Page 43 of Loving Justice

“Sure.” Hope gave Justice a kiss on the cheek. “You got this, girl. See you on the flip side.”

The door shut quietly behind Hope and Justice crossed the distance to Sam. She fixed his skewed tie. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“You look lovely,” he said, beaming with warmth, though his eyes held a hint of something deeper. “I’ve got something for you.” He reached into his jacket pocket and revealed a beautiful piece of fabric. As Justice leaned in, she discovered it wasn't just any fabric but a gorgeous lace handkerchief.

“Is that…” Justice couldn’t finish her words.

“Yes, it belonged to your mother. I thought you might like to have it.”

She took the handkerchief and felt its softness. “Thank you. I love it.” The tears that she’d been holding back were no longer contained.

“Hey. Don’t cry,” he said softly. He grabbed a tissue from a nearby box and delicately wiped away her tears. “Your mother would be very proud of you.”

“Would she?”

"From the moment you were born, she admired your fierce spirit, believing that your powerful cry was a beautiful indication of the incredible force you would become." He chuckled. “You wanted to be held by her all the time. It seemed you couldn’t find calm unless you were in her arms.”

“She was a good mother, wasn’t she?” Justice laid her cheek against Sam’s chest like she did when she was a child. It had been too long.

He wrapped his arms around her. “She was. The best. And I wish you and your sisters will find your mother's happiness one day.”

“I’m sure in time.”

“Are you still angry with me?” he asked.

She lifted her face. “Daddy, somehow you always see the right thing to do even when it’s so wrong.”

“It’s taken me years to perfect the skill.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Would you like some champagne?”

Justice looked at her husband. Her husband! She was married now. The ceremony had been simple and quick. Neither had said anything but “I do” surrounded by a few family members. But here now, she realized her feelings were deeper for him than she would have expected.

He’d removed his jacket and unbuttoned the first five buttons of his shirt, showing off his smooth chest. His hair was tamed, and his jaw was clean-shaven. He looked younger. More debonair.

“I’ll take some.”

He handed her a flute. She sipped, watching him above the rim.

“I hope you don’t mind if I pass on the bubbly. I’ll stick with my old standby.” He held up the beer bottle.

“What do you think of Daddy’s retreat?” She twirled her finger in the air, encompassing the cabin that belonged to the Rose family.

“When I think of a cabin I think rustic. There’s nothing rustic about this place.” He picked the label on his bottle. He seemed a bit anxious.

Justice was anxious too. This was their honeymoon night, and neither of them had spoken about their expectations. “He has big dreams of retiring and living here. We all know it’d take five workhorses to drag Daddy away from his work. He won’t retire until he’s six feet under.”

The bottle slipped from Jinx’s hand. The beer spilled out all over the polished planked floor. “Ah, shit. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ll grab something.” She came back with a towel and wiped up the beer puddle. When she stood back up, she noticed he looked off-kilter. “Are you okay?”

“Justice, I need to tell you something. I don’t know if this is the right time, but I can’t hold it in,” he said in a husky tone.

“I know what you’re going to say.” She wrung the damp towel in her hands.

“You do?” A brow snapped up over his narrowed gaze.

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