Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) (15 page)

“No, it’s not. And it’s not the end of the story either. The woman was seen again and again, crying for her children. ‘O, my children. They are lost,’ she would cry and mourn. Since then, countless times the woman has been heard or seen and shortly thereafter, someone will drown or almost drown. It’s a widespread tale told to children to keep them from wandering at night.”

“I’m glad we never saw La Llorona at the buried treasure sight,” Justice admitted as they rode along.

“I think I saw her the day my mother drowned,” she said quietly. “My father was Hispanic, you know.”

“What do you mean, you saw her?” Justice stopped his Appaloosa to listen better to Charlee.

“My mother and I were swimming in the river. She told me to stay near her, but I paddled off after a floating leaf or something. I heard someone calling my name. When I looked up there was this lady in white with long dark hair. She was holding out her hands, and I started to go to her. The water was over my head, my dog-paddling wasn’t strong enough to stay afloat, so my mother swam after me. But she had a seizure and although she pushed me back to shallow water, she drowned and there was nothing to do, I was too small to lift her or turn her over.” Charlee began to cry. “When I tried to tell my father and the others about the lady in white, they all said it was my imagination. There was no one there but us.”

“That’s strange,” Justice began. He’d discounted another story that now seemed to make sense. “I told you about Cade nearly drowning.” She nodded. “Well, we were all told that little Harold followed Scout out across the pond. But that night, when they were talking to him and reiterating how he was to never do anything like that again, he told his mother that the dog had gone out onto the ice ahead of him because there was a woman in white beckoning them both.”

Chills went racing over Charlee’s skin. She rubbed her arms. “That gave me goosebumps.”

Justice felt his heart strings tug when she reached out her hand to hold his.

“Let’s go back to camp. We have to meet the environmental crew soon anyway.”

“You’ll sleep close to me tonight, won’t you?” Justice joked a little to lighten the mood.

“Yes.” She chewed on her lower lip, giving him a sideways glance. “You have a bedfellow tonight.”

“Yes!” Justice whooped so loudly, the horses reacted, which caused Charlee to giggle. “Come on sundown!”

When they arrived at the sinkhole, some of the El Camino ranch hands were there along with the men who’d come to run the requested tests on the land. Justice went over to introduce himself, and Charlee joined them. “Justice King.”

“Justice.” She touched his arm. “Meet Cyrus Vance, he’s the chief engineer for the Texas Environmental Protection Board. We’ve worked together several times. He’s the best.”

“She’s full of prunes.” Cyrus joshed. “This girl knows her stuff, we always follow her lead. Last month we worked on a pipeline that will bring needed water to San Antonio, and she’s also been working on a plan to provide more water to drought stricken areas.”

Justice looked at her with appreciation. “I thought you were a geologist.”

Cyrus answered for her. “She’s the one who finds the best route for laying the pipe. No one wants to dig in solid rock or lay a pipe in soil that can’t sustain the weight or pierce some important source of ground water.”

“It’s important. Water is our greatest resource, more valuable to Texas than oil. You don’t think that rainfall and flow in the Highland lakes in central Texas directly affects rice farmers on the coast, but it does.” Charlee explained.

“Her next project will take her to Dallas. We’ve got to determine if the recent rare Texas earthquakes are due to oil and gas production. We think fracking near a fault line could have played a role, and Charlee Cortez will help us determine that.”

Justice was thinking. Listening to them talk was giving him an idea. He wasn’t ready for Charlee to leave. “Sounds like she travels all over.”

“I do. I report into the Austin central office every couple of weeks, but the rest of the time I can either do research at home or I’m on the road.” Charlee was over simplifying it, but the truth was she was on her own most of the time. Being here with Justice was a treat, leaving him would be painful.

“Okay, let’s get set up and see what we can find,” Cyrus said as he motioned for two other men to unload the heavy equipment from the back of the trailer. “Let me find the best place to begin our tests, and then I want you to walk me down to that creek you’re thinking about diverting to fill up the sinkhole.”

In a few minutes, the crew had the radar equipment set up, and they were moving it slowly across the ground in a grid pattern, scanning the area below the surface. A computer inside the machine was charting a digital image that Charlee would be able to read to see the damage that had been done and how big the hole was and where it might spread next. If they could fill it, stabilize it, maybe they could preserve the integrity of the surrounding land and the water table.

