Emily smiled. “That sounds like a great idea. Let Jake worry about who stands guard. You’ve got other things to worry about, Robert.”
Three sets of eyes turned to Emily, including Jessie’s.
“What?” Robert asked, confusion filling his face.
“I saw Lewis Jackson’s signs all over town.”
Robert smirked and rubbed his neck again, a sure sign of his tension. “Hard to miss, huh?”
Jake asked the question Jessie wanted answered. “What signs? What’s Jackson got to do with anything?”
Emily turned to Jake. “I couldn’t drive a single block without seeing,” Emily made finger quotes, “Elect Lewis Jackson for Sheriff.” Emily shook her head. “I have no idea how he came up with the funds for that kind of signage.”
Robert tensed beside Jessie and shot her a quick glance before shifting his gaze to the stables.
Jessie stepped in front of him, drawing his gaze. “What?”
“Pendleton gave Jackson ten thousand dollars for his campaign and even put the signs up for him.”
Jake whistled.
Jessie’s mouth dropped open. Patrick never spent money on anything unless he felt like it was a sound investment. How could contributing to Robert’s opponent in the upcoming election benefit Patrick? It was obvious he was mocking Robert, but did he really think he could get Jessie back if Robert didn’t get re-elected?
Had she inadvertently cost Robert the election?
“You haven’t put up a single sign yet, have you?” Emily asked Robert.
“I haven’t had time. I dug my old signs out last week but they should say ‘Re-elect’ not ‘Elect’. Besides, I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”
“What things?” Jake’s eyes narrowed on Robert. “I told you we’ll keep a guard posted.”
Robert darted another glance at Jessie then dropped his gaze. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
There was something that had to do with her or Patrick that Robert didn’t want her knowing about. It should probably infuriate her that he was hiding something from her, but knowing Robert, he was doing it to protect her.
Jake and Emily shared a long look before Jake shook his head and shrugged. Emily spoke first. “Jessie, I think we have need of your artistic skills. If you design new posters for Robert, Jake and I will pay for them.” She grabbed Jessie’s arm and pulled her inside the house, leaving the men alone.
Within minutes, Jessie found herself at the dining table surrounded by papers and markers. It wasn’t long before the men came through the back door talking about installing a security system.
Whatever Robert was dealing with, he didn’t plan on telling her.
She didn’t know whether to be pleased or upset, but she owed him for keeping her safe. She’d design him the best campaign signs Providence had ever seen. But first she needed to punch down some bread dough.
Chapter 32
Jessie stepped back and looked at her canvas. The portrait of Jake and Emily was turning out nicely.
The painting was a gift for Jake and Emily; Jessie’s attempt to repay Emily—in a small way—for all the counseling she’d done with Jessie. She’d offered to find a way to pay her, but Emily refused, saying she enjoyed walking and talking with her. But Jessie benefited much more than Emily did.
She wouldn’t finish the today, because Emily would be home soon, so Jessie needed to get the wedding picture she’d borrowed off the wall in the great room put back.
Jake knew what Jessie was doing, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for him, but he seemed content to let her do her own thing. He and Emily had both been so gracious in letting Jessie know she was welcome to stay at the ranch as long as she’d like.
Jessie was content to stay here because she wasn’t ready to give up her early morning walks and talks with Emily. She’d shed a lot of tears during those walks, but she’d made excellent progress and was slowly finding herself. And with Patrick roaming around town, the ranch felt like the safest place.
Jake and Robert had installed a security system on all the doors and windows. One of the ranch hands stood guard on the front porch during the day, and Daniel stood guard at night. Add in the dogs, who were quick to bark when a stranger came near the place, and the Double Diamond felt like Fort Knox.
She cleaned her brushes a few minutes later and was almost done clearing up her mess on the deck when the back door opened. She rotated her new easel—the one her mother insisted on buying to replace the one Patrick broke—before looking up.
