When All My Dreams Come True (34 page)

As Jace’s long strides carried him toward the livery, his thoughtfulness made Bobbie’s heart swell. He had yet to repeat the words aloud that he loved her, but his every action toward her showed his feelings.

He seemed to be doing everything in his power to prove he
deserved her trust. Did she love him? She wasn’t sure. But maybe it was time to open her heart and attempt to trust once again, come what may.

Intent on talking to Jace about her thoughts, Bobbie decided to leave the bench and head toward the livery.

Voices floated out of the doorway to the livery as she approached. They sounded excited, and one of the voices belonged to a woman. Bobbie peeked around the corner, and a gasp stuck at the back of her throat. Jace was hugging another woman, holding her in a way he’d never held her, and the look on his face told her all she needed to know.

Bobbie pulled back and leaned against the side of the livery to get her bearings. Then she turned and headed for the post office in search of a newspaper. She prayed there would be a listing for a ranch up for sale.

   TWENTY-SIX   

B
obbie found a newspaper and managed to return to the bench in front of the sheriff’s office before Jace arrived with a buggy. Without a word, she climbed onto the seat, not waiting for or wanting his help. She ignored the questioning looks he sent her way. He stayed quiet most of the way home, and Bobbie was grateful not to have to speak.

She jumped from the buggy as soon as it stopped at the house and threw a thank you over her shoulder.

“Bobbie?”

Jace’s voice stopped her. She didn’t turn around when he came up behind her because she couldn’t bring herself to look at his face.

“Are you all right? Did something happen at the sheriff’s office after I left? You were awfully quiet on the way home.”

“I’m...just tired.”

He placed a light touch on her shoulder. “Go get some rest,” he whispered.

Bobbie nodded and entered the house without looking back. She kicked off her shoes and fell onto the bed. The tears she’d managed to hold in check now made paths down her cheeks.

Help me, Lord. Ease this pain in my heart
. She crumpled the paper to her chest.
Please, Lord, let there be a listing of a ranch for sale. I can’t stay here. I can’t watch Jace with another woman
.

These tears! They came so easily of late. Bobbie turned to her pillow and let the clean, crisp smell of the sheets soothe her. Maybe she’d rest a bit before tackling the sale ads. Her lids grew heavy.

The sound of laughter yanked Bobbie from her slumber. The moon cast an eerie glow in her room. She reached to light the lantern. As she sat up, a blanket fell from her shoulders. The laughter and happy chatter continued outside her door, but Bobbie wasn’t in the mood to join them. She changed into her working clothes and set about removing the tangles from her hair. A tap sounded on her door, and Bobbie turned as it opened.

“Bobbie, you’re awake,” Annie said as she entered. “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet. Will you come out and join us for supper?”

Bobbie followed Annie into the kitchen and hoped the smile pasted on her face didn’t look as fake as it felt. Her feet came to a halt and refused to move when she saw the woman seated next to Jace at the table—the same one Jace had held in his arms at the livery.

The woman’s hand laid possessive claim to Jace’s arm as she leaned toward him. The desire to tear the woman’s hair out washed over her.

Annie took Bobbie by the arm and led her further into the kitchen. “Bobbie, I’d like you to meet a long-time friend of ours, Kim Harbough. We grew up together. She’s like a sister to Jace and me.”

Bobbie forced the smile back on her face as she greeted the woman. Why did the name sound familiar? Her mind clung to the word
sister
, and she almost laughed. Kim’s manner toward Jace didn’t appear sisterly.

“Hi, Bobbie.” Kim approached and gave her a hug. “Annie and Jace have been telling me all about you. I’m delighted to meet someone so important to this family.”

Bobbie felt her mouth hanging open and clamped it shut. “Thank you,” she managed to say.

Kim gave her another quick hug before returning to her chair. Annie stepped in front of Bobbie.

“Are you feeling all right, Bobbie? Do you need to go back and get more rest? I know today was hard on you.”