“Okay, let’s take a walk. After you.” Cyrus gestured gallantly. “Show me the creek and the path you want it to take to divert the waters to the sinkhole.”

The sun was about midway across the western sky. They’d missed lunch, but Justice had something special planned for tonight. They tromped through the grasses from the low-lying area next to road, which wasn’t being used at the moment. Justice knew what a huge inconvenience this caused to the area. People were having to drive miles out of the way on the east to west corridor. One lane of the highway was still passable but too fragile to travel on. Something would have to be done—and soon.

“Charlee, if we can get a handle on this today, I can have some tractor-trailers out here with the concrete barriers and sand bags so we can get this show on the road.” Cyrus walked a step or two ahead of them. “I see the creek.” He looked at Justice. “What’s the high water mark?”

“About four feet higher than it is now. But all you need is a good rain and it rises as quick as you can blink the eye. When they say flashflood around here, they aren’t kidding. Just a few months ago a highway patrol checking a low point in one of the farm to market roads was swept away and drowned.” Justice grabbed Charlee’s hand and helped her over a fallen log. “How long will this take and will we be able to reverse the flow back to its original course?”

They arrived at Lavaca Creek, and Cyrus walked downstream a few hundred yards, checking depth and accessibility. “Once we get the report today, we’ll know the actual depth and can calculate how many cubit feet the sinkhole will hold.” She laughed. “That’s sort of a tongue twister.”

Checking behind him to see where Vance was, Justice pulled her to him. “Let me have a go at twisting that pretty little tongue.” He bent to kiss her, covering her mouth with his own. Losing herself in his kiss, Charlee poured out all the longing she’d held inside for the time they’d been apart.

“This should be doable, we can probably set this up in a day and when we’re ready, just remove…uh, pardon me.” Cyrus had walked up, interrupting their embrace.

“No problem, Mr. Vance.” When he saw the other gentleman’s questioning look, Justice explained. “Charlee and I are old friends. I guess you can say we’re catching up.”

Charlee coughed and blushed. “Yes, we grew up together.”

Cyrus clapped Justice on the back. “Well, I for one am thrilled. It bothered me that Charlee was always alone. A woman like this should be appreciated and spoiled.”

“I think we should get back…” Charlee started to walk away, clearly embarrassed.

“Look, you two,” Cyrus spoke up. “This is going to take a while. Why don’t you get back to whatever you were doing before and once I finish, I’ll drop the report off at Mr. King’s office. You,” he pointed to Charlee, “can call me and tell me what you need, and I’ll have it here in a jiffy. As far as the road is concerned, Dave Barnes has contacted the State Highway Department and they’re ready to set aside some time for one of their contractors to build the roadbed wherever you say.”

“We’re still looking at that possibility,” Charlee interjected. “The King family will have to donate acreage and build new fence.”

“We’re ready to drop everything and do that.” Justice assured them. “All we’re trying to determine is the right course so we’ll avoid damaging any El Camino artifacts and build on safe ground.” Lord, all of this talk was so different than anything he ever though he’d be saying. This was certainly new territory.

“Good to know.” Vance nodded. “Now, you two love birds can be off. I can handle it here.”

Justice looked at Charlee. It was her call. She smiled, a look of uncertainty on her face. “All right. I’ll work on the diversion plans, we’re going to ride through Cave Canyon in the morning. I have to be sure no wildlife are going to be endangered. Most will move to higher ground without trouble, but you know I have a soft heart. If there are any nests or dens in the path, I want to know about it so I can work something out.”

“Talk to you tomorrow, then.” Cyrus bid them farewell.

They mounted their horses and began making their way back to camp. “So, what do you think?”

Justice pushed his hat back and studied Charlee. “I’m pleased. You seem to have it well in hand. Dare I ask about paying for all of this?”

Charlee chose her words carefully. “I will know more when I see the readout. It all depends on the cause of the sinkhole. If there is a connection point between the sinkhole and any drilling operations that you’re responsible for, of course, you’re liable. On the other hand, if I can determine that the sinkhole formed due to natural causes, the state will pay.”

