Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) (12 page)

Justice rubbed his swollen package through his pants, giving it a stroke and a promise. Standing, he stretched, checking the clock. He had time to get his gear together and pack some food. Charlee was back and anything was possible.

Less than two miles away, Charlee pulled up into her father’s driveway. She was so nervous, she thought her throat would close up. It hadn’t taken her long to gather things for her excursion with Justice. With something good to look forward to, she felt she had the courage to face the man who’d raised her. Getting out of the Jeep, she squared her shoulders and stood up as straight as she could. She could do this. Times had changed. She was a grownup who was self-sufficient and self-supporting. Charlee Parker, or more correctly, Cha’risa Cortez, was no longer a helpless child.

The place looked the same, except the paint was peeling and the screen on the outer door was sagging. Curtiss Parker was over sixty years old. She wondered if he’d thought about retiring. “You came.” His voice sounded from within the dim interior. “I’d heard you were here. Why are you staying in a motel? You’re welcome here, you know.”

“I know.” She walked into the waiting room. Stacks of antiquated magazines sat on end tables next to couches that had seen better days. No one had to tell her that his practice was hurting. People drove into Austin or Houston to a specialist if they had a problem. Her father’s practice had been downsized to broken arms and cases of the flu.

“Here, sit. Let me get you coffee.” She sat as he scurried around. A tired ceiling fan spun overhead, and Charlee noticed the mint green walls were fly speckled.

“This place needs a good cleaning.”

Curtiss laughed. “You always called things like you see them.”

“Yea.” She struggled to find the words. “About the day I left—”

“Well, did you find them?” His words seemed desperate and his expression contrite.

“I found her. My real father is dead.” She hoped he didn’t ask any questions. Charlee wasn’t in the mood to share the details.

The man who raised her hung his head. “I’m sorry.” He sighed. “It wasn’t my idea, adopting you. I just wanted to make Mary happy, and she never knew the details of how we came to have you. So, don’t blame her.”

Looking back to when she was young, it all made so much more sense now. “Mother, your wife, she couldn’t have children.”

“No, and with her condition…” He swallowed hard. “We didn’t qualify through normal channels.”

“You mean the seizures.” Charlee seemed detached. It was like she was observing someone else’s life.

“Yes, so we went to a lawyer who gave us you.” At her unwavering glare, he looked away. “I didn’t ask enough questions.”

“You should have, I had a family. I was stolen.” She gulped. He knew the story, she’d made sure he was sent the files. “Look, I know you didn’t know…but you blamed me for what happened to…Mom.”

Curtiss wiped his eyes. “I was wrong. She drowned because of the epilepsy. It wasn’t your fault.”

“No, I was five.” She took a deep breath. “And she saved me. But if I hadn’t begged to go swimming…” Her voice trailed off.

“Like you said, you were five.” He hung his head. “I took it out on you, I’m sorry.”

“Me too.” Charlee stood. “Well, this was fun.” At least it was a start. “I have to go.”

“Can we have dinner? I’d like to find out about you and your work.” He followed her to the door, hopeful.

“I have a lot to do.” When his face fell, she spoke again, “I’ll let you know when I have the time. I’m sure we can get together before I go back to Austin.”

“I hope so.”

He smiled, and she hitched her purse over her shoulder. There was so much he didn’t know, so much she’d never tell him. “See you later.” Curtiss Parker moved closer to hug her, but Charlee sidestepped. She wasn’t ready for that. Across the floor and out the door, she counted the steps. Each consecutive one easier than the last.

By the time she got to her vehicle, she was almost hyperventilating. The strain and stress of years and years of questions and accusations seemed to melt away. This was a beginning. Charlee felt cleansed.

“Do you remember how to ride a horse?” He led his Appaloosa, Cochise, with one hand and a surprise for Charlee with the other.

“Is this Shasta?” Charlee ran to the mare, greeting her with a kiss. “I had no idea she’d still be alive!”

