Page 46 of Loving Justice
Grabbing the three paint samples, which were in the purple family, she took them to the counter. “Mavis, can I get three sample cans of these three colors?”
“There are interesting colors,” Mavis remarked.
“Yeah. Daddy should be really pleased that I’m painting a room purple. When we were kids, we had three color options. Pink. Dark pink. Or white.”
“Oh, your father is a hoot. I heard he and Trinity broke up. It’s none of my business, of course, but they were starting to grow on me as a couple.”
Justice cleared her throat. “You know I try to make it a habit to stay out of his love life.”
“But congratulations are for you, honey. There will be some sad women in Sagebrush Pine. Another hunky cowboy is off the market,” Mavis said.
“Thanks.” Justice stepped over to the window and looked across the street. Lanah was sitting outside, and she was staring straight ahead. “Mavis, I’ll be back to grab the samples. I’m going to go grab a coffee.”
“Max is charging for the samples now, darlin’. He counts every dime these days.”
“No problem,” Justice said as she headed for the door. “See you in a bit.”
“Sure thing, Justice.”
She waited for the red light and crossed the street. When she approached the table, Lanah lifted her chin, her expression far away.
“I don’t have much time,” Justice told Lanah.
“Time for coffee, I hope,” Lanah said robotically. “I took the liberty of ordering us each one.”
Reluctantly, Justice sat down. Once they had their coffee on the table, Justice asked, “What do you need to speak to me about?” The two hadn’t spoken more than a sentence to each other in years. Most of the drama had been around Liberty and Lanah. Those two were always picking fights with each other.,
Lanah looked down into her coffee and when she brought her gaze up she appeared drained. “I’m not sure how to tell you.”
“I’m really unsure what’s happening here—”
“I’m pregnant!” she blurted.
Justice blinked in surprise. “Congratulations.” But why was she sharing this news with Justice? They weren’t friends, barely even acquaintances.
Lanah looked more uncomfortable with each second that passed. “I’m almost ten weeks.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m not quite following, though…”
“Jinx didn’t tell you?” Lanah chuckled, but it quickly faded.
“Tell me what?” The air became thicker around Justice, making it harder to breathe.
“That he and I…well, that we slept together. The baby…it’s Jinx’s.”
Those words had such strong force behind them that they almost knocked Justice off her chair. Her body became micro-sensitive. She took in every sound. A car horn blared in the distance. Kids laughed. Nelly sweeping the sidewalk at the candy shop. “I…no, he didn’t tell me that you and he were…” She couldn’t complete the sentence.
“Yes, we were.” Lanah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Honestly, I thought Jinx and I got along very well, but I guess he prefers a Rose.” Her smile was stiff. The woman who was Miss Sagebrush Pine three years in a row looked defeated.
Justice stared blindly, trying to process what she was being told. “Why are you telling me and not Jinx?”
Lanah slunk back into her chair. “You’re his wife now. I’m doing this out of courtesy. Your husband is the father of my unborn child.” She laid her hand on her flat stomach as if to drive home the fact. “These things happen, though. I believe if something’s meant to be it will be.” She cleared her throat delicately.
“What are you wanting?” Justice felt numb. A fly buzzed around her head, and she didn’t have the motivation to shoo it away.
“We’re all adults here. I’m willing to do the whole co-parenting thing,” she said so casually as if she were talking about the weather. “I didn’t expect this or plan this. I’ve only recently found out myself and I’m still figuring out where I go next.”
Justice couldn’t speak. Her tongue wouldn’t work.