“Thank you for that. I have to admit this has taken me by surprise, and I’m more than a little concerned about what it will do to my reputation with the elections a couple months away.”
“Internal Affairs investigations are public records, but no one besides the two of us need to know about it yet.” Dale shrugged. “It might become public knowledge as the investigation advances, but don’t worry about it; you’ll be cleared. And you’ll win the election by a landslide.”
Robert wished he had Dale’s confidence. Full of anxious energy, he picked up a ball-point pen and clicked the end a few times. “Do you think it’ll come out that me and Jessie...that we used to be together?”
“So, what if it does? Pendleton may cry foul because he’s jealous Jessie came home where her former boyfriend still lives, but facts are facts. She left him becausehebeat her,hebroke the restraining order, andheattacked you with an ax.” Dale punctuated his words by ticking them off on his fingers. “Youwere just doing your job.”
“Thanks, Dale. Not just for this, but your support over the past four years.”
Rumor had it Dale had been preparing to run for Sheriff when Robert’s uncle, Dawson Winters, retired from being Sheriff and moved on to Justice of the Peace. But Uncle Dawson had groomed Robert to take his place. That, and the familial support Robert had here in Providence, had ensured he’d win the election. Dale had backed out and Robert ended up running unopposed.
Robert had always shown Dale the utmost respect, and the older man had reciprocated. After the Sheriff’s Office received the generous anonymous donation last year, all personnel had received a raise, and Robert had made sure Dale’s raise reflected his years of faithful service.
Dale stood. “You deserve it, Robert. Don’t let anyone try to tell you different.”
Robert hoped he could live up to the older man’s praise and that this police brutality suit wouldn’t cause everything to come crumbling down around him.
* * *
Dusk was beginningto fall by the time Robert parked his truck in front of the ranch house. He looked at the bag on the seat beside him. He’d bought another gift for Jessie a couple days ago, but he feared he might offend her if he gave it to her. He didn’t want her to feel like he was putting expectations on her.
Leaving the gift there for now, he climbed from the truck. He raked his hands through his still damp hair. He’d taken time to go home and decompress—working out hard for an hour—before showering and heading to the ranch.
He knocked, then walked through the front door without waiting for an invitation. His eyes went straight to Jessie sitting on the sofa, and he forgot to breathe. She looked so different with brown hair, but she looked beautiful. He couldn’t remember the last time her hair was all brown.
She usually dyed it or had streaks of hot pink or neon blue. He remembered the time she died it black with purple tips. That one had taken some getting used to, but no matter what she did, it always looked amazing on her. She could pull anything off.
She was the same way with clothing. She looked great no matter what she wore—leggings, ragged jeans, a red satin evening gown. The woman was just plain beautiful.
Jake cleared his throat. “You’re drooling, bro.”
Heat climbed Robert’s neck. He’d frozen at the sight of Jessie sitting there looking like a goddess and hadn’t even realized Jake and Emily sat on the other couch.
“Great timing, Robert,” Emily said, getting to her feet. “We were just talking about playing a game. It’ll be more fun with four instead of three.”
Jake grabbed his wife’s hand. “Why don’t we let Jessie take Robert out and show him the new filly that was born last night?”
Robert shot Jake a grateful look, then turned hopeful eyes on Jessie.
She almost looked shy as she slid to the edge of the couch. “Okay, not that you need me to show you where the stables are, but I’d love to see her again.”
He followed Jessie to the back door, and just before he closed the door behind them, Emily whispered, “Good idea, honey.”
Robert looked at Jessie to see if she’d heard.
Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink, and he caught a smile before she turned her face away. She acted as shy as she had the first time he’d brought her to the ranch.
He fell into step beside her. “You look nice, Jessie. I like your hair.”
“Do you really? I wasn’t sure if you’d like it or not.”
Robert stopped walking, and she turned back, standing in front of him.
She wrapped her arms around herself. “Did I say something wrong?”
He resisted the urge to take her hand. “No. Jessie, you can say and do anything you want. You have the right to dress however you want and wear your hair any way you want. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You don’t need my—or anyone else’s—approval.”
Jessie lowered her gaze, and he feared he’d hurt her feelings. He lifted her chin. The soft skin against his fingers sent shock waves of electricity through him. “Doyoulike your hair?”
