“Why don't you go save her?”
He glanced sideways at his sister. “Are you serious? Who would take her place?”
“I could for a bit. I mean, I'm no Justice Morgan, but I can offer a kiss for charity...and more importantly for the sake of keeping you from pounding some poor guys face in. You’re more irritable now than you were after Bella called.” Quinn handed over a slice of pizza and a beer to a woman at the booth. Money changed hands and Quinn slid it into the till. “Besides, she looks ready to crawl out of her skin.”
“It’s too busy here.” He watched Justice as she talked with Bo Flannigan. Seemed like every time Merrick scanned the kissing booth, Bo was standing in line again. Merrick couldn't blame him. If he had his way, he would’ve been back in line, too. Could he buy out the kissing booth? Was there such a thing?
Justice was animated in her movements as she pointed away from the booth. Her voice started rising. Bo said something back, and she held up her fingers and started ticking off a list to the man in front of her. He could only imagine what the man had done to earn her anger.
“The fair is winding down. We are almost sold out. I think Kyle could handle this with the rest of the staff.”
“Maybe you're right.” He could hear Justice's voice rising, the trademark Irish Morgan temper making its presence known. Though he'd never witnessed her completely lose her cool, he could tell she was close. And if her temper was anything like her father’s, it wasn't something he wanted to witness. “Kyle, you mind taking over here? Quinn and I are going to go relieve Miss Morgan for a bit.”
“Sure thing, boss. We got it covered.”
Merrick took his sister's arm and steered her out of the booth. “I sure hope you know what you're doing.”
“Yep. Kissing a bunch of men I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. You?”
“Not a clue.”
As they approached the booth, he could see Justice physically shaking, her fists clenched at her sides. It sure beat the shaking about to pass out version of her he’d seen earlier, but if Bo didn't give up, he wasn't sure anyone would be able to keep Justice from putting him in the hospital. Kreed was talking to Bo, trying to run interference. When Kreed saw them approaching, he jerked his head toward Justice and Dakota. He slid behind the booth.
“Get him out of here!” Justice yelled at Kreed.
“He's trying, honey. Deep breaths.” Dakota moved to stand between the front of the booth and Justice, obstructing her view of the source of her anger.
“Why don't I take over for a bit?” Quinn offered.
Merrick put his hand at the small of Justice's back and started to move her toward the edge of the booth. “Come on. Let’s go grab a bite to eat?”
“He just needs to leave, and I’ll be fine.”
Stubborn. He knew she was, but he'd hoped she would take the opportunity for an out. “Well I need a break and would appreciate some company.”
“Fine, have it your way.” She stared at Bo. “You better be gone when I get back.”
“Justice—” Bo started, trying to push past Kreed.
“Take one more step, and you’ll regret it.” Justice took a deep breath. “But let me offer you up a little dating advice. For the sake of any future would-be dates...a first date should not end with your date walking barefoot through a cow pasture.”
She stormed out of the booth, and Merrick followed her, trying hard not to question what the man had done to send Justice into a field of cows.
“You want a slice?”
“No. A drink would be good though.”
“What about one and done?”
Justice glared at him.
“One beer, coming up.” Merrick slipped into his tent, checked on the staff, then grabbed two beers. As they made their way through the fairgrounds, the silence between them stretched out. He gave her time, knowing she'd talk when she was ready. All the booths were open, kids trying their hand at getting a fish, trying to win the ring toss for an oversized stuffed animal. Riding the carousel. He watched as she took it all in.
“You normally avoid this.” He took a sip of beer.
“Like the plague.” She sidestepped out of the way of a man trying to wrangle his small children. “Usually I drop off my flowers, grab a slice from your tent, and head back to the shop to work.”
“Why?”
“Don’t like the crowds, the drunken fools people make of themselves, the multitude of children running around unsupervised. Just makes me uneasy.” She stared off into the distance as they walked. “You know, when I was ten, my dad had a match. He won. The state fair was near the hotel where we were staying, and my dad thought it would be a great idea to keep me out of the way. He and my mom were drinking with the rest of his team. I got lost in the fairgrounds. They had to come pick me up from a police station in Columbus, Ohio.”
“Did they look for you?”
“They actually forgot about me. A police officer found them at a bar. They left me there while they went to continue their celebration. It was the last time my mom went to one of his fights. She stayed at home with me. I haven’t been to the fair since.”
It explained a lot about Justice’s strained relationship with her father. Merrick put his hand at the small of her back, guiding her around the mud puddle in the center of the dirt walkway. The music from the band could barely be heard over all the noise from the people, rides, and games. But as they drew closer, the music got a little louder.
“How many times did Bo get in line?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer but asked anyway.
“Five times. It was five times too many. The last thing I wanted to do was kiss him after having to find my way out of a cow pasture in the middle of the night.”
“Explains your aggression in the ring the other morning.” He'd heard enough of the tragic dates she'd been on over the past six months. It was amazing she still said yes to men.
