“Sure. You pick.”
By the time dinner was ready, Jessie’s stomach had grown so nauseous that she regretted asking him to stay.
Thankfully, Robert chose a comedy instead of a romantic movie. She was also glad he sat in the armchair, leaving her to sit on the sofa alone. Regardless, memories of the many times she’d snuggled into his arms on this very sofa filled her mind. They’d had some amazing intimate moments here.
Pushing aside the memories that made her regret all she’d given up, she focused on keeping her food down. The nervousness over asking him to stay hadn’t abated.
When the movie ended, Robert bolted to his feet. “Thanks for dinner. I’d better get going.” He stepped to the door, then paused. “I have something for you, Jess.”
Her stomach—that had finally settled down—fluttered at the familiar nickname spoken in his low baritone.
Judging by his fidgeting, he either wasn’t sure he wanted to give her whatever he had in his truck, or he was afraid of how she might react.
What could cause this kind of anxiety in a law enforcement officer?
“You don’t need to give me anything,” she said. “You’ve already done enough for me.”
Robert met her gaze, and his words were so quiet she barely heard him. “I want to.” Then he turned and exited the cabin.
Jessie waited near the door for him to return. When she saw the familiar logo of her favorite store on the large bag he carried, tears pricked her eyes.
Goosebumps covered her arms. What she wouldn’t do for a sketch pad and some decent pencils.
She stepped back as he entered. His cheeks colored as he held out the bag. She hadn’t seen him blush since they were teenagers.
She took the bag from him. The brush of his skin against hers sent a warm tingle up her arm, banishing the goosebumps.
The bag was heavy. This was more than a few art supplies. She dropped onto the sofa and set the bag on the coffee table. She couldn’t hold back the smile as she pulled out a large sketch pad.
Then she pulled out a large wooden case engraved with a well-known, expensive logo. Her smile faltered, and she gasped. She had always covetedIngenuity’scomplete artist’s collection but could never afford to buy the set outright. Instead, she’d slowly collected the expensive pencils, brushes, and high-quality oil, acrylics, and watercolor paints over many years.
She unhooked the metal clasps and opened the case. She ran her fingers over the colorful tubes and pencils before picking up her favorite brush for painting with acrylics; natural hair, size 8, flat brush.
Her hand trembled as she recalled how angry Patrick had been the first time he came home to find her painting and no dinner waiting. He’d snapped her brushes in two like they were toothpicks. Then he’d thrown her easel—canvas and all—across the room. When the wet paint on the canvas smeared against the white bedspread in the spare bedroom, he lost it.
That was the first time he’d beaten her.
He’d often snapped at her and jerked her around to make sure she knew he meant business, but that night was the first time he hit her. And it hadn’t been just once.
The paintbrush slipped from her fingers, clattering on the coffee table as a tear fell to her cheek. She swiped at it with the fingers of her casted hand while she picked up the paintbrush with the other.
Aware of Robert’s eyes on her, she replaced the brush and closed the case. She looked up at Robert, who watched her warily. “I can’t accept this.”
A sketch pad and a few pencils were one thing, but Robert must have spent hundreds of dollars on this set.
The muscle in his jaw flexed. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
That’s why he’d fidgeted all evening.
“Patrick would have a fit if I accepted—”
Robert stepped closer. “You left Patrick. He doesn’t control you anymore, Jess.” Robert’s words were vehement, matching the flash of emotion in his brown eyes.
Oh, how she wished Robert’s words were true. She’d left Patrick, but she feared he would always control her. Every thought, every action. She’d never be free of him.
Robert sat beside her. “Consider it a late birthday present.”
A lump formed in her throat. “After all these years, you remembered it was my birthday last week?”
