When All My Dreams Come True (15 page)

He grabbed the finger she shook at him. “You know, you’re right. I guess I’ll have to go home and confess that sin tonight while you’re cutting all those heads of hair.”

She stuck out her tongue, and he grinned.

“Come on.” He pushed away from the barn. “We’d better get in there and get some food before the men eat it all.”

“Really. I need to eat so I’ll have plenty of energy for tonight.”

He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. She gave his arm a playful push. “Don’t go trying to make it up to me now. It’s too late.”

Her heart did a funny little dance at the sound of his laughter. He tipped the rim of his hat and gave a mocking bow as he held the door open for her.

   TWELVE   

J
ace spotted the man he sought. Coop lounged with his feet up on a barrel surrounded by men engrossed in his latest tale.

“Coop, can I talk to you a minute?”

“Sure. Whatcha need?”

He led Coop away from the rest of the men. “You know we’re leaving on Monday to drive the cattle to the stockyard in Pueblo.”

“Yep.”

“I’d like for you to stay behind and watch the place for me.” Coop’s face darkened with that angry look Jace had come to know well, and he raised his hand to staunch an outburst. “I know Adam and Bobbie were the last to arrive here. They should be the ones staying behind, but I really don’t like the idea of leaving Bobbie here. That just leaves women and children to take care of things. And I don’t know or trust Adam enough to leave him behind to watch everything.

“I hope you’re not angry about my choice, Coop, but I’ve got to get these cattle to the stockyard before I lose any more. With so many of them to move, I need every available hand. Will you take over for me while we’re gone?”

The compliment rubbed the redness from Coop’s face. “Sure. I’d be happy to. Ya got nothing to worry about while yer gone. I’ll take care of everything.”

Jace stuck his hand out for Coop to shake. “I’ve already talked to Annie. You’ll be taking all your meals with her while we’re gone. We should be back in a week if all goes well. Thanks again, Coop.”

He patted Coop’s hunched shoulder, appreciating that his men respected his decisions. If only Bobbie agreed to do the same. She’d not said more about their argument or their conversation after the Bible study, but even after the fun she’d had cutting his hair, he couldn’t help but feel as if he’d lost something—respect or trust, he wasn’t sure.

“You bet. Don’t worry ’bout nothing.”

Jace swung toward the stable.

“Ah, Jace? I could sure use a trip inta town ’fore ya’ll head out. If I go now, I shouldn’t need to go again till ya git back.”

Jace paused, his hand on the carved wooden latch. “Sure, Coop. That’s not a problem.”

Coop tugged his hat over his eyes before heading for his horse. Jace went back to work with a clear head.

Two days later, the cattle drive was finally under way, much to Jace’s satisfaction. The anticipation always seemed harder than the drive itself. After countless trips, it still surprised him how tense he became.

He reined in his horse and glanced back, keeping a careful eye on the new men he’d hired for the drive.
Men
. The corner of his mouth twitched at the thought. Two of them were fresh out of the schoolyard. With a lot of talking and all the charm he could muster, he finally convinced their mothers to let them go.

He glanced at the sun, now halfway up in the sky. They’d left before daylight and were making good time. Looking ahead, he spied Dew leading the way with Beans nearby on the chuck wagon, flaps fluttering like two great white sails in the breeze. Bobbie had told him she’d been on cattle drives with Roy. His face flaming, Jace asked what she did about changing clothes and such. She laughed
and said as long as the chuck wagon had flaps, she did all of her changing inside. He decided they would do the same on this trip.

Dust billowed in the air, blocking his view of the woman in his thoughts, but he didn’t doubt she would be nearby performing the job she did so well. He pulled his kerchief up to cover his nose and mouth. The alternative was a snout full of grime at the end of the day, and a headache bad enough to cripple a man.

A heifer darted out of the group at a full run with its tail up and ears back. Jace reined his horse to give chase but stopped when he saw Bobbie atop Mack appear from the dirt cloud. Bobbie’s long braid bounced against her back with each of Mack’s strides. Jace caught himself grinning as he watched her cut off the heifer’s escape, turning it back toward the herd. Mack pranced as if he were in his element. No doubt Bobbie felt the same way.

