d just revealed that the blasted thing had been kidnapped.
    â€œIt’s gone?” she whispered in a shocked tone.
    â€œSince a couple of hours ago,” he said, watching worriedly as her skin turned pale. “You had it picked up, didn’t you?”
    She shook her head. “What happened to the overnight guard? My arrangement was that he would stay right there with it until his replacement came this morning.”
    â€œI have no idea. He was gone by the time I left the house.” He studied her stricken expression. “Are you telling me that someone stole that horse?”
    Jenna nodded.
    Bobby couldn’t believe it. Who would steal a carousel horse? He turned on her suspiciously. “Is this some sort of scam? Or a publicity stunt? I am not paying for that horse. It was your bright idea that it was down here in the first place. I was never responsible for keeping it secure.”
    â€œI know.” She buried her face in her hands. “Oh, God,” she murmured. “My father is right. I am the world’s worst screwup. That horse is worth a fortune. And the rest of the carousel won’t be worth all that much without it. What was I thinking? I should have known something awful would happen. It always does. How am I ever supposed to convince my father that I can handle anything important when I keep messing up the simplest things?”
    Her plaintive tone struck a responsive note somewhere deep inside Bobby. He knew a whole lot about judgmental fathers. “Insurance?” he suggested hopefully.
    She shook her head. “The guard was cheaper. I used every last penny of my savings to buy that carousel and hire the security company to watch over the horse for a couple of days. Even if they’re liable, it will take forever to get paid.”
    Bobby reached for the phone. “I’ll get Tucker over here,” he said grimly. He wanted that antique carousel horse found and found fast, because the protective feelings that Jenna Kennedy stirred in him had trouble written all over them.
    While they waited for Tucker, Bobby brought Jenna a glass of brandy. It was early in the day, but she looked as if she might go into shock at any second. He did not want her fainting on him. If she did, he’d have to touch her, and he knew exactly how dangerous that could be.
    â€œDrink it,” he ordered.
    She eyed the glass warily. “What is it?”
    â€œBrandy.”
    â€œNo, thanks. I have to drive.”
    â€œIf that horse is missing, you’re not going anywhere till it’s found, am I right?”
    She sighed and reached for the glass. She took one sip and choked on it. “I really don’t think I’m the brandy type,” she said. “Is there any root beer around?”
    It was Bobby’s turn to sigh. “I’ll get it.”
    He was on his way back to his office when Tucker arrived, sirens blaring and lights flashing.
    â€œAnnounce to the world that I’m in the middle of another scene, why don’t you?” Bobby grumbled.
    â€œYou wanted me here in a hurry, didn’t you?”
    â€œNot half as much as I want the woman in there gone,” Bobby told his brother.
    â€œSo send her home,” Tucker said, as if it were a simple matter.
    â€œI would, but there’s the issue of the missing horse.”
    Tucker’s lips