“What are you talking about, she’s still young.” As they saddled the horses, both of their minds went back to a day neither would soon forget.

“You’re my best friend, Justice.” Charlee grabbed his hand, but Justice pulled his away.

“I don’t want to hold hands, that’s for little kids.” His answer was gruff as he stomped along.

Charlee struggled to keep up with Justice. “Did you hear the thunder last night? I slept under the bed again.”

Slowing down, Justice asked, “Where was your dad?”

“I don’t know. Out drinking, I guess.”

Justice stopped and kicked a dirt clod. Charlee bumped into him. She had been staring at the ground instead of watching where she was going—like usual.

“Oops, sorry, Justice.” Charlee wiped a tear off of her face.

At twelve, Justice towered over her. She was still small for her age. “Did you get anything to eat?”

“I had some fig preserves and buttermilk for breakfast.”

Shaking his head, Justice started walking again. “You can eat lunch with us. Mama’s making hamburgers, it’s the squirt’s birthday.”

About that time, Charlee’s stomach growled. “Sounds good. How old is Abby Grace?”

“Six, I think. Look, there’s Tobias.” He raised a hand in greeting.

“Maybe, I better go home. Tobias doesn’t like me,” Charlee murmured, her voice full of disappointment.

“Nah, you don’t have to go.” They turned toward the corral. “Let’s go see what he wants.”

There was no one else around when Justice and Charlee joined the tow-headed, Tobias Metcalf. He was big for his age and thought he knew everything. Justice knew better. “Toby, whatcha doing?”

“I came by to see that new saddle you said your dad brought home from San Antonio.” There was a smirk on Tobias’s face that Justice would like to knock off.

“I can show it to you, it’s in the barn.” Several horses whinnied a welcome as the trio entered the dim interior. Justice flipped on a light, moving into the next room, but he could still hear them clearly. “The tack room is back this way.”

Tobias stopped inside the door. “Why does four-eyes have to make every move you make?”

“I don’t do that.” Charlee protested.

“She’s all right.” Justice waved his hand, stopping to pick up a folded piece of newspaper lying on a bale of hay. When he saw what was on the advertisement, Justice smiled. His father must have left it here and that meant he was considering buying Justice the motorbike he’d asked for as a Christmas present.    

“She’s a nuisance,” Tobias countered, getting up close to Justice, putting distance between him and Charlee. “Have you looked at her teeth? She could eat grass through a barb-wire fence.”

Justice cut his eyes toward Charlee. He could see tears filling her eyes. Immediately her hand went up to cover her mouth. When she spoke it was muffled. “Daddy says I’ll grow into my teeth.”

Justice just rolled his eyes, and Tobias ignored her. Thankfully he’d moved on. “So, let’s see that saddle, King.”

Charlee followed them into the tack room, and Justice pulled a blanket off a rack next to the wall, revealing an elegant saddle with intricate carving and silver embellishments. “It’s handmade and worth a fortune.”

“Let’s try it out.” Tobias started to pick it up.

“No!” Charlee cried. “You’ll get in trouble, Justice.”

She was right, Justice agreed. If he wanted that motorbike, he couldn’t afford to deliberately disobey Sam King. And his father had expressly forbidden Justice from using this particular saddle. “We can’t.”

Toby elbowed Justice. “Do you always do what your girlfriend says?”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Justice was fast to answer.

With a sneer and a laugh, the other boy faced them both with arms crossed. “She is if you do what she says. Come on, at least you should try it out. Or don’t you have the balls?”

Justice looked from one to the other, narrowed his eyes, and jerked the saddle off the rack and started out the door. “Charlee, get me a bridle.” When he marched outside, knowing he was being stupid, he stood out in the cool air and looked to see what horse was corralled near the house. Shasta. Good, he’d ridden the mare many times. Throwing the saddle over the fence, he opened the gate. “Shasta, come here.”

He held out his hand, and Charlee gave him what he asked for. “Don’t do this, Justice. Remember what your dad said.” There was real fear in Charlee’s voice.

