Page 50 of Home for Justice
“I’m here,” he said simply. “I’m going to stay.”
She leaned her head back to look up at him, blinking hard. “Tyler, you’re free to do whatever you want. It’s your land, your house. I’d never want you to feel like I guilted you into staying.”
He cupped her cheek with his hand, his touch as gentle as his words. “You’re not. This is where I want to be. That land and that house belonged to my grandparents. My dad grew up in that house. It’s my legacy. And now it’s mine. I’m already fixing it up. Bit by bit. It’s part of them and part of me. I want to keep the memories alive and still make it my own. I like that I havespace. I like pulling into my driveway, having a garage, walking out onto a deck where it’s just me and the mountains. No stacked boxes of condos, no neighbors on the other side of my walls, and no one crowding my peace.”
Her throat thickened. She swallowed again, this time fighting not nausea, but emotion. He wasn’t just staying… he was choosing this place. Choosing to stay next door to her.
“And you and your dad? You can breathe easy,” he said, his voice a low promise. “I’m not selling. And I sure as hell am not making a deal with Anthony Milton.”
Her lips trembled, but she managed to curve them into a smile. The tears didn’t fall, but only because she blinked them back. He leaned in, brushing a kiss to her forehead before lowering his mouth to hers. The kiss started slow and sweet but quickly deepened into something hot and consuming. Her fingers gripped the front of his shirt. Her heart pounded. Thank God the door was shut.
When he finally pulled back, he pressed his forehead to hers and groaned. “If I don’t leave now, I’m going to be way too tempted to find out how comfortable that desk is… and I don’t think we’re there quite yet.”
Still catching her breath, she murmured, “Well, maybe not on the desk at work. But if we were somewhere more private, I’m not sure I’d be able to let you leave.”
He grinned and kissed her again, quick and warm. “I’ll see you tonight when I come to pick up your dad.”
Justice dropped back into her chair, a hand drifting to her lips. Her headache had vanished. In its place was a lightness in her chest that hadn’t been there earlier. Somehow, with a burger, fries, and a kiss, he’d turned her whole day around.
And now that he was staying for good, she had a feeling there’d be a whole lot more good days to come.
23
“So… you and Justice?”
Tyler jerked his head toward Jack, surprised by the bluntness of the older man’s question. Quickly refocusing on the road as he drove toward the American Legion meeting, Tyler hesitated, unsure of exactly how to respond. He’d barely picked Jack up, the SUV hadn’t even fully warmed up yet, and already the conversation had taken a deeply personal turn. “Um… I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking,” he admitted carefully.
Jack chuckled softly, a sound layered with warmth and understanding. “I don’t need to ask about your plans regarding your property or your job. Justice already told me you’re sticking around and joining Lighthouse Security. And she mentioned you’re turning down Anthony Milton’s offer, deciding to hold on to your grandparents’ place.”
Nodding slowly, Tyler relaxed slightly, though his fingers remained tense on the steering wheel. “Yeah, that’s exactly right.”
Jack turned his gaze toward the road ahead, but Tyler could sense his eyes assessing him. “What I’m really asking, Tyler, is what your intentions are toward Justice. It hasn’t escaped myattention that the two of you seem to spend a fair amount of time together… more than just neighbors normally would.”
Tyler took a deep breath, carefully weighing his words. “I respect Justice a great deal,” he began slowly, feeling a strange mixture of caution and sincerity. “She’s become a good friend. Someone I value and admire, both as a neighbor and as a person.”
Jack’s response was a slow, thoughtful nod. Silence filled the cab for a moment before the older man sighed deeply, shifting slightly in his seat as though gathering himself. “My Justice is strong… hell, she’s tough as nails. Had to be. From a young age, she decided she wanted to follow in my footsteps, and I won’t pretend I wasn’t proud as hell when she told me that. But it’s not easy for a woman in her chosen career, especially as a mechanic.”
Tyler glanced over briefly, noting the pride mingled with sadness etched deeply into Jack’s weathered features.
“She fought through every step of her education and certifications,” Jack continued, a touch of bitter pride coloring his voice, “proving herself again and again to a bunch of misogynistic fools who thought she couldn’t handle the work. Sure, some folks might whisper that Justice got it easy, being my daughter. But let me tell you something—I made her my partner because she earned it, pure and simple. She’s the equal of any mechanic I’ve ever known, myself included.”
“Jack, there’s no doubt in my mind about her skills or her strength,” Tyler assured softly, feeling admiration rise sharply within him. “She’s impressive.”
Jack’s voice softened, thickening with emotion. “And when her mama got sick… well, Justice somehow managed it all. She kept our business running smoothly, took care of Patty, and even managed me when I wasn’t much good to anybody. I don’t mind admitting I was broken by my wife’s illness and her passing. Itried to be strong for Justice, but the truth is, she was the glue holding us together.”
Tyler absorbed Jack’s words, his respect deepening even further as he recognized the raw honesty of a man who’d endured profound loss.
Jack cleared his throat roughly, pushing through the emotions that tightened his voice. “Then, when I had my heart attack, Justice stepped up again. She ran the business, shuttled back and forth to the hospital, dealt with Anthony Milton’s incessant nonsense, and even managed my good-for-nothing brother and his scheming wife. And on top of all that, she had to handle finding out about Charlie’s heart attack, too. Honestly, I don’t know where that girl gets her strength, except, maybe, from her mama.”
Tyler let the silence linger a moment, feeling the weight of Jack’s revelation. Finally, he spoke quietly, meaning every word. “Jack, I’ve spent enough time around you to know that Justice isn’t just like her mom. She’s got an awful lot of you in her, too. And I’m not just talking about her skill as a mechanic.”
“She’s dated men…”
Tyler didn’t know what to say to that incomplete thought, so he remained silent, gripping the steering wheel just a bit tighter.
“But Justice is picky. She knows exactly what she wants.” Jack’s voice was firm but warm with affection. “She won’t waste her time on a man she senses isn’t right for her. She’s not the type to play games or lead anyone on. But I see the way she looks at you, Tyler, and I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Jack paused briefly, letting the weight of his words settle. “I guess what I’m really asking is… do I have any reason to be concerned?”
Tyler swallowed hard, carefully choosing his words. It had been a long time since he’d navigated these waters. He hadn’t met a woman’s family since high school, and certainly never dealt with such direct questioning from a concerned father.
