Coveted Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 15) Read online

  It would be. But first, she needed to give her husband a huge hug and kiss now that he’d slayed ‘em with this speech. He deserved it.

  Her husband was running for governor. And he just might win.

  He’s got my vote.

  2

  Josh nudged Amanda on the arm and nodded toward the exit of the restaurant. Her father’s speech was finished and he had a crowd of people around him. He wouldn’t even notice if they slipped out for a few minutes. Her mother was busy talking to Aunt Presley and wasn’t even looking her way.

  Like two thieves in the night, she and Josh ran out, giggling and breathless as they came to a stop under a tall light in the parking lot. Brianna, Colt, Lulu, and Lizzie were already there.

  “I love your dad, but that speech was boring as shit,” Lulu declared. “Who cares about taxes anyway?”

  Brianna laughed and elbowed Lulu. “Grownups. Careful, you might be one of them one day.”

  At twenty Lulu was still a wild child, constantly giving her poor mother more gray hairs. Or at least that’s what Aunt Presley was always saying. In the last year alone Lulu had quit school, gone back to school, almost been kicked out of school, and also dated a long line of dudes that Amanda wouldn’t even want to be in the same room with. Lulu’s taste in men was shit. She liked them all dark and edgy.

  Amanda thought they were just pretentious as hell. The guys always thought they were so cool, spouting depressing poetry in some dreary coffee shop or talking about how they suffer for their art, whatever it was. Luckily, Lulu’s relationships never lasted long. She bored easily.

  “Growing up is a trap,” Lulu declared. “We all know it. When you’re an adult you don’t get to have any more fun.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Josh said with a shrug. “People can still have fun. They just can’t be stupid about it.”

  Lulu pouted a bit playfully. She loved to tease Josh. “Are you saying I’m stupid?”

  “No, but you often forget to use your common sense.”

  Colt doubled over laughing, his cheeks turning red. “Score. Direct hit. Lulu doesn’t have any common sense.”

  “Neither do you,” Brianna groaned. “Grow up, will you?”

  “You’re just pissy tonight because Ben hasn’t paid any attention to you,” Colt scoffed at his sister. “He barely knows you exist.”

  “He doesn’t pay attention to anyone,” Lulu said with a roll of her eyes. “He only wants to hang around his friends. And who would want to talk to him? He’s so boring. All he talks about is his new summer job and how he’s going to go to graduate school in the fall. He’s not even kind of fun. I asked him to buy us some beer or get us a bottle of wine, but he wouldn’t do it. All I got was a lecture on drinking before the age of twenty-one. As if he never did that. I know he did. He’s so pompous lately. Honestly, Brianna, you’re better off without him.”

  “He’s yesterday’s news,” Brianna replied, sending a death glare to her brother. “I don’t even like him anymore. Lulu’s right. Ben’s a bore. He’s always acting like he’s better than the rest of us because he’s older. He thinks he knows everything.”

  “He’s starting a new job. I bet he’s nervous and just trying to cover it up,” Josh said. “I don’t think he seriously thinks he knows everything.”

  Josh was always the peacemaker of the group, the level-headed one. Amanda’s mother always said it was because he had a hard life starting out and had to grow up fast. The adults were always urging Josh to have fun and relax a little bit.

  Colt, on the other hand, had far too much fun. The grownups were always urging him to take his schooling and life more seriously. It had worked to a certain extent as he’d pulled his grades up to As and Bs. But he was still the life of the party. He loved to cut loose and act the fool.

  “He just acts like he does,” Colt replied. “I tried to talk to him earlier and he pretty much just brushed me off. I guess I’m just a nobody because I’m still in college.”

  Amanda liked Ben. Most of the time. But she couldn’t argue that lately he’d been acting…kind of like a jerk. She put it down to his new girlfriend who was sort of standoffish and snooty. She’d made it clear that she didn’t want to spend time with anyone who wasn’t important. It appeared that her biggest criteria was a person’s bank account. She’d been fawning all over Jason Anderson all evening.

  “It’s probably just a phase,” Lizzie said. “I would think that the transition from college to a real job would be stressful. At least I would be stressed.”

  “Ben was just born serious,” Josh said with a shrug. “He’s always been that way so now is really no different.”

  “He’s a pain in my ass,” Lulu said. “He’s always trying to tell me what to do like he’s my third parent. I already have a mom and dad, thank you very much. Let’s stop talking about him. Let’s talk about something more interesting. Brianna, did that guy from spring break ever call you?”

  “He did, but by that time I found out he had a girlfriend. He was just trolling for chicks in Florida. I told him to get bent and he got all upset. He said I led him on or some shit like that. What an asshole. Amanda, how are things with Derek?”

  She wasn’t sure she really wanted to talk about Derek. Their relationship - if you could call it that - was complicated. She was scrambling to find a way to change the subject when they all heard a ruckus coming from the entrance of the restaurant.

  Abby and her husband Marty were stomping out of the building, both of them yelling. Despite their distance from the unhappy couple, Amanda could clearly hear what they were shouting about. Marty had been flirting with another woman and Abby was “tired” of it. Apparently, it happened all the time if the woman was to be believed. Marty, on the other hand, was telling his wife that she was blowing it all out of proportion and that it wasn’t a big deal at all.

