Jessie let out a small gasp. She didn’t realize anyone had ever noticed the way she liked to close her eyes and let herself become one with the clay. She rarely did it with a piece she intended to fire, but she loved shutting out the world and focusing on the feel of the cool clay between her fingertips.
“Go away.” She rolled her eyes as she flung her hand out, flipping water across the floor. “You know I don’t like having an audience when I create.” That wasn’t entirely true. She’d always loved the quiet support Robert gave her. But his nearness distracted her.
Robert winked before straightening. It was so quick, Jessie thought maybe she’d imagined it. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll just go sit over here in the corner. All alone.”
She laughed at him because it was better than telling him how much she wanted him. But he’d been involved with Debbie until recently. She should come right out and ask him about the pretty redhead, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Pushing away thoughts of Debbie, Jessie smiled as she scraped her lathe clean and grabbed another ball of clay. She may not produce something worthwhile tonight, but she was having a blast.
A few minutes later, soft rock music filled the room, and her lips turned up again. Robert had connected his phone up to the speaker Mr. White kept at the back of the room, and he’d remembered her favorite choice of music.
She let the music and clay carry her away to a time she didn’t have to worry about an abusive husband or a child who would depend on her for everything. The cool clay obeyed her fingers, and her eyes drifted closed as she relished the feelings of freedom, acceptance, and the power it gave her.
Robert’s voice came from the back of the room, barely louder than the music. “And now her eyes are closed.”
Jessie smiled, marveling that he could still read her so well. She opened her eyes again and study the delicate vase taking shape in her hands. Only a few moments ago it had been a shapeless lump. But it had the potential to be so much more.
Affirmations from her mom rang in her head:You’re a survivor. You’re stronger than you think.
And from Emily: You deserve happiness as much as anyone else.
Jessie had potential to be more than a battered wife. It would take work, but she could become something beautiful and precious.
Chapter 28
Robert slowed his stride as he and Jessie approached the back door of the ranch house. He didn’t want this time with her to end. He could probably find an excuse to stick around a little longer, but it wouldn’t be wise. The more time he spent with Jessie, the more he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her like there was no tomorrow.
He’d already pushed the boundaries tonight by holding her hand. After the third time of her hand brushing his as they walked side by side, he’d given in to temptation and clasped her hand, threading his finger through hers. He’d half expected her to pull away, but she didn’t. She’d simply given him a quick smile, then looked away again.
He and Jessie had settled into a comfortable friendship. They didn’t talk about the future, or whether she planned to stick around. She still needed time to find herself, and he didn’t want her to feel pressured. He tortured himself by pretending Jessie wouldn’t leave again, but he couldn’t seem to stay away.
Robert released her hand before opening the back door. No sense advertising what a lovesick pup he was. They were three steps into the great room before he realized something was wrong.
Lottie, with tears in her eyes, stood beside Zane, who wore a heavy expression that looked somewhere between angry and worried. Jake and Emily, both wearing concerned expressions, stood a few feet away. Their conversation died when Robert and Jessie entered the room.
A feeling of dread settled over him. “What’s wrong? Who died?”
“No one died, but...” The words died on Jake’s lips as he looked at Jessie. “Robert, maybe you better come with us into my office.”
The group headed toward Jake’s office, and the knot that had taken over Robert’s stomach tightened. He felt bad walking away from Jessie, but he needed to know what was going on.
She must have felt the same dread, because her face paled. “Is it Patrick? Is he back?”
“No, this has nothing to do with Patrick,” Jake said. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I didn’t mean to alarm you. This is just a family matter that we need to discuss with Robert.”
Family matter?Jake’s words may have eased Jessie’s mind, but they didn’t ease Robert’s. He gave Jessie’s hand a quick squeeze before following the others into Jake’s office. He appreciated the words of assurance Emily whispered to Jessie before joining them in the office.
As soon as the door closed behind Emily, Robert whirled on Jake. “What’s going on?”
Jake looked at Zane and Lottie.
Lottie gave Zane a tearful nod and sat on the small sofa in Jake’s office. She buried her face in her hands.
Zane cleared his throat. “We just got a call from Daniel. He’s been arrested. Charged with being drunk and disorderly. Got in a bar fight.”
Robert stifled the swear word that came to mind and sat down beside Lottie. He put his arm around the woman who had been like a second mother to him.
She leaned into him.
