Justice Is Always Ready (A Graham Family Story, 1) (11 page)

She worried her lower lip and gazed at
him. The line of his jaw bespoke so much stubbornness; she knew he
meant every word he’d uttered.

“
I just… sometimes I feel
like I disappointed dad by being a daughter, not a son.”

He took a deep breath and placed her
on the bed before kneeling and removing her heels, one at a time.
The rough pads of his fingertips tantalized her skin and she felt
herself begin to respond.

“
Beautiful, I just met
your parents and all I heard was them singing your praises. They
may be hiding your mom’s illness, but I have no doubt you are not
even close to a disappointment to them. They love you.” His hands
moved up to her knees. “And they are so proud of you.”

He leaned in close and she met his
mouth with her searching one. Looping her arms tight around his
neck, she pulled until his strong body covered hers and pushed her
deeper into the mattress. She let his caresses take her mind off
everything but him. Kassidy gasped as he filled her, she wrapped
her legs around him and writhed beneath him. Nothing else mattered
right now aside from their bodies being one.

Kassidy awoke alone. With a yawn, she
rolled to stare at the green digital readout from her clock.
Four-seventeen. Too early for the alarm to have gone off, so what
had woken her from a most satisfying slumber? The pillow still
smelled of Justice and she sat up slowly searching for a light on,
indicating where he may be. There was nothing.

A loud crack of thunder
shook the house and she jumped.
Now I know
what woke me.
Climbing from the bed, she
strode naked to her bureau and withdrew a shirt to cover her. In
the hall, she flicked on a light and moved to the living room. She
found Libby in her normal spot on the couch. The poodle opened her
eyes only to shut them when she determined whatever had woken her
owner wasn’t worthy of getting off the sofa. Kassidy rolled her
eyes and continued on.

On the kitchen table, which had been
bare, sat a piece of paper. Flipping on the recessed lights, she
moved to the oak table and picked it up.

My beautiful
Kassidy,

I hated to leave you lying
there in your bed.

But I had to be in to work
by 0500.

Have a wonderful day and I
can’t wait until I get to see you again.

Yours,

Justice

* * * *

She held the note to her lips and
inhaled sharply, craving the scent of him in her nose. It was faint
so she turned off the light and headed back to bed, note in hand.
She buried her face in the pillow and immersed herself in the
masculine aroma of Justice Graham.

Her alarm went off at six and she
stirred, then reached out to shut it off. With a sigh, she rolled
out of bed and let Libby out. While Libby was out, she fixed her
food and while Libby ate, Kassidy showered and got ready for her
day.

By nine she and Libby were heading to
the library. The thunder from earlier had become a downpour and she
sighed as her wipers strove to keep the windshield clear. At a
stoplight she gazed in the rearview and saw Libby lying on the
seat, not worried about anything.

I want to be a dog in my
next life.

The rain hadn’t let up any when she
arrived at the library. She sat in her car, hoping for it to
lessen. Ten minutes later she gave in and realized it wasn’t going
to happen.

“
Looks like we’re going to
get wet, Libs. Come on, let’s get going.”

Reaching behind her, she hooked a tab
to Libby’s collar. Then grabbed her umbrella and opened the door.
Out in the rain, she and Libby ran for the door. Once inside, she
shook off the excess rain from the umbrella while Libby mimicked
her action.

By two the weather had gotten worse.
Her group had been downsized from ten to one. Drew Perion. The
young boy sat with his dark curly head bent as he thumbed through a
Dr. Seuss book.

Crouching down by him, she ruffled his
hair. “Hey, Drew, looks like it’s just you n’ me today. Ready to
begin?”

His big brown gaze met hers and the
grin he gave showcased his dimple. “Yes, ma’am.”

Sitting beside him, she directed Libs
to lie on the other side. The books before them, Kassidy pointed
and asked, “Which one would you like to read?”

His small hand selected his choice and
he got ready while she stacked the remaining ones. Then she sat
back at his side and listened as he began to read. When their time
was up, the rain still fell in a deluge. Drew sat on a large pillow
with Sari beside him, totally enthralled by the dragon story being
read to her. Libby lay sleeping at the foot of the large
cushion.

“
She’s doing really well,
Arlen.”

Kassidy glanced at the man beside her,
his face sad and concerned even as he tried for a smile. Rings of
exhaustion were evident.

“
I’m glad one of us
is.”

Reaching out a hand, she placed it on
his arm and squeezed. It hadn’t even been six months since his wife
passed. “Why don’t you let me keep Sari for the night, Arlen. Go
home and sleep.”

He placed his brown gaze on her. “I
don’t want to impose.”

She scowled. “Don’t be ridiculous. You
know I’d do anything to help y’all out. She was my friend too.”
Dipping her head so eye contact was maintained, she added, “You’ve
not allowed yourself a chance to grieve, always putting Sari’s
needs ahead of your own. Like a good father. But let me help.
Grieve for your wife, Arlen. And if you want to join us for supper
do so. Just allow yourself some time just for you.”

In the depths of his gaze she could
see the need.

“
Are you sure?”

Turning to look at Sari, she said,
“Sari, you’re going to spend the day with Libs n’ me,
okay?”

Her head popped up, big eyes wide.
“Can we make cookies?”

“
I think that would be a
great idea.”

Sari beamed. “Have fun at work,
daddy.” She ran to him and Kassidy let go of Arlen’s arm so he
could pick her up.

“
Bye, precious. You be
good for Kassidy.”

“
Okay. Love you,
Daddy.”

The way he held his daughter made
Kassidy’s heart lurch. His gaze met hers and he mouthed his thanks.
All she could do was nod.

Arlen kissed her cheek before he left.
“Thanks, Kas.”

