Page 25 of Loving Justice
A few minutes later, as Justice stood with Jinx on the porch, watching the car’s taillights disappear into the night, he said, “She’s a lot.”
“She’s a teenager.” Justice shrugged. “Daddy had five of us.”
“No wonder he had a heart attack.” He chuckled. “I should be going. Where is the whiskey bottle?”
“Still at the lake. I thought it was awkward enough that we were caught half-dressed without adding alcohol to the moment.”
He nodded, looking like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. “I should be going.”
“Thank you for the…interesting evening.” Before she debated her next move, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.
Chapter Seven
Jinx was stretched out in his bunk staring up at the water spot on the ceiling, trying to form an opinion on his feelings. He could hear the crew in the kitchen roasting each other over a game of cards. They’d asked him to play but he wasn’t in the mood for human contact.
He hadn’t seen Justice in a couple of days. Could she be dodging him?
He replayed the events of that evening in his mind, from the unexpected swim to the dance at Mav’s. Jinx wasn’t usually one to dwell on emotions, but Justice was different. There was something about her, something that made him question the walls he had built around his heart.
The way she interacted with Ilene and her genuine care and concern touched a part of him he thought was long buried. He didn't know what this feeling was, but it warmed him and made him uneasy. Should he let his guard down and allow himself to explore this new territory, or was he keeping his distance and preserving the status quo safer?
As he lay there, the sound of the crew's laughter and the popping of lids off bottles drifted in from the kitchen, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart. The camaraderie and noise emphasized his isolation, making him long for…what exactly? To see Justice? To kiss her?
Jinx sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid his duties despite his internal conflict or deny that Mother Nature was getting ready to unleash a storm in the area.
With reluctance, he swung his legs over the side of the bunk and sat up, resolute in the knowledge that the horses needed tending before the storm. Duty called, as it always did, but tonight, it carried the weight of unspoken questions.
He pulled on his boots, grabbed his jacket, and made his way through the bunkhouse, nodding at the crew as he passed. They glanced at him, possibly recognizing the familiar look of a man lost who wanted to be alone, and respectfully left him to his silence.
The night air was cool and filled with the scent of impending rain. He took a deep breath, letting the fresh air clear his mind, at least for now. There would be time to sort through his feelings later, but for the moment, there were more pressing matters at hand.
The dark, ominous clouds gathered quickly, warning of the severity of the approaching storm.
By the time he reached the barn, the rain had started, and the wind had already picked up. The windmill spun, whirring loudly, so fast that the wood creaked under the strain.
He pushed through the barn doors and closed them against the rain and wind. He shook the wetness off his buckskin jacket and swiped off his hat, smacking it against his thigh.
Movement in the back of the barn drew his attention. Keller Abbott was tending to the horses.
“Looks like Mother Nature is about to unleash,” Jinx said as Keller greeted him.
“I went ahead and brought the horses in. They’re all tucked in for the night.”
“I’m off to check the fences before the storm hits. The north side needs a little extra attention, so I'll reinforce it to get it through the high winds." Jinx adjusted his hat and headed toward the side door.
“Misdemeanor isn’t secured,” Keller said as a reminder. “He’s out in the bullpen and he’s fit to be tied.”
“He loves storms,” Jinx said sarcastically. “I’ll take care of him.”
Jinx grabbed a flashlight and the items needed to secure the fence and stepped out into the tumultuous night.
The sky was dark and foreboding, and rain pelted the ground, shattering the stillness of the night. Gusts of wind swept through the trees, rattling the leaves, and Jinx lifted the collar of his jacket higher around his ears. The air was thick with anticipation, charged with that inexplicable energy that often preceded a storm.
Inside the bullpen, Misdemeanor clawed the ground, and his nostrils flared. The beast didn’t like the weather change and showed it in his restless behavior.
“Come on, Misdemeanor. I’ve got work to do. Let’s get you all tucked in,” Jinx lifted the door on the bullpen. The bull hesitated. “Go on, buddy. You’ll like it much better inside.”
After the first hesitation to show that he wasn’t submissive, he finally stepped inside the barn. Jinx latched the gate and checked to make sure it was secure then he went to reinforce the fence.