When All My Dreams Come True (10 page)

Jace grinned and motioned for her to exit in front of him. She tried hard to disguise her anxiety but felt her lips tremble.

“Relax, Bobbie. No time like the present to get used to dressing up and facing groups of people.”

If only that would make it easier, but she was completely out of her element. She stopped at the side of the wagon and stared in dismay. When she wore denims, she just hopped into it. Now, wearing a dress, she wasn’t sure what to do. She’d have to start paying more attention to those things.

She started forward, determined to climb on and do her best not to trip and break her neck. Before her hand touched the wagon, Jace was at her side. He took her by the waist and lifted her up to the seat. She gasped, then slapped a hand over her mouth. The only man who’d ever done that had been her father when she was young.

Bobbie sat behind Ben, Sara, and their parents, and worked to arrange her skirts as Jace slid up next to her and leaned close. “I hope I didn’t offend you just now, Bobbie, but I couldn’t see any other way to get you aboard.”

“It’s all right.” But she refused to meet his gaze as her face flamed hotter.

Because they were late, Pete dropped them off at the front of the church. Jace helped her down in the same way he’d placed her in the wagon, his strong hands clamped around her waist. Could she ever get used to being treated in such a style?

They entered the small clapboard building and filed into a back pew. Bobbie sat between Jace and Annie. The congregation sang a few hymns before the pastor stood up at the front and began the sermon. Several minutes later, she still could not get engrossed in the message. She sat on the edge of the wooden pew as straight as a fence pole, her gaze glued to the older woman in front of her, though she couldn’t help but notice the frequent glances of several people sitting ahead of and around her.

Besieged by a strong desire to run, she tossed a sideways glance
at Jace just in time to catch the frown he shot at Annie, who gazed at her curiously. Bobbie stared at her hands clasped in her lap. She didn’t want to disappoint Jace and Annie. They wanted her to like church, but she didn’t feel comfortable here. With a small sigh, she at least managed a prayer…that the sermon wouldn’t last much longer.

After the service, Bobbie forced a smile as Annie introduced her to members of the congregation. She shook hands with everyone, their names and faces a blur, feeling very much like that black stallion she’d been helping Jace break. She wanted out. Somewhere outside these church walls lay familiar territory—a place where she could run, hide, and be herself. She could see the bright light of freedom beckoning to her from the door.

She looked at Jace, willing him to notice her discomfort and help her make an escape, but what she found was the same annoyance he’d had for the black. Is that what she had become—a challenge to break into submitting to his faith?

Jace led her to the door and introduced her to Pastor Robbins and his wife, Garnett. Garnett gave her a warm hug, and Bobbie relaxed for the first time since they arrived at the church.

She remained subdued on the ride home and couldn’t seem to bring herself to join in their chatter, nor did they press her with questions. As soon as they were in the house, Annie stopped Bobbie’s escape into the kitchen by clasping her arm and holding her until Pete took the kids upstairs.

“Bobbie, would you like to tell me what’s bothering you?”

Lips tight, she shook her head. “Nothing.”

“You and I both know that’s not true. If you tell me about it, I may be able to help.”

Though her words were to the point, Annie’s voice sounded kind and concerned. Bobbie dropped her gaze to the floor. Jace paused at the door. Instead of going through, he closed it and leaned against it with his arms crossed. She had the distinct feeling he had cut off her escape on purpose.

Annie called her name. She looked up. “Talk to me, Bobbie.”

She heaved a sigh. “I guess I just thought the people in your church would be different.”

“What do you mean, ‘different’?”

“They were the same as everyone else I’ve come across since I left the Simms Ranch. I’ve been stared at and talked about everywhere I go, and the same thing happened at the church today. And I wasn’t even wearing my trousers.” The sentence came out in a sob.

Her last comment caused Annie to smile. Jace looked away but not before she saw his grin. “It’s not funny!”

“Well, actually it is,” Annie said, still smiling. “You see, it’s not what you’re wearing that causes people to stare… although that dress does look wonderful on you.”

Annie laid her Bible on the couch before she took Bobbie by the shoulders, spun her around, and directed her to a mirror hanging on the wall.