“Fair enough.” Justice knew he could afford it, but like any reasonable man, he wanted to know the truth of the matter.

“We’ll be following the same criteria for the road, if you’re liable, I’m hoping you’ll donate what we need. If this is a naturally occurring phenomenon, the state will reimburse you fair-market value.”

“I like you.” Justice winked at her. “And I trust you.”

Charlee giggled. “Well, that makes me feel better. I will do my very best, and I can assure you I’ll be fair. You can examine or have someone else examine every report and test.” About that time her stomach growled. “Dang, I’m hungry.”

“Good, cause I have a surprise for you.” He urged his horse into a gallop. “Come on, we have stuff to do.”

“Is this a surprise comparable to the one I gave you this morning?”

Justice roared with laughter. “Is that the kind of surprise you want?”

“Yea, I’d even skip a meal for it.”

“Well, I’m going to feed you because you’re going to need all the energy you can get.”

“I’m stuffed,” she groaned. “Are you trying to make me fat?” She was amazed at the food he’d prepared—grilled steak, twice baked potatoes, roasted asparagus, and a delectable decadent dessert called banana boats. “I can’t believe that dessert, it was tremendous.”

“Easy as pie.” He explained. “I sliced a banana and filled it with marshmallows, chocolate chips, caramel chips and a few crushed graham crackers, wrapped it in foil and let the candy melt.”

“You are one very talented man.” She exhaled and stretched a bit, satisfied.

He gave her a Cheshire cat grin and took the wadded up aluminum foil from her hand. “Allow me to show you where my greatest talent lies.”

Feeling pretty sure of herself, she teased with a sigh. “Well, I’m not sure if I’m up for anything strenuous.”

Undeterred, he kept coming, moving nearer to her like a stalking big cat. “You don’t have to be. I’m already ‘up’ for it and if you’ll allow me to escort you to our tent, I’ll do all the work. All you have to do is lie there.”

Charlee got the giggles. “I very seriously doubt if I’ll ever be able to just lie there with you. In case you haven’t noticed, you tend to excite me a bit.”

“Oh, really?” With a predatory snarl, he snatched her up in his arms and carried her to the tent. “That’s comforting. I’d hate to ever bore you.”

“I think I can safely say you have never bored me, unless you count the time I watched you try to rope that post for four straight hours until you finally nailed it.”

He goosed her, making Charlee squeal. “I’m gonna nail you and if I had some rope, we’d see if I’ve gotten any better at tying things up.”

By the time he’d eased her to the floor, stealing kisses all the way down, they were both tearing at one another’s clothes, anxious for complete skin on skin contact. “God, I have a good time with you, Justice.”

“Oh, honey, me too.” She was so gorgeous, flawless skin, pouty nipples crowning firm high breasts and what was between her legs made him want to genuflect in her presence. His whole body responded—heart pounding, pulse racing, and his cock was fully distended and throbbing with need. “Give me a kiss.” Justice caught her up to him and ate at her mouth, long drugging kisses that set the stage for their joining. “I can’t get enough of you,” he whispered when he stopped to breathe.

“You can have all of me, if you want,” she offered shyly.

“I want.” He ran his hands over her body, kissing her shoulders, cupping the firm globes of her ass. “Let’s turn you around and bend over that saddle. I want you comfortable.”

“Are you gonna ride me, Justice?” He helped her drape herself over the smooth leather, and knowing her backside was up in the air and vulnerable to him made her nipples pebble and her pussy weep.

“Hell, yes. I’m going to make you scream.”

He lay every rock hard inch of his big body to her back, his thick cock pressing against her bottom. He wanted her. There was no way of mistaking his need. The thought that Justice King was desperate for her made shivers of excitement dance across her skin.

“You have no idea how sexy you look.”

Feeling his palms soothe over her skin, she clasped the blanket in front of her with both hands. The way she was positioned, on top of the saddle, made her breasts hang down, and she was totally at his mercy.

And God help her, at his mercy was a perfect place to be.

Charlee closed her eyes and moaned as he traced the length of her spine with his lips. “You’re destroying my control,” he spoke against her neck as his palms covered her breasts, and he began to mold and knead the soft flesh.

