Ben put the letter opener into his desk drawer. He gave Robert a sympathetic look. “You’re probably right, but I don’t think we have one big enough for you.”
He held Ben’s gaze. There was no trace of humor in the blue eyes.
Robert shifted his gaze to look out the window.There isn’t a band-aid big enough to fix me.
He let out a heavy sigh. “I just wish I knew if she’s considering going back to that...to her husband, because she’s pregnant.”
“Put yourself in her shoes for a minute.” Ben paused, waiting for Robert to look at him. Ben was a brilliant lawyer because he always considered both sides of an argument. “I expect she feels like she’s all alone in this, and I imagine she’s scared, if the things Sylvia told me are true.”
“They are. Pendleton will kill her if he gets his hands on her again.”
“So, imagine how difficult this is for her. If she feels safe, then she won’t feel pressured to make a decision that will harm her or her baby. Give her the time she needs to figure things out. And you do the same.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means she’s facing a life-changing event, and she probably feels all alone.”
“She’s got her mother. It’s not like she’s totally alone.”
Ben nodded. “Yes, and I know Sylvia would do anything for her, but she doesn’t have the baby’s father by her side to help her through this.”
Robert snorted and tipped his head back to study the ceiling. “And I’m supposed to step in and fill that role?”
“I didn’t say that. But you should consider whether youcouldbe that man. For Jessie’s sake and the baby’s.”
Robert looked out the window again. He didn’t respond. He couldn’t. Could he be there for Jessie? He didn’t know if his heart could handle that. Besides, he wasn’t sure she wanted him to be there for her.
“Let me ask you something,” Ben said after a lengthy silence. “A couple of years ago, when you took Amy to lunch every Friday, did you ever think the two of you might have a future together?”
“Okay, this just got awkward.”
“Did it bother you that Amy had a child from a previous relationship? Did you ever think things might develop to where you had to decide if you could be a dad to Kallie?”
Robert shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I mean, I liked Amy, and Kallie was a cutie. I was... I am ready to be a father,” he admitted, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“It didn’t bother you that Kallie wasn’t your biological daughter?” When Robert’s only response was another shrug and the shake of his head, Ben continued. “Why is this any different?”
“I don’t know. It just is.” Robert dropped his head to his hands, barely controlling the anger that boiled inside him. “Pendleton doesn’t deserve to have a woman like Jessie carry his child.”
“I agree. And we both know what kind of man Amy’s ex was. He wasn’t even there for Kallie’s birth. Lance wasn’t fit to be a father, but Kallie deserved a father who would love her and care for her.” Ben’s voice grew husky. “I love that little angel like she was my own and I want to be the father she deserves.” Ben paused a moment before continuing. “I think this is different because you care more for Jessie than you ever did Amy. The question is, can you be the father Jessie’s baby deserves?”
“I don’t know.” Robert let out a deep sigh.
Ben slapped his desk. “What’s wrong with you, man?”
Robert’s head jerked up, heat filling his veins. Ben had no idea how torn Robert felt at the magnitude of making such a decision. Especially if Jessie didn’t want his help.
“You lost her once because you weren’t willing to fight for her. Do you want to lose her again?”
Robert bolted from his chair, his heart screaming an emphatic “No!”He walked to the window and took a deep breath. “I let it her go... because it’s what she wanted. I was afraid if I fought to win her over, she would always resent me.”
But what kind of message had that sent to Jessie? Had she thought he didn’t love her enough to fight for her?
Chapter 25
Jessie stepped out onto the back deck and pulled the door closed. When Jake made himself comfortable on the sofa after dinner, pulling Emily’s feet onto his lap, Jessie decided to get some fresh air. It was only a matter of time before the foot rub or hair brushing turned into snuggling and kissing.
She dropped onto the porch swing and set it in motion. Jessie had no problem with public displays of affection, but seeing the newlyweds get cozy made her uncomfortable. Mostly because Patrick had never looked at her in the adoring way that Jake did Emily. He’d frequently complimented her in public, but when they were alone, he became a different person.
