Page 75 of Home for Justice
She wasn’t naive. She knew Tyler would be investigating Jordy and Debbie. And it made sense that their son, John, might also come under scrutiny. Still, she hoped John wouldn’t have to find out he was being looked into. It wasn’t about protecting him. She puffed out a sigh.It was just… complicated.Family always was.
Her eyes swept across the office, settling on the well-worn desk, glad that it was metal and cleaned easily from the water… once she trashed all the papers that were soaked. Thankfully, her laptop was at home with her.
She remembered being a little girl, watching her dad work on engines, trailing him with wide eyes and greasy hands. Her granddad had always been here, too. The desk was always filled with a jar of lemon drops he kept just for her. She could still see the smile in his eyes as he handed one over like it was a treasure.
The memory warmed her for a moment before reality pressed back in.
Her dad had happily handed her the business side of the garage. He never had the patience for paperwork, preferring the clang of tools and the hum of engines. And while he’d always appreciated that Justice could handle a wrench with the best of them, he liked knowing she was in the office, keeping things running smoothly.
She sighed, the weight of recent weeks coiling tighter in her chest. Her father hadn’t planned to retire for years, but after his heart surgery, everything had changed. Would it even be safe for him to return? Would the stress set him back?
But then she pictured him at home, pacing, restless, fingers twitching to get back under a hood. Sitting around all day would be worse for him than a few hours in the shop. She decided to ask the doctor at his next appointment.Maybe ease Dad in with half days. Keep him busy but not overwhelmed.
A low ache pulsed at her temples, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, willing the tension away. So much had happened in such a short time. She had been so sure Aunt Debbie or Uncle Jordy had their hand in the garage fire, but now her thoughts circled back to Anthony Milton.
He’d had an alibi for the night of the garage fire. That didn’t mean a damn thing. Men like him never got their hands dirty. They paid others to do it. At least that was what happened in the movies.
And the fire near Tyler’s house? That wasn’t just vandalism. That had been an attempt to burn him out. If Tyler had died in that fire, the land would’ve gone to auction, and Anthony would’ve snatched it up before the ashes cooled. And if Tyler had survived but lost his home? Well, Anthony probably assumed that a cash buyout would become appealing and would likely be a lot less than he was offering now.
Her jaw clenched. Anthony was definitely a suspect in her mind, but he was too slick, too protected. There was no proof, but just a gutful of fury and a heart full of dread.
A soft knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts, and she looked up as Carla appeared in the doorway.
“I’m so sorry, Justice. I’ve been going in circles with a client on the phone, but we’ve got two others ready to check out.”
Justice blinked, then nodded quickly. “No worries, I’ll be right there.” She stood, smoothing her hands down her jeans, grateful for the interruption. She needed to step out of her mind and back into something concrete. As she walked past Carla into the hallway, she let the rhythm of routine distract her from the fear and fury that still pulsed just beneath the surface.
The time spent with concerned customers who all asked about her, her dad, and the garage was just the balm she needed.
When the day was finally over, she called Tyler. The line rang once before Tyler answered. “I’m on my way home,” she said. “I talked to Dad earlier, and apparently, one of the auxiliary ladies dropped off a heart-healthy dinner. He invited her to stay and eat with him. He also said that it might be nice if you and I went out tonight since we’ve had dinner with him every night this week.”
Tyler chuckled. “Is he trying to get rid of us?”
She tried to suppress a laugh, but it escaped anyway. “I don’t think he’s ready to start dating Gwen Yardley, but… maybe he’s enjoying the attention.”
“Hey, I never mind having dinner with your dad,” Tyler replied warmly. “But I’ll be thrilled to take you out tonight.”
“Perfect,” she said, her smile stretching wider. “I’m heading home now. Want to pick me up from my house?”
“Yeah, that works—wait... I need to check on the goats.”
“I can do that,” she offered. “I’ll stop by and check on Dad first, then run over to your place. I’ll make sure the goats are fed and watered. Then you can just come straight to your place.”
“You sure? The goats can be a bit cantankerous.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure,” she said firmly. Laughing, she added, “And I’ve spent time with them when Charlie was still living. I think they like me.”
“Sure you don’t want to adopt them?”
Still laughing, she replied, “Oh no. They’re just fine at your place!”
“Yeah, right. Okay then, and thanks for taking care of them. I should be about thirty minutes out. Looks like there could be an accident ahead, so I might be stuck for a bit.”
“No worries. If you aren’t there by the time I finish, I’ll text you and go back to my house.”
They disconnected just as she turned into her driveway, parking beside a dark blue sedan she didn’t immediately recognize. That must be Gwen’s vehicle. Smiling to herself, she tucked her phone into her sweater pocket and stepped out of the car.
Inside, the savory scent of fish and herbs greeted her. She walked into the kitchen and spotted Gwen Yardley at the stove. The older woman wore a tailored pink paisley blouse tucked into dark jeans, an outfit that was both effortless and flattering, accentuating her trim figure and elegant posture. Her silver hair was styled in a bob just above her shoulders, and her soft bangs swept across a face that looked genuinely pleased to be there.
