She gave a little snort as she started walking again. “Although, looking back, I guess it started while we were dating, I just didn’t see it because he was so flattering and charismatic.”
Robert shoved his hands into his pockets, where he balled them into fists. “What did he do when you were dating?”
“Little things that were manipulative. Like ordering for me, insisting I would like it, or begging me to try something I didn’t like, for him. He showered me with compliments when I dressed up or did my hair a certain way. He was affectionate when I did what he wanted, and I did things just to please him, not realizing I was begging for his attention and approval.” She turned troubled eyes on him. “Isn’t that what you do for the people you love, though?”
Was she trying to justify falling under his spell and allowing herself to become a victim?
Robert held her gaze. Her amber eyes pulled at his heart. He could so easily get lost in those eyes. He cleared his throat. “It is, if making them happy makes you happy.”
He thought of all the things he’d done for Jessie over the years—just to make her happy. Seeing her smile and making her laugh had brought him joy. It was the reason he’d let her leave five years ago, because following her dreams would make Jessie happy.
“Did it make you happy? Pleasing him, I mean.”
She turned back to the lake again. “At first, I thought it did, but I often felt so empty afterward. I’m not sure it made him happy, either. It reached a point where, no matter what I did, I couldn’t please him.” She sniffed. “I remember looking in the mirror on our first anniversary and not recognizing myself. Not just on the outside. I didn’t know who I was on the inside anymore.” She brushed away a tear that had escaped.
Robert’s gut clenched. He wished Pendletonhadthrown a punch at him today. He would have enjoyed taking the man down.
“I’m sorry,” Jessie said with a forced laugh. “Can we talk about something else, please?”
Robert was about to tell her she had nothing to apologize for, but he took in her guarded expression and knew she regretted speaking so frankly. She slipped on a mask he was certain she’d worked hard to perfect over the years.
The rest of the walk passed in relative quiet, with only occasional snippets of conversation. The sun was setting by the time they entered the clearing by the cabin. Clouds on the horizon promised a gorgeous sunset tonight.
In the past, he and Jessie would have snuggled up together and enjoyed it to the very last ray. And still they would have lingered, talking and kissing. He’d always been able to talk to her about anything.
Was that why she’d told him the things she did tonight? Did she feel that old familiar pull toward him, like he did her?
No. I’m only her protector.
“It’s getting late. I should probably get going.” He stepped toward his Tahoe instead of climbing the steps to the cabin.
Jessie’s face fell. “Oh, okay.”
“Do you need anything? I can send it with your mom tomorrow.”
She stood on the wooden porch with her arms wrapped around herself. “No, I’m fine. Thanks for coming, Robert.”
Fighting the urge to suggest they watch a movie together, he climbed into his SUV. He backed up then turned toward the main road before he allowed himself to look at Jessie in his rear-view mirror.
She still stood on the porch, hugging herself. She looked so lonely and vulnerable.
A gnawing feeling spread inside his gut. He shouldn’t leave her alone, but he couldn’t bear to stay.
Chapter 10
Robert climbed into his Tahoe and let out a deep sigh before pulling out of the parking lot of the Benton County District Attorney’s office. In a few weeks, Eddie Green, the man who kidnapped his cousin’s daughter, would finally be prosecuted for his crimes.
Ben had waited a long time for justice for his first wife.
As Robert braked for a red light, his gaze drifted to a familiar storefront with large, cursive lettering. The sign read, “The Creative Touch.”
A familiar tension settled in his chest, as it always did when he thought about Jessie. He’d gone into that store with her more times than he could count. Anytime they came to Pasco together, Jessie turned those gorgeous amber eyes on him.
“Let’s stop for just a minute, please.”
On the rare occasion Robert could resist her, her pretty, pink lips turned into a pout, and it was his undoing. Because when she pouted like that, all he wanted to do was kiss her. Once he started kissing her, he lost all ability to say no to her.
Honk!
