First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) Read Free

free!”
    “We’ll see. I may be free and have nowhere to go.” She spoke glumly, completely overcome with the emotions accompanying the memories of her past. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she swiped the screen and selected Jessie’s number.
    The phone barely had a chance to ring when Jessie answered. “I have bad news,”
    “Oh?” Isabella’s frown deepened. Already her stomach started knotting. She knew the direction this conversation was taking.
    There was a sigh. “Well, you know how Jeff can be a tad over-protective?”
    “Yes?” Isabella’s disappointment was evident in her voice.
    “He doesn’t want me to go. After that freak storm last night plus more today…and he knows how we get talking and lose track of time…” She waited for Isabella to come to the proper conclusion.
    “I understand.” Instantly, her shoulders slumped and she hunched over the counter.
    “We’re on for next week, right?” Jessie tried to sound cheerful and certain. They had been friends since elementary school and she truly understood how much Isabella had come to rely on their time together.
    “Of course. Next week.” They hung up and she let loose a long sigh.
    Kristofer had been watching the entire time. “No Girl’s Night?”
    Isabella shook her head. “Nope.”
    He slapped the counter. “I have an idea.” He smiled at her and hoped to build up her anticipation.
    “Let’s hear it.” She could already feel the cloud over her head dissipating.
    “What if you go meet up with Jack?  Is he closing the store tonight?”
    Isabella nodded.
    “You said he was distant. Surprise him!  There’s nothing that can’t be fixed if you try.” He watched her closely for a reaction.
    In truth, his idea had merit. Slowly a smile spread across her face and her eyes lit up. “You’re right. Maybe we just need to spend more time together.” Impulsively, she reached out and drew Kristofer into a big hug. “Thank you. See you tomorrow?”
    “You bet. Have a nice night.”
    “Thank you!  I will.” Isabella pulled her coat on over her sweater and walked toward the door.
    Kristofer followed, ready to lock the door behind her. “Drive carefully!”
    Nodding, Isabella waved behind her and squealed as she slid on the sidewalk. Apparently, there was some merit to Jeff’s concerns. She giggled. It only took a few minutes to wipe off the light snow which had accumulated on her car. With some force, she managed to yank the door open and climb inside. After allowing the vehicle to warm up for several minutes, Isabella cautiously drove to her destination.
    She pulled into the parking space at the mall a little too quickly and held her breath as she wondered if the car would stop on the icy pavement before hitting the car in front of her. It did. Life was good. She knew Brad, one of Jack’s employees at the toy store he managed, was working. Brad would watch the place so she could whisk Jack away to have a quick dinner in the food court before she went home to relieve the babysitter. She had it all planned out.
    The marble floor in the main entrance was slick from all the melting snow people dragged in on their feet. Isabella slipped then glanced around to see if anyone noticed. After finding her footing, she nearly sprinted the distance from the door to the store entrance. As she drew near, she could see Brad sitting on the stool behind the counter.
    Isabella gave the area a quick once over before she realized Jack must be in the back room. She barely noticed the alarmed look on Brad’s face as she smiled, waved, and made the ‘shh’ sign over her lips at the young cashier. He seemed temporarily paralyzed, torn between moving or speaking or both, but Isabella paid no attention. She wanted to surprise Jack. She didn’t want her arrival to be announced.
    The black commercial carpeting with the confetti design whispered under her feet as she bounded toward the back room door. She paused before entering. The door was ajar, and