“My dad isn’t like yours, Charlee,” Justice stated evenly as he slipped the leather straps over Shasta’s head.

“Please,” she begged, catching the sleeve of his jacket, trying to pull him back.

“See, I told you. Charlee loves Justice,” Toby sang off-key.    

Justice took Charlee by the arm and escorted her out the gate. “Stay here.”

“I’m sorry,” Charlee whispered.

“If you want to stay, you need to be quiet.” He looked at the younger girl sternly.

“Come on, King, I’ve saddled the nag for you,” Toby called out.

Justice jerked around. “I could have done that.” He didn’t really like anyone handling his dad’s stuff. A wave of guilt swept over him. But when he saw the knowing, challenging glare from Toby, Justice mounted Shasta and began cantering around the fence line.

Charlee watched as the boy she thought hung the moon showed off for his friend. Unable to stay away, she eased back inside the gate, hugging the post. Sidling up to her, Toby glanced over his shoulder, then gave Charlee a push, causing her to bang her head on the rough wood. “You don’t belong here.”

“I belong here more than you!” She stood up to him. “Justice is my best friend.”

“Oh, really?” Toby raised his eyebrows disbelievingly. “You’re trouble. You know how I know?”

“How?” Charlee asked, peering over Toby’s shoulder to see Justice riding by.

“Toby! Are you watching?” Justice called out.

“Yea, sure, that’s some saddle,” he yelled, then turned back to Charlee. “You’re trouble for Justice, because if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t do this.” With that odd statement, Toby whirled and popped Shasta hard on the hip with his fist. The horse reacted as expected and took off running, bucking a little while Justice tried to slow his mount.

Charlee held her breath, hoping he would quickly gain control. But something happened, the saddle slipped sideways, and Justice fell under the hooves of the horse. The horse danced sideways, trying to avoid him, but in the process she stepped on the stirrup, catching her foot, which scared her. What happened after that was a blur.

Justice hit the ground hard, rolling out from under Shasta. Jumping to his feet, he wiped the sting of blood from his eyes. “Shasta!” he cried, horrified as his father’s saddle fell beneath the horse’s belly, dragging the ground. He took off running. “Stop!”

The mare didn’t get far, but it didn’t take long for the damage to be done. By the time Justice caught up with Shasta and braved himself to bring her to a halt, the saddle was in tatters—scarred, torn, silver torn off. What had once been a superb piece of craftsmanship was now a ruined mess.

Panic gripped his guts, and Justice felt like he was about to puke.

“Oh, Justice.” The despair in Charlee’s voice reflected how he felt.

“Shit.” Tobias spat the word, then took off running. “I was never here.”

Justice felt like doing the same, but knew he didn’t have a choice. He was in deep shit.

“Justice!” His father’s voice split the air.

“He’s gonna kill me,” Justice whispered.

“No, he won’t, stay here.” Before Justice could stop her, Charlee took off.

She ran to Sam King. The tears were real, she wasn’t acting. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t his fault. Don’t punish Justice, please.”

With a frown on his weathered face, he took in the situation. “Justice! We’ll talk when I get back. You wait for me here.” Sam’s voice was calm but measured. “Charlee, you come with me.” He took her by the arm and led her to the truck.

“Dad! Wait!” Justice wasn’t sure what was happening. He didn’t know what Charlee said, he only knew he was in trouble. “Where are you going?”

“I’m taking your friend home.”

Before Justice could protest, his father had Charlee in his truck and they were gone. He didn’t know what to do. Man, he must be in deep shit if his father didn’t want Charlee to witness what was coming.

One of the hands came and helped him clean up, picking up the pieces of the saddle and tending to Shasta. After they’d finished, Justice went up into the hayloft and lay down, feeling sick to his stomach.

It wasn’t long before he heard his dad drive back up and knowing his son, it wasn’t long before he was standing at the bottom of the ladder. “Come down, Justice.”