  “Whoa, that is one pissed-off lady,” Colt whispered loudly. “Good thing she’s not armed.”

  “She probably has good reason to be,” Lizzie said. “Her husband was acting like a jerk right in front of her. I heard him telling one of the waitresses that she had great legs. He did it right in front of his wife. What did he think was going to happen?”

  “I saw them arguing earlier,” Amanda admitted. “I guess they’re still mad at each other.”

  She was sure that her parents argued on occasion. They didn’t agree on every single thing every day, but to their credit, Amanda had never actually witnessed a fight between her mother and father. If and when they were mad, they’d waited until they were alone to hash it out. There had been a few icy morning breakfasts but for the most part, she was blissfully unaware when her parents were mad at each other.

  “She’s madder than a wet hen as Dad would say,” Colt laughed. “I kind of feel sorry for the guy.”

  “I don’t,” Brianna declared. “He shouldn’t be flirting with other women. You don’t do that when you’re married.”

  “That’s why I’m never going to get married,” Colt shot back at his sister. “Too much of a hassle. I’ll happily stay a bachelor.”

  “Who would marry you?” Brianna said with a groan. “You’re annoying and childish. No woman is going to want that. If Mom and Dad want grandkids, I’m their only hope.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” Lulu said, a devilish grin on her face. “I can see Colt with three or four kids because he forgot to wrap it up in the heat of the moment.”

  “I always wrap it up,” Colt protested. “No glove, no love. In fact, I was with a girl the other night and she said I didn’t need to use a condom because she was on the pill. I said no way. I always use one no matter what.”

  “Was this girl inflatable?” Lulu asked, clearly trying to keep a straight face.

  “She was a real, live woman,” Colt replied, his tone heavy with sarcasm. “And she was totally into me. She’s sent me several texts already today.”

  He held up his phone, but Lulu just rolled her eyes.

  “Whatever. Looks like their argument is done. She’s gone inside and he’s coming this way, so try to act like we weren’t watching and listening.”

  Even though they totally were. But Lulu was right. Although the couple was airing their dirty laundry in public, that didn’t mean that they were happy about it. In fact, Marty didn’t look happy at all, stomping through the parking lot towards his vehicle, a dark expression on his face. To her horror he stopped in front of their group, his gaze darting from one person to another.

  “I am sure you all heard that. Let me give you some advice from an older person who has lived a few years longer. Don’t get married. Don’t do it. I don’t care how in love you think you are. Trust me when I say at some point, you’ll be screaming at each other because you can barely stand the sound of her voice.”

  Amanda didn’t know what to say and apparently, no one else did either. They sort of just nodded politely, not sure where he was going with this.

  “She may not want to talk to me now but she’ll fucking talk to my attorney in the morning. I’m done.”

  With that Marty strode to his car at the end of the row, hopped in and drove away, the tires squealing on the way out.

  “Damn,” Josh said. “So much for marital bliss. They act like they hate each other.”

  “Maybe they do,” Lizzie replied. “Not every marriage is happy.”

  “Then get out and get a divorce,” Lulu said. “No sense being miserable. Life is short.”

  It made Amanda’s love life problems seem inconsequential. Silently, she made a promise to try and make it work with Derek.

  Or she might avoid love completely for awhile. It would be much more peaceful.

  “Sweetheart, I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”

 
The request was from Maddie’s father who had also shown up tonight to support Tanner. The fundraiser dinner was over and most people were beginning to make their way to the exit. Tanner was standing at the door, thanking them for coming and shaking hands.

  Maddie looked around for Amanda but didn’t see her. She was probably with all of the other kids.

  Kids? They’re adults now and I can’t believe how fast it went. I guess that makes me old.

  “Now, Dad? I should probably be with Tanner—“

  “Please,” her father said. He had a strained expression on his face which made her heart squeeze in her chest. Last year he’d had a brush with prostate cancer, although the doctor said it was caught early and all was well. But…he wasn’t getting any younger and she worried about him a great deal. “This is important.”

  “Of course,” she said, her gaze darting around the room. “Why don’t we sit down at one of these tables and we can chat? Is Gwen joining us?”

  Gwen was Maddie’s stepmother, a lovely woman who made her dad very happy. Luckily, they all got along together and enjoyed each other’s company. Maddie was glad that her father wasn’t alone anymore as he’d been when she was growing up. He’d put aside his own life to raise her before venturing out to find another partner after her mother had passed away. Her father was her hero. He’d been a terrific and loving parent. No one could have asked for more.

  “Uh, Gwen is waiting for me in the car,” he said, lowering himself into a chair. “She said not to worry about her as she’s going to call her sister in Asheville.”

  Gwen was sitting in the car? That was…weird. They’d been practically joined at the hip since they’d met years ago in Seattle. The whole situation had Maddie’s heart pounding in fear. Was he going to tell her he was ill? He didn’t look like his usual healthy, happy self if the truth be told.

  She sat down next to him and reached for his hand.

