Read Online When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery - Free Book Online Page A

the side of the wagon and stared in dismay. When she wore denims, she just hopped into it. Now, wearing a dress, she wasn’t sure what to do. She’d have to start paying more attention to those things.
    She started forward, determined to climb on and do her best not to trip and break her neck. Before her hand touched the wagon, Jace was at her side. He took her by the waist and lifted her up to the seat. She gasped, then slapped a hand over her mouth. The only man who’d ever done that had been her father when she was young.
    Bobbie sat behind Ben, Sara, and their parents, and worked to arrange her skirts as Jace slid up next to her and leaned close. “I hope I didn’t offend you just now, Bobbie, but I couldn’t see any other way to get you aboard.”
    “It’s all right.” But she refused to meet his gaze as her face flamed hotter.
    Because they were late, Pete dropped them off at the front of the church. Jace helped her down in the same way he’d placed her in the wagon, his strong hands clamped around her waist. Could she ever get used to being treated in such a style?
    They entered the small clapboard building and filed into a back pew. Bobbie sat between Jace and Annie. The congregation sang a few hymns before the pastor stood up at the front and began the sermon. Several minutes later, she still could not get engrossed in the message. She sat on the edge of the wooden pew as straight as a fence pole, her gaze glued to the older woman in front of her, though she couldn’t help but notice the frequent glances of several people sitting ahead of and around her.
    Besieged by a strong desire to run, she tossed a sideways glanceat Jace just in time to catch the frown he shot at Annie, who gazed at her curiously. Bobbie stared at her hands clasped in her lap. She didn’t want to disappoint Jace and Annie. They wanted her to like church, but she didn’t feel comfortable here. With a small sigh, she at least managed a prayer…that the sermon wouldn’t last much longer.
    After the service, Bobbie forced a smile as Annie introduced her to members of the congregation. She shook hands with everyone, their names and faces a blur, feeling very much like that black stallion she’d been helping Jace break. She wanted out. Somewhere outside these church walls lay familiar territory—a place where she could run, hide, and be herself. She could see the bright light of freedom beckoning to her from the door.
    She looked at Jace, willing him to notice her discomfort and help her make an escape, but what she found was the same annoyance he’d had for the black. Is that what she had become—a challenge to break into submitting to his faith?
    Jace led her to the door and introduced her to Pastor Robbins and his wife, Garnett. Garnett gave her a warm hug, and Bobbie relaxed for the first time since they arrived at the church.
    She remained subdued on the ride home and couldn’t seem to bring herself to join in their chatter, nor did they press her with questions. As soon as they were in the house, Annie stopped Bobbie’s escape into the kitchen by clasping her arm and holding her until Pete took the kids upstairs.
    “Bobbie, would you like to tell me what’s bothering you?”
    Lips tight, she shook her head. “Nothing.”
    “You and I both know that’s not true. If you tell me about it, I may be able to help.”
    Though her words were to the point, Annie’s voice sounded kind and concerned. Bobbie dropped her gaze to the floor. Jace paused at the door. Instead of going through, he closed it and leaned against it with his arms crossed. She had the distinct feeling he had cut off her escape on purpose.
    Annie called her name. She looked up. “Talk to me, Bobbie.”
    She heaved a sigh. “I guess I just thought the people in your church would be different.”
    “What do you mean, ‘different’?”
    “They were the same as everyone else I’ve come across since I left the Simms Ranch. I’ve been stared at and talked