“Oh dear.” Tori glanced at him.
“What?”
“Mrs. Boswell intends to have you lead our Ladies League for Decency march later this month.”
“Is she out of her mind?” He choked.
“She said you were such a paragon of virtue, you would be an inspiration to all the other men in town.”
Jesse hung his head and groaned. “Honey, if I lead any march for decency, I might as well close my law practice and plan to spend the rest of my miserable life as a social outcast. No saloon in town would let me in, and no one would have anything to do with me. You have to get me out of this.”
Tori laughed. “That’s what you get for buttering up Mrs. Boswell this afternoon, Jesse Cochran.” She put her finger to her lips in concentration. “Well, maybe sometime before the march you can arrange to break your leg.” She smiled cheerfully.
“If I know that old tyrant, she’ll hand me a pair of crutches.”
When they reached Tori’s door, Jesse kissed her, but kept his hands in his pocket. Tori lingered a bit, but wished him a good night and went into the house.
Jesse took a deep breath and headed next door. Trying to win his wife back was getting him into all sorts of trouble.
Hell, the only march I want to lead is Tori to my bed.
Tori sat on the floor in Jesse’s parlor, thumbing through new catalogs. Jesse hunkered alongside her, his chin resting on her shoulder and his arms wrapped around her middle as she flipped through the pages.
He touched her hand to stop her. “Wait, go back to the other page.”
“This one?”
“Yeah. What do you think of that sofa and chair?”
Tori inspected the chocolate brown and white print sofa with the matching chair. The modern one, with wood along the top and sides, appealed to him.
“You know, it would be very nice in here.” Her gaze traveled the room. “It could set across from the fireplace and with the right carpet and drapes, it would give the room a very warm and inviting feel.”
Jesse studied her as she visualized the furniture in the room. Good, exactly why he wanted her help. He needed her to imagine it her home again. Until she moved back into his house and his life, he wouldn’t quit. Despite the bumps and bruises, his love for this woman consumed him.
“I’ll send a check tomorrow, if it’s what you want.” He stood and stretched.
“Don’t order it for me. This is your house, and you should make the final decision.”
Jesse took her hand and helped her up. “Tori, you will move back here one day. No, don’t say anything.” He put his finger to her lips when she started to protest. “We belong together. You know it, and I know it. Please give it time, honey. We’ll work it out.”
“I don’t want to give you false hope. I can’t be what you want in a wife, what you need. Please don’t force me.” Her voice was fragile and shaky.
“I won’t ever force you to do anything, darlin’. All I’m asking is to give us a chance.” He bent his head and kissed her, pulling her even closer. Tori sighed, and he could feel her muscles relax. It felt good to hold her. She fit so well, like their bodies were built to complement each other.
“Tori?”
Jesse and Tori jumped apart.
“In here, Rachel.” Tori slid her hand down the front of her dress, then smoothed her hair.
Rachel entered the parlor. “Oh.” Two dots of red appeared on her cheeks.
“We were discussing fu
rniture. From the catalog.” Tori pointed to the book lying between them. Her face flushed, and she was breathing hard. Jesse grinned at her agitation.
Rachel tried to appear oblivious. “I have a note here from Michael’s teacher.”