She moaned, his hands or mouth on her breasts was pure heaven. And when he began to milk her nipples, taking them between two fingers, pressing and pulling, she felt her pussy clench, craving his cock. “Justice, Justice, please, now.” As much as she could, with him on top of her, she tilted her ass up in the age old language of female surrender.

“You want me?” He licked the shell of her ear, continuing to pleasure her breasts, working the nipples between his fingers, playing with them, fulfilling a fantasy of his own. “Tell me how much. Beg me.”

“It’s hard,” she groaned. Almost impossible. Putting words together while he prodded her backside with his cock was a challenge.

“You can say that again.” Justice slid his big body up and down her back in a sensual caress, using her breasts as the perfect love handles, the hair on his pecs abrading her back, his dick nudging at the crease of her ass.

Wanting became needing and needing became… “I’m empty without you, I’m burning up. I feel like I can’t breathe unless you come inside me.”

Her entreaty aroused him beyond belief. He drew back, remembering the condom—they hadn’t been consistent. And when he withdrew to protect her, she said the magic words. “Fuck me, Justice. I think I’ll die if you don’t fuck me.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for me?” He loved to tease. Reaching between her legs, he palmed the pad of her pussy and massaged, glorying in how wet she was. The soft woman flesh beneath his hand made his cock grow even bigger. He was afraid he’d split the condom.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she chanted.

Strutted with passion, he positioned himself and plunged in—one hard, long thrust that buried him balls deep.

Charlee gasped and pushed back against him, wanting to meld herself to him forever. Desire sparked over her skin. “God, you feel so good! More! More!” she cried.

Justice covered her, placing his palms on the ground on the opposite side of the saddle and took her hard. “Fuck, this is good,” he ground out between his teeth as he flexed his hips, pistoning in and out – over and over – hard, riding her, pleasing her, giving, taking. “God, Charlee, how…how did I ever do without you?”

If she could have captured this moment in time to savor again and again, she would have. His words. His possession, the way her body responded and accepted him. The continuous mind-blowing filling and stretching, pounding into her pussy with obvious, no-holds-barred lust. Charlee basked in the fact that she was gloriously, completely, and perfectly fucked.

Spiraling into pleasure, she flew apart, her pussy contracting helplessly around his cock. “Um, um, oh, God, Justice!” she whimpered as waves of pleasure swamped her.

Justice could feel her cumming around his cock. He rose up, tossing his head back, his neck bowed. Clasping her hips, he drove into her again and again as she continued to spasm around him until he felt his own cum boiling up from his balls and jetting out of his cock, an orgasm so massive he thought he’d die from it.

Even after he came, he didn’t stop moving. He just slowed down, letting the strokes give her every ounce of pleasure he could—every little moan, every little quiver was a reward in itself.

Justice learned a powerful lesson—the ones who said it was blessed to give than to receive were right.

*  *  *

During the night, something woke her up. Charlee sat up, trying not to disturb Justice. After they’d made love, he’d zipped their sleeping bags together and cuddled her close. Now, he slept on his side away from her. She’d been nestled close to his back, spooning him. Sleeping with Justice was so different than sleeping alone. How many nights had she curled up in her lonely bed and imagined this very thing.

But something was outside. The horses were restless, she could hear them pawing and grunting. Sliding up and out of the bag, she quickly donned her clothes and slipped out of the tent. The fire wasn’t completely out, but only embers glowed. The moon, however, was a big pie in the sky and gave enough light for her to… “Shit!” she whispered. “Dang, dang, dang.” She crawfished backward and slapped the side of the tent. “Justice, wake up!” She wasn’t talking loudly, because she didn’t want to alert the very large bear who was right now pilfering through their gear.

Too late.

RAWR! The bear stood on his hind legs and growl, slapping the air. “Justice Orion King, if you don’t come out of that tent and save me, I’ll never forgive you as long as I live!”

When he didn’t make an immediate appearance, Charlee tried to figure out her next step. She didn’t have a gun or a club or anything like that. But her eyes caught what was left of the bananas lying about three feet away where Justice had prepared their meal.

