When All My Dreams Come True (23 page)

“It’s all right. Like I said, it’s gotten easier. I think we’ve both made it through because of our faith. We find comfort in God’s Word. I can’t imagine how people get through devastating circumstances without Him.”

Bobbie blew out a long slow breath. “Thanks for telling me the story.” She needed to get out and think about everything. She stood. “I still have some work to do this morning.”

“I understand.” Annie called out her name at the door. “God won’t hide from those who seek Him. He’s also waiting with open arms for those who’ve been running from Him. He can be very patient.”

Bobbie smiled and gave a little wave as she walked away. Which one was she doing, seeking or running away? Maybe a little of both?

Jace dropped the last bag of oats into the feed barrel and shoved his hat up on his forehead in time to see Bobbie walking from the house. Her boots scuffed small puffs of dust. He thought back on the week. Bobbie had fought against the idea of attending church. She finally agreed, but he felt certain she didn’t hear a thing the preacher said. Cade cast several questioning looks, but Jace didn’t think Bobbie would appreciate his telling others about her problem, so he kept it to himself.

A voice in his ear interrupted his thoughts. He spun around and saw Coop standing at his shoulder. “What’d you say?”

Coop nodded in Bobbie’s direction. “I said, I think she’s got reason to be afeared.”

“What makes you say that?”

“We-ell…”

“Spill it, Coop, or get on with your business.” A frown crossed Coop’s face. “Sorry. It’s been a long week.”

“Yep. It sure has.” Coop patted him on the back. “I feel for ya.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I know ya got to feel bad about picking two bad un’s in a row.”

He stared at his ranch hand. “What makes you think Bobbie’s a bad one?”

Coop shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “I dint really want to tell ya this, Jace. I like Bobbie much as ever’n else, but I think ya oughtta know.”

He gritted his teeth to keep from yelling at Coop again. “Know what?”

“I seen her put lots o’ money in Pete’s bank. Stacks of it. Ain’t no way a wrangler kin get that kind o’ money. I oughtta know. An’ I even seen her standin’ behind the bank one day.”

Jace turned and faced Coop. “Are you sure about this, Coop? There’s no mistake?”

“Nope. I seen it.” Coop shuffled again. “I been thinking, Jace. I hate saying this, but it seems to me that all yer trouble started near the day that young’n showed up.”

“You’re going to have to explain that, Coop. I had rustled cattle before I hired her.”

“That’s true enough, but from what I understand, she took her sweet time getting here.” Coop scratched his whiskered cheek. “Or mebbe that’s just the story she spread when all the while she’s been here on yer ranch starting the trouble.” Coop gave a woeful shake of his head. “Don’t ya see? I heared tell that Bobbie wants her own place. She’s made it no secret she likes yer place. Then all sudden like, yer cows’r getting taken.” Coop leaned closer, his expression intense. “Ain’t ya noticed that she’s been the one finding them cows?” He leaned back and spit a thick stream of tobacco juice. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Seems kinda ’spicious like to me.”

Jace stared at Coop, unable to believe what he was saying. “What about the last bunch of stolen cattle? She was on the drive with me when that happened.”

Coop shrugged. “I was tol’ she prob’ly has help, like the ones helping rob them banks. Ya think mebbe it’s some young buck from where she used to work? She’s purty nuff to bend the heart o’ most men.”

Jace turned in time to see Bobbie disappear into the barn. She didn’t have a deceitful bone in her body. Or did she? Just how well did he know her?

“Onliest reason I said something was cuz I’m looking out for ya, Jace. Don’t wanna see ya get hurt again.”

Jace clapped the wizened old wrangler on the shoulder. “I appreciate it, Coop. I’ll check into everything you said. Would you run into town and pick up my supplies? They should be ready by now.”

“Sure thing, Jace. Ya got nothing to worry ’bout with that.” Coop
spun on his heel and headed for the wagon. He started humming, interrupted by another stream of juice.

Jace turned back toward the barn and rested his arms on the top rail of the corral fence.

Bobbie a bank robber? Could it be possible?

How well could he trust Coop as a witness? Completely. He’d known Coop a long time. He’d worked for his dad for years. He’d never given them reason to doubt his word. The only time Coop gave him any trouble was when Jace made Dew foreman. Coop left the ranch in anger but showed up a week later ready to get back to work.

