Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) (17 page)

“Please, I want you with me.” He nudged her with his cock. “And just think of the perks.”

“Believe me, I love your perks. But I don’t think staying at the ranch would be a good idea. Not yet.” She conceded with a smile, determined to take it slow. There was a lot to consider, and she had her heart to protect. And then there was the baby…the more they were together, the more it felt like she was depriving him of something important. Did men care about things like that? A miscarriage? After all, she’d only been three months along.

He was disappointed. “All right, I guess I’m rushing things. Spend the day with me and let’s finish up with dinner at El Camino. I’ll cook.”

“You’ll cook?” She laughed, relieved he wasn’t angry. “How about we cook together?”

“Deal.”

After two or three false starts, they finally made it out of the bed and into the shower. Charlee had no idea that a man and a woman could play together. They laughed, teased, and God, how they loved. It was like their childhood friendship and comradery had matured and taken a sensual turn. All of a sudden she felt sorry for all of the lovers who weren’t best friends. This was how it should be.

As she dressed, Charlee imagined spending every day with him, safe in his care, the center of his life. The whole idea sounded outlandish, mostly because it was, but it was her fantasy, and she couldn’t let it go. There was no way she could deny how absolutely content and complete everything he’d done so far had made her feel. But since she was Charlee and he was Justice, she knew she’d better enjoy it now because it probably wouldn’t last.

Since she would be going to El Camino for dinner, Charlee packed a small bag. When Justice saw it, he got his hopes up. “Changed your mind about staying at the ranch?”

“No, we’re going to be in the field today. I didn’t want to have dinner with your family in greasy grimy clothes.”

He snapped his fingers as if missing out on something. “Shoot. Can’t blame a guy for hoping.”

She started to tell him he could spend the night at the motel again, but she still didn’t feel that sure of herself. Justice would have to continue to make the first moves until her confidence level rose.

After leaving the motel, they drove by the site, this time heading down 21 to the barricade and walking the rest of the way. Justice held the fence while Charlee crawled through and was pleased to see that progress had been made and there were some new faces, his brothers. “Look, there’s the twins and Jase.”

Charlee stared, they had changed so much! Justice had been grown when she left, but the others—especially Trace and Trevor—looked completely different. They were men.

“Justice!” All three of them came to greet their brother and to look…at her.

“Is this Charlee?” The marvel in Trace’s voice was reflected on all three faces. He spread his hands. “My God, you turned into a swan.”

Charlee blushed, getting the ugly duckling reference. She wished another sinkhole would open beneath her feet. “Thanks, it’s good to see you. You all look great.”

Justice could have cheerfully killed his brother. He pressed his lips together.

Trevor elbowed his twin. “Smooth.”

Jase had more finesse. He came over and hugged Charlee. “It’s wonderful to see you. We missed you around here.”

“Yea, ignore my brother, he caught foot-in-mouth disease from the cattle.” Trevor was still trying to cover for Trace.

“No, no, it’s all right.” Charlee held up her hand. “I understand.” She turned to Jase, anxious to change the topic. “I thought about you the other day.”

“You did?”

Justice perked his ears up, wondering why she was thinking about his brother.

“I remember you telling me the story about your ancestress, Jane Long, and how she saw the bear cross Galveston Bay when it was frozen.”

“Yea, she was interesting. They called her the ‘mother of Texas’ because her third child was one of the first Anglo-American babies born to an English speaking mother in Texas.”

Justice watched the exchange, realizing she was smoothing out an awkward moment.

“When I went down to Galveston a few weeks back to help with a study of barrier island erosion, I met this man who was doing some intensive study of Jane and her husband, James, especially their associations with the Pirate Jean Lafitte and Jim Bowie. I bought one of his books if you’d like to see it sometimes.”

