Page 77 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

“Good to meet you, Val,” Everett said, holding his hand out for her to clasp.

“You too, Everett. I heard you’re the funny one,” Val said.

“All true. I’m also the handsome one,” Everett said with a wide smile, stretching the skin of his face until his scars hardly showed.

“I can see that, although I have to say, I don’t think your ass is as nice as your brother’s.”

Justin sputtered as Everett’s eyes widened before he burst into startled laughter. Wiping his eyes after he calmed down, he advised, “Oh brother, she is a keeper. I like a woman who speaks her mind.”

“It’s in the genes. No matter how inappropriate it may be, we Willises like to say whatever pops into our heads.”

“Well, I think it’s refreshing,” Everett said, taking her hand and pulling her away from Justin. “Come on, let me introduce you to our dad.”

Justin wanted to protest, but they were already walking away toward the front of the church, so he had no choice but to follow behind, cursing meddling older brothers.

EVERETT LED VAL to an older man who obviously, if the condition of his weathered skin was any indication, had spent most of his life in the sun.

“Valerie Willis, this is our father, Fred. Dad, this is Justin’s Val.”

Val was startled by the way he introduced her. Justin’s Val?

Holding her hand out to Justin’s dad, she smiled nervously. Brothers were one thing, but parents tended to pay attention to rumors and reputations. She just hoped Justin’s dad would give her the benefit of the doubt.

“It’s good to meet you, sir.”

“Likewise. You’re as pretty as your mama was.”

Val was surprised by his statement. “You knew my mom?”

“Oh yeah. We went to school together. Believe it or not, my wife and your mom were best friends once upon a time.”

“Oh, that’s funny,” Val said, catching sight of her father gesturing to her angrily.

“Well, Valerie, if you aren’t doing anything tonight, what do you say you come over for dinner? I get awfully tired of spending my nights with only these yahoos for company.”

Val looked at Justin, who shrugged. “That sounds fantastic.”

“Good. Well, we’ll head home and pull out the company plates. It was good to meet you, Val. Justin, see you at home.”

Val saw her father start barreling toward her and jumped up to kiss Justin’s lips. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“I’ll pick you up in a few hours,” he said, and she hurried to catch her father before he made a scene. Too late, she realized he was beyond his breaking point.

“Damn it, Valerie, I’ve had it with you. It’s bad enough you are deliberately using that man to hurt me, but now you’re embarrassing yourself with your antics. For God’s sake, young lady, you are . . .” He looked around, as if just then realizing where he was. “We’ll finish this conversation in the car.”

But it was too late for him to backtrack; his outburst had sent the people around them into shocked silence. But the worst part was what he had said; now the whole town thought she was using Justin in some kind of rebellious plot.

Glancing toward Justin, she shook her head, hoping he’d get the message that it wasn’t true, but he was already walking away.

She whirled on her father. Damn the crowd that had gathered; she was going to say her piece. “Being with Justin has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the fantastic orgasms. Get over yourself.”

She started toward the street, her father yelling behind her, but she kept walking. Ellie caught up to her quickly, grinning from ear to ear.

“I worship y

ou so much right now.”

Val couldn’t believe she had said it, but she was beyond reason. How dare he try to jeopardize what she had with Justin? What if Justin had heard what her father said about using him and thought it was true? And worse, then she’d let her temper get the best of her and said that stupid thing about orgasms. Her stomach rolled with nausea. She’d only wanted to shock people, but what if Justin didn’t forgive her for saying she was with him because of the sex.

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