She wanted Cadde to see her as a mature woman able to handle life with as much strength as he did. It had taken enormous strength to overcome the death of his parents and then later to find out about his father’s affair. He never faltered at the almost insurmountable obstacles in his life.
Her mind spun with chaotic thoughts. Mainly to avoid thinking about the night. Cadde would sleep in her bed and their marriage would become real. He’d alluded to that this morning. It was what she wanted. Her stomach cramped in denial, which she ignored.
After showering, she slipped into black lightweight linen pants and a sleeveless matching top. She adjusted several silver chains around her neck and pushed her feet into heeled sandals.
Mirry lay on the carpet, her face on her paws, watching her.
“What do you think?” Jessie held out her arms.
Mirry barked. The dog had a funny bark, very low and deep in her throat as if she was afraid to really let out a loud sound.
Jessie placed her hands on her knees and bent down. “I’m going to be gone for a while. Do you want to stay up here or downstairs with Rosa?”
Mirry trotted to her bed and curled up into a ball. Maybe the dog could understand.
JESSIE HAD A HARD TIME getting past Rosa without eating something. Finally, she was on her way. The Suburban was still a little smelly. She would rethink putting feed in her vehicle. Her dad’s Cadillac and truck were in the garage and she could use one of them, but she hadn’t been able to—too many memories.
On the drive in, she called Gavin and he said he would come out tomorrow and take care of the dogs. She’d put the decision off long enough and she felt a sense of relief that she had actually done it.
The noonday traffic was hectic once she reached Houston. Luckily the shelter wasn’t far off U.S. 290. It was well hidden in a strip center. On the front door it read B&B Accounting. Under that was a big closed sign. To protect the women everything was top secret.
The place was known as Rachel’s House. Rachel was a woman who had made the decision to leave her abusive husband. With her parents’ help, she filed for a divorce, but the husband eventually found her and beat her to death. The biggest supporter of Rachel’s House were Rachel’s parents. They owned the strip center and offered the space rent free.
She parked in the allotted area, walked to the side door and knocked. Fran Turlock, the director, opened it. Fran was a gray-haired ball of energy.
“She’s back,” Fran said as she locked the door again with quick sure movements.
Jessie knew who she was talking about. Nina Lynch. She’d been in the center seven times in the past year.
“What happened?” Jessie asked as she followed Fran into her office.
“Same story. Vernon had one too many beers and started blaming Nina for everything wrong in his life, which led to a fist in her face and stomach. The neighbors called police and they arrested Vernon.” Fran sank into her chair. “What do you think the odds are of her pressing charges?”
Fran was a social worker and devoted to the women who came here, but there were just so many ways to excuse stupid.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s asking for you.” Fran reached into a drawer and pulled out Jessie’s ID badge. It had Jessie on it and Counselor beneath. Here they only went by first names.
Jessie clipped it to her blouse and picked up Nina’s file off the desk. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Jessie…”
She looked back.
“He hit the little boy this time. He’s four years old and was trying to protect his mother.”
“Oh, my God.”
“Yeah. They’ve been checked out in the E.R. and along with the bruises Nina has some fractured ribs. The left side of Toby’s face is blue, but physically he’s okay. Mentally, that’s another matter.”
A knot formed in Jessie’s stomach. The women who came here just wanted someone to listen, to be supportive and caring. She didn’t know if she could do that now. A child’s safety was at stake. Nina had resisted all help, but time after time she came back to the shelter for protection. She could only listen and try her best to steer Nina in the right direction.
“This is probably going to be out of Nina’s hands now,” Fran was saying. “I’m almost positive the state will step in to protect the children.”
“Does Nina know?”
“No. I thought it would be best coming from you.”
“Gee, thanks.” She walked down the hall with a resolve to make Nina see reason. Children’s paintings covered the walls, all done by kids who had stayed here. Outside the place looked drab, but inside it was very colorful, with calming baby-blue walls. A family room was the center of activity with two big TVs that had been donated. Small bedrooms flanked it on both sides with bathrooms situated between every couple of rooms. A courtyard was out back surrounded by a wood fence. Children could run and play there while their mothers sorted out their lives.