Jessie removed herself from his life years ago, and he’d moved on. Well, he’d tried anyway. His career had moved forward, but that was about it.
He bent and picked up another rock.
* * *
Sylvia hugged Jessie.“I’ll come visit you tomorrow after I get off work.”
Robert caught the fear that flitted through Jessie’s eyes. Leaving her alone wasn’t ideal, but Sylvia needed to maintain a normal routine so she could honestly say Jessie wasn’t there when Pendleton showed up at her door.
No way could Robert stay here with her. The spacious cabin felt too cozy. The scent of the fresh-cut pine logs and the golden rays of the setting sun coming through the picture windows gave the great room an ethereal feeling. One that could be construed as romantic.
He waited at the door for Sylvia to step outside. “I need to talk to Jessie. I’ll be out in a minute.”
He turned to lead Jessie to the couch in the great room, then deciding he couldn’t sit on the same sofa they had made out on, he changed directions. He led her to the dining table, trying not to remember their last night here together.
Keep it professional.
“Your mother and I will take turns checking on you. If you need anything, let one of us know and the other will bring it the next day.”
Could he stand to visit Jessie that often?
He pulled his mind back to the task at hand. “I want to be on guard for when we might expect trouble from your...from Pendleton. When will he get home?”
“Probably around six tomorrow evening.” Jessie wrapped her arms around herself.
“An officer will most likely be waiting to arrest him. By Monday though, I’m sure he’ll have made bail and he’ll be banging down your mom’s door.”
Jessie’s brow furrowed. “Have I put her in danger by coming home?”
“I’ll keep an eye on your mom. Is he volatile enough to hurt her if she’s not cooperative?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Okay. I’ll see if I can talk her into staying with my mom and Aunt Charity.”
“I’m sorry to cause so much trouble for everyone.” Jessie stuck a bright red nail between her teeth, then apparently remembering she didn’t bite her nails anymore, pulled it out.
“Don’t be. My deputies and I will be vigilant, and we’ll keep everyone safe. I’m going to take care of you Jessie.”
Robert reached out, intending to put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Then, remembering the shock he’d experienced when he took the suitcase from her, he pulled back. He couldn’t touch her right now. He was having a hard enough time as it was.
Robert stood and walked to the door. “It’s best if you stay inside and keep this door locked at all times.”
Robert closed the door behind himself and waited to make sure Jessie locked it. He hoped he wouldn’t end up regretting helping her.
* * *
After dropping off Sylvia,who insisted on going home, Robert headed back toward the Double Diamond. He longed for the carefree days of his youth. Even though he had no interest in working with animals anymore, he’d never trade the childhood he’d enjoyed on the forty-thousand-acre ranch.
He pulled up to his childhood home and shut off the engine, asking himself why he was here. He needed to talk to someone, but he wasn’t sure he could talk about any of it.
Seeing Jessie looking so different but still beautiful had rocked him. And recognizing how thoroughly her husband had beaten her down—until she felt the need to apologize for every little thing—ate at him.
He didn’t want to feel sorry for Jessie. He didn’t want to feel anything for her, but apparently, he still did. Hearing her apologize for leaving and hurting him after all these years pierced something deep inside him.
He’d longed to hear those words. But it wasn’t supposed to be like this. She should have come back years ago, saying she couldn’t live without him. Not half a decade later, as a married woman who was so different from the woman he’d loved.
Robert rapped on the front door, then walked in to find Jake and Emily snuggled on the couch. Judging by Jake’s messy hair and Emily’s rosy cheeks, Robert had interrupted something. Coming to the ranch house was awkward nowadays. He liked Emily, and he was happy for Jake, but things were different now. And even though Jake insisted he should just walk in, Robert was always leery he’d find exactly what he did tonight.
