Page 65 of Loving Justice
“I won’t unlock this door until you two realize you’re made for each other. Love, Ilene,” Justice read the note aloud.
“Great.” He pounded on the door. “Ilene, open the door.”
“I must say, she has a flair for dramatics. She certainly fits in with this family.” Justice put the note back on the platter and grabbed a strawberry and bit into the sweet, juicy fruit.
“She has crossed a line,” Jinx muttered as he continued to pound.
“She won’t open them. She has your stubborn pride.”
He swiped off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “I could probably use a tool and break the door down.”
“Or we could just do this the easy route and do what she’s asking. It’s not an unfair request.”
Jinx sighed. “Is it possible?”
“Well, we have wine so it’s a good start.” Justice opened the bottle and didn’t bother with the glasses. She took a long drink and handed it to him.
He started to refuse the offer, but then thought he could use a bit of something to ease the tension in him. He took a long guzzle then handed it back. “I might as well get comfortable I suppose.” He dropped down on the floor and leaned against a beam.
Justice seemed to hesitate before she took his lead and sat close enough so they could talk but not close enough that he could touch her. She had pulled the tray over to keep eating the strawberries. “I visited with Lanah earlier.”
Jinx took in her appearance. She appeared a bit disheveled. “Yeah?”
“She explained everything regarding the baby.” She bit into a strawberry and a drop of juice ran down her chin. He had a craving to lick it away, but she quickly wiped it with her hand.
“Although what she did was wrong, I feel a bit sorry for her. She has a rough road ahead of her.” He bent his knees and draped his arms over them.
“She said you offered to help with the baby. That’s generous of you.”
He shrugged. “Rigs had us all duped. We should learn to forgive.”
“Is that a message to me?” She lifted a brow.
“If the shoe fits.” He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. He couldn’t look at her because all he wanted to do was hold her tight.
“I was hurt,” she said softly.
Then he couldn’t hold back any longer. He settled his gaze on her. “I have a confession. I knew about the cancer. Doc Lafferty let it slip and he swore me to secrecy. I wanted more than anything to tell you but that wasn’t my place.”
She shook her head in frustration. “Anything else you’re keeping secret?”
“No. That’s all. You have every right to be angry with me. I did wrong but…”
“You needed the money?”
He nodded. “I did, but I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I’ve taken some time to work through my thoughts. I’m no longer angry.”
“Disappointed?”
“I guess in some ways I am. I know how convincing my father can be. You were right, he would have asked someone else. There is something I’m grateful for. You knew I had been involved with Kent and you never judged me.”
He journeyed his gaze over her, wanting her always to be the image she saw first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. “We all make mistakes and the things that don’t kill us will only teach us a valuable lesson. My Ma always said never judge someone else’s circumstances and just live your life.”
“What do you want, Jinx?”
“You,” he said without hesitation. “I’m hoping you’ll give me a second chance. I won’t be perfect. Our life won’t be perfect. But I can promise I’ll be here for you, every day. I’ll strive to make you the happiest woman in Sagebrush Pine. I love you and I can promise I’m dedicated to making my life with you.”