When All My Dreams Come True (33 page)

She turned back at a cheer from the crowd. Someone standing in front of her blocked her view, so she moved away from Annie and the rest of the group until she could see the kids running after the pig. She couldn’t help but laugh as the pig continually slipped away from the children’s grasp. The kids fell down and rolled in the straw, most of it sticking to their clothing when they stood.

She felt a tug on her arm and turned, expecting Jace. Instead, Cassie’s gaze bored into her.

“Excuse me,” Cassie said in a polite voice. “Sonny sent me to find you. He said he needs you right away. He looked rather upset.”

Bobbie examined Cassie’s face for signs of a trick, but the girl looked sincere—even a little upset. She looked around for Sonny but didn’t see him.

“Where is he?”

“Over by the livery. He looked like he was in pain. I think you should hurry.”

Bobbie took two steps, then stopped. “I need to tell Jace where I’m going.”

“I’ll tell him for you. I don’t think you should waste that much time. Sonny looked like he wanted you right away.”

Bobbie turned on her heel and walked as fast as her dress would allow. A sense of dread grew with each step. What had happened to Sonny? Why would he want her instead of Jace?

“Bobbie!”

She glanced to her left. The sight of Sonny smiling and waving stopped her cold. He didn’t look or act like he was in any pain.

Bobbie turned back to see if she could spot Cassie, but she couldn’t find her anywhere. She spun toward the livery and saw someone peeking around the corner.

   TWENTY-FIVE   

B
obbie turned to call to Sonny, but he’d disappeared. A look back at the livery let her know the man peering from behind had also vanished.

O Lord, what is happening? Why did Cassie send me back here?

Someone grabbed her arm. Bobbie screamed and tried to pull free. “Let me go!”

“Bobbie. It’s me!”

Jace?

He turned her around. Sheriff Morgan Thomas stood at his side.

“What’s going on, Bobbie? You said you were going to wait—”

Bobbie threw herself into the safety of Jace’s strong arms.

He pulled her close and pressed his cheek against her hair. “What’s wrong, Bobbie? What has you scared?”

Her finger shook as she pointed toward the livery. “Back there. I think he’s here.”

“Who?”

“The third man.”

Morgan raced off, sidearm in hand.

“And you were going after him yourself?” Jace said.

She shook her head.

“Then what were you doing over here, Bobbie?”

“Cassie. She...she...”

“What about her?”

Bobbie looked around and then pointed at Cassie as the young woman slipped into the gathering crowd. “Cassie told me Sonny was here and needed my help.”

“Grab her!” Jace yelled.

Jace put his arm around Bobbie as the crowd closed on Cassie. Morgan returned, asked Jace what was going on, then walked over and took Cassie by the arm. “Let’s continue this in my office.”

“Bobbie?” Annie hurried toward Jace and Bobbie, her brow furrowed.

“I’m all right, Annie,” Bobbie said as the two embraced. “A little scared maybe, but I’m not hurt.”

“Why don’t you take your family home, Pete,” Jace said. “I’ll get a buggy from Matt when we’re finished here. We’ll explain everything when we get home.”

“Good idea. We’ll see you at the ranch.” Pete put his arm around Annie and led her and the children away.

Jace and Bobbie walked into the sheriff’s office and found Morgan glowering at Cassie as she sat chewing on a fingernail. Jace led Bobbie to a chair far enough from the door where she couldn’t run off without his being able to stop her. She looked ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

“Will you be all right?” he whispered. When Bobbie nodded, he patted her arm and moved next to Morgan. “Start talking, Cassie,” he said as he perched on the corner of the desk.

She looked at him, rolled her eyes, and looked away.

“Throw her in a cell, Morgan.”

Cassie’s gaze snapped back to him, her eyes like those of a rabbit cornered by a coyote.

“What? But I didn’t do anything.”

“No? What about leading Bobbie into a trap where she could’ve been killed?”

“No! I—no,” she said in a weak voice.

“If you don’t want to end up behind bars, Miss Chatham,” Morgan said, “you’d better tell us your side of the story.”

Cassie fidgeted, twining her fingers. “I...he...he said he just wanted to meet Bobbie.”

“Who? Who is
he
?” Jace said.

Cassie shook her blonde curls. “I don’t know.”

