Free Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) by Sable Hunter Page A

“Okay. What’s her name?”
    “Faith.”
    Justice could see by the smile on his face that she was special. “Pretty name.”
    “She’s a pretty girl.”
    “All right. Be careful and call me if you need anything.” He patted his brother on the back. “And don’t let Mom drive you crazy on the ride back. Buy her a crossword puzzle to keep her busy.”
    They started walking toward the house. “We’re all leaving you, Justice. Cade and Abby are on their honeymoon. The twins had to get back to Austin for football practice. And now Jase tells me he’s heading out on the stock run in your place.”
    “Jase needs a break to clear his head.” Justice snorted. “Can you believe what went down? Pam eloping and leaving Jase at the altar and Cade proposing to Abby, all at the same time? What other family would that happen to?”
    “Dad was grateful.” Shiloh climbed into the back of the camper to see if everything was tied down properly. “None of the wedding preparations and expenses went to waste. We had a church full of guests expecting a wedding and no one went away disappointed.”
    “I’m sure they’ll be talking about it for months to come.” Justice pushed his hands down in his pockets to ward off the chill. “Abby has been in love with Cade for most of her life. She was thrilled to marry him, no matter the circumstances.”
    The crunch of steps on the frost covered grass drew their attention. Jase joined them. “You be safe driving in those mountains,” he told Shiloh, then abruptly turned to Justice. “Are you sure you’re all right with me taking your place on this trip?”  
    “Are you kidding? I’m relieved.” Justice wasn’t lying either, he was tired. “You need to get away.” Even if Jase was better off without Pam, no man likes to be publicly humiliated. “I’ve made the trip so many times, I’m glad to stay home. And if you couldn’t go, we’d have to cancel. I have to be here for that damn meeting.” Delivering stock to the rodeos was a big part of their business. “While you’re gone, stop by Tom Ziegler’s place north of Dallas. He hinted he might be in the market for one of Golden Girl’s embryo flushes.”
    “I can do that, I just hate to leave you with this sinkhole mess.” Jase stared off into the distance, watching the mist rise over the nearest pond. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were cursed. Me getting jilted, Cade falling through the ice and nearly drowning. And now the ground opens up and swallows trees, fence and a tractor. It’s hard to believe.”
    “I’ve called the County Extension Agent for help, and he contacted the state authorities. They’re sending over someone who can help us, a geologist with an archeological background by the name of Cortez. He’s supposedly very familiar with the history of the road and the geography of the area. I’m meeting with him this afternoon.”
    “Sounds good,” Shiloh said. They both looked up when they heard the front door slam. It was their parents with the last of the suitcases in hand.
    “Are you boys going to be okay without your mama?” She kissed Jase and Justice on the cheek. “I can stay if you need me to. Trace and Trevor will get plenty to eat at school. You two might starve to death without Abby here.”
    “We’ll be fine.” Justice shook his father’s hand. “When Jase gets back, we’ll fire up the BBQ pit and cook some briskets. While he’s gone, I’ll eat at the diner.”
    This information didn’t seem to make his mother very happy, but soon Justice was standing on the porch waving them off. He was just grateful no one had known to ask about Charlee. Abby had heard Ms. Horne’s announcement about Charlee’s return, but when the ceremony had taken an unexpected twist and Cade had proposed to her, thoughts of Justice, Charlee or anything else had been swept from his sister’s mind. She had been ecstatic, and Justice was grateful. If anyone deserved a happily ever after,