Brady caught it, like Robert knew he would. “My pleasure. Seriously, dude, don’t sweat it. All of us deputies have decided we’re going to keep this to ourselves. So you don’t have to worry about this messing up your election or anything.”
Robert nodded and ducked his head. It wouldn’t do for one of his deputies to see him get emotional. He couldn’t have asked for a better group of people.
An hour later, Harris walked into Robert’s office and shut the door before sitting down.
Robert’s stomach dropped. If the detective felt the need to close the door, he probably wasn’t delivering good news.
“I’m going to be straight with you, sheriff. I came here expecting to encounter a cocky law enforcement officer with a bone to pick. Bone or not, I’ve learned you’re an honest, highly respected man. I’m aware you have a history with Mrs. Pendleton, but as far as I can see, you haven’t let that cloud your judgment. If it’d been me making the arrest, Pendleton wouldn’t have fared so well.”
“Thank you, detective.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re cleared of all charges. Pendleton strikes me as the type who, if he’s got to be miserable, is going to make everybody else miserable with him.”
Relief filled Robert, making his limbs feel like jelly.
They talked for a few more minutes about Pendleton before the conversation shifted to politics and sports. By the time Robert walked Harris out to his car, he was ready to celebrate. A craving for Amy’s chocolate cake or Aunt Charity’s peach pie hit him. He just might have to have both.
A few minutes later, Robert swung the door to Charity’s diner open and froze. There, in front of him, on her way out of the diner, was Debbie Wheeler.
He stepped back and held the door open for her to exit, hoping she’d do just that and be on her way.
Debbie stepped out of the diner, but she didn’t step away. “Robert, I wish I’d known you were coming here for lunch today. I would have waited for you, and we could have eaten together.”
“Debbie, I’ve made it clear I’m not interested in joining you for lunch, or dinner, or anything else that might suggest a relationship between us.”
Debbie tapped him playfully on the arm. “I don’t know why you play so hard to get. You and I both know there are not a lot of single men and women in this town. Do you really want to grow old all alone?”
Was that a hint of desperation in Debbie’s voice?A sudden image of Debbie as an old woman sitting all alone in her enormous mansion filled his mind, and Robert felt sorry for the wealthy young widow.
Robert had no intention of growing old all alone, though.
He took Debbie’s arm and stepped aside with her as another couple approached the door. He let go as soon as they were out of the way. “Listen, Debbie, you are an attractive, generous woman, but I’m just not interested in you romantically, which is not fair to you. I’m sure someday you will find someone to grow old with. And they will appreciate you for your many talents.” He should probably name some of her talents, but for the life of him he couldn’t think of one at the moment.
Debbie’s gaze dropped, and she examined her nails. “Are you turned off by the fact that I’ve been married twice before?”
Robert shook his head. That was just one of many reasons he didn’t care for Debbie, but he wouldn’t say it to her face. Honestly, who wanted to be some woman’s third husband?
Yet he couldn’t deny wanting to be Jessie’s second husband.
It was different with Jessie, though. He couldn’t explain what made it different. It just was.
“Is it my money?” Debbie propped a hand on her hip.
“No, Debbie. You’re very generous with your money and I admire you for that, but admiration isn’t the same as attraction or affection.”
Debbie’s lips turned down in what looked like a genuine pout. “Is it because I’m three years older than you?”
“No, it has nothing to do with your age.” Robert pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t know how to get through to Debbie without outright offending her.
“It’s that artist, isn’t it?” Debbie folded her arms across her ample chest. “I’ve heard how close you two were. I guess you’ll be getting back together, huh?”
I sure hope so.But there were still so many obstacles to overcome.
“Yes,” he said, finally seeing an out. “I fell in love with her when I was seventeen and I’ve never stopped loving her.” The words came out more forcefully than he’d intended.
It was the first time Robert had admitted his feelings out loud to someone else. Just hearing the words out of his own mouth drove them home. He was completely and irrevocably in love with Jessie.
Debbie’s finely arched eyebrows rose. She tilted her head, watching him intently. “I heard she was married.”