“Cassie!”

“I swear! I never saw his face. He stood around the corner of a building and told me to look away while he talked so no one would suspect he was there.”

Jace examined her face. She appeared to be telling the truth. “What did he say?”

Cassie glanced at Bobbie, then looked at the floor. “He said he saw our little, uh, altercation by the pies. He said if I helped him, he’d get Bobbie out of the way for me...” She looked up at Jace. “So I could have you all to myself. He said he’d pay me to help.”

“What did you think ‘out of the way’ meant, Cassie?”

“I didn’t know. I just thought he’d distract her so I could be with you.”

Jace blew out his breath in disgust. He started pacing. “What else?”

“Nothing really. He suggested I tell Bobbie that Sonny was looking for her, that she cared enough about him to come running.”

Jace turned to Bobbie.

Her face held little expression, but her mouth dropped open. “But Sonny was there at the livery. I saw him.”

Morgan frowned, sat in thought for several seconds, then leaned over his desk. “How do you know it wasn’t Sonny doing the talking?”

The corner of Cassie’s lip rose in a sneer. “I think I’m smart enough to recognize Sonny’s voice. We’ve met, you know.” Cassie
shrugged. “I couldn’t identify this man’s voice, but he thought the only way to get Bobbie to leave Jace’s side was to use Sonny.”

Jace stopped and met Morgan’s gaze. “Are you sure you didn’t recognize his voice, Cassie?”

“Yes.”

Jace leaned down into her face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. And I’d appreciate it if you’d stop treating me like I’m some kind of criminal, Jace.” She batted her lashes. “It’s not a crime to want your attention, is it?”

Jace snorted. He moved to Bobbie’s side and squatted down. “Do you want to say anything?”

Bobbie shook her head.

“Do you have any questions you want to ask?”

“No. I’d like to go home now, though.”

“We’re almost finished.”

Morgan strode to the door, opened it, and called to his deputy. “Marcus, I want you to escort Miss Chatham home.” He turned back to Cassie. “Stay close to home, Cassie. I may not be finished with you yet.”

He shut the door as she tried to protest on her way out and headed back to his desk. He waved Bobbie into the chair Cassie vacated. “All right, Bobbie. Tell me your side of this.”

“There’s nothing to tell, Morgan.” Bobbie’s voice sounded weary as she sank onto the chair. “I told you all I know.”

“Tell me again. Why did you think that was the man with Coop?”

Bobbie shrugged. “Seemed logical. I figure he’s the only other person who meant me any harm.”

“Makes sense. Then what?”

“Then he disappeared and Jace grabbed me.”

Morgan sat back in his chair with a thud as he rubbed his chin. “What about the fact that you saw Sonny there?”

“I doubt he’s the one after me.”

Jace squatted next to her. “Why do you doubt that? You saw him
there. It could have been him.” He wouldn’t be the first of his hired hands who’d not been the innocent person they’d claimed to be.

Bobbie ran her hand over her face, then let it fall back into her lap. “I’ve gotten to know Sonny pretty well. He’s not the type of person who’d hurt me.”

Morgan crossed his arms. “All right, Bobbie, I guess that’s all for now. You’d be wise to stay around the ranch, maybe even inside the house until we catch this man.”

Bobbie stood and shook her head. “No, Morgan. I’m not going to let this man determine what I do or where I go.”

Jace stepped toward her. “Bobbie—”

“Don’t you start too.” She shook her finger in his face. “I spent almost two weeks locked up at your ranch. I won’t do it again. I’m not the one who did something wrong.”

Jace held up his hands. “All right, Bobbie. But would you at least make sure someone is with you at all times?”

“I won’t make any promises. I’ve had enough of being a prisoner. And don’t push this, Jace. I’m about fed up with the whole thing.”

“All right. I won’t say another word about it.” He turned his head. “Are we through, Morgan? I’d like to get Bobbie home.”

“Sure.” Morgan stood. “And Bobbie?” She looked up at him. “Please be careful.”

“I always am, Morgan.”

They stepped out onto the boardwalk before Jace stopped her and pointed to the bench in front of the sheriff’s office. “Why don’t you wait here, Bobbie? I’ll get a buggy for us.”

She dropped down on the bench without an argument.