Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(35)

“Sorry. He has no criminal record. A couple of traffic tickets over the years. He doesn’t seem to be very successful with his personal relationships, but other than that, he’s paid his taxes on time and runs a fairly successful business. He sold that a year ago, put the proceeds into safe investments and moved here about four months ago.”

Patience grimaced. “He’s really close?”

“Renting a house on the outskirts of town.” Justice sat on the sofa and faced her. “I can’t speak for his character, but for the rest of it, he’s a regular guy.”

“Which means I have no real reason to keep him from Lillie.”

“Not the answer you wanted.”

She shrugged. “I know that makes me sound like a terrible person, but I’m willing to live with the judgment.”

“You’re trying to keep your daughter safe.”

Patience wished she could accept the compliment, but she wasn’t being completely truthful. “I might have other motives. I’ll admit there’s a part of me that doesn’t want my relationship with my daughter to change. I don’t want to share her with Steve. I’m also scared that if he gets involved, Ned might find out and have a spiritual awakening or something.”

Justice shifted a little closer and took her hand in his.

She let him, liking the physical contact and sign of support. He had big hands, she thought idly, then had to clear her throat when the slutty part of her mind whispered that old wives’ tale about men and the size of their hands.

Foolishness, she told herself. And not the point.

“I checked out Ned, too,” he told her. “He’s a jerk. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you have to worry about him suddenly having a guilty conscience. From what I can tell, he doesn’t have much of a conscience to begin with.”

“Which makes me really stupid for getting involved with him.” She held up her free hand. “I’m being scattered. The point is Steve isn’t a bad guy and I should probably give him a chance.”

“What does your mom say about him?”

“She’s on his side, which surprises me. I would have thought she would be more concerned about him. But she’s all in favor of Lillie getting to know her grandfather.” Patience bit her lower lip. “That worries me, too. Her agreeing. She’s been odd lately. Getting calls and taking them in private. Not saying what they’re about. I don’t expect her to share every detail of her life, but there’s something going on.”

Justice’s gaze was steady. “Do you think it’s about her health?”

He’d voiced her greatest fear. “I hope not, but I do worry. What if she’s sicker than she’s letting on? She could be eager for Lillie to have more family because she’s not going to be around as long as she would like.”

Pressure built up in the back of her throat and her eyes began to burn. Patience blinked and swallowed, not wanting to break into hysterical sobs just now.

Justice grabbed her other hand. “Hey, look at me.”

She did as he requested.

“Your mom isn’t dying. You’ve seen her around here. She’s moving great. She’s doing as much as she used to and she’s completely involved with Brew-haha. Right?”

“Yes.”

“So whatever she has going on, it’s unlikely to be her health. But if you’re still concerned, ask her.”

“That’s so sensible.”

“Not your thing?”

“Not on purpose.”

He laced his fingers with hers. “Ask her.”

“I will. After the opening. I don’t want her to feel I’m spying on her, and we’re both stressed right now.”

Plus, his observations about how Ava was dealing with her activities were right. There hadn’t been any changes, except for the mysterious phone calls. Ava was still going out with her friends and working regular hours.

She drew in a breath. “I guess I have to call Steve and let him know he can see Lillie.”

“Want me to be there for the first visit?”

She leaned toward him. “You wouldn’t mind? It would help so much.” She managed a smile. “I know you can step in if things get difficult.”

Justice would also be a nice distraction for her daughter. And hey, if the professional bodyguard made Steve a little nervous, all the better. Patience acknowledged that her plan of keeping Justice and her daughter apart had just gone down the toilet. But right now Steve was the bigger threat.

“I wouldn’t have offered if I hadn’t meant it,” he told her. “Lillie’s a great kid. I’m happy to make sure nothing bad happens.”

“Thank you. You have your secret bodyguard trip coming up. I’ll schedule the visit before that.” She laughed. “It’s some rock star, right? Like a band, and you’re embarrassed, so that’s why you’re pretending it’s dangerous.”

His blue eyes flashed with an emotion she couldn’t read. “You’ve caught me.”

“I knew it.”

“You’re pretty smart...for a girl.”

She straightened. “Seriously? You did not say that to me.”

“I like that you’re a girl.”

“Don’t try to be all nice now. I’m insulted.”