“Yeah. I didn't mean to hurt you though. And I'm still mad you didn't say anything.” She peeled the label off the beer bottle as they walked. “I mean, we're friends. I would think you could swallow your pride enough to tell me to reel it in.”
“Honestly, it’s not the first time either one of us has been a bit aggressive in the ring. Yes, my ribs hurt, but I didn’t realize how bad until later.”
“Liar.”
“Sue me.” He tossed his empty beer bottle into the trash.
They passed the dunking booth. And the newest rookie from the station yelled out at him. “Come on Lieutenant. Take a shot at the captain.”
“I’m good.”
Justice shot him a look. “Chicken?”
“No. The old man looks like he’s been dunked plenty already.”
“Old man! You wish. I’m only seven years older than you, Lieutenant.” The captain, Donovan Armstrong, yelled at him. “Merrick, step up and take your best shot.”
Justice faced him. “I’ll take a shot if you do.”
The tension slowly eased from her body. It was nice to see her relax a bit, so he nodded in agreement. He handed some cash over and in return received three baseballs. “Ladies first.”
“Hold this.” She handed him her beer bottle.
“You bet.” He took the bottle from her, noting she’d barely touched the beverage. After handing her one of the balls, he stepped aside. She wound up and threw. The first ball hit the edge of the target, not quite hard enough to send the captain into the pool below. Merrick was impressed. “Warm up pitch. Take another shot.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. If it makes it easier…pretend it’s Bo sitting up there.”
A small giggle escaped Justice, as she pulled her arm back, then released the ball. It connected dead center of the bull’s eye. Justice jumped up and down, her excitement oozing out of every pore.
Merrick pumped his fist in the air. “Nicely done!”
“The girl’s got skills. How about you, Lieutenant?” the rookie asked.
&
nbsp; “Yeah, your turn.” Justice stepped out of the way.
Merrick took the last ball and waited as the captain got reseated on the small shelf hovering over the water. The man shivered. “They aren’t keeping the water heated for you, Captain?”
“Don’t you worry about me. I ain’t no sissy. Now throw the ball, son.”
Merrick wound up to take his shot. Right as he was about to release the ball, he saw Bella Marcone lean against the side of the tank and wave. The ball went wide, missing the target completely and narrowly missed the captain.
“I do something to get on your bad side, Merrick?” The captain kept his eyes on him, a bit bewildered.
“No. Sorry, sir.”
Justice studied his face for a minute. “You alright? You look like you saw a ghost.”
“I’m fine.” He took a look back to where Bella had been standing, and she was gone. He searched the area, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe he had seen a ghost. But a feeling of unease settled in his gut, and he knew to be on alert. If she was hanging around Serendipity, nothing good could come of it.
“Want another shot?” Captain Donovan yelled out. “On the house!”
“Thanks, but I think I will leave it to the paying customers.” Merrick shoved his hands in his jean pockets and started to walk away. Justice caught up to him and looped her arm through his, leaning against his shoulder as they moved through the crowds.
They’d grown close enough over the years that this was comfortable. Having her by his side like this was almost, normal. Friendly.
“Maybe you didn’t want to get into it back there, but care to tell me why you are suddenly all rigid and unlike the Merrick I’ve known for the past four years?”
“I thought I saw the ex.” His tone was sharp, and he regretted it.
“Why would Bella be hanging around here?” Justice scanned the crowd. “She’d be out of her element here. I mean, Serendipity isn’t a hick town, but we aren’t exactly what one would consider high society.”
“Yeah. Probably just an overactive imagination.”
“You miss her?” Curiosity edged her words as did a hint of sorrow.
“Not in the least. It’s just hard to put the past behind you sometimes when it is all you know.” Merrick slowed as they neared the main pavilion where the band was. They stopped and listened to the music for a moment. The music washed over him and his mind quieted. The tightness in his shoulders and back slowly eased away. He took a deep breath and as he slowly let it out, he felt the last bit of tension leave him. In this moment, he was content. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d ever felt at ease around a woman. With Bella, he was always on edge. Out of his element. Fighting to fit into her world, never knowing what his place was. He thought about it and realized how different his life had become since his move. It was a nice change. “But this, my life in Serendipity, is what I want. It’s worth fighting for.”
“It is?”
Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.”
“I know you keep a lot of your past to yourself, but if you ever need to talk.” She twisted to the side and faced him. “You can be sure I will take it to the grave.”
“My past is riddled with things I would rather forget.”
“Everyone has things in their past they aren’t proud of, Merrick. But they shape who we are. Who we become.” She rested her hand against his chest. “No matter what you did or endured in your past, you are a good man.”
He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “You are different than anyone I’ve ever known.”
Her eyes widened, and she took in a sharp breath.
“No, I’m not. My life isn’t all hearts and flowers, Merrick.” She stepped back slightly, her gaze focused on the band on the stage.
“I know you. Your dad spends most of his nights finding the bottom of a bottle. You’ve bailed him out of more times than anyone in this town can count, and you’re a better daughter to him than he deserves.” Merrick leaned against the makeshift fence posts around the dance floor. “You’re a good person, Justice. Despite what life has thrown at you. In all the stories people in this town share about you, not one of them has any hint of wrongdoing or misconduct. I don’t think you have an evil bone in your body.”
