Fool's Gold Collection Volume 4: Halfway There / Just One Kiss / Two of a Kind / Three Little Words

“I spent some time here as a kid.”

“And you came back, thus proving my point.”

“There you are!”

Justice turned and found himself face-to-face with Denise Hendrix. She hugged him, then smiled broadly.

“I’m still so excited you’re here, Justice. And that Ford is coming back. Did I invite you over to dinner yet? You have to come as soon as Ford is home. We’ll have the whole family over.”

“I remember those dinners,” he said, thinking those were good memories. “It was loud.”

With six kids plus any friends they’d brought home sitting around the table, there had been plenty of conversation. The Hendrix house had been one of the few places he’d been cleared to visit. Patience’s house had been on the list, as well. He’d wanted to go as often as possible. Being around other families had allowed him to forget why he was on the run. Around them he could pretend he was just like everyone else.

“We still have a wonderful time,” Denise told him. “It’s a little more crowded with spouses and grandchildren, but that only makes our times together more wonderful.”

He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I can’t wait.”

“Good.”

Denise excused herself.

Justice was about to go join a work group when he saw Ava roll into the busy space. Her wheelchair moved easily over the hardwood floors. He saw her glance around as if unsure what she was supposed to do. He quickly moved toward her.

“Taking charge?” he asked as he approached.

She gave him a grateful smile. “I think Patience is doing a good job already. I just wanted to stop by and see the town coming through for my girl.”

“There are plenty of people here.”

Patience hurried over. “Hey, Mom. Doing okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Patience didn’t look convinced. Justice nodded toward Ava. “I’m happy to stay here,” he said. “It gets me out of the real work.”

Her gaze lingered for a second. “Thank you,” she mouthed silently. “Okay,” she said aloud. “I’m not even surprised. Typical guy enjoying the act of watching other people work.”

He pulled up a chair and settled next to Ava. The older woman’s gaze was speculative.

“You want to keep an eye on what’s going on and you’re using me to do it.”

“Maybe,” he said easily.

“Not maybe. You’re different, Justice. Time has passed, so of course you’ve grown up, but that’s not the only change, is it?”

He automatically stayed outwardly calm, even as he glanced at Ava. “Are you asking or stating an opinion?”

“Both.” She studied him. “You went into the military after your father was taken into custody.”

He nodded.

“Whatever you did was dangerous. Patience and I have speculated, but I’m sure we won’t be able to guess.”

“Probably not.”

“You’ve seen things.”

More than she could ever know.

“Now you’re going to open your school here.”

He chuckled. “It’s not a school.”

“You know what I mean.” She leaned toward him. “Can you do it? Settle in a small town?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I want to be here.”

It was an honest answer, he thought. As much as the town drew him, he was concerned about fitting in. He could fake his way through any situation for a period of time. But in the end, who he was would come out.

He’d done things no man should be able to live with. Yet, as Ava had said, here he was. There were questions he couldn’t answer. Like how much of his father lived in him? Could he escape Bart’s cruel influence? Would he end up hurting the people he cared about? He’d never taken the risk. It hadn’t been worth it. He’d always been content to move on. But now he was starting to think he wanted to stay.

“Where does Patience fit in your decision?” Ava asked.

“She’s a draw. I never forgot her.”

“You’re both different people now.”

“She’s not so different.” She was older, more beautiful. But the essence of her remained. The sweetness, the humor, the unique worldview that, in her case, came out through her wardrobe of cute T-shirts.

“What are you afraid of?” Ava asked.

He turned to her. “That I’ll hurt her.”

“Then don’t.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Sometimes it is.”

* * *

PATIENCESTUDIED THE to-do list and felt the last of her stress fade away. Everything was getting done and more quickly than she could have imagined. The cleaning was done and all the plates, mugs and glasses had been unpacked. In the back room, a team worked on her shelves. Nevada kept a tight control on her team, ordering the guys around easily.

Charlie walked over. “The trim is painted. Finn, Simon and Tucker are putting up the curtain rods. Tucker has the professional experience, but Simon brings his surgeon’s precision to the experience, so imagine how that’s going. Finn’s egging them both on because it’s fun. I won’t bother telling you the trouble the Stryker brothers are getting into, but know that later, they will be punished.”

Patience laughed. “I’m not worried. Everyone is working really hard and my list is nearly complete.” She hugged Charlie. “I love this town.”

“The town loves you back.” Charlie turned her head and groaned. “Old ladies at ten o’clock.”