“What do you see?”

Bobbie shrugged without really looking at herself. She tried to pull away, but Annie held her in front of the glass with firm hands.

“Come on. Humor me. What do you see?”

Uncomfortable with Jace in the room, she wished she could be anywhere else. “I just see a girl, a cowhand.”

Annie nodded. “That’s what I thought. Now, let me tell you what everyone else sees when they look at you.” Their eyes met in the glass. “They see a very beautiful young woman they would like to know better.”

Bobbie looked away, shaking her head in disbelief, but Annie wouldn’t let her go. Jace chose that moment to step in.

“Do you remember watching the sun come up this morning? You could hardly look away because it was so pretty. That’s the way it is when people, especially men, look at you. They see something beautiful and want to see more. So they either continue to try to catch glimpses of you or they just flat out stare.”

Bobbie frowned and backed away. He was making sport of her.

Jace crossed his arms. “I can see that you’ve spent way too much time working and not enough time socializing. You still don’t believe me, do you?”

“It’s true, Bobbie,” Annie said. “Just look at the way even my little four-year-old Ben can’t keep his eyes off you.”

She shook her head. “That’s just because I’m a stranger.”

“No it’s not. And if you don’t believe me, just ask him. A child will almost always tell you what he’s thinking. He already said you were pretty.”

Bobbie stared at Annie. The woman seemed determined to win this argument even if she had to stand there all afternoon.

“People know it’s rude to stare, but sometimes they just can’t help themselves. Once they get used to seeing you, the staring will end, just like at the Simms place. Trust us, Bobbie.” Annie gave her a hug. “We wouldn’t lie to you.” Annie stepped back and looked deep into her eyes. “All right?”

She felt her anger melt away and tears rise.

Annie stepped away. “Oh, now don’t start that or you’ll get me going.”

Bobbie laughed as Annie walked to the kitchen, her hands shaking in the air. “I cry way too easy when I’m with child.”

With the smile still on her face, Bobbie turned back to Jace.

He motioned for her to enter the kitchen. “So what did you think of the message?”

“I honestly can’t say. Maybe next time.”

His brows rose. “So there will be a next time?”

She shrugged and headed to her room to change. “We’ll see.”

   EIGHT   

B
obbie pushed away from the table, filled with enough of the noon meal to prove Annie was a good cook. The fact that she’d spent the last two days branding calves didn’t hurt her appetite either. Jace refused to let her help with the roundup. She wanted to argue, but something in his eyes, almost a haunted look, kept her silent.

Jace wiped his mouth and leaned back. “So Bobbie, would you mind taking a trip to town for me?”

Annie returned to her chair, apparently waiting for the answer.

“Sure. You need me to pick something up?”

“Just go into the mercantile and tell them you’re there for me. I gave them a list of items when I stopped by on Monday. They’ll load my order into the wagon for you.”

Bobbie nodded her agreement and stood.

Annie rose with her. “Would you like some company?”

“Sure. In fact, you’ll come in handy as I’ll need to stop by the bank on some business. I may need you to soften up the manager for me.”

Annie smiled. “I can do that. And how about a little shopping?”

Jace groaned and headed for the door.

Bobbie grinned and shook her head at him before turning to Annie. “That’s fine. Apparently, I have all afternoon.”

“Great! The kids and I will be ready in no time, once I finish with these dishes that is.”

Bobbie started clearing the table. “I’ll help.”

“And I accept.”

With the kitchen tasks finished, Bobbie changed into one of her old dresses, and they were on their way. Bobbie drove the horse and wagon so Annie could hold her children. By their excitement, a trip to town must be a real treat. They wriggled and chattered until Annie looked worn before they’d reached their destination.

Their afternoon began at the bank. When Bobbie entered with Annie and her kids, the nearest teller offered a friendly smile, then tapped on a door and announced to his boss that his wife had just arrived.

Bobbie cast a quick look around the building as they waited. The light-colored wood counter gleamed with polish. White paint reflected the sun off the walls, making the room bright. The place smelled clean and looked new, but she knew Pete had been working here for several years. The orderliness told her a lot about the man who ran the bank.