She snorted. “Outside of your sister, I get the impression you haven’t known a lot of good people in your life.”
“Like I said, I haven’t made the best choices in my life.” Kissing her might be on the list. Time would tell. “Bella was a mistake. One made without true knowledge of what I was capable of achieving on my own.”
“I think I'll be single for the rest of my life. Why put yourself through all the stress and heartache? The constant worry about whether or not you are making the right choice for the right reasons…it shouldn’t be complicated.”
Single. Uncomplicated. The life he'd once wanted. Why did it suddenly seem like a death sentence?
“It’s not all it's cracked up to be.” The words came out of his mouth, and yet he couldn't believe he'd spoken them.
“No one to answer to, the freedom to leave whenever you want, no agreeing on vacation destinations, where to eat, dirty clothes on the floor...sounds absolutely horrific.”
“No one to share the good and bad in your life with. No one to wrap your arms around while you sleep. No peace of mind that comes from knowing someone will always be there.”
The more he opened his mouth, the more he realized he truly believed in what he was saying. His life was lonely. The only person who’d seen it was his sister. It took the feel of Justice’s lips against his, the surge of jealousy that consumed him as he watched the men in line at the kissing booth, before he realized Quinn just might be right. What he felt for Justice just went beyond a simple friendship.
He’d gotten comfortable in the way things were. And with one kiss, one ex sighting, and one very real conversation, the potential to destroy all the good he currently had in his life suddenly felt very real.
Chapter 4
The alarm buzzed from the nightstand beside the bed. Merrick fumbled with the buttons, finally finding the one to quiet the obnoxious noise filling the room. He had the worst headache. The lack of sleep and emotional rollercoaster he was enduring was clearly having an impact.
By the time he'd broken down his tent and helped a few other people with their booths, it was well after midnight. The kiss and subsequent conversation with Justice replayed over and over in his mind. He could still feel the press of her lips against his, the way she smelled of flowers and something a little earthy, and how she tasted of coffee. Her words, which had echoed his relationship mantra over the past four years, sat like a rock in his gut. No matter how hard he'd tried, he'd failed at trying to forget.
He'd managed to get all his errands done, shower, shave, grab his tux, and even made a quick stop by the restaurant before arriving at the grand hall. Through it all, the kiss still occupied his mind. Every minute of the day.
Merrick avoided her, even skipped out on the morning sparring session, bowing out, when she texted, due to his lack of sleep and the dark cloud hanging over his head. The time had come where he could no longer avoid the woman who’d helped aid his restless night of sleep. When he entered the large banquet room at City Hall, Merrick thanked his lucky stars Quinn was the first to see him.
“You look like a hot mess.”
“Thanks, sis. I feel like a hot mess.” Merrick ran his hands through his freshly cut hair. “Can it be fixed?”
“It’s not your hair that’s the problem. Here, put this under your tongue. B12 supplement. Will give you a little bit of energy. It won’t help with what’s really ailing you though.” She smoothed out his tux jacket, straightened his tie. “Wow, are you nervous? You’re sweating worse than after a gym session.”
“You could say I’m a little frazzled.” He glanced up and caught sight of Justice talking with one of the other bachelors. A she turned, their eyes met briefly. A subtle rose color slowly tinted her c
heeks and she averted her eyes and hurried away. It was nice to have a little confirmation that the kiss left an impression for her as well.
“Take the jacket off until right before you have to go on stage. I’ll hang it up, and keep it safe.” She held out her hands, waiting for him to do as she asked. “I promise, this will be fairly painless. The women out there…they just mostly want someone to do some maintenance around the house. They aren’t expecting anything more…I don’t think.”
“I’m not worried about that.” He scanned the backstage area, breathing a sigh of relief when the woman who had him tied in knots wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
“Of course you aren’t. Women tend to bend to your will.” Quinn’s brow creased as she studied him, over the top of the jacket she’d secured on the hanger in her hand. “Oh man.”
“What?” He glowered, smoothed down the front of his dress shirt, checking to see if he’d spilled something on it.
“The kiss did quite a number on you, big brother.”
“How perceptive of you.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t act like you didn’t know this was going to happen. Hoped for it even. Weren’t you willing to bribe Justice just the other night? Don’t worry though…it’s not going to be a problem.”
“Oh, it’s about to be.” Quinn winked, spun around, and took off down the hallway.
“Glad you’re feeling better.” Justice’s voice came from behind him.
One deep breath to steady his nerves before he faced her. A second one to give himself a reminder that this was still the same woman he’d known for the past few years. Nothing had changed. It was for nothing because the sight of her stole the air out of his lungs. He'd seen her dressed up for Kelsea's wedding and for various events the Mayor hosted, but what stood before him was nothing less than a goddess. A vision with her hair swept up off her neck, cascading auburn curls framing her face. The dress…a perfect shade of green to match her eyes.
What If It's Love: A Small Town Romance (Serendipity Series Book 2) Page 5