Page 11 of Home for Justice
For a beat, she considered letting it go to voicemail. Her uncle never called without a reason, and that reason was rarely a concern. But with her father in the hospital, she sighed and answered.
“Hello, Uncle Jordy.”
“I just wanted to know when Jack’s getting out of the hospital,” he said, too direct, too sharp.
Justice pinched the bridge of her nose. “He should be home in the next couple of days. But he won’t be up for visitors right away—not until he’s had time to settle.”
“As his brother, I don’t see why I can’t stop by and see him,” Jordy shot back.
“Maybe because the last few conversations you’ve had with him were just you asking for money,” she replied, her voice tightening.
“I’m only asking for what I’m due.”
Justice’s tone turned firm, cold steel beneath calm words. “That’s a conversation you’ll need to have with Dad. When he’s ready. Like I said, give it a few days. Right now, I don’t want him bothered until he’s stable. I’ll talk to you later.”
Jordy’s voice called her name sharply through the speaker, but she didn’t hesitate. She pressed disconnect.
She had more important things to do, like making sure her crew got paid. Setting the phone down, she exhaled slowly and turned back to the screen.
An hour later, with payroll finalized and her reports saved, she shut down the computer, locked the office, and made her way back through the garage. Her team waved and offered more encouragement for Jack’s recovery.
Justice smiled and lifted a hand in farewell, her heart a little lighter as she stepped into the sunlight. By the time she reached the hospital and stepped out of the elevator on the fourth floor, Justice’s gaze darted toward the family lobby, her breath catching with anticipation. But only a few clusters of families sat quietly, and the man she hoped to see wasn’t among them.
She let out a slow breath, determined to treasure that one fleeting moment they’d shared. It had meant more than she could explain, and she hoped it had given him comfort, too. Turning her thoughts forward, she headed down the hall.
Walking into her father’s hospital room, she grinned at the sight before her. Jack was sitting upright in bed, his color healthy again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Hey, Dad. You look so good today!”
“Hey, yourself, pretty girl. Come give your old man a hug.”
She rushed to his side, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek, letting herself enjoy the strength in his embrace. Knowing how much he worried about the shop, she launched into reassurance before he could ask.
“I just came from the garage. Payroll’s all set. Everyone is getting their direct deposit pay without a hitch. The guys are doing great. From what they said, they’ve only had to send two jobs over to the other shop. Everything’s steady but manageable.”
Jack reached up and patted her cheek, his eyes warm. “I can’t believe everything you’ve done—” He stopped himself and smiled. “No, that’s not true. I can believe it because you’re amazing.”
Justice’s heart swelled with emotion. “Hey, you’re the one who survived a heart attack and surgery and still has a smile on your face. If anyone’s amazing, it’s you.”
The doctor then came in, and together, they discussed Jack’s condition. The cardiologist was upbeat and confident. If everything stayed on track, Jack could be discharged in another three days.
After the doctor left, father and daughter spent time catching up, discussing the shop, the town, and a variety of other topics in between. But Jack’s gaze eventually sharpened.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Justice sighed, unable to dodge the perceptiveness that had always defined her dad. “Jordy called this morning.”
Jack groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t pick up.”
“I thought maybe he wanted to check on you.”
He chuckled bitterly and shook his head. “My lazy-ass brother doesn’t care how I’m doing. He just wants someone to hand him something he hasn’t earned. Right now, he’s not getting money, and he damn sure isn’t getting your time.”
She nodded firmly. “Okay. I promise that next time I won’t even answer. I told him you still had a few days left in the hospital, and I didn’t want you bothered right after you got home.”
“You’re sweet if you think that’s going to stop him,” Jack muttered, though there was affection in his tone. “But you’re not naive. You were just putting him off. Thank you for that.”
“No worries, Dad. You know I’ve always got your back.”
