Redemption

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Jessie was waiting up when Colt came home that next night, as usual. Something about Colt’s presence made her sleep easier… like she was protected somehow. That lingering feeling in the back of her head that someone was after her wasn’t as preeminent when Colt was sleeping in the next room.

She poured him a cup of coffee and sat down across from him at the table.

“How was your day?” she asked.

Colt shrugged and took a sip of the steaming liquid. Normal people wouldn‘t be drinking coffee this late, but Colt had told her that coffee had the opposite effect on him. It made him sleep better rather than hinder him. “Boring,” he smiled in answer to her question.

She smiled back. “Are you still building the walls?”

He nodded. “Yes ma’am, but I’m almost done. Thank the Lord.”

A brief moment of silence passed before he spoke again.

“I was thinking of taking you up there to measure windows - or whatever it is you want to do - on Thursday. We should have the walls done by then.”

Jessie nodded. “That sounds good. I need to get started on those curtains.”

“Do you like all that sewing and stuff?” Colt asked, taking another sip of his coffee.

Jessie nodded again. “I love it. I’m probably not very good, but I’m trying to get better. Adam tells me that every woman in his family has an expert talent when it comes to sewing, and he expects me to have the same.”

Colt’s eyebrows drew together and Jessie wondered what she’d said.

“Expects you to have the same? Does he want you to be just like his family?”

Jessie was silent a moment, not sure how to reply. “It would be more comfortable to the both of us if I fit in with his relatives.”

“Does he try to fit in with yours?”

“He’s always been accepted by my family.”

“So his family doesn’t accept you for who you are?”

Jessie was taken aback by his question. “It’s… not like that.”

“It sounds like he’s trying to change you into someone you’re not to suit himself,” Colt observed.

Jessie was stunned silent. She had always viewed Adam in a good light. He was kind and he treated her right. That was all a girl could ask for. He was practical and he could provide for her. What more could she need?
“I’m sorry,” Colt’s words broke through her justification. “I should get to know the man before I judge him like that.”

Jessie didn’t reply for a moment. “He can seem a little harsh, but deep down he’s a good man. A man of the law has to be a little rough around the edges or no one will take him seriously.”

Colt nodded. “Just don’t let him make you think that you have to change for anyone. Because you’re perfect just the way you are. Anyone saying anything otherwise doesn’t deserve to stand in your presence.”

Colt’s words startled her at first, but then denial sank in as Jessie’s arm moved to cover her abdomen. He was just saying that to be polite just like everyone else. They all pitied her, so they would all say the exact same thing.

Her gaze slid up to meet his and she saw the honesty in his eyes, yet she refused to believe he meant his words. She had heard them too many times before.

“I… I’m not feeling very well.” She stood. “I think I’ll go lay down.”

Colt stood as she turned to leave. “Goodnight.”