Bitter Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 12) Read online

  Bitter Justice

  The Cowboy Justice Association Book 12

  Olivia Jaymes

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  About the Author

  1

  Tanner Marks rolled over and turned off the morning alarm so it wouldn’t wake his wife Maddie later. There was still thirty minutes to sleep and he didn't want to disturb her. As hard as she worked, she deserved every second of rest that she could get.

  Not that he didn't work hard, too. He did. But after years in the Army, two kids both with colic, working crappy shifts as a deputy, and then running a sheriff's office he was used to getting less sleep than he ideally needed. His daughter Amanda had been a revelation of sorts - she was a good sleeper. He hadn't even known babies like that existed until he'd had one of his own. He'd thought they were simply an urban legend, one that kept parents hopeful.

  Rising slowly out of bed, he stretched and silently groaned as his back popped and his knee creaked. At his age, different body parts woke up when they damn well felt like it and not a second before. Last week he'd chased a shoplifter out of a store and down two blocks before he'd caught up, making his previously broken ankle scream with pain. Ten years ago, the guy wouldn't have made it out of the front doors, but he was slowing down. At least once a week, he said that he was too damn old for this shit.

  He slipped downstairs and through the dark house, pausing for a moment at Amanda's door. It was halfway open and he could see her peacefully sleeping, her red-gold curls like an angel's halo around her head. Looks could be deceiving, however. In about forty-five minutes she was going to be wide awake and demanding Cheerios.

  But for a short while this morning, Tanner would have the house to himself. Peace and quiet. He liked to wake up before anyone else and have a few moments to gather his thoughts and enjoy a cup of coffee. It made heading into his crazy and chaotic days much easier.

  Pouring himself a cup of java - the coffeemaker was on a timer - he sat down at the kitchen table and sipped at the piping hot brew, grunting as the heat slid down to his belly. He hadn't had a drink in years but no one was going to take his coffee away from him.

  Rising from the table, he walked to the window over the sink and watched as the sun just peeked over the horizon. This had become a habit in the last several months. Awake early. Get coffee. Watch sunrise. Repeat.

  Oh, and contemplate life. He did that quite a bit too, not that he was ready to admit that out loud. At fifty-five years old, he might be going through a mid-life crisis. But then it seemed a bit late for that as he didn't think he would live to be one hundred and ten. He took decent care of himself and his grandfather had lived to be ninety-three and was on his third wife when he'd passed, but a hundred and ten? A slim chance at best.

  But he did spend these precious minutes thinking. About everything and nothing. He wasn't a man given to massive amounts of introspection but here he was... Introspecting the hell out of himself. Wondering about the fifty-five years he'd lived, contemplating about how many more he had, and just what he wanted to do with them.

  He was restless.

  That was the word he'd stumbled upon a few months ago. Nothing felt easy or casual anymore. It was as if he was wearing clothes that were ill-fitted or scratchy. He was uncomfortable and it made him grouchy, a fact he was desperately trying to hide from his beautiful, young wife slumbering upstairs. This didn't have anything to do with her. She was amazing and wonderful.

  He was fucking confused.

  What do I want to be when I grow up?

  Or better yet...WHO do I want to be?

  He didn't have the answers but he'd continue coming down early in the morning and thinking about it until he did.

  "You're up early."

  His wife's soft, sleepy voice pulled him from his melancholy thoughts. Turning from the rising sun outside, Maddie was rubbing at her eyes and yawning, her pajamas wrinkled and her hair askew.

  She was the most beautiful, sexy woman he'd ever seen in his life, and he still had no earthly idea what she saw in him. Every day he was grateful to be the man by her side and he wanted to be sure she never regretted choosing him. She could have had someone far better, after all.

  "I couldn't sleep," he answered, pulling her into his arms. She was warm and soft, her hair smelling like strawberries. "How about I pour you a cup of coffee?"

  It wasn't her fault she'd interrupted his brooding. There was always tomorrow.

  She yawned again but nodded, shuffling on bare feet to the refrigerator. "I can make you breakfast if you want."

  No. Just...no. He loved Madison with all his heart but she was without a doubt the worst cook in Montana. Maybe all of the states west of the Mississippi. She tried, bless her, but somehow everything ended up burnt, charred, mangled, or tasting like shoes. She was a brilliant doctor, but she needed to stay out of the kitchen.

  "I'm on it, sweetheart. Besides, you'll be busy helping Amanda get ready. It's the big day, right?"

  It was the first day of kindergarten for Amanda and both Maddie and his daughter had been talking about it all week.

  His wife wrapped her hands around the warm coffee mug. "It is. Our daughter has spent the last two weeks picking out her first day outfit."

  "She doesn't get that from me."

  Giggling, Maddie shook her head. "She doesn't get that from me, either. I think she gets it from Aunt Sherry."

