Imperfect Justice (36 page)

He seemed happy and satisfied. What had started out as an accident had turned into so much more. She’d found passion with the sexiest man in Montana and a family – albeit wonderfully dysfunctional – at long last. Jared had found someone who loved him…imperfections and all. She kept his feet on the ground while he took her to the stars and back.

There would be bumps on the road ahead. They were both strong-willed and had been alone a long time. But there was love to smooth the way and to remind them what was truly important. The family they’d created together.

Epilogue

B
ig weddings take months to plan.

That’s what Jared learned when he and Misty began putting together their special day. Misty was adamant about not waddling down the aisle eight or nine months pregnant so they’d decided to schedule the wedding after the baby was born. They’d ended up renting a large hotel ballroom in Billings for the ceremony and reception and filled it with flowers that Misty had chosen for the occasion.

Gerald Monroe had even managed to keep his thoughts to himself when Jared had announced that the wedding was three months after Misty’s due date. He and his father had a new and different relationship now. Jared didn’t feel the pressure to
win
at all costs to please his father. Misty’s unconditional love had cured him of the need for approval. His father also seemed to have a more casual attitude toward life.

And a new tattoo, courtesy of Rayne, Misty’s maid of honor, who was about to open a new shop in Valley Station. She’d worked in a small rental building for awhile but the deal in the nearby town had been too good to pass up. Prime location and low rent.

Jared’s gaze caressed his gorgeous wife. Dressed in white satin and lace, she was the vision of an angelic bride. Speaking of angels…

“I’ll hold her,” Jared offered, holding out his arms and taking the squirming bundle from Misty. He hadn’t held his daughter since before the ceremony. Charming, with a smile that lit up a room, everyone wanted to hold the absolutely beautiful Elizabeth Rose Foster Monroe. She had her daddy’s dark hair and her mom’s violet eyes. She was going to be a heartbreaker, not that Jared intended to let any man near her. Ever.

He didn’t care if she spit up on his tux but he knew Misty had talked about saving her wedding dress in case Lizzie Rose wanted to wear it someday. That’s when Jared had told Misty that their daughter was never dating.

“You’re being bossy again,” she’d laughed at him. “I don’t think you’ll get away with that.”

“No dating,” Jared whispered in his daughter’s tiny ear as Misty floated away to talk with the women huddled on the other side of the dance floor. Jared could see Jazz, Kaylee, Ava, Madison, Presley, and Rayne all laughing and drinking champagne.

Jared sat down at the large round table with all of his sheriff friends. Everyone was there, including DEA Agent Jason Anderson who had been missing for weeks. He’d been kidnapped by a drug cartel but had finally escaped. Jared’s friend looked thinner than usual and he now sported a scar on his left cheek, but he still had the same sharp humor and intelligence that had drawn the two men together.

“Thanks for coming here today instead of the roadhouse for a meeting,” Jared said as he settled Lizzie Rose into the crook of his arm and gave her a pacifier to suck on.

“Wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Reed grinned and slapped Jared on the back. “It’s a big day when one of us ties the knot.”

Misty and Jared had attended both Reed and Griffin’s weddings during the summer. “It’s becoming more common, that’s for sure. I wonder if Dare or Evan will fall?”

“I heard that,” Dare said gruffly, the usual scowl on his face. “I’m not falling anywhere or for anyone. I got too damn much on my plate for that shit.”

“Watch your language,” Tanner warned him with a smile. “We have innocent ears here.”

Red stained Dare’s cheeks and he took a gulp of his beer. “Sorry. I’m not around babies much.”

Griffin shook his head obviously trying not to laugh. “That’s an understatement. Do you even know how they’re made?”

Dare’s mouth actually twitched into an almost smile. “I have a pretty good idea how it’s accomplished.”

Logan elbowed Seth in the ribs. “Somebody should tell this guy then because he doesn’t seem to know.”

Heads whipped around to stare at Seth Reilly who was grinning like an idiot. “Yes, Presley is pregnant again. We’re hoping for a girl this time. We wanted the kids to be close together in age. But I swear after this one we’re done. She’s threatened to come after me with the weed whacker if I knock her up again.”

Everyone congratulated Seth and they all made a toast to the baby’s health and future. Jared gave Jason a quick glance and the man nodded his head.

“Actually I have some news too.” Lizzie Rose had fallen asleep in Jared’s arms and he gazed down at his sleeping daughter, feeling his heart squeeze in his chest. Everything he did was for her and Misty. Today was no exception. “Being a part of this group has made me a better lawman. I hope you’ll welcome my deputy Knox next month when he becomes the new sheriff of Fielding. I’m stepping down.”

There was silence and then everyone seemed to be talking at once. Jared cut them off with a wave of his arm, not wanting them to wake his daughter.

“You’re quitting?” Evan asked. He’d been quiet most of the day but then he wasn’t a man to speak unless he had something to say. “Is this some kind of a joke?”

