She huffed and puffed, spouting off about filing a lawsuit. Justice ignored her. Instead, he called Charlie. He let it ring and ring, but there was no answer. Finally, it went to voice mail. Justice glanced over at the woman clearing out her desk while he called the house phone. Again, no answer.
Hell, he was in a mess. Could she have believed Ms. Michael’s stupid assumptions? Zelda had stopped by to inform him she was moving back to Bronco. She and Toby were engaged. As far as Justice was concerned, they deserved one another. And yes, he and Zelda had embraced but it was nothing more than a congratulatory kiss. Oh well, he’d straighten it out as soon as he saw her. Charlee would listen, she knew he loved her.
About three miles away, Charlee shook Cyrus’s hand. “You’ve done a fine job, Cyrus. If you can get a local contractor to monitor the sinkhole, I’d appreciate it. And please forward me updates on the El Camino Real road construction, I’d love to see the finished results.”
“I’ll do it. Where are you off to next?” Cyrus asked. “I sorta thought you’d be hanging around here.”
“No, I just got off the phone with my boss. I’m heading to Dallas. There was another earthquake, and we need to rule out fracking as a source of the problem before a bigger one hits. If it is the cause, we’ll stop the oil drilling near the fault line.”
“Well, good luck and I’m sure we’ll be working together again soon.”
As she walked back to her car, Charlee let her gaze rove over El Camino. In her mind’s eye she could see her and Justice running and playing, riding and laughing. Oh well, those days were gone. She ought to have been an actress. Charlee was astounded that she’d managed to hold it together while speaking to Cyrus.
Firming her resolve, Charlee got on the road and headed north. She didn’t go by the clinic to tell Curtiss Parker goodbye, she just wanted to get the hell out of Dodge. This time as she passed the water tower, the words seemed to mock her. Charlee averted her head until they were no longer in view.
Loving Justice had been a mistake.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Justice drove up to his house, rehearsing what he was going to say. He had to make sure Charlee understood that what Ms. Michaels thought was happening was not anywhere close to the truth. She’d understand, she had to understand. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! How the hell had this happened? He’d been happy, he’d been minding his own business. Getting on with his life.
Opening his truck door, he stepped out into the yard. The sun was shining, he could see a few crocus beginning to peek their heads up through the dirt in his mother’s flower bed. A horse whinnied in the distance and a dog barked somewhere in the pasture, probably chasing a squirrel. He’d walked about two yards before he realized Charlee’s car was gone. A ripping feeling tore through his gut. Charlee’s car was gone.
“Charlee!” Justice didn’t know why he was calling her, she wasn’t here. Maybe she’d gone on another errand. Maybe…running, he jumped up the steps, flung open the door and took the stairs two at a time. He tore down the hall and crashed into his room, hoping to find something, anything that would tell him she was still here.
Dammit! His room was just his room again. Gone were her clothes, her computer, her suitcase. All that remained was her sugar cookie scent and the lonely star lying across his pillow.
* * *
Just a short nap, that was all she needed. This pregnancy was sapping her strength faster than last time. Maybe because she was older now. Charlee rolled to one side and clutched the pillow.
“You need to eat something, Charlee.”
It was Weber, looking in on her for the umpteenth time in the last hour.
“I can’t keep anything down. Maybe later. Okay?”
“I promised Hampton I’d take care of you. We have to keep your strength up. You shouldn’t be working at all. I’m just glad this job was in Dallas so you could stay with us.”
Charlee rolled over so she could see her friend. Between him and Hampton, he was the talkative one. “This job isn’t strenuous. I ride in a truck and read seismic reports. I’ll be fine. Where’s Hampton?”
Weber beamed. “He’s talking to the woman I hope will be our surrogate. Just think, we’ll be raising our kids together.”
She smiled weakly. “True and I think that’s wonderful. I’m so grateful I have you two. I wouldn’t want to face this alone.” Charlee stared up at the ceiling. Their luxury townhouse sure beat a hotel any day. Pity she wasn’t in the frame of mind to enjoy it.
Crossing his arms over his wide chest, Weber frowned. “I still think you’re making a mistake. Justice King didn’t cheat on you. It took me less than two minutes of seeing that man standing next to your hospital bed to know you mean everything to him.”
