Page 22 of Loving Justice

“It’s taco and margarita night at the Rose house, of course it’ll probably just be me for dinner. Dolly makes the best carnitas you've ever tasted.”

“I’m already salivating,” Ness said.

“Don’t you two dillydally,” Justice called over her shoulder. “Cold tacos are never as good as warm tacos. I’ll ride with Ness. See you both soon.”

Jinx watched Justice and Ness disappear onto the path like two old friends.

When he looked back at Ilene and saw her anxious expression, his mood lightened a bit. He realized this situation had upset her enough that she needed it handled immediately, which is why she demanded that Ness drive the few hours to find him.

“Ilene, I get it. No one wants to write a paper on something they can’t relate to. How about we make a compromise? You write a paper on any scientist that interests you, and I’ll speak to Mrs. Alley first thing Monday morning. Deal?”

“The assignment was to write on the prepared list of scientists. We don’t have intellectual freedom. It’s like prison 2.0.”

"You have the freedom to write about anyone who inspires you. Then submit it.” The moment he saw the tension fade from her expression, a sense of relief washed over him.

“Will I be ungrounded then?”

“Yes, once the paper’s finished and turned in. And just so we’re clear, you’re not going to track me through an app,” he said firmly.

“Does that mean we can both take the app off our phones?”

“No, but good try. Hungry?” he asked as he grabbed his hat off the branch and planted it on his head.

“For tacos and margaritas?” Her eyes glistened in mischief.

“For tacos and milk. Remember how Ma would serve us milk with every dinner?”

The corners of her mouth played with a smile. “I hate milk. Maybe I can have a virgin margarita.”

He shook his head. The child was going to be the death of him. “How about a soda?”

“Fine,” she whined. “Justice is beautiful. Can I be a bridesmaid?”

“How about you slow your roll?” He chuckled, yet he couldn’t help but think that maybe his sister was onto something.

Chapter Six

“Are you Jinx’s girlfriend?” Ilene asked.

Justice had just taken a bite from her taco and almost choked on a piece of tomato. Swallowing the bite with a sip of margarita, she looked across the table and found Jinx deliberately ignoring the question. Ilene was happily munching away on her hard-shell taco, toppings falling out the opposite end. “No, we’re just friends,” Justice said with a smile.

Something about the girl reminded Justice so much of herself at that age. It was a challenging age and most teens had difficulty understanding where they fit in. Honor and Liberty had been two shining stars in everything they did. Freedom was quiet and she always had her head stuck in a book. Hope also loved to read and had a ton of friends who she socialized with. Justice had struggled for a while, and that’s when she found art. Painting had given her an outlet that she so desperately needed.

“She’s my boss,” Jinx chimed in.

Justice could tell that he felt awkward sitting at the table in the kitchen at the main house, but Justice enjoyed the company. Very seldom did she have someone to sit down and eat with.

“You’rehis boss?” Ilene looked a bit shocked. “I would have never guessed that.”

“Ilene!” Ness whispered, her face as red as the taco sauce in the bowl before her.

“What?” Ilene appeared utterly oblivious to what she’d done wrong. “I’m only thinking that my brother doesn’t seem like the type who can take orders from girls. And also, what boss goes skinny dipping with her worker?” She scooped up meat from her plate with her fingers and dropped it into her mouth.

“We weren’t skinny dipping,” Justice answered, although she guessed a bra and panties didn’t matter in the situation.

“Ilene, this isn’t appropriate.” Jinx scowled. “And I can handle getting direction just fine.”

Justice wiped her fingers off on a paper towel, taking a moment to prepare her words. “I don’t tell Jinx, or any of the crew, what to do,” Justice said. “Especially your brother. He’s one of our most productive and respected hands. He does a great job guiding the others. Here at Sagebrush Rose we don’t like to micromanage.” Justice felt his gaze on her, but she couldn’t dare look. Seeing this different side to him, the big brother watching over his little sister, made him even more intriguing to her. Although he had firm rules he cared deeply for Ilene, as shown in how he took an interest in the things she found interesting.

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