  Amanda certainly adored her Aunt Sherry, Maddie's best friend. Sherry had twins the same age and his wife was thrilled to see a second generation growing up together.

  "She gets her sunny disposition from me," Tanner declared with a grin. "She gets her brains and good looks from you."

  Maddie sighed and reached for the box of cereal in the cabinet. "I certainly hope she doesn't go through the long, painful awkward phase that I went through. That was awful. Kids can be so cruel."

  This wasn't the first time that his wife had mentioned not wanting anything bad to happen to Amanda when she started school. Maddie had been bullied and teased when she was a kid and he should know. He'd shooed several of them away one day and she'd thought of him as a hero after that.

  Ten years of marriage should have solved that problem. He was no hero and considering she'd scolded him the other day about leaving his socks on the floor - again - she had to know that now.

  Her concern for Amanda was normal for a devoted mother but he didn't want her to have any unrealistic expectations. If he'd learned anything raising a son and a daughter who were now grown, it was that he couldn't protect them from everything. Even as much as he wanted to.

  But he was smart enough not to lecture his wife about this topic. She didn't appreciate his I've been around longer than you speeches. In fact, she hated them. He'd didn't really like them either, as he didn't want to make a habit of reminding Maddie just how much older he was.

  "Amanda will be fine," he assured her, dropping a kiss on her forehead before reaching into the drawer behind him for a spoon. The kitchen wasn't big enough
for the two of them to maneuver comfortably. "She's a smart little girl and you're always telling her that she shouldn't care what other people think."

  "That doesn't help when some mean boy is calling you carrot top," Maddie mumbled, accepting the spoon from Tanner and digging into her cereal. "Or pulling your hair. Or making fun of your freckles."

  Quirking an eyebrow, he leaned down to press a kiss on Maddie's neck, the skin soft under his lips. "Freckles, huh? Clearly, that boy doesn't have good taste. I remember a night not too long ago when I showed you exactly what I think about your freckles."

  His pretty wife's cheeks turned an adorable shade of red. She was remembering that night, too. He'd spent a great deal of time kissing every one of her freckles and was anxious to repeat that as soon as possible. Maybe even tonight.

  Her hand pressed against his abdomen but she wasn't pushing him away, instead running it up his chest to rest on his shoulder. His sweet little innocent Maddie was actually a clever and wily seductress and he was her willing victim.

  "You're so bad, Sheriff Marks," she whispered, a smile curving her full pink lips. "But I like the way your evil mind works."

  "Irredeemably bad, that's me. I've got some more ideas if you're interested. What do you say, gorgeous?"

  There was promise in her eyes and he was definitely going to take her up on it. "I'd like to hear about some of these ideas, Sheriff. How about meeting me at nine o'clock tonight? Upstairs?"

  "It's a date."

  Capturing her lips with his, he gave her a quick but thorough kiss. It was a down payment on later. Mornings weren't the best time for wooing. They always seemed to be in a rush.

  "That's what I like to hear. I better go up and get a shower. I've got a big day ahead of me."

  He placed his coffee cup on the counter and turned to go upstairs, but Maddie snagged the hem of his t-shirt, tugging him backward.

  "I love you, Tanner."

  He could see that love in her eyes when she looked at him just like she was at this moment. He was so damn grateful for the second chance he'd been given with this woman. That's why he felt guilty for...contemplating every morning. He shouldn't be restless or uncomfortable. He should just be grateful.

  "I love you too, babe. More than you can ever know."

  What the hell was wrong with him?

  2

  Maddie had been looking forward to and dreading this morning all summer. She was excited that Amanda was starting school but there was a part of her - a huge part - that was mourning the loss of her baby girl.

  It was silly, of course. Amanda was five, not twenty-five, and she was going to need her mother in many ways for years to come, but to Maddie this was a milestone that her daughter wasn't an infant or toddler any longer. She was a young girl and with that came all sorts of emotions she couldn't quite understand.

  And Tanner didn't understand, either.

  She hadn't mentioned it to him because she already knew what he was going to say.

  Kids grow up. That's what they're supposed to do. He'd launched two children successfully into this big, bad world and he wasn't worried about doing it a third time. He was always so calm about everything, whether it was a scraped knee or a mean kid at the playground. It was all been there, done that.

  Meanwhile, I'm a mess.

  Not a big mess. More of a small one. Starting school wasn't an insignificant day in Amanda's life, nor Maddie's, either. It didn't help that her forty-first birthday was just around the corner. Everything was moving so fast. She just wanted it to slow down - just for a minute - so she could catch her breath.

  Was that too much to ask? Apparently so.

  "I already packed my lunch, Mom."

  Maddie paused, her hand in midair. She'd been about to retrieve Amanda's brand-new Disney princess lunchbox from the end of the counter, but her daughter's words had her mind going in fast forward.

  "You did? When did you do that?"

  I ask with fear in my heart. Please don't say last week and it was a tuna fish sandwich.