  “You know you can tell me anything, right? I’m here for you, Dad, and I always will be.” She took a deep breath before continuing but it didn’t calm her nerves. “Whatever it is we can face it together. We’ll get specialists. I still know people in Chicago. We’ll get the very best.”

  Her father frowned as if he didn’t understand what she was saying but then shook his head, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.

  “No, sweetheart. I’m not sick. This isn’t about my health.”

  Good. That was very good. But what was it? And why was Gwen waiting in the car?

  “Are you getting a divorce?” she blurted out. “Are you and Gwen splitting up?”

  She hadn’t seen any signs of a rift but then she’d been distracted by the fundraiser and Tanner’s candidacy.

  Her father’s brows shot up and he shook his head again. “No, not at all. Gwen and I are just fine. Happy as ever.”

  That was also good. Except that didn’t explain why they had to speak tonight. It wasn’t like him to beat around the bush. He was usually a kind but direct man. He’d had to be as a doctor.

  “Okay,” Maddie said, waiting for her father to continue. She didn’t want to keep making guesses. “Then what do we need to talk about?”

  His fingers tightened on hers and then he let out a loud sigh.

  “I don’t know how to tell you this. I’ve practiced this about a hundred times, but I still don’t know what to say.”

  “Dad, you’re making me worried as hell. You say it’s not your health or your marriage, but you won’t say what it is. I’m sure whatever you’re going to tell me isn’t as bad as what my imagination is coming up with right now.”

  He buried his face in his hands and groaned.

  “I’m trying to get there. This is just so hard.” He sat up and cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m going to do this. I have to tell you.”

  A pit had formed in Maddie’s stomach as she waited for the blade to fall. Whatever it was that he was going to say, it wasn’t going to be good. Clearly, he wanted to be anywhere else but here.

  “You have a sister.”

  She was sure she hadn’t heard correctly.

  “You have a sister,” he repeated. “A half-sister, actually. She’s a year younger than you.”

  Had her dad had too much to drink tonight? Was he getting dementia? This was insane. Absolutely crazy. Yet, a part of her knew that her father wasn’t the type to tell tall tales. If he was saying it, then he believed it.

  She pulled away from him, her hand visibly shaking. She didn’t want him to say anything else, but she couldn’t stop him either.

  “Dad, I think you better start at the beginning of the story. Just how in the hell do I have a sister? It can’t be true.”

  Because if it was, it threw everything she’d thought about her life - and her father - out of the window.

  3

  Tanner mentally ran through the evening, examining his actions and words, but he couldn’t come up with anything that he’d done to upset his wife. Maddie had barely said a word to him since they’d returned home.

  She didn’t look mad, but she didn’t seem happy either. The evening had been a success by any measure, but she looked like she was facing the gallows in the morning. If she was this upset, he didn’t want to be the reason.

  Their marriage was pretty healthy. They argued but they always made up, trying to compromise as much as they could. Maddie could have a temper but normally she had a damn good reason for losing it now and then. After all these years together, they didn’t fight all that much anymore. They’d settled the big questions a long time ago, and the little shit wasn’t worth the hassle. When something was important to her, he compromised. When something was important to him, she compromised. It had worked well for them.

  Open communication was key.

  “Honey, is something bothering you?”

  Maddie was sliding into bed and she froze, her eyes wide.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Because you look like something is bothering you.”

  His sweet Maddie would never play professional poker. She might be able to play it stoic for her patients, but in their personal life she was an open book.

  Sighing, she plopped into bed, pulling the covers to her chin.

  “Yes, I am upset. I wasn’t going to say anything tonight. I didn’t want to ruin everything for you. The fundraiser went so well.”

  “You won’t ruin anything. It did go well, but if something is wrong I want to know about it. I want to help.”

  “I don’t think there’s anything you can do.”

  “I can listen.”

  She scrunched up in the bed, her knees to her chest.

  “My dad wanted to talk to me tonight after the dinner. He said he had something important he wanted to tell me.”

  “Is he sick again?”

  Tanner had already lost his own parents, and now Maddie had to face her own father’s mortality. No one was getting any younger and Greg’s health had been precarious this last year.

  “No, he’s not sick.” She turned to him, tears glistening in her eyes. “He says that I have a sister. A half-sister. Apparently, he cheated on my mother and got some woman pregnant.”

  Tanner couldn’t quite believe his ears. Maddie had said that her father had cheated on her mother and that there was another daughter out there in the world. In a million years, he never would have guessed that. From what Maddie had told him, Greg had been a devoted family man, never dating until she was an adult.

  Now Maddie had a sister.

  “My dad cheated on my mom,” Maddie said, a few tears sliding down her cheeks. “I can’t believe my own father is a lying, stinking cheater. What else am I going to find out? That he knocks over banks in his spare time? Does he kick kittens and puppies, too?”

  “Greg is a good man,” Tanner assured her. “He’s been a good father to you after your mother died. He’s been a good doctor in Springwood and taken care of its residents.”

  “He cheated. Good men don’t cheat.”

  “Good men make mistakes. It sounds like he made a big one, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.”

  Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.