The day passed uneventfully, and as night fell, everyone hankered to get out of the saddle. Earlier, he’d caught many of them standing with feet still in the stirrups trying to remove some of their knots and get their blood circulating again. He dismounted and did some stretching of his own before removing his hat and beating it against his legs, arms, and back. Around the campsite, others did the same.

Beans found a good place next to a stream to set up for the night, and the tantalizing scent of his wonderful stew and biscuits filled the air. Jace posted watches for the night. Dew and David would stand watch the first night, and he and Bobbie would take the next night. Sonny and Adam would be responsible for the third. Upon hearing that, Dew quickly downed some food and left with instructions for David to relieve him around midnight.

The rest of the group dug into the stew. They finished in a short time and relaxed around the fire while sipping on coffee. Bobbie excused herself, and Jace set down his coffee cup, prepared to follow if she took too long. Needing her to stand watch galled him, but he couldn’t use the boys he hired, and he needed Sonny and Adam for the third night. He wouldn’t ask any of his men to pull double
duty. Besides, if he wanted to earn her respect, he needed to trust that she could pull her own. At least they’d be far from the trouble at the ranch, and she knew how to use her weapons.

He remained watchful until Bobbie’s return. Annie hadn’t liked the idea of Bobbie going on the drive, and had given him stern instructions. He planned on following them to the letter.

When David finished his coffee, he pulled his guitar out of the chuck wagon and began playing a lively tune, much to the enjoyment of the group. Jace took that opportunity before bedding down for the night to check on his horse and talk to Beans about where they might stop tomorrow. The day had gone well. He prayed the rest of the drive did too. He’d had his belly full of trouble.

Bobbie prepared her bedroll next to Jace’s, looking around to make sure she wasn’t being watched. After making some adjustments on Jace’s bedding, she returned to the fire to listen to David sing and play his guitar.

David’s slow ballad wafted on the night air, his soft tenor voice ebbing and swelling like she’d pictured the ocean at full tide. Bobbie closed her eyes, soaking in the words she’d known since childhood. Unable to help herself, she joined him in singing the last verse and chorus, her clear, strong alto providing the perfect harmony.

When the song ended, the men clapped their enthusiastic appreciation. Her face heating, Bobbie was grateful for the darkness. Jace came up and sat next to her.

“That was beautiful.”

“I agree,” Sonny said. “Do you know another one?”

“I don’t know.” Bobbie looked at David.

“How about this one.” He began another ballad. This time the entire group joined in the laughter and singing. Groans of disappointment filled the air when the song ended and David reached for the canvas bag to store his guitar.

“Sorry, fellas. It’s late, and I’m next on watch.”

He ignored the pleas for more and finished stashing his guitar before plopping onto his bedroll. To his good fortune, David ducked his head under his pillow in time to avoid the barrage of boots that pelted him from every direction.

Bobbie crawled under her covers facing Jace and waited for the fun to begin. Through lowered lids, she watched him drop onto his pallet. Moments later, he flung off his covers and jumped up.

“What in the world? Is that a snake?” He rushed to the fire, picked up a lighted stick, and returned to his bedding.

She pulled her blanket up over her face and fought the laughter that shook her as she heard the other men question Jace. She peeked over the top of her covering and saw Jace grab his blanket and throw it off the rest of his bedding.

“What’s this?” Jace reached down. “A coiled piece of rope. And it’s wet.” He looked around at the men, a smile curling his lips. “All right. Who’s the prankster?”

He held the fire stick higher. When his gaze rested on her, she shut her eyes tight and curled the blanket around her face.

The wet piece of rope landed across her. She burst into laughter, and the men joined her.

“Jace Kincaid.” Bobbie sat up. “I can’t believe you’re afraid of a little piece of rope. You’re supposed to be our fearless leader.”

He knelt down in front of her, a slow smile curving his lips. “I guess you forgot that I like to retaliate.” His voice was quiet. “You’d better watch your back, Bobbie.”

The night was long as she spent it tossing. She just made out Jace’s face in the firelight and couldn’t help but watch him sleep. His handsome face looked peaceful in repose. And his lips. What might they feel like…

She wasted no time clearing camp the next morning. She tied up her
bedroll, gulped down some breakfast, and climbed onto her saddle, anxious to get as far from Jace as possible.

The best part of the day was spent looking over her shoulder as she kept a wary eye on Jace’s whereabouts, trying to anticipate his every move. She rubbed at the aching muscles in her neck and back.