“No joke.” Jared shook his head. “Misty and I are moving to Seattle. She can be closer to the gallery she works with. Plus there’s another in San Francisco that is interested in showing her work.”

Jared didn’t talk about all the discussions he and Misty had been through the last several months. The back and forth. It wasn’t anything they needed to know about. But Jared was sure this was the right thing to do, although Misty had assured him hundreds of times she was happy to stay in Fielding if that’s what he wanted. She’d meant it too. All she wanted was for him to be happy.

But Jared couldn’t deny the excitement of a brand new challenge. Something he could build from the ground up and be proud of.

“What about your dad?” Reed queried, his brows pulled down. “What will you do there? Be a cop?”

“Dad is coming with us,” Jared announced, hiding a smile at how that would have been impossible a year ago. “There are specialists there that can hopefully help slow things down and give him a better quality of life for a longer time. And I won’t be a cop. I’m actually going into business with a friend. We’re going to become law enforcement consultants. Jason and I.”

More uproar as everyone shot questions at Jared and Jason. Jason finally held up his hands in surrender. “Guilty as charged. I’m stealing Jared away to help me start my company. I’ve retired from the DEA and hopefully found a niche where we can really do some good. There are so many small town cops that don’t have the resources when a big case comes along. That’s where we’ll come in.”

“You’ll live in Seattle too?” Griffin asked. “I thought you had family in Montana and North Dakota.”

“I do and I’ll split my time. Jared is going to be the computer expert. I’ll use my government contacts if we need them. And we’ll have a man in the field as well.”

“I feel sorry for the poor bastard,” Reed scoffed. “You’re no day at the beach to work for, Jared.”

Jared knew that all too well. He also knew that his new partners would kick his ass if he gave them a hard time. Of course he’d have to kick theirs right back.

“He won’t work for me. We’ll all three be equal partners. And I think Logan is going to do a terrific job.”

Griffin slapped the table and laughed. “Okay, this is a joke. No way would Logan Wright leave his sheriff’s job.”

Logan chuckled and set his beer bottle down on the table, the label half peeled off. “It’s not a joke. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’m a family man now with a wife and two kids. I need to do something less dangerous that gives me a more flexible schedule. When Jason talked about it I knew this was my chance.”

Everything was changing and no one seemed to know what to say until Tanner raised his glass in a salute. “Let’s toast to your new venture. May it be everything you hope it to be.”

The men raised their bottles and glasses and the sound of the clinking made Lizzie Rose screw up her face for a moment. She didn’t wake and only wriggled into a more comfortable spot on Jared’s shoulder.

The reception began to wind down and Jared found himself standing off into a corner with Tanner. The older man wore a somber expression.

“We’re going to miss you, my friend. Fielding is losing one of the best lawmen I know.”

“I’m looking forward to new things. I’ll miss everyone, but we’ll be back often since Ty and Royce will still be here running the ranch and Rayne will have her tattoo shop in Valley Station.”

Tanner nodded, his gaze on his wife a few feet away, holding Presley and Seth’s son Bennett on her lap. “I’m happy for you. Misty is a wonderful girl. You got lucky.” Tanner grinned. “Just like me. In fact, I’m so lucky I think I’m going to take my sexy wife home so we can be alone.”

“I guess the honeymoon isn’t over,” Jared chuckled.

“It will never be over if you don’t let it.” Tanner slapped Jared on the back. “That’s my only marriage advice. Wait—one more thing. Never let her forget that she’s the most important thing in the world. Women are forgiving creatures and they’ll put up with a whole hell of a lot. As long as they’re truly loved and cherished.”

Tanner made a beeline for Madison, pulling her out of her chair and twirling her in his arms until she was laughing and giggling, her entire face alight with love.

“Should I be jealous?” Misty’s hand on his arm pulled his attention away from Tanner and Madison. “You’re watching them awfully intently.”

“Tanner just gave me some marriage advice, that’s all.”

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” she asked, sliding her hands around his waist and resting her head on his chest.

“No, I’m going to show you.”

The End

Thank you for reading The Cowboy Justice Association – Imperfect Justice.

The hot romance continues in the Military Moguls series….

Emeralds, Rubies, and Camouflage: Book 4

Myra Burke has lost her faith in men and love. When her ex-fiancé cleans out their bank account she needs a decent job to provide for her four year old daughter and she needs it yesterday.

Holt Winthrop has money, intelligence, and charm. He also has love to give but that isn’t an option anymore. Caught in a suicide bombing, he’s scarred inside and out. No one would want what he’s become.

Against his better judgment, his matchmaking friends convince Holt to hire Myra as his personal assistant. When he finds out she’s down on her luck he simply can’t say no despite his instant attraction to the curvaceous redhead.

Myra thinks her new boss is not only wonderful but sexy as hell. If she isn’t careful she could find herself head over heels for a man like him. Good thing she’s knows better. Billionaires don’t fall in love with their assistants.

Or do they? As each day passes their mutual attraction turns into a fiery passion that neither can ignore or deny. They’ll need all the courage they can find to take a chance on love…just one more time.