If she could make a difference in even one student’s life, especially a student as gifted as Savannah, then all the hard work she would need to put in to learning how to teach would be worth it.
Now she understood why Mr. White never felt like being a teacher prevented him from doing something worthwhile with his life.Teaching children is worthwhile.
A feeling of lightness spread through Jessie’s chest. She was exactly where she was supposed to be.
Jessie wouldn’t let this sense of fulfillment keep her from sending her paintings and pottery to New York City to be sold, though. Especially since Mr. Ramo and the Beckers had both responded to her email, saying they’d love to sell her work.
She could be a teacher and an artist from right here in Providence.
Chapter 34
Robert pulled his truck into his driveway and killed the engine. He dropped his hands to his thighs and wiped his damp palms against his jeans.
Jessie sat beside him, looking more beautiful than ever.
His heart rate accelerated. Just being near Jessie did that to him. Add in bringing her to his house for the first time, and he feared he might have a heart attack.
When he signed papers to start construction on this house just over five years ago, he’d done it with Jessie in mind. He’d chosen this house design because he thought it fit Jessie’s tastes, and he’d selected this lot so the bedrooms on the front side of the house would face south. He’d always intended one of the bedrooms to be Jessie’s art studio.
“What do you think?”
“It’s a beautiful house. Who lives here?”
“I do.”
“This is your house?” Jessie’s eyes widened. “When you told me you lived in town, I assumed you were just renting a small house. But this is a gorgeous home. Did you buy this or are you just renting?”
“I built it about five years ago.” Robert watched her to see if she would make the connection.
He’d planned to surprise Jessie with the announcement that the builders had already broken ground on their home after he proposed to her on that carefully planned night at the cabin.
But he never ended up proposing and never told her he was building a home for her.
Jessie’s brow creased. “Did you start this before I...”
“Yes. I was going to surprise you.”
“I don’t know what to say...” Jessie let out a short, but heavy, sigh. “I wish saying I’m sorry would make it so I could take it all back. Hit rewind somehow. You don’t know how many times I’ve wished I could go back five years and do it all again.”
He shifted to face her and took her hand. “You don’t mean that, Jess. You know you never would have been happy settling here, always wondering what opportunities you missed out on.”
Tears filled her eyes. “You’re right, but I think I regret the opportunities I missed out on here even more.”
Robert’s heart pounded so hard in his chest he suspected Jessie could hear it. He’d hoped the night would eventually head in this direction. He just didn’t think they’d have this discussion before they even got out of the truck.
“Those opportunities were only delayed. They’re still here.” The words were little more than a whisper.
Robert feared saying them too loud might make them more fragile. Like a giant bubble that hung in the air suspended, waiting for the slightest touch to burst it.
Jessie’s hand tightened around his, but she shook her head. “I don’t deserve a second chance.”
He reached up and wiped away the tear that fell on her cheek. “You deserve it more than anyone, Jess. You’ve had your fill of pain and suffering. Now it’s your turn to enjoy some happiness.”
“And you’re telling me that happiness can include you?” She pressed her cheek against his palm, her eyes full of questions, as though she didn’t dare hope that things could really work out between them this time.
She looked exactly like Robert felt.
“I’m telling you I want to discuss it with you and make a plan together.” He cleared his throat and chuckled. “But I hadn’t planned to do it until much later in the evening. I’m dying to kiss you already and we haven’t even had dinner yet.”