The words hit Charlee squarely in the heart. “I don’t think so.”
“How many times has he called since you pulled your disappearing act?”
“I don’t know, I quit checking,” Charlee mumbled.
“Justice loves you.”
“No, he doesn’t, he never said it. Not once.” Charlee knew she was practically whining. Disgusted with herself, she pulled the pillow over her head.
“I was stupid. I guess I just thought you knew I loved you. I’ve always loved you.”
This unexpected voice in the room almost caused Charlee’s heart to jump out of her chest. Justice was here! “Go away. I have bed head.”
She heard the door shut and assumed Weber had deserted her.
“Come out from there, I’ve seen you covered in mud, no front teeth, with chicken pox and naked before you had those delectable boobs. I think I can handle a bed head.” When she didn’t move, he pressed. “Are you ill, Charlee?”
“No, I’m just fine!” she yelled beneath the pillow. “I’m pregnant again, the father of my baby is in love with another woman, and I’ve made a fool out of myself—again!”
She didn’t hear him move, but there was a sudden whoosh in the air and his big six-foot four body flew through the air and landed right on top of her, not crushing, his hands and knees preventing any but the most gentle of contact. He tore the pillow from her face. “You’re pregnant?” There was wonder in his voice. “With my baby?”
Charlie scrunched up her face. “No, it belongs to one of the other ten men I’m sleeping with.”
Justice’s mouth twitched. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to challenge them all to a duel for your hand. Were you going to leave me out of this again? When were you going to tell me?”
She pushed at his chest. “I wish you’d move.” When he didn’t, she sighed. “I came to tell you the moment I found out. I had gone to get birth control pills and learned that you had requested my father do a pregnancy test. Then I found you and Zelda cozied up making wedding plans.”
“She’s marrying Toby.”
“And here…” She reached out from between their bodies and grabbed a piece of paper from the nightstand. “I wrote this to you, it explains everything.” Charlee dragged it back across the bed. “I didn’t intend to leave you in the dark.” Through the haze of her anger, his words finally sank in. “What did you say?”
“Zelda’s marrying Toby. Don’t you think that’s a perfect match?” Not one to waste an opportunity, Justice was now peppering kisses over her face. “When are you going to marry me?”
“Oh, no.” She tried to turn her face away. “You don’t love me, and I’m not marrying you because of the baby.”
Patience. Justice could afford to be patient. After all, he had her right where he wanted her—beneath him in a bed. “I just told you I loved you.”
“As a friend, you’ve always loved me as a friend.” She said the last three words with emphasis.
“You are my friend, sweetheart. My best friend.” Justice framed her face. “You’re also my other half, my soulmate. You, my Charlee, are part of me, the best part. When you left me, both times, it felt like I’d lost myself.” He looked deep into her eyes. “And I had, I’d lost my heart.”
&n
bsp; Tears began to flow from Charlee’s eyes. “You’re just saying this because I’m pregnant.”
“Women,” he teased, “always have to be shown.” Rising up on his knees, he dug in his pocket. “Hold on.” He pulled something out and held it between his fingers. “I didn’t know about the baby when I bought this. I hadn’t seen Zelda when I bought this.” He stepped from the bed and got down on one knee.
“Cha’risa Cortez, my Charlee Parker, will you marry me? Will you live with me? Will you let me love you for the rest of my life?”
He had Charlee’s attention now—big time. “Are you sure you want to marry me? Me? I’m just Charlee, remember? The same Charlee whose love was immortalized on the water tower for all to see.”
Justice smiled and held out the ring, a beautiful gold band with a big diamond in the center. “Read what’s inside and give me your answer. I had the ring engraved.”
With a shaking hand, she took it and held it close enough to read.
This is what it said.
Justice King Loves Charlee King. Forever
Charlee grabbed her heart and flung her arms around his neck. “You do love me! Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ve never seen more beautiful words.”
He sealed their love with the longest, deepest, sweetest kiss imaginable. “I’m glad, because they aren’t only written on a band of gold, they’re written on my heart.” Justice slipped the ring on her finger.
Charlee buried her face in his neck. “I’m sorry I ran.”
