“There are ways to prevent it.” Jesse murmured, tucking strand of hair behind her ear.
“No.” She stood again. “Those methods aren’t foolproof. I can’t do it, I can’t.” Her normally strong voice faded to a whisper.
“Okay, calm down, sweetheart.” He reached out to touch her hand. With a quick tug, he drew her between his legs, then settled her on his lap. “How about if you move back, but we don’t share a bed?”
“You would do that?” She tilted her head to one side and frowned.
“I told you before. I’m not giving up on us. If sleeping apart gets you home, then we’ll do it.” He raised his hand as she started to answer. “I have to be truthful. I don’t intend to badger you, but I will continue to try to change your mind.”
Tori placed her hands on his shoulders and regarded him. No guile there. His honest blue eyes stared back at her. She could trust him, no doubt about it. But could she trust herself? Her hands burned
where they touched his shoulders. He could still look at her in the way that made her heart race and her breath catch. Thoughts of their few months together started the flush rising from her toes to her hairline. She blew out a huge breath. “Okay, I’ll try.”
Jesse grinned, and her heart gave a little leap.
I hope I don’t come to regret this.
“Let’s get these dishes done, and we’ll go next door and pack you up.”
Chapter 18
Michael and Rachel hugged Tori when she told them her decision. Michael beamed at Jesse and gave him a thumbs-up sign. Ellie and Hunter joined in, but with more reluctance.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right next door. We have a big kitchen now, so you can come for supper anytime, even sleep in our extra bedroom.”
Jesse put his arm around Hunter. “Another thing even your aunt doesn’t know.” He winked at Tori. “I’ve been in touch with a contractor to have a house built outside of town big enough for everyone. Once Michael goes off to college, we’ll all move there.”
Tori regarded him wide-eyed. “Another house?”
“I meant for it to be a surprise.”
Jesse led the way to the door, both of them loaded with her belongings. After a bit of fumbling, they opened Jesse’s front door and headed to the kitchen. Tori dropped her bundle on the new round table as her eyes darted around the room. “What about this house?”
“The contractor will put in a wall to separate the living area from my office, then I can rent those rooms for additional income.”
She’d gone through so much work to decorate this one, but now with experience, she’d have fun doing it again. Leave it to Jesse to solve problems. Tears burned her eyes.
Too bad he can’t solve the problem of my fears.
She followed Jesse into the bedroom. As always, his hair hung over his forehead, making her hands itch to smooth back the wavy strands. She studied his strong features. As strong as him. Dependable, caring. Oh Lord, a full-fledged crying jag threatened if she didn’t pull herself together.
Jesse dragged out the cot he’d slept on when he first arrived in Guthrie. He set it in the bedroom, across from the large bed delivered only a week ago.
Since she’d finished the house and no longer resembled a barroom brawler, Tori spent some time with Katherine Tilton, an elementary teacher she’d met when school first started. Tori helped in her classroom with children having problems and grading papers, to give Katherine extra time to teach.
The women were cutting out ducks for younger students to color. Tori wiped tears of mirth from her eyes after telling Katherine the story of the infamous march of the Ladies League for Decency. The teacher ran the gamut of surprise—shock, chagrin, followed by gales of laughter.
After a few minutes of silence, Katherine glanced at Tori. “I’m glad you moved back with your husband.”
Tori’s hands stalled, the scissors dangling from her fingers. “Me, too. I returned about a week ago.”
“A wise decision,” Katherine said.
“We’re still trying to work through some problems, but it’ll take some time.”
Katherine peered at her from under half-closed eyelids. “You know, at my boardinghouse, a couple women had their eyes on your husband.”
“Really?” Tori’s eyebrows rose.