Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)

“Justice,” she breathed.

There was a lot he wanted to say. He wanted to tell her how he’d been wrong to leave, how he’d been so damned scared of hurting her and Lillie. He wanted to explain he hadn’t had faith. That he’d thought his father’s hatred was strong, only now he knew love was so much stronger. He needed her to know he was going to work with Ford and Angel to start up CDS and that she would never have to worry about him going away again.

Instead he stopped in front of her, cupped her chin in his hands and kissed her.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I love you, Patience. I was wrong and I hope you can forgive me. I love you.”

The store went completely silent. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. Her brown eyes widened slightly.

“You’re back.”

“I’m back and I want to stay. If you’ll have me. I want to marry you.”

Someone behind them sighed.

“He’s very handsome,” one of the old ladies said.

“He’s an idiot.”

“Still. I’ll bet he’s hot in bed.”

“She should marry him.”

“I think she will.”

Patience smiled. “You want to take this somewhere a little more private?”

“That would be nice.” He kissed her again. “Are you going to marry me?”

“Probably.”

He grinned. “When will you decide?”

“After I find out if you’re hot in bed.”

He leaned close, his lips brushing against her ear. “I am.”

She shivered, then threw herself at him. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too. I was really an idiot.”

“A man who knows when he’s wrong and does a halfway decent apology. I may have to marry you after all.”

She glanced past him and smiled. “We’re going to be a little shorthanded this morning.”

Just then Felicia stumbled into the store. She looked sleepy but determined.

“Morning,” she said with a yawn. “Mayor Marsha called and said I should come in and help.” She spotted him. “Justice. You’re back. Good. You wouldn’t have been happy anywhere else.”

“You have the statistical analysis to back that up?” he asked.

“No. It’s actually a guess on my part, but a good one.”

Patience wrapped her arms around his waist as they walked out of the store.

“How do you suppose Mayor Marsha knew you’d be back?” she asked.

“I have no idea.”

“She’s very mysterious. I think she has superpowers.” She leaned into him. “Thank you for coming back.”

“Thank you for forgiving me. I have a lot to tell you.”

She looked up at him. “I want to hear all of it,” she told him. “Especially the parts where you say you’re wrong. But later, okay? For now, let’s go home and tell Lillie that we’re going to be a forever family.”

They walked the quiet streets of Fool’s Gold together. All around them lights came on as people rose to start their day. Once at the house, they went inside and up the stairs. Lillie woke as soon as they stepped into her room.

She took one look at them and started to laugh. “I knew it!” she crowed. “I knew you’d be back.”

She flung herself at him. He reached for her and held on. Then Patience was in his arms, too. They were together. His own forever family.