Free Justice Is Always Ready (A Graham Family Story, 1) by Aliyah Burke Page A

car. After getting the address
for the church he kissed her and remained there until she drove out
of sight. Then he hurried to his apartment to get changed
himself.
    Outside the Harbor Point Baptist
Church, his breath hitched when he watched her step from her car
and approach him. It was a short-sleeved dress with an uneven hem
the color of melted honey, matching some of the curls in her hair.
Heels of the same color graced her feet and in her hands he noticed
a small pocketbook.
    Her gray eyes sparkled as she neared
him. “Hey,” she said when she’d reached his side.
    “ Hello, beautiful,” he
replied, fighting the urge to lean in and kiss her. “Are your
parents coming?”
    She shook her head and slid her arm
through his. “Not today. Mom is at the hospital visiting a friend
and dad is getting some sleep before the lunch. He just went to bed
about seven.” They walked a short way before she nudged him and
whispered, “You look really good, Justice.”
    He smiled, pleased she’d noticed.
“Thank you.”
    At her side, he couldn’t help but
enjoy how she never let him feel left out. She introduced him
around and everyone welcomed him. The sermon was wonderful and he
let the preacher know that on the way out. The tall man with a
shaved head heartily shook his hand.
    “ Welcome to Harbor Point
Baptist, son.”
    “ Thank you. Wonderful
service today.”
    The brown eyes staring at him
twinkled. “Yes. There is something very uplifting about undying
love.”
    “ Yes, sir, there most
certainly is.”
    He cut his gaze to where Kassidy stood
talking to a few women. She lifted her head and sent him a smile
that melted his heart. Saying her farewells, she moved to his side
and spoke to the preacher.
    “ How’s your mother,
Kassidy?”
    “ Doing well. She’s
visiting and sharing scripture with Mrs. Hollins today in the
hospital, otherwise she would have been here.”
    The older gentleman took her hand and
shook it. “Give them my best and tell your father I expect to see
him here next Sunday, as well.”
    “ I will.”
    “ Y’all staying for
lunch?”
    “ No,” Kassidy said, “we’re
heading to eat with my parents.”
    A glance was shared between the two of
them and he nodded. “Good, good. I hope to see you again, son. Go
with God.”
    “ Thank you.” Justice
waited for her to look at him again. Her eyes were soft and he took
her hand, placing it on his arm. Then he walked her to her
car.
    “ You can follow me to my
parents’ house,” she said quietly.
    Leaning in close, he brushed some hair
back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He teased her skin
with his lips, delighting in her shiver.
    “ You are so beautiful,
Kassidy. Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
    Her hands settled on his chest and
hesitated before she pushed against him. “Stop, Justice. Not
here.”
    Backing up, he allowed the space
between them she seemed to require. “I wasn’t doing anything,
Kassidy.”
    He opened her door and closed it once
she’d swung her smooth legs inside the car. Jogging to his
Corvette, Justice maneuvered behind Kassidy and followed her
through Quiet Harbor. She drove carefully, making it extremely easy
for him for keep her in sight. After about fifteen minutes of
driving, she led him up a driveway to a medium-sized, two-story
house.
    Parked behind her, he got out and
strode to her door and held it for her while she climbed out. After
she slowly unfolded her legs, he looked up when the front door
opened. A couple walked out onto the wide porch. Her parents
appeared as they had in the photos, extremely photogenic. They were
a very attractive couple. Licking his lips, he was very grateful
for the feel of Kassidy’s hand upon his arm.
    The woman was an older
version of Kassidy. Her hair streaked with gray, was straight and
pulled back from her face. She wore a cute print dress with a white
apron over it. The phrase on the apron read: “Kissing the cook
is always advisable, she knows where the