Bobbie almost laughed.
If you only knew
. “I’ll be fine. I’ll get a bite to eat and then go back to bed.”

“Great. Have a seat, and we’ll get started.”

Bobbie hadn’t noticed the rest of Annie’s family sitting around the table. She now smiled at each of them before bowing her head while Pete blessed the meal. She latched onto something Pete said and mulled it over while the food was passed.

“Let Kim’s short stay with us be filled with fun and laughter while we renew our friendship.”

Short stay? That sounded promising.
What am I thinking?
If he could be so fickle as to turn his feelings on and off at will with two different women, then he wasn’t to be trusted.

“Bobbie?” Jace gave her quizzical look.

“Yes?”

“You didn’t answer Kim’s question.”

“I’m sorry. Could you repeat it for me?”

“What’s your favorite part of ranching?” Kim said.

“Oh, the horses. I find them very intelligent, and once they’re trained, they seem to want nothing more than to please their owner.”

Jace snorted. “She’s talking about her own horse, of course. They’re not all like that. Mack and Bobbie are so close, I think they can read each other’s minds.”

Bobbie stared Jace in the eyes. “I know I can trust him. He has never hurt me or let me down in any way.”

Jace’s gaze didn’t flinch from hers. He tilted his head and lifted an eyebrow.

“So,” Bobbie said, “you all grew up together.” She looked at Kim. “Were you neighbors?”

“No. My parents loved to travel and hardly ever stayed home.” Kim made a face. “They thought that would be bad for me, for my education, so they left me with my aunt and uncle, Frank and
Dorothy Ashton. I’m sure you’ve met them. They run the mercantile.”

Bobbie nodded, the name finally falling into place. This was the Kim that Cade Ramsey loved. Apparently, Kim’s interest had changed targets.

“Well, Mrs. Kincaid was nice enough to invite me to stay with them during the summers. I enjoyed getting out of town for a while.” Kim reached over and touched Annie’s arm. “Not to mention spending so much time with my best friend. We used to stay up late some nights telling each other our hopes and dreams.”

“And giggling until Mom hollered for you to be quiet and go to sleep,” Jace said.

“That too.” An impish look came over her face. “I remember when Annie met Pete. Oh, the long hours of dreaming we did then.”

“Now, Kim,” Annie said, “some conversations were meant to stay secret.”

Pete’s fork clattered against his plate. “I think maybe I should hear some of what you said about me.”

Kim opened her mouth to speak. Annie cut her off. “Well, if we’re going to reveal secrets, I could mention a few nights spent mooning over another certain young man.” All eyes went to Kim, who blushed a pretty pink as she dropped her gaze.

“All right, Annie,” she said. “You win.”

What little appetite Bobbie had disappeared. She slid her chair back and stood.

“If you’ll excuse me, I think I need a little more rest. It was nice meeting you, Kim. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Bobbie retreated to the safety of her room. She thought she’d have to ask forgiveness later for her abrupt departure, but it would have to wait until her frame of mind improved. She plopped on her bed and snatched up the newspaper.

Jace stared at Bobbie’s closed door for several long moments. What happened between the questioning at the sheriff’s office and the ride home? Bobbie went from a person clinging to him and looking to him for comfort to being withdrawn and prickly. Kim’s presence couldn’t be the cause. Bobbie started acting funny before the two women met. Much as he wanted to confront her about it, he’d have to wait. He pulled his attention back to the conversation between Annie and Kim, something he found himself having to do many times over the course of the night.

He woke the next morning with the intent to find a moment alone with Bobbie. Did she remember something about her attacker? Was it something Cassie said?
Women!
He’d never figure them out.

Annie and Kim bustled around the kitchen making breakfast. Bobbie wasn’t there. Jace peeked into her room and found it empty. Had she gone off riding again? If so, he knew where to find her. Then he’d wring her neck for going off alone.