A Daddy for Jacoby(53)

“Thank you, sir.” Michael walked to Justin and held out his hand. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t show up.” He shrugged, then continued, “I figured it was going to be a plain ol’ fist fight. That I could’ve handled, but I was out of my element when I saw that knife.”

“Hey, you got between danger and your girl. You put her safety and well-being ahead of yours,” Justin said, taking his hand. “That was a very brave thing to do.”

The kid straightened his shoulders and Justin could see his words had the desired effect on the teen’s fragile ego.

The kid nodded and seconds later, Justin found himself accepting the appreciation of all the adults with a handshake and a quick nod. It was surreal, considering the way these people had treated him and Gina earlier in the evening. In his younger days, he probably would’ve told them to take their thank-yous and shove them where the sun don’t shine.

Now, he accepted them, making sure to point out it was Gina’s phone call that got the law there quickly. Then everyone headed back inside until it was only Justin, Gina and Gage standing outside.

“You two going back to finish chaperoning?” Gage asked.

Good question. Justin had no idea what they were going to do, but he sure could use a couple of aspirin and a stiff drink. “Ah, I don’t know—”

“We’re just going to enjoy the rest of our evening,” Gina interrupted Justin, “by ourselves.”

“I’ve got to head to the station and call Racy to let her know you’re both okay.”

“How’s Jacoby?” Justin asked.

“Curled up on the sofa watching a movie and fighting sleep when I left. We plan to take him to church with us in the morning, if that’s okay with you?”

Justin nodded.

Gage started for his Jeep, but stopped to lightly slap his brother-in-law on the back. “You did a good thing here tonight, Dillon. There just might be hope for you yet.”



Gina watched Justin slowly climb behind the wheel. He’d taken back his jacket at her insistence even though he’d told her the slight trembles he was experiencing were a delayed reaction to the fight. He was lying. He was hurt. She could feel it in the way he’d gripped her shoulder earlier and the sharp intake of breath when she’d squeezed him.

“So, where to next?” He buckled the old-fashioned seat belt across his lap and started the engine. Pulling from the parking lot, he headed toward Main Street. “Want to get something to eat? We could go by the diner. I’m guessing they’ll be overrun with teenyboppers in another couple of hours.”

“How about your place?”

Justin hit the brakes for the red light at the intersection a bit too hard. When the truck stopped, he swung his head to look at her. Despite his best effort, she noticed from the corner of her eye that the movements made him flinch.

“My place?”

Proud at how casual her words came out, Gina smoothed out the skirt of her dress. “Of course, we could go back to my house, but my mother might be home by now.”

“Ah, n-no,” Justin croaked, then cleared his throat. “My place is fine.”

She angled to face him, as much as her own seat belt would allow, and lifted his Stetson from where it lay between them to rest it on her lap. Leaning forward, she slowly walked two fingers up the length of his arm from his wrist to shoulder.

“You know, there’s something at your place that both of us really need,” she said.

He looked at her through hooded eyes. “What’s that?”

She bit back the first response that popped into her head, despite the longing that hummed in her veins. With pouted lips, she returned his stare, lashes fluttering. “A first-aid kit.”

He groaned and closed his eyes.

A quick horn toot from the car behind him made Justin put his attention back on the road. He continued to drive, and Gina faced forward again, stunned she’d actually pulled that off.

“How did you know?” he finally asked.

“I’m smart, remember?”

“Gina, it’s no big deal.” He sighed. “You don’t have to do this, I’ll be fine.”

“It’s your place or the clinic.” She gestured at the turnoff to the lake. “Or do I make another 9-1-1 call?”

He glared at her, but she only returned his look and released the catch on the sequined flap of her purse. Justin put on the left directional signal and headed for the cabin. Moments later, they were inside and Justin stripped off his jacket. Letting it fall to the floor, he headed for the kitchen and flipped on the overhead lights.