Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)

“Why did you go away?”


“Because I thought work was more important. Because I wasn’t grown up enough to understand what I was losing and work things out with his mom. I regret what I did, but I can’t change it. When I left, I taught Ned a very wrong lesson. That it’s okay to leave your children.”

“It’s not?” she asked softly.

“No, it’s not.”

Justice put his arm around her. She leaned against him, watching Steve.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “How could you go?”

How could he go?

Steve turned away, but not before Justice saw tears in his eyes.

Justice kissed the top of Lillie’s head. “You take a dance class, right?”

She looked at him. “Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Some of the other students are better than you and some are worse, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“The ones who are better can do things you can’t do yet.”

“They can do a lot of things I can’t do. I’m scared to go up on my toes. It’s going to hurt.”

“Some people are better at relationships than others. Some people have a natural ability. Like dance. Others have been hurt along the way and are afraid to try. Your dad was hurt by his dad. That’s not an excuse,” he added quickly, knowing he was giving Ned more of a break than he deserved, but this wasn’t about him. This was about Lillie.

“He’s right,” Steve told her. “My dad was a—” He stopped, then swallowed. “My dad wasn’t a great guy, either. So I never knew what a good dad was like. I walked out on my son and my son walked out on you.”

“Am I going to be like that, too?” Lillie asked, sounding worried.

“No.” Justice held her tight. “You’ll be like your mom, because that’s what you’ve learned. You’ll be loving and kind and you’ll always be there.”

Lillie considered that. “I’d rather be like my mom than my dad.”

“Your dad left because of me and because of who he is,” Steve said. “Not because of you. He’s missing out on a great daughter. I know he’s going to be sorry one day, just like I’m sorry about what I did. But I’m very grateful I’ve had the chance to get to know you.”

“Me, too,” Justice said.

Lillie hugged him, then rose and hurried to her grandfather. She flung herself at him and he held on tight.

Justice stayed where he was, a part of what was happening and still separate.

This was something he would always remember. The warm spring morning, the bright blue sky and the half-decorated bike. But mostly what he would remember was the beautiful girl who gave her heart so easily and asked for so little in return. Ned was an ass**le. Worse, he’d hurt his daughter. But Justice had been given a chance to be a part of her life.

Was he willing to put the past behind him and move on? Was he ever going to be at peace when it came to his father, or should he accept that the ghosts were a part of who he was? Accept and finally reach for that which was most precious?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“GO,” Ava told her daughter. “You need to see the parade. Lillie had poor Steve and Justice working on her bike for hours yesterday. Be impressed.”

Patience laughed. “I promise I will be.” She’d seen the scattered remains of their “art” project on the lawn. Bits of flower and twist ties. “I never thought of Justice as the help-at-home type.”

“Steve said he was very good with a glue gun.” Her mother’s eyes twinkled. “An excellent quality in a man.”

Patience knew she didn’t need help falling for Justice. Just thinking about him was enough to get her heart beating faster. She’d started out determined to play it safe, which had gotten her exactly nowhere. Over time she’d learned that being around him made her feel safe, and at the same time she was stronger in his presence.

Felicia walked into the store. “What are you two doing here?” she asked. “The parade is about to start.”

“I was just leaving,” Patience said. “Lillie’s riding and I want to see it.”

Felicia looked at Ava. “She’s your granddaughter. You should go, too.”

“I’ll be there. We’re closing the store for the actual parade. Steve’s saving me a seat by the fire station.”

Felicia shook her head. She walked over to Patience and untied her apron.

“What are you doing?” Patience asked with a laugh.

“Taking over. Go, both of you. I’ll keep the store open until the parade, then close it.”

Patience was tempted. There weren’t any customers, and business would be light until the parade was over. “I don’t want to take advantage,” she began.

“I don’t mind, so you shouldn’t, either.”

Ava studied her. “Do you know how to work the equipment?”