Free When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery Page B

slipped around the corner was she able to takeanother breath. With trembling legs, she made her way to the store, not looking over her shoulder until she stepped inside. Though she was safe amidst the other patrons, she couldn’t resist the quick peek out the window to make sure Coop hadn’t followed.
    Inside the store, merchandise packed the walls from floor to ceiling. Everything and anything anyone could need lined the shelves in neatly labeled barrels and jars.
    She approached the clerk to let him know she would be picking up Jace’s order and that the wagon sat out front. She tried to ignore his gawking as she turned and began a slow walk up and down the aisles. Her fingers skimmed over the bright linens and flowered napkins that painted one of the tables. She eventually found herself at the back of the store where Annie spotted her and held up a piece of green cloth. “What do you think of this?”
    Bobbie touched the material and loved its softness. “This is very pretty, Annie. Is this going to be your new dress?”
    “Actually, I thought this could be
your
new dress.”
    Her jaw dropped open, and she snapped it closed. “Oh, Annie. I don’t know how to make a dress.”
    “No. But I do.”
    “But I couldn’t ask you to do that for me.”
    “You didn’t ask me to. I’m offering.”
    “But Annie—”
    Annie cut her off with a wave. “Look, Bobbie, I want to do this for you. Besides, it will give me something to do with my hands. I already have all the baby clothes I need from the first two.” Annie ended her plea with a shrug. “So you see, you’ll be helping me out.”
    She shook her head at Annie and took Sara from her arms. “You’re hopeless.”
    Annie grinned, then ran around collecting the thread and buttons she would need to complete the dress. Bobbie went up to the front to see if all of Jace’s supplies had been loaded into the wagon, waited for Annie to rejoin her, then paid the bill.
    Once home, she let Annie and the kids off at the house and then changed back into work clothes before pulling the wagon around to the barn to unload Jace’s supplies. She jumped from the seat and lifted a bag of grain.
    “Stop right there,” a voice growled behind her.
    She dropped the bag and raised her hands in the air. She straightened her shoulders, fighting the urge to turn toward the voice, and wishing she had worn her sidearm.

   NINE   
    W hat are you doing, Bobbie?”
    “I beg your pardon?” She peeked over her shoulder. The second she saw Jace, her hands dropped to her sides, and her face flamed bright red.
    “Why’d you put your hands up?” Jace walked toward her and the wagon.
    “Y–you’re command. I reacted instinctively.”
    “I just wanted you to drop that bag.”
    “Well, it worked. I dropped it.” With a half-hearted laugh, she glanced over her shoulder at the bag. “It ain’t too heavy if that’s what you’re worried about.”
    “That’s not what I’m worried about, but you don’t need to be carrying stuff like this.” He lifted the bag onto his shoulder. “I gave you the afternoon off. Relax.”
    She stood rooted near the barn door as if she didn’t know what to do with herself.
    “Go on, Bobbie. I’ll take care of this.”
    “All right. If you insist.”
    “I do.” She was nearly inside the barn when he dropped the bag, caught up with her, and touched her elbow. “Did everything go all right today?”
    “Yes.” Her smile looked forced. “Annie and I had a great time.”
    He searched her face, sure that something had happened in town that she didn’t want to tell him about. He veered toward the wagon and paused with his hand on the side rail. “Bobbie, most women scream when they’re frightened, but not you. Your hands went up.”
    She took a step toward him. “That incident with your cows and the falling rocks left me a bit shaken, Jace. It seems someone is after you, and if that’s the case, who’s to say they wouldn’t also come after