Robert’s gaze locked with hers as he reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I remember everything about you, Jess.”
His words—coupled with the gentle caress—touched something deep inside her. She couldn’t fight the emotion anymore. The regret for the poor decisions she’d made, for the things she’d given up, for everything Patrick had taken from her, and the pain he’d inflicted on her all came rushing to the surface.
She turned away from Robert to hide her tears.
His gentle hand on her shoulder pulled her back around, and before Jessie could stop herself, she’d thrown her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder.
His hands rested on her back, light and hesitant at first, but as her tears continued, his arms tightened around her, and he pressed his cheek to her hair.
It had been a long time since Jessie had been held with such tenderness, and she reveled in it. Patrick had always apologized for hurting her, but the apology usually came as an explanation of why her behavior had caused him to lash out. It had never been the complete and total acceptance she felt in Robert’s arms.
His embrace felt so perfect, so right.
Her tears gradually subsided, and Robert’s woodsy, yet tangy, masculine scent along with the warmth of his body permeated her senses. At five foot ten, she was almost as tall as him. He used to joke that they were made for each other because they fit together so perfectly.
If she turned her head the slightest bit, her lips would meet his.
Realizing this was not a direction her thoughts should be going, she pulled away. Robert released her without hesitation, and she looked up to see a flush in his cheeks that matched the warmth in her own.
He bolted to his feet. “I have a couple more things in the truck.” He was out the door before Jessie could blink.
More?
Robert soon returned, carrying an easel under one arm and another large bag in the other.
Jessie’s breath caught in her throat. In one evening, Robert restored to her everything Patrick had taken away. Though there was a part of her she wasn’t sure could ever be repaired. The part that filled her with self-doubt. The part that knew she didn’t deserve Robert’s kindness and generosity.
He handed her the bag and propped the easel against the wall. “Maybe this will help you fight the boredom.”
Her eyes widened when she glanced in the bag. It was full of canvas boards of various sizes and a paint pallet. Tears filled her eyes again when she calculated how much money he must have spent. She blinked them away, confused by why she felt so weepy.
“I know it won’t change what that man...did to you, but...” Robert shrugged, letting his words die off.
Jessie dropped the second bag on the coffee table with the first and threw her arms around Robert again. “Thank you.”
He had every reason to hate her, but he didn’t. And though he no longer loved her as he once had, he cared. Of that, she had no doubt.
Robert returned the embrace, his hands lingering for a moment at her waist before releasing her when she finally pulled back.
Still standing close to him, she searched his warm brown eyes with their long lashes. “Why did you spend so much money on me?”
He leaned toward her. “Because you’re worth it, Jess. You probably doubt that right now, but you are worth all of this,” he waved his hand at the coffee table, “and so much more.” He lifted his hand as though he meant to touch her face. “You—”
Dropping his hand, he clamped his mouth shut and stepped back. “It’s late. I’d better go,” he mumbled as he turned and walked out the door. “Good night.”
His sudden departure left a chill in the cabin and in her heart. What had he been about to say?
You are worth it.
Did Robert understand how little self-worth she had right now?
She gently stroked the art supplies he’d given her. Her fingers tingled as a ripple of excitement once again raced through her. She couldn’t wait to start painting. She held up the largest canvas. Her first project would be a gift for Robert.
Chapter 11
Robert pulled up to the cabin but made no move to get out of his truck. He looked out at the placid lake, glimmering in the late afternoon sun. If only he could feel so tranquil.
When he was here two days ago, Jessie threw herself in his arms and wept so hard he’d felt his defenses crumbling.