  "Last night," Amanda answered. "While you and dad were running my bath."

  Actually, they'd been kissing while running that bath and clearly not paying attention to their precocious five-year-old.

  "Why don't you let me check to make sure you've got everything you need," Maddie suggested. "I don't want you to be hungry in the afternoon."

  Amanda didn't like her lunch packing expertise to be called into question, her eyes sparkling with a bit of rebellion.

  That she got from her father. In spades. Tanner didn't like being told what to do, either.

  "It's fine, Mom."

  "I'm sure it is. Will you just let me see what you packed? Is it a big secret?"

  Maddie had visions of nothing but cookies and pudding packs. Amanda had a sweet tooth.

  She got that from both of her parents.

  With a sigh, Amanda opened her lunchbox for motherly inspection but didn't look too thrilled about it.

  I didn't think I'd see that expression on her face until she was thirteen.

  The contents weren't too bad. An apple and a banana. A juice box that was now warm from being out of the refrigerator all night. String cheese - also needing refrigeration. And a small bag of low-sodium pretzels. Basically, everything that Amanda liked to snack on.

  "This looks okay. Don't you want a sandwich, though? And your drink and cheese need to be in the refrigerator until the morning. I have a cold pack that we can slip into your lunch."

  It was shaped like a Dalmatian.

  "Bread isn't good for you. I heard you say that to Aunt Sherry."

  Maddie had worked hard not to have bad or good foods for her daughter. She didn't want to start any weird relationships with food, having seen some issues in her own patients. She'd simply said that some food should only be consumed in moderation.

  What she'd said to Sherry wasn't far different. She remembered the conversation Amanda was referring to, but she didn't remember Amanda listening in. She'd have to be more aware from now on.

  "What I said was that too much bread, or anything really, isn't good for you. A sandwich is fine if you want it. Two or three sandwiches is probably pushing it a little for someone your size."

  Tall and skinny, just like Maddie had been.

  "I don't want a sandwich. I want what I packed."

  That little chin firmed and Maddie was well aware that her young daughter would put up a fight. Frankly, she didn't want today to be marred by a skirmish. The lunch wasn't that important in the big scheme of things. What had her own father said that first year after she'd given birth?

  Pick your battles.

  He'd been a terrific dad so he must know a thing or three.

  "Fine, but let's get you a cold juice box and cheese."

  To Maddie's relief, her daughter didn't argue and the rest of the morning went by smoothly and swiftly. Before she knew it, they were standing in front of Springwood Elementary. The very same school Maddie had attended all those years ago. It had been renovated at some point but for the most part it looked exactly as it had when she'd started kindergarten. Her mom had held her hand and she hadn't wanted to let it go, hanging back.

  In contrast to Amanda who was tugging at Maddie's arm, urging her forward.

  We're so different. She'll jump right in but I have to watch a bit first.

  "There's Jack, Belle, and Aunt Sherry," Amanda said, giving her mother another big tug forward. "Let's go, Mom."

  "Don't be in such a hurry," Maddie replied more sharply than she intended.

  To grow up.

  She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "What I mean is, there are a lot of cars in this parking lot. You need to be careful."

  "I will be," Amanda promised, not paying a bit of attention to her mother. "Can we go now? There aren't any cars."

  They crossed the long, curved driveway where parents were dropping off the older students. Since it was the first day, teachers were monitoring the area to make su
re that all the children were headed in the right direction.

  Sherry gave Maddie a huge grin when they approached, practically jumping up and down in excitement. "There you are. The twins can't wait to meet their new teacher."

  Since there was only one kindergarten class in Springwood, Amanda, Jack, and Belle would all be in the same class. Just as Maddie and Sherry had been thirty-six years ago.

  Maddie appeared to be the only person in their little group who wasn't thrilled that it was the first day of school. Sherry and the kids kept up a lively chatter as they walked down the familiar corridors to the large open classroom. Their teacher had long ago retired but Mrs. Walker seemed like a lovely woman who truly loved children.

  There were several rectangular tables in the middle of the room with centers set up along the periphery for reading, math, science, and social studies.

  "Mom, there's a bunny!"

  Before Maddie could stop her, Amanda had dropped her hand and was speeding toward a large cage in the corner. Luckily, Mrs. Walker must have seen it too, because before Amanda could open the cage the teacher was right by her side.

  "Isn't he sweet?" Mrs. Walker asked with a smile. "His name is Benjamin. He belongs to the class."

  Her mother completely forgotten, Amanda was entranced with the lop-eared rabbit. "Will we get to hold him?"

  "Of course, but you have to learn how and be gentle. Everyone will get a chance to take him home for the weekend as well, but you have to have your parents' permission."

  Amanda's eyes went wide and she turned to Maddie, a pleading tone in her voice. She'd been begging for a puppy all summer. If it had been up to Tanner, she would have had it months ago.

  "Can I, Mom? Can I please?"