“I’d love to. I’ve gone down to the ruins of the old fort on Bolivar where Jane lived many times. What bothers me the most is the reference to the ships on the marker that slaves were unloaded there and forced to walk some three hundred fifty miles through snake and mosquito infested swamps to New Orleans where they were sold.” Jase was getting into the conversation, but Justice and the twins’ eyes were glazing over.

“Okay, you two squints, you can talk later. We just wanted to check the progress and then I’m taking Charlee home with me.”

His brothers looked surprised but happy. “Excellent. How about a game of paintball?” Trace suggested, probably trying to make up for his outburst.

Jase shook his head, more astute than his brothers. “I think he’s inviting her for dinner, not game day.”

Trevor’s expression brightened, like a lightbulb had gone off in his head. “Oh, you mean like a girl/boy thing.”

By this time Charlee was embarrassed again, and Justice wanted to knock their heads together. “We’ll have a nice family meal to welcome Charlee back to Bronco.”

“You mean, we’ll have a meal if Abby gets home in time to cook.” Trace clarified. “We tend to burn things.”

“Nonsense, I’m a master on the grill. There’s a beef tenderloin in the refrigerator just waiting for me.” Justice defended his culinary skills.

“Charlee!” Cyrus called her over, and she walked with him down to mouth of the canyon.

Justice turned to Trace and slapped him on the back of the head. “What was that all about?”

“I’m sorry, I just meant she was hot.”

His apology was almost worse than his insult. “Charlee is very important to me.” He raised his finger at all three of the other men. “I want her to feel welcome in our home. Got it?”

“Of course,” all three of them murmured.

“She is welcome,” Jase reiterated. “She always was. We didn’t run her off.” The moment he said the words, he knew he’d hit a sore spot with his big brother. He saw Justice’s face harden. “I didn’t mean—”

“Forget it.” Justice waved off his apology. Charlee was walking back up.

“Day after tomorrow, bright and early, we’ll fill the hole.” She smiled, contented that everything was going as planned. “I’ll notify the sheriff’s department and let them know exactly what and when we’re doing things. I’ll also make sure we’ve filed all the necessary permits.”

“I’m glad I have you.” He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t ever doubt it. Okay?”

“Okay, I believe you.” She smiled, but the smile didn’t seem to reach her eyes. As they walked back to his truck, Justice realized this wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought it was. He and Charlee had some unresolved issues. He had hurt her, maybe more than he realized. Serendipity or fate or just dumb luck was giving them a second chance. If there had been no sinkhole, Charlee wouldn’t have come back to him—and that would have been a tragedy.

The day passed quickly. They returned to his office to meet a representative from the highway department. When they weren’t doing business, they talked—about everything. Movies they’d seen. Things that had happened in the world. Their feelings on issues. Charlee and Justice were catching up. And they touched. Always touching—hand holding, walking close, his arm around her shoulder. Gradually they were getting back to where they were, except now it was all new and different with the added dimension of sexual attraction.

After lunch, when they passed through the doors of the El Camino main house, Charlee paused to absorb the moment. The memories came flooding back. “Want to freshen up?” Justice asked.

“Yes, please.” She followed him up to his suite.

“You could use a guest suite, or you could shower with me.” He gave her a come-hither look.

“Some of your family is back. I don’t feel comfortable.” Ignoring his come-hither look—which was hard—she occupied herself by inspecting his room. To say it had changed since the last time she’d been here was an understatement. Gone were the trappings of boyhood. Instead of posters on the walls, there was Western art, original if she wasn’t mistaken. Instead of game consoles there was state of the art media equipment. And that wasn’t all. “You got a new bed.”

He looked at the huge California King. “Well, I’m bigger now.”

Her eyes were drawn to the area below his belt buckle.

“Ah-ha!” He chortled, catching onto her focus. “You have turned into such a perv.”

Charlee giggled as he lunged for her, managing to slip from his grasp. “It’s all your fault. If you weren’t so good-looking, I wouldn’t have lusted after you all these years.”