“
You never have to thank
me. Call if you want me to keep her overnight.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed
it tight. They shared a look before he took his leave after saying
a final farewell to Sari.

Not much later, Drew’s mom came to get
him and it was just her, Sari, and Libby in the reading corner.
Sari continued to look at books while she straightened
up.

Chapter
Eight

Justice fought to control the jealousy
that coursed through him at the sight of Kassidy holding hands with
another male. The affection between them was blatantly obvious. As
was her love for the little girl the man left when he finally
departed.

The child climbed up on the pillow
near the boy and continued to read, even after the boy was
retrieved by a woman he assumed to be the mother. He moved closer
when Kassidy began picking up. Libby lifted her head but remained
where she was beside the girl.

“
Hello,
Kassidy.”

Her jerk was slight but there.
However, there was nothing but a smile on her face when she turned
to face him, her gray eyes soft and welcoming.

“
Justice. What are you
doing here?”

“
I came to see you and see
if you are free for dinner.”

Her gaze flicked to the dipped head of
the young child before returning to him. Then she shook hers. “I’m
sorry. I can’t, not tonight.”

Leaning against a bookcase beside her
he asked in a low tone, “Date?”

She narrowed her gaze and for a few
moments they remained locked in the stare.

“
I’m ready to go,
Kassidy.” A small voice broke the tension-filled stare.

Justice glanced down. Unbelievably
large brown eyes stared up at him, the picture of
innocence.

“
Get your coat on and
we’ll go.”

“’
Kay.”

“
A date? If that’s what
you want to call babysitting.” She sighed heavily. “I have to go,
Justice.”

“
We’re baking cookies,”
the child interjected, her coat on.

“
Yes, we are,” Kassidy
agreed dropping to a knee to zip up the purple jacket. “Sari, this
is a good friend of mine, Justice. Justice, meet Sari
Jacobs.”

He reached for the
outstretched hand and bowed over it, getting an endearing laugh in
response.
This is the child who answered
her phone that day. Daughter to Arlen.
He
wasn’t sure that made him feel any better.

“
Nice to meet you,
Sari.”

“
Are you baking cookies
with us? Baking cookies is good when it rains.”

He looked to Kassidy for
help but her expression told him it was all up to him. “I
would
love
to
bake cookies with two beautiful women.”

“
Goodie! Can you draw
dragon shapes?”

Kassidy’s laugh warmed him and he
missed her response. He followed them out into the rain and on to
Kassidy’s. Soon the house was filled with childish laughter, Disney
music, and the smell of baking cookies. It wasn’t until Sari was
laid down for a nap that he had a moment alone with Kassidy. She
stood by the piano staring out at the pounding rain. He walked up
behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into him
with ease. They stood like that for quite a while.

“
Who is Arlen to
you?”

Her body stiffened slightly. Whoever
he was, the subject seemed touchy to her. Minutes passed with the
thunder and rain being the only sound between them. He didn’t press
despite the craving to know. She took a deep breath and he knew he
was finally going to get his answer.

“
Arlen, Lana, and I grew
up together. Right after high school, Arlen and Lana got married.
Four years ago they had Sari, my goddaughter.” Tremors moved
through her. “Five months ago, Lana was killed in a hit-n-run.
Arlen’s like a brother to me and it kills me to see him hurting so
much. I try to help him, but he’s stubborn. Today I took Sari so
maybe he could allow himself to grieve.”

“
I’m so sorry.” He
recalled hearing about the incident on the news.

“
You thought there was
something between myself and Arlen.”

It wasn’t a question but a whispered
statement.

“
I wasn’t sure,” he
confessed.

Kassidy turned in his arms so they
were face to face. He could see disappointment in the depths of her
eyes.

“
I don’t know what kind of
woman you’re used to dealing with, Justice, but I’m not like that.
Nor will I be involved in a relationship with a man who’s insecure
with my male friends. I’ve already been in one of those and refuse
to do so again.”

There was no anger in her tone; her
voice was modulated and controlled. She stepped away from him and
he felt the loss deep within. The gleam in her eyes told him she
wanted to say more but instead she headed from the piano back to
the kitchen.

Way to go, jackass,
he berated himself.

Pursing his lips, he followed. He
paused in the entrance; Kassidy had her back to him and he could
see her putting cooled cookies on platters.

“
I’m sorry,
Kassidy.”

She stiffened before glancing over her
shoulder. There was no hostility in her gaze. No pain. No anger. In
fact there was nothing. He found himself faced with blank gray
slates. He didn’t like that in the slightest.

As quick as she looked at him, she
turned away. Running his hand over his mouth, he strode across the
space to pause behind her.

“
I was jealous. Jealous of
how y’all looked together, how he watched you, and touched
you.”

“
Okay.”

Her hands never stopped moving, nor
did she face him. There was still no emotion in her
tone.

Gently but firmly he turned her to
him. “That’s it? Nothing else to say?” He was used to
confrontational women. Ones who yelled, screamed, and threw things.
Kassidy was nothing like that. It was a big change.

“
No. I said my piece. You
said yours. What else is there?”

His brow furrowed. “You’re not mad at
me?”

“
Would you prefer I
was?”

Would he? “No, I just…I don’t know
what to say.”

“
There’s nothing to say,
Justice. Life’s too short to hold onto some things. It’s over as
far as I’m concerned.”

Uncertainty bloomed. “It’s
over?”

“
Yeah.” She went back to
the cookies and carried them to the table, eyes focused on him.
“Arlen is my friend. You know that and I’m telling you there’s
nothing between us other than platonic friendship. You either
accept it or not. Either way, it’s not a subject up for
discussion.”