“Seriously? Last night...and this morning?” And there was that jealousy again.
I really need to get a life.
“What can I say? We’re still newlyweds, and Emily is pregnant. You know what they say about pregnancy hormones.”
The last thing Robert needed to think about was pregnant women and hormones. The only woman he ever thought about was Jessie. And the thought of her carrying his child was a dream that could never come true.
“Are you bragging or complaining there, bro?”
Jake responded with a laugh and a smug smile.
Robert picked up his pillow and threw it at Jake. It hit Jake square in the face. “Looks like your extracurricular activities have slowed your reflexes.”
A bedroom door opened down the hall, followed by the slamming of the bathroom door, drawing the men’s attention. Robert heard the toilet seat that he’d been certain to put down hit the back of the toilet, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone vomiting. He turned to look at Jake, only to find him gone.
Jake was halfway out the back door. So much for slow reflexes.
“Was that Jessie? What’s wrong with her?” Robert’s words stopped Jake in his tracks, but Jake didn’t turn to meet his eyes. He crossed to where Jake stood. “What’s the matter with her?”
Jake pulled at his collar and cleared his throat. “She’s uh...she’s been...a little under the weather lately.”
“Did she pick up a flu bug? Is anyone else sick?”
“No...um, I’m sure she’ll be fine. She just needs...a little time.” Jake pushed past Robert. “I’ve got work to do.”
Robert stared at Jake’s back. Something was up. He’d never known Jake to be evasive. And Jake never went out to work without his hat, but he did today.
Robert closed the back door and turned to see Jessie coming out of the bathroom, her face pale. He stepped toward her, and their eyes met.
Jessie’s eyes widened. She pressed a hand to her stomach and hurried to her room, closing the door behind her.
She didn’t look good at all, but why did she feel the need to avoid him?
“I thought I heard your voice,” Lottie said from behind him, startling him.
“Hi, Lottie.” Robert gave his second mother a quick hug.
She took in the blanket and pillow on the couch. “Was there trouble last night?”
“No, but my deputy thought he spotted Jessie’s...ex, or soon to be ex, in town last night, so I stayed here as a precaution.”
“Well, make sure you stick around for breakfast. I need someone to eat my food. Besides my Zane, Jake is the only one with much of an appetite lately.”
I’ll bet Jake has an appetite,Robert thought as he went to take a shower.
Twenty minutes later, he sat at the table with a steaming plate of food sitting in front of him. If he ate like this every morning, he would gain weight for sure. He worked out regularly, but his job wasn’t active enough to burn this many calories.
Jessie came in and walked straight to the toaster. After dropping in two slices of bread, she turned around. Their eyes met again, as they had in the hallway. Her face still looked pale, but she looked better than she had earlier.
Jessie looked away.
Robert fought the urge to go to her and ask her if she was okay. He felt like a jerk for telling her he needed to stay away because he wanted to make sure they weren’t making a mistake. But he didn’t know how else to protect his heart.
“Jessie, can I get you some pancakes, eggs, and bacon?” Lottie asked.
She gave Lottie a weak smile and mumbled, “Thanks, but I think I’ll just start with toast.”
Jessie looked relieved when the toast finally popped, giving her something to do. She finished buttering the second slice as Emily walked into the kitchen. His sister-in-law walked straight past Robert to the toaster as well. Jessie held a slice of toast out to Emily, who took it with a smile.