“Go away!” she yelled, picking up one of the bananas and chunking it at him. The bear was momentarily distracted, he reached for the banana and set back on his haunches. “Justice!” she screamed again, hoping to rouse him to her rescue. The bear wasn’t cooperating because he ate the banana whole and then eyed her like she was the second course. Again, she chunked a banana.

Justice had heard her, scrambled up and was now pulling his pants over his hips. When he emerged from the tent, it was to find his Charlee hurling fruit at a grown black bear while she stomped and snarled, ferocious enough to scare him, much less the bear. Even though she seemed to have the situation well in hand, he took over. Seeing her place herself in danger sent his heart rising into his throat. “Get behind me.” He grabbed her arm. Picking up a log that was smoldering on one end, he charged the bear. “Go! Get outta here!” This was his closest encounter, but his instincts to protect his own were high.

The bear scampered off with the last banana in his mouth. When he turned to see his baby, she was frozen, her chest heaving. So brave. His Charlee had always been fierce. And so many times she’d stood up for him. Not that he’d needed it or asked her to do it, she’d just been that scrappy little lioness, ready to do battle for him if she had any clue someone was trying to take advantage or harm him.

“What am I going to do with you?” He swept her up in his arms, his lips colliding with her. After he’d kissed the living daylights out of her, he buried his face in her neck. “You should have come back in the tent and kick the crap out of me to wake me up.”

“Hold me tight.” She was shaking like a leaf.

“We’re moving in the cave. I’ll set up the tent in the back, and we’ll build a fire in the front. I’ll keep you safe,” he promised.

Charlee let him take care of her. He fixed her a place to sit first, then got busy moving what they’d need. When he finished, she launched herself back into his arms, and he cradled her to him. Raining kisses on her face, he calmed himself by running his lips over her skin, thanking God that she was here with him, safe and sound.

Sometimes there are moments when reality blurs with dreams, when something so perfect happens that we are afraid to breathe, to blink, for fear the joy will fade and we’ll find our arms empty. These were Charlee’s thoughts as she clung to him.

He was Justice and he was not. The way he pressed her to him was impassioned. Reverent. His kisses were laced with fire, but also with something akin to desperation. Charlee had never seen him act in such a way, she had no idea he could be so ardent, yet so tender. Truly, she’d never ever expected to be the recipient of such feelings.

Heck, if Charlee had known she could illicit this type of response from him, she’d been out hunting bears before now.

“I’m okay,” she murmured, touching his cheek. Even though his caresses weren’t meant to arouse, Charlee’s body reacted. Her nipples peaked, aching as she clasped him around the neck and molded her body to his. “I’m still here.”

“And I want you to stay here, Charlee. I don’t want you to leave me again.” Justice found her mouth and poured himself into the passionate kiss. All she could think about was the possibility that Justice might care for her, really care for her. Not just as a friend, not as a friend with amazing benefits—but love. This kiss felt like a silent declaration of love. Could she be imagining it?

Drowning in the euphoric possibilities, she let herself go, giving herself to him fully, putting every bit of adoration and devotion she could into the kiss. Justice groaned, gathering Charlee even tighter in his arms. She reveled in the thrill of his attention, each kiss becoming gentler, more exquisitely tender than the last until he let their lips slowly separate, and he stared at her in the flickering firelight.

Charlee felt a bittersweet poignant jolt of hope. The way his eyes were locked with hers, it was as if he were looking into the depths of her soul. “You want me to stay?” The question slipped from her lips unbidden.

“Yes, I want you to stay.” He picked up her hand, gave her a sweet smile and placed a kiss in the middle of her delicate palm. “From listening to you talk to Cyrus, you can pretty much work from anywhere, can’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.” The idea of returning to Bronco filled her with dueling emotions. Living in the same town as Curtiss Parker and all the bad memories was one thing, but living near—or possibly with—Justice was something else entirely. Dare she dream? “Can we talk about it?” She wanted to hear his thoughts, to know exactly what he meant before she laid bare her soul and left it unguarded and vulnerable.

“Sure, I want to talk about everything.” He pulled the covers over them. “But for now, let’s sleep. Rest. Tomorrow we can begin anew.”

*  *  *

Morning broke in a blaze of color. They rode northwest from the camp. “I’m not really ready to go back. This has been idyllic. I’m afraid life will interfere, take what we have away from us.”