“You really were the biggest idiot,” she said. “If I’d know how much you’d invested into our future, I wouldn’t have gone to New York.” Her expression turned sad, regretful.
“But we both know you would have felt like you were settling without ever finding out what might have been.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right, but I’m not settling now. Now, I’m chasing my dreams and I promise to never put my art or my career before you again. Now put that ring on my finger and kiss me.”
Robert complied, slipping the ring onto her finger, then slid onto the couch beside her before pulling her into his arms.
Several long minutes later, they came up for air.
Robert pushed away from her. “I want to play you a song.” He retrieved his guitar from the case he’d left sitting in the corner.
Jessie grinned. She faced sideways on the couch with legs tucked under her. “I’ve missed listening to you play and sing.”
“Don’t get too excited. I’m kind of rusty, because I haven’t played for a long time until recently.” He strummed the guitar before she could question why he’d stopped playing.
Jessie clasped her hands, her smile broadening, as he played the first notes of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.” Tears filled her eyes when he sang about just being kids when they fell in love.
His voice grew huskier as he sang about seeing her in that dress and wishing he’d talked to her that night in New York.
She stared at him for a long moment, hands pressed to her chest, after the final notes of the song faded away. “That was incredible. So beautiful.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Robert set his guitar aside and pulled her into his arms again. They sat in silence for several long moments, enjoying the perfectness of the moment.
Jessie asked as she admired the ring on her hand. “So, when do you want to get married?”
“Tomorrow.”
She laughed and looked at him, but Robert wasn’t laughing. He wasn’t even smiling. He was dead serious. He couldn’t wait to make Jessie his wife.
“We can’t get married tomorrow.”
“Why not? I know you probably want a big, fancy wedding and if that’s the case that’s what we’ll do, but as far as I’m concerned it can’t happen fast enough.”
“No, I don’t want a big wedding. But I think you need to wait a couple days after you get the marriage license before you can get married. Besides, elections are next week, I don’t want to do anything that might mess that up for you.”
Robert pulled back and looked at her. “What do you mean?” Had someone said something to her to make her think getting married would hurt his chances of winning the election?
There had been rumors flying around that the child Jessie carried was his. Never mind that she was already two months pregnant when she returned to providence. If Jessie hadn’t heard those rumors yet, he wasn’t about to tell her. Robert didn’t care what people thought. As far as he was concerned, the child she carried was his.
When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Everyone in town knows we’re together. Getting married before elections won’t hurt my chances of winning. If anything, it will help. Four years ago, there were several old biddies—I mean, older ladies—who thought it was inappropriate for the sheriff to be single.” He waved his hand in the air. “I stopped worrying about the election a long time ago. It’s not near as important to me as you are.”
“That’s just about the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me,” Jessie teased.
But Robert was in no mood to laugh. “Jess, I have waited thirteen years to make you my wife. I don’t want to wait a minute longer.”
“How about we get married next Saturday?” She placed a hand on his chest.
“Are you serious?” Robert’s heart raced.
“I think with my mom’s and your mom’s help we could pull together a simple little wedding.”
Robert pumped his arms in the air. “Yes!” He looked up at the ceiling and whispered, “Thank you.” Then he pulled Jessie into his arms again. “Oh, don’t forget Lottie. And Amy and Emily. I’m sure they’d all love to help. My aunts too.”
Seven more days, and Jessie will be mine. Finally.
Chapter 42
Robert looked up from the year’s budget report on his desk at a knock on his office door. He smiled as Sylvia Sorenson stepped into his office. The woman was finally his mother-in-law.
