Page 36 of Loving Justice

He shook his head adamantly. “No, what you’re going to do is leave Sagebrush Pine for a while. Put some distance between you and Downs.”

She wrapped her head around what Daddy wanted. “I can’t. I’m busy and taking care of Jinx.”

He scraped his fingers down his whiskered jaw. “Lafferty said Jinx wants to go home and recover. You’ll go with him.”

“Go with him? That doesn’t make any sense,” her tone rose a notch.

“It makes perfectly good sense. I forbid you to see Downs again,” his voice was eerily low.

“You don’t have to forbid me to do anything. I made that decision on my own,” she snapped.

“And you’ll marry Jinx.”

He stated the demand so matter-of-factly that she almost thought she’d imagined his words. Although the idea had already crossed her mind too, she didn’t like being told what to do, even if she was in the wrong. “This is ridiculous.”

“It’s called damage control. Has Downs tried to bribe you into going back with him?”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts. We’re going to plan this strategically. Once he realizes you’re married let’s hope he loses interest.”

She blinked. “Are you afraid that I’d marry Kent?”

“I don’t know what I’m thinking at the moment,” he answered honestly.

“You said you wouldn’t force us to marry a specific man, that we could make that choice.”

He looked weary. “I wasn’t until you forced my hand. Let’s face it, Jinx is a damn good man.”

“How good of a man he is has nothing to do with marrying him.” It felt much different when she had the idea. She opened her mouth, but he held up his hand.

“I’ve made my decision.” Some of the harshness left his expression. “Plan a private ceremony and then I’ll take care of the rest.”

“There’s a little problem. What makes you think Jinx will marry me?”

“Convince him.”

She sighed. “How do I do that?”

“By convincing him that you identify with the important things to him. Marriage. Children. Family. He has a younger sister. She could use a good role model.”

She sunk back into her chair a little. “That doesn’t mean that he’ll marry me, or anyone.” Saying the words aloud made her feel guilty. This felt more like they were talking of livestock and not a husband. “I can’t do this,” she huffed.

His gaze narrowed. “Under the circumstances, you don’t have a choice.”

“Your demands have no boundaries, do they?”

“I'm a father who takes care of his family, his business, and his legacy. One day, I hope you’ll understand the sacrifices parents must make.”

A part of her wanted to argue, but a part of her also saw his point. She should never have gotten involved with Kent, and she could see why her daddy saw it as a betrayal. In the end, maybe he was right. Getting away, putting distance from everything going on around the ranch, might settle some things.

****

Pok swallowed his laughter. “I hate to break it to you, but she’s fucking Jinx.”

Downs' fists lay on the chair's arms. His white knuckles were the only sign of his internal conflict.

Pok was pleased. He enjoyed controlling the situation, and his anger towards Downs intensified.

---