But Jessie had felt so claustrophobic when she returned home from Europe—trapped in that one tiny corner of the world. There was no occasion for her to use her art degree in Providence. So, when the opportunity to escape that one-horse town came, she took it. Her choice put an abrupt end to her relationship with Robert, but she couldn’t settle down without ever knowing what might have been.
The disappointment in his eyes when she told him she was leaving had nearly made her change her mind. But she knew she could never be truly happy if she felt like she was settling.
“It’s all water under the bridge now, honey.”
Jessie gave her mother a doubtful look. “Is he married?”
Her mom didn’t meet her eyes. “No, but I hear he dates a lot. He’s got quite the reputation as a ladies’ man.”
Jessie remained quiet.
Were there even that many women to date in Providence? She doubted he had difficulty finding dates. He was certainly handsome enough. Had Robert developed commitment issues?
Chapter 4
Robert asked Sylvia for a few minutes alone with Jessie before they left the hospital. He couldn’t promise to help her if she didn’t plan to make a clean break from her husband.
As soon as Sylvia stepped out of the room, he turned to Jessie. “Did you press charges against your husband?”
“Yes,” Jessie whispered, avoiding eye contact.
“Did you file a restraining order?”
She nodded and looked up at him through long, thick lashes. “And I plan to find a lawyer and start divorce proceedings.” She lowered her eyes again.
His gaze narrowed on her face. The lashes were obviously fake, but there was something else about her eyes he couldn’t put his finger on. He waited for her to look at him again. He didn’t have to wait long.
She lifted her blue eyes to his, and a jolt shot through him.
Blue?
Robert clenched his jaw. He didn’t know why the realization startled him so much, but it did.
His Jessie had the most beautiful brown eyes he’d ever seen. Technically, they were more gold than brown except for the dark ring around the irises. Eyes that flashed when she got angry or excited. Eyes that he’d fallen in love with when he was seventeen.
She must wear contacts.
Jessie looked away and shuffled her feet, clearly uncomfortable with his scrutiny.
“Good.” He cleared the huskiness from his throat. “Your mother said your husband...” Boy, was that word hard to say. “He’s away for the weekend? Should I expect trouble when I take you home to pack your things?”
“He shouldn’t be there.” Her voice wavered. “Unless he...comes home early.”
Robert gave a curt nod and walked from the room, trying to ignore the fear on Jessie’s face. He pulled his truck up to the entrance and waited for Sylvia and Jessie to come out. Jessie was clearly as uncomfortable with his presence here as he was.
Good. It would make it easier to maintain a professional air.
Once Sylvia settled in the seat beside him, with Jessie behind her mother, Robert pulled out into traffic. Sylvia had tried to insist Jessie sit in the front, but she refused. Robert figured she had no desire to sit that close to him, but he wished she had, because every time he looked in the rear-view mirror, he saw her face.
While Sylvia helped Jessie pack her bags, Robert wandered through Jessie’s house. The large house in a pricey neighborhood was decorated in a contemporary style with a lot of black leather, glass, and chrome. Robert studied the few pieces of art on the mostly bare walls. He didn’t recognize a single piece as Jessie’s.
Did she change her style that much over the past few years?
He didn’t care for this new style. It felt passionless. He searched the corners of the works for Jessie’s signature mark. He found no curvy J.S. or even J.P. in the corners.
In fact, he found nothing that matched Jessie’s personality. The entire house felt sterile. Cold. Had her husband been so controlling that he’d gotten rid of everything that meant something to Jessie?
He searched for her studio and again found nothing. No easel, no canvas, not even a single art pad or paintbrush. The tightness that filled his chest yesterday when Sylvia walked into his office contracted.