Jace wanted to believe Bobbie innocent. The stacks of money could be explained if both she and her father saved their earnings. But why would she be standing behind the bank? He ran a hand over his jaw, and the rough stubble scratched at his palm. Open expanse stretched behind the bank, nothing that would need her to go back there. And she’d already told the story of disguising herself to go into town. She could easily do the same for other reasons.

What about the branded cattle? Bobbie did seem to be the bearer of the news. But how was she able to brand them? Did she sneak out at night?
Accomplices
. Even the sheriff mentioned them. If she really were behind it, she’d have to have help. She could meet up with them and keep them informed as to everyone’s whereabouts. She could even have told them that Coop would be the only hand around the ranch during the cattle drive. They knew it would be easy pickings.

He groaned and rested his head on his arm. What was he thinking? Bobbie wouldn’t do any of this. He’d gotten to know her pretty well over the months. She’d never given any of them reason to doubt her.

The barn door squeaked. He raised his head and saw Bobbie leading Mack out. She had him saddled. Where was she going? Jace
scaled the corral fence. His long strides ate up the distance between them as she mounted.

“Wait a minute, Bobbie.”

“Jace. I didn’t know you were here.”

That statement sent alarm through him. “Where do you think you’re going? You know you’re supposed to stay on the ranch.” He grabbed the reins. “Get down, Bobbie.”

She stepped down beside him. “Jace?”

“Don’t you realize how guilty you look by riding off?”

I wasn’t—

“Don’t tell me you weren’t, Bobbie. I’ve got the proof right here.” He shook the reins grasped in his fist.

“But—”

“Go stable your horse. You’re not going anywhere.”

She reached for the reins. Tears filled her eyes as she gave him a questioning glance. He clenched his jaw and turned away, looking back at her as she led Mack into the barn.

Her head was down, her shoulders slumped. He couldn’t tell if she was hurt or just disappointed he’d spoiled her plans. He couldn’t let himself care. All that mattered to him now was to prove her innocence or guilt. One way or another, he had to know.

He strode to the corral, mounted his horse, and headed in the direction they first found the branded cow. Maybe he could spot some evidence that might have been left behind. He wouldn’t stop there but would check every site where his cows were branded or stolen.

After spending an hour poking around at the first site and coming up empty, he headed at a gallop toward the second. He’d have to hurry if he wanted to be home before dark.

The second site turned out as unsuccessful as the first. Would it be worth the ride to check the last site? He lifted his hat and checked the sky. Only a few hours till dark. He heeled his horse into a gallop.

He neared the area where Bobbie helped birth the calf and slowed. The thought sent the first touch of a smile across his lips
that day. He sure would have liked to see her at work. All her efforts had to be quite a sight.

He altered his direction toward the small stand of trees where Bobbie said she found the branded cow. A searing pain stung the upper portion of his left arm just before he heard the sound of rifle fire.

   EIGHTEEN   

J
ace grabbed his rifle and tumbled to the ground. He rolled behind a small boulder, the only protection he could find. Another shot bounced off the rock, sending his scared horse running toward home. He shrunk lower. The sound of the ricochet left his ears ringing. He blew out two long, steadying breaths.

He lifted his hat to wipe his brow, and another bullet pinged against the rock. He set the hat beside him so he wouldn’t make that mistake again. The sting on his arm grew in intensity. He slipped his kerchief from his neck and tied it over the wound, using his teeth to help pull it tight. Thankfully, the shot only scratched the skin.

He looked around.
North range
. Hank Willet’s place wasn’t far from here. Could he be doing the shooting?

Jace rolled onto his stomach, grabbed his hat, and held it just above the ground. He slid it toward the side of the boulder. Another shot rang out. He pulled the hat back and found a bullet hole. Rage ripped through him, followed quickly by fear.

“Hank? Is that you out there?”

Laughter echoed across the plain from the trees.

He lay there stewing. He’d heard Hank’s laugh many times over the last year, but he couldn’t be sure if this one belonged to him. Who else would be out this far? Bobbie was back at the ranch, but this was
the last place she’d found the branded cow. Could it be one of her accomplices?

He raised his rifle far enough to fire a couple shots toward the trees. Two more came right back at him followed by more laughter. The boulder provided the only form of protection. If he tried to move in any direction, the man would have a clear shot.