“That’s okay.” Justice laughed. “Just know that from now on, I’ll always come after you.”
“You do that.” She hiccupped against him.
“Now, how about we go check into a nice hotel where I can make love to my future wife? Abby tells me you bought that hot sexy leather outfit to drive me crazy.” He joined her on the bed. “I know you have this job to finish, and I’m going to stay with you until you’re through and then I’m taking you home.”
“I don’t want you to be away from the ranch. What about Shiloh?”
“You’re more important. The ranch and Shiloh’s new bride will be there when we go home.” Justice ran a finger down her soft cheek. “I love you so much.”
She took his hand and placed it under her heart. “There’s nothing more important to me than you and our baby. I love you, Justice King.”
Epilogue
Justice grabbed Charlee and pulled her down on the rug beside him.
“Justice, I have to check on the baby!” She squealed as she landed on top of him. Her husband was stretched out in front of the fireplace like an oversized panther.
“Shhhh. Jock is fine, I just changed his diaper. It’s my turn for some TLC.” He laid her down and rose over her, covering Charlee with his big body. The fire was warm and the flames gave him enough light to see how beautiful she was. “I’m glad you’re wearing this outfit.” He fingered the white fringe, then kissed the smooth expanse of skin beneath the cropped top.
Charlie caressed the side of his face. “I’m wearing it for a reason.” She gave him a mischievous look.
Anytime he was this close to his woman, Justice couldn’t help but react. He was cocked and primed, wanting to make love. “And what’s that? Are you trying to seduce me?” Moving his hips, he nudged his cock into the warm place between her thighs. “I think it’s working.”
Reaching up to playfully nip his lip, she giggled. “I don’t have to seduce you, you’re perpetually hard.”
“Truc,” he agreed as he fiddled with the drawstring ties, eager to free her breasts. He knew exactly how to drive Charlee crazy and he did it with regularity. “Did you wear it so I’d let you play with my long firearm?” He grinned, still gently humping her, giving Charlee a preview of attractions to come.
“No, Wild Bill, I know you’re helpless against my wiles when I wear it and I need to ask you a fav…or.” Breathlessly she arched her back as he nuzzled the top open and found a nipple, scraping it between his teeth.
“Do you have wiles?” he asked between sucks. “I haven’t seen any wiles.”
Charlee playfully pinched his side.
“Ow!”
“I have mega amounts of wiles, I’ll have you know.” She spread her legs as he slid a hand down beneath the waistband of the tight pair of shorts. “Ahhh, that’s the spot,” she moaned as he found her clit.
“You have more wiles than I can handle, my Indian princess.” He raised up on his knees while she tore at his belt buckle. “Do I have something you want?”
“Yes,” she muttered as she stuck her tongue to the side of her mouth, tugging at his zipper. “I want you and…I want to quit my job.”
She had his attention. “What? I thought you loved your job.” He let his expression remain bland, he didn’t want her to realize how much he was counting on her answer. He’d prayed for her to quit her job. Justice hated her being on the road and sometimes what she had to do was dangerous.
“I do, but last time…” Charlee hesitated, afraid of what he was going to say. “Last time I had so much morning sickness, it was hard to work. And I got so tired.”
Justice froze. “Last time…” his face broke out into a big grin. “Are you pregnant again?”
She dropped her gaze. “I know Jock is less than a year old, but I can’t seem to help it. Either you’re extra potent, or I’m extra fertile.”
“I’m extra potent.” He stated unequivocally. When he saw her hopeful eyes, he dropped back down so he could lie beside her. “Come here, my love.” Justice drew her close. “I’m thrilled about another baby.” He kissed her on the end of her nose. “I want a whole tribe with you,” he teased. “And you never have to work another day in your life if you don’t want to. I’ll always take care of you. I’ll always give you exactly what you need.”
“You already do,” she sighed as she drew him out and caressed him between her palms. “Love me.”
“I already do.” He used her words as he joined himself with the woman of his dreams, his best friend, his lover – his wife.
As they loved one another, Charlie knew in her heart that from the moment their paths had crossed, all those years ago, they were meant to be.
She would spend forever and a day…loving Justice.
THE END
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Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) Page 22