Justice obeyed. “I’m sorry,” were the first words out of his mouth.

Sam was serious, not smiling. “I won’t hold you responsible for what Charlee did. But you shouldn’t let her tamper with my things. That saddle was expensive.”

Justice stared at his dad. “What?” Understanding dawned on him. “Wait. No.” He climbed down from the loft. “Charlee didn’t do this. I did.”

“You don’t have to cover for her. She said it wasn’t your fault.” Sam walked over to check the pieces of the saddle that were piled in a corner. “Dammit, just look at this mess.”

“Dad, she had nothing to do with this. Charlee tried to stop me. I was just showing off to Tobias.” He walked toward his father. “What did you do to her?”

Sam turned to look at him, concern on his face. “I didn’t do anything, didn’t really talk to her. I took her home, walked her to the door and explained what had happened to her father. She cried and tried to deny it, but I just thought she was being a kid.”

“What did her father do?” Justice clenched his fists.

“Nothing, he just said he’d take care of it.” Sam took his hat off and hit it against his jeans. “I told him to keep her home for a few days, not to let her come over so much.”

“Dad!” Justice whirled around, wanting to run, wanting to help Charlee. “You don’t understand. He hits Charlee and now she’ll get a whipping for nothing. I didn’t want to lose my motorcycle, but I sure didn’t mean for her to take my punishment!”

“Oh, she won’t be taking your punishment, you’ll have to wait on that cycle. And what do you mean ‘he whips her’?”

“With a belt, he leaves marks sometimes. Charlee is small.” His voice trailed off. “I don’t care about the motorcycle. Maybe I should go check on her.”

“We’ll both go.” Sam put an arm around his son’s shoulders.

Both looked at one another as Charlee rubbed Shasta’s nose. “I well remember the day Toby pushed you into using your dad’s saddle.”

Justice groaned. “Me too. I’ll never forget how disappointed my father was, and all I could think about was missing out on the motorcycle.”

“I was afraid for you. I knew he’d be mad.” Charlee tied one of the sleeping bags behind the saddle.

“Sam King could get angry, but he was never like your father, Charlee. What I regretted more was that my dad ever considered you were at fault.” 

“It turned out all right. You know he quit hitting me for a while after your dad had that talk with him.” 

“Actually, he did more than talk,” Justice admitted as he loaded their supplies in the saddle bags. “My dad always considered you family. He was protecting you.” Turning abruptly toward her, he asked, “What do you mean for a while?”

Charlee shook her head, not wanting to say too much. “Actually, he only hit me once more, the day I found out the truth about my past.”

Justice nodded. Charlee knew he assumed they had argued over what she found. She didn’t want to tell him it was because he caught her returning from Justice’s bed. 

“Sadly, that was just the first of Tobias’s jabs at you. He always used me to embarrass you.” Why did he have to be so perfect? Even the muscles flexing in his forearms as he handled the horse turned her on, not to mention his fine butt in those tight jeans.

Justice started to say something, but she was already mounting up. The girl hadn’t forgotten how to ride a horse. He had to hurry to catch up with her. “You didn’t embarrass me,” he countered.

Maybe it was the fresh air, but Justice’s protest just struck Charlee as funny. “Oh, please.” She teased with a laugh. “I didn’t have any illusions or expectations, but you have to know I worshiped the ground you walked on. I totally let my feelings for you get out of hand.”
And we made love, and we made a baby.
She wanted to add, but she held that knowledge close to her heart.

Tightening her knees, “Giddy-up.” Charlee urged Shasta forward. She couldn’t believe she had said anything. Even worse, Justice didn’t respond. Hell, she’d done it again. Riding on ahead, Charlee galloped across the pasture behind the barn. The weather was warming a bit. She hoped he’d think her pink cheeks were due to the sun and not to mortification. Curious cattle sauntered toward them, hoping for a hand-out. She didn’t slow down, thankful she knew the trail to take which would lead to Cave Canyon.