The door opened, and Robert sucked in a sharp breath.
“Have you got a minute?” Sylvia Sorenson, the woman he’d thought would be his mother-in-law, stood in the doorway. Her resemblance to Jessie—tall, slender, with dark hair—brought a pain to his chest.
Had his thoughts of Jessie conjured her mother? Too bad they couldn’t summon Jessie. That would be an amazing feat since she lived in New York. Not only was she about as far away from Providence as she could get without leaving the country, she was married to another man.
“Mrs. Sorenson, come in.” Robert stood and extended his hand. “Have a seat.”
“Robert, we left formalities behind a long time ago. Call me Sylvia, please.”
Robert dropped back into his seat. “How have you been, Sylvia?”
“I’m doing good, but...” her words died on her lips.
He took in the silver threads in her dark hair and the lines around her eyes. She was still a beautiful woman, but she’d aged over the past five years since he’d hung out at her house.
“Is something wrong?”
She sucked in a deep breath. “I need your help. I know this is asking a lot, but I need you to help me bring Jessie home.”
Robert’s heart pounded against his ribcage. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” He rubbed damp palms against his thighs.
“Jessie has been living in an abusive relationship for the past four years. I’ve finally convinced her to leave Patrick. But she’s scared—” Sylvia’s voice caught.
How had Jessie ended up in an abusive relationship? How could anyone hurt such an amazing, creative, beautiful woman?
Robert cleared his throat. “Why don’t you explain what’s going on.”
“Years ago, I suspected Patrick was abusing Jessie, but she wouldn’t admit it. Last year, they moved to Seattle. I’ve visited her occasionally, and my suspicions were correct. I’ve been trying to get her to leave him, but she’s too afraid. Patrick threatened to kill her if she ever left him.”
Robert’s hands balled into fists under his desk.
“She called me from the hospital an hour ago. Patrick beat her pretty badly before he left for a work retreat.”
“The hospital? Is she okay?” This kept getting worse.
“She has a mild concussion, a broken wrist, and some bruised ribs. They’re keeping her overnight for observation.”
Robert bolted to his feet and walked the few steps to the window. A band tightened around his chest. He took slow, steady breaths as he looked out at the back parking lot. Domestic violence one of the most difficult things he dealt with in his job.
“And she says she’s ready to leave him?” He spoke through clenched teeth. He couldn’t bear to help her if she wasn’t ready to leave the jerk.
“She is, but she’s afraid he’ll come after her. I know this is a lot to ask, considering your history with Jessie, but I need you to help me bring her home and...keep her safe. If I take her to my house, Patrick will find her in no time and force her to go back.”
Robert stared at his fleet vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe. Bring Jessie home and keep her safe. Could he do that without providing round-the-clock detail? Despite hiring two more officers after receiving the anonymous donation last fall, he didn’t have those kinds of resources.
He had enough personal leave built up that he could take a full month off. But he couldn’t protect her himself. As sheriff, he had responsibilities he couldn’t shirk, nor could he spend that kind of time with her. He feared he’d fall for her again, and he couldn’t afford to let that happen.
An image of his family’s cabin on the lake came to mind. He could take her there. It was remote enough Patrick wouldn’t find her. She’d be safe, and he wouldn’t have to provide constant protection.
“Will you help me?” The pleading in Sylvia’s voice pulled at him, and he looked at her.
Staring at her, he saw not only her concern for her daughter, he saw glimpses of the woman he’d fallen in love with. He sucked in a sharp breath. It had taken him years to rid his mind of Jessie. And just like that, she was back in his head.
“I’ll help keep her safe, but...” Robert rubbed his jaw. “It might be better if you took one of my deputies to bring her home. I’m not sure Jess—”
Sylvia scooted to the edge of her chair. “She was so scared on the phone. I promised I would bring you along in case Patrick showed up. It was the only way I could convince her to leave him.”
“You’re sure she wantsmeto come?”
