Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(93)

“I didn’t give up. I made the difficult decision.”

“Is it what she wanted?”

He didn’t answer.

Greta sighed. “I thought not. Foolish, foolish man.”

She shook her head and returned to the cheese shop.

Justice watched her go, knowing she was wrong. He couldn’t...couldn’t...

The truth slammed into him like an angry bull. He swore under his breath as he glanced around and realized what he’d done. What he’d lost. By walking away he’d allowed his father to win. Even from the grave, Bart kept him from the only thing that was important—the people he loved.

When had suffering become so damned noble?

* * *

GETTING FROM THE French Alps to Fool’s Gold with little notice wasn’t easy. Justice took a train to Paris and from there got on a flight to New York. He had a six-hour layover, waiting for a seat to San Francisco, where he rented a car, arriving in the still-sleeping town after thirty hours of travel.

It was nearly five in the morning. He drove through the quiet streets, his heart pounding, his palms slick with sweat. He hadn’t called or given any warning; he was just going to show up and hope for the best. It had only been two weeks. Patience couldn’t have fallen out of love with him that quickly, could she? He still had a chance.

He would convince her, he told himself. He would explain how he’d been wrong, thinking he should walk away to protect her. He would beg if he had to, make her see that he would spend the rest of his life making sure she was happy and safe and loved.

He parked in front of her house and walked toward the front door. The house was dark and he swore as he realized it was far too early for him to be knocking on the door and disturbing everyone. After what they’d gone through with his father, he would only upset them. He needed to wait until...

He turned suddenly and started to run. Patience wasn’t in bed asleep; she was at Brew-haha. She always took the morning shift.

He raced through the quiet streets of town. His still-healing wound ached, but he didn’t care. He rounded the corner and saw the glow of the bright lights spilling onto the sidewalk.

One of Patience’s friends—Charlie, he thought—walked out with a to-go coffee. She was with a man. They both glanced at him; then Charlie nudged the guy and whispered something. He hurried past them.

Inside the store, there was a big crowd. Several police officers sat at tables. A few businesspeople waited in line and a couple of old ladies were huddled together in the corner.

But he only cared about Patience. She was working the cash register, her smile bright as she talked to her customers. Only he saw past the pretend enthusiasm to the shadows under her eyes and the way her mouth trembled a little at the corners.

He’d hurt her, he thought sadly. Broken her heart. What had he been thinking?

He crossed to her. She glanced up and saw him. Her hands froze and a couple of dollar bills fluttered to the floor.

“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.”