Her lips curved into a slow smile. “I do.”
“Good. That’s all that matters.” And then, in case she still needed some validation, he added, “I do too.”
He was a little disappointed, though, that she’d decided to just go plain brown. The color was much darker and richer than he ever remembered her hair being, but he’d kind of hoped she’d find enough courage to put a little streak of color in her hair.
They continued to the stables, and Robert was careful not to touch her again. It didn’t stop him, however, from noticing the graceful curve of Jessie’s neck as she leaned forward to admire the new filly. He longed to kiss the sensitive area below her ear.
“Isn’t she pretty?”
“Beautiful.” Robert pulled his eyes away from Jessie before she noticed that he’d hardly looked at the foal. He took in the filly’s gangly legs and silky coat as she made her way to the stall door.
He reached over and joined Jessie in stroking the foal’s smooth neck, but his gaze drifted to Jessie again. Her silky hair fell forward, blocking her face, and the fluorescent light revealed dark purplish-red streaks in the under layers of her hair.
Robert fought the urge to reach out and run his fingers through Jessie’s hair.
They talked for a few minutes about the first time Jessie experienced a colt’s birth here at the ranch.
Robert recalled the joy on her face during that moment. “I remember you kept saying, ‘It’s so magical’.”
“It was.” She turned back to the filly. “It still is. It gives you hope, you know?”
Jessie needed hope.
He decided to share the news he’d gotten late yesterday afternoon with her. “Your—Pendleton’s bail was set at half a million dollars.”
Jessie’s knees buckled. Her good hand flew to her mouth while her cast hand reached out for support.
Robert grabbed her around the waist and held her upright.
She leaned into him. “Thank you.”
He didn’t think she was thanking him as much as she was thanking that heavenly being that he knew looked out for her.
He considered telling her Patrick had pressed charges of police brutality against him, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment for her. She didn’t need to worry about Robert’s problems.
Her subtle perfume drowned out the smell of horses, leather, and straw. He ached to pull her tighter against him until her curves melded with the plains of his body. Did her mouth still taste like perfection—sweet and addicting?
Jessie righted herself and pulled from his arms. “I can’t tell you what a relief that is.”
Cool evening air rushed between them, and Robert had to shove his hands into his pockets to keep from pulling her back against him.
“I know it doesn’t mean he won’t still be able to make bail, but I can’t see his dad handing over that kind of money,” Jessie said.
“I’d like you to stay here at the ranch a little longer until we know if he’s going to post bail.”
Jessie nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want to put my mom in danger. At least here, it’s not so easy to find me.”
Robert wondered if he should stay at the ranch to help keep Jessie and Emily safe. If Pendleton made bail, he’d have to consider it more seriously.
They made their way back to the house, and Robert soon found himself seated at the dining table next to Jessie playing The Farming Game.
He tried to focus on the game. He really did, but Jessie’s leg or arm frequently bumped his, sending sparks of electricity skittering across his skin. And every time she leaned in front of him to reach the far side of the game board, he caught a whiff of summer and sunshine.
He kept his hands balled into fists most of the evening. Good thing they weren’t playing a card game; he’d have mangled them.
He caught glimpses of the old Jessie as they played. She alternated between bubbly and competitive. It was probably because of the knowledge that her husband’s bail was so high, but Robert liked to think his presence had a little to do with it.
Because of her cheerfulness, he decided to give her the gift he’d left in his truck. Once Jake finally won the game and put Robert out of his misery, he asked Jessie if she’d walk him out to his truck.
