“Not Jess,” he scoffed, wanting to believe her and unable to.
“Jess more than anyone,” Mary argued, patting his hand. “Jess is just protecting herself, which we all understand. But if she didn’t believe in you, she never would have let you this close. Are you just going to let her get away without a fight?”
He frowned. “It’s not that simple.”
Mary smiled softly at him. “It kind of is,” she argued. “Hang tough and it’ll come right. Now, go heat up that lasagna and have something to eat.”
“Yes, Mom.”
He wasn’t prepared for the quick hug and the feel of her baby bump against his abdomen. She really was ready to pop.
After she was gone Rick ate and then went back to his painting, paying even closer attention to each flower and petal of the lilac blossoms. Everyone thought he was giving up when he wasn’t. He was just waiting for the right moment to make his case.
To prove to Jess that he could be the man she needed. Because more than anything he wanted to be that man.
CHAPTER 22
He’d seen Dr. Johnson again and was halfway back to Jewell Cove when his cell phone rang. Abby’s number popped up, so he pulled over to the shoulder and answered. “Abby,” he said quickly. “Is anything wrong?”
Abby’s voice sounded confused even through the staticky connection. “Wrong? Why would anything be wrong?”
He sighed. “Just worried about Jess is all. She’s not exactly talking to me at the moment.”
“Don’t give up on her yet. She loves you, Rick.”
The words sent something soaring through him. Jess had never said the words and neither had he. But Abby said it so easily that he figured it must be true. His elation faded though when he remembered how badly he’d let Jess down. What an ass he’d been. No matter how upset, he should have found a better way to deal with it than lashing out and pushing her away.
He loved Jess, too, but if he was going to finally say the words it would be to her face and not to a friend. “So, did you need anything in particular, Abby?”
There was a slight hesitation. “Actually, I just wanted to make sure that, well, that we were okay. That you and Tom … well, you know. We’re really sorry, Rick. I don’t blame you for feeling betrayed.”
He’d had time to think about all that had happened, and he knew deep down that Abby and Tom had meant well and tried to do what they thought was right. None of this was their fault. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. It just was what it was.
“I’m getting over it,” he responded. “It’s not your fault. I know that. You were just trying to help.”
“Thank you,” she said, and she sounded very relieved. “And Rick? Please don’t give up on Jess. She needs someone who will fight for her. To show her she’s worth it.”
“Thanks, Abby.” His voice came out rough with emotion. He’d been such a jerk since he’d come home. He was sure he didn’t deserve such good friends. It was time he stopped letting them all down. “It’s just so overwhelming. All I wanted was to know where the necklace came from,” he said, his voice breaking a little. “And I don’t really know much more than when I started.”
“I might be able to help with that.” Abby’s voice was cautious through the phone. “You left before we really finished, uh, talking. But it’ll keep until you’re ready. No pressure, okay?”
His chest constricted. Abby was being so careful, tiptoeing around him, and he felt terrible about going off on her before. “I’ll call you, okay? I need to take care of a few things first.” Right now Jess was his number one priority.
“Have you seen Jess at all since the break-in?” Abby asked, as if reading his thoughts.
“Not yet. But I will. I’m working on a few things before I make my case.”
“As long as you make it.”
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose. “She may not forgive me, and I don’t blame her. It wasn’t just what I did but what I said. How I treated her. She kicked me to the curb. She might not take me back, either.”
“A mistake doesn’t have to mean forever and you love each other—even if both of you are too stubborn to admit it. You’re a good man, Rick, who’s had to deal with a lot. Let Jess help you with that—the same way that you’ve helped her be strong again.”
The backs of Rick’s eyes stung a little. “I wish I could be as confident as you.”
“You will be,” she assured him, “when the time is right.”
The conversation ended and he pulled back onto the road again. He started the downhill slope into Jewell Cove and his throat tightened up. This was his home. His memories were here. The people he cared about were here. He knew he was where he belonged. And he belonged with Jess, if she’d take him back.