Jessie smiled, and her eyes sparked into little twin flames.
“I like strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to chase their dreams. Talented women who enjoy sharing their gifts with others.”
Jessie’s smile faded, and her eyes dimmed.
Shoot. What did I say?
He’d planned this whole evening hoping to convince Jessie to take a second chance on him. And now he was ruining it.
“Don’t you want a woman who puts you first?”
Where is this coming from?Did Jessie honestly think he was that selfish? That he was like Patrick?
“Sure, I want a woman who loves me so much, she thinks about me all the time. But I don’t want a woman who feels she needs to base every decision and action on what I want. What good is her devotion to me if she’s not there for her family and friends when they need her?”
He reached for her hand across the table. It felt so delicate in his. “I want a woman who loves herself first.”
Tears filled Jessie’s eyes, and Robert prayed they resulted from something he’d said right, not something he’d said wrong.
He cleared his throat. “I have some things I need to say to you, Jess, but I need you to listen to everything before you comment. And if you don’t want to comment, that’s okay too, I guess. But I really hope you have something to say when I’m done.”
He sucked in a deep breath, and Jessie laughed. “Quiet. I’m trying to be serious here.” He tightened his hold on her hand. “Okay, here it goes. I love you.” Jessie’s lips turned up, and Robert’s pulse raced. “I fell in love with you when I was seventeen and I’ve never stopped loving you. I tried to get over you the past five years. A time or two I thought I’d succeeded, but the minute you waltzed back into my life, I was sunk.”
He leaned forward in his seat, needing to get it all out before he lost his courage. “If you feel you need to leave Providence to follow your dreams or build your career, I will follow you. To the ends of the earth. Even to New York City. I could give up law enforcement and become a stable master or groom, or whatever they’re called, for some rich senator or actor who has some land. That way, I wouldn’t feel too claustrophobic, hopefully. And if you’re going to be some famous artist, then you could basically support us.”
Jessie burst out laughing. “I am not going back to New York City. Ever.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. Were you done? Is it my turn yet?”
“I have more to say, but first, I want to hear more about you never going back to New York.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’d never ask you to leave Providence. Especially when you’re up for re-election.”
“Getting re-elected as sheriff isn’t near as important to me as never losing you again. And if that means leaving Providence so you can have the career you want, then I’ll do it in a heartbeat.”
It wouldn’t be easy, but Jessie was worth the sacrifice.
Chapter 35
Jessie leaned forward and squeezed Robert’s hand. “I love you too, Robert.”
The smile that took over Robert’s face took her breath away. She ignored her racing pulse and focused on what she wanted to say. “I’m so sorry I left five years ago. Except for the glimpse of success I had with my art, I was never happy in New York.” Her voice dropped as she continued. “That’s why I went out with Patrick, because I was so lonely. The affection I felt for him was nothing compared to the love I have for you. I wonder if that was the problem between us. I couldn’t love him enough.”
Robert shook his head. “Don’t start blaming yourself again and please don’t excuse that man’s behavior.”
Jessie held up her other hand. “You’re right. It’s not my fault. I understand that now. The affection I felt for him could have grown, if he hadn’t crushed it along with the rest of me.” She was making progress. It was slow, but her psyche was improving.
“Jess—”
She waved away his protest. “Okay, I’m done with my pity party. Now, where was I?”
“I believe you just said you loved me,” Robert said, with a gleam in his eyes.
“I did?” Her eyes widened in mock surprise.
“Don’t play games with me, sweetheart.” Robert’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Jessie gave him a contrite smile. “I do love you. I always have and I always will. You were my first love, and you’ll be my last.”
Robert let out a tortured groan.