“CHARLEE!!”

A feminine voice from the hall caused Charlee to wheel around. “Abby! Cade!” Overjoyed, she went to greet them, followed closely by Justice. “Congratulations! How was the honeymoon?”

“Unforgettable.” Abby Grace glanced adoringly at her new husband before hugging her brother.

“How did you two get here? I thought your flight didn’t arrive for a few hours. Someone was coming after you, we didn’t intend to leave you stranded.”

Cade shook Justice’s hand. “Our flight was early, so we hired a car.”

“I’m just glad you two are back safely.” Justice beamed at them both. “Charlee’s home. We’ve reconnected. She’s going to be having dinner with us, I’m about to go throw something on the grill.” That was the only explanation he gave, but Abby Grace’s eyes got wide as silver dollars.

“Hey, why don’t you take me out and show me this sinkhole? I saw the twins downstairs, and they were trying to explain to me what’s going on.” Cade motioned to the door.

“Charlee saved the day, actually.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Come on with me, brother-in-law, I’ll explain everything.”

“We’ll fix supper while you’re gone,” Abby said with a smile as she hooked her arm through Charlee’s. “You can grill another day. We need to have some time for girl talk.”

When the men were gone, Abby led her downstairs to the big kitchen. A bit nervous, Charlee just plunged right in. “I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here.”

Abby was nonplussed. “Actually, I’m just grateful you are.” Justice’s sister opened the freezer and took out a couple of containers. “Lasagna, I made it a few weeks ago. I think this is a good time to use it.”

“Can I help?”

“Sure, there are salad makings in the crisper.” Abby pointed to the refrigerator.

Charlee pulled out lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and an avocado. “Grateful? This whole thing is pretty crazy, but I’m glad to help.” She went on to explain her association with the state environmental board.

“Oh, I’m certainly thankful for whatever you’re doing about our little natural disaster. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” Abby turned to her. “I’ve missed you.”

Charlee started to cry. Once upon a time they’d all been so close. “I missed you too.” She didn’t go into the adoption or the misunderstandings between her and Justice. Maybe she would one day. Right now things with Justice were too new and too fragile.

But Abby had no such qualms. “I don’t know where you’ve been or why you stayed away so long, but having you back will make all the difference.”

“I don’t understand.” Charlee tore up the lettuce leafs into a bowl.

“After you left, Justice changed. He withdrew, became distant. Already I can see the difference.”

Charlee shook her head. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Oh yes, you don’t understand. When you left, the light went out of his eyes.”

Charlee’s heart lurched in her chest. “What do you mean?”

“For want of a better word, he mourned you, Charlee.” Abby tried to explain. “He dated women...”

“Zelda,” Charlee injected quickly, although she wished she’d bitten her tongue.

Abby waved her hand. “He did see her for a while. But they never had the connection you two did. Not that she didn’t try, believe me.”

“Justice said she didn’t want to live here.” Charlee started buttering bread to go with the lasagna, which was now warming in the oven. “She’s beautiful, you have to admit they’re perfect for one another.” Yea, she knew her insecurity was showing.

“Nonsense. They weren’t compatible, they didn’t have the connection you two had. You and Justice are soulmates, you always have been. I’ve known that from the time I knew about the birds and the bees.”

Charlee sighed. “I hope so, Abby. You know he’s always been my world, but we had a hard time for the last few years I was here. I couldn’t hide how I felt about him, and he didn’t feel the same way. Kids were cruel to both of us.”

“If he didn’t feel the same say about you, deep down, then how do you explain what’s happening now?”

Abby’s argument didn’t convince Charlee. “I can’t. Honestly, I keep expecting to wake and find it’s all in my head. From the moment we ran into each other, he’s been…amazing. Justice has been like he used to be when we were close, except its more. Now things are like I always dreamed they’d be, and I’m so afraid something is going to happen to mess it up.” Like him finding out about the baby.