Justice Reborn (Cowboy Justice Association Book 8) (32 page)

Dare grunted as he perused the menu. “They’ll drag this out in appeals for years. Rich people don’t go to jail from what I’ve observed.”

Evan’s grip on his glass tightened and Josie placed her hand on his thigh, giving it a squeeze. He’d been incredibly supportive but there had been a part of him that had also been quite sad. It was going to be awhile before he’d be his old self again.

“Lydell is being held on three counts of conspiracy to commit murder plus facing RICO charges. I think he’s going to do some time. Good people lost their lives because he wanted that recording.”

Amy, Billy, and Marisa. Evan’s ex-partner hadn’t survived surgery and he was still having a hard time dealing with not only her untimely and violent death but also her betrayal. The henchman, Skippy, had been only too happy to detail his conversation with Marisa and how they’d reeled her in and convinced her to turn Josie over to them, promising money and a quick trip up the ranks.

Josie couldn’t concentrate on her menu, her gaze constantly straying back to the television screen. They were now showing a portion of the infamous video but had blurred the nudity. “He wanted more than that recording. He wanted to keep doing all the things he was doing and make money plus gain power. Basically, he wanted it all and he thought he was special and deserved it. Didn’t one of those agents say that Lydell thought that laws were only for the little people?”

Evan signaled to Tammy that they were ready to order. “I guess we’ll find out. Personally, I just want to forget about all of this and move on with my life. I think once we get the house finished we should celebrate with a long vacation.”

Tammy took their order – three fried chicken specials – and hurried back to the kitchen, leaving them alone. Josie wanted to know more about this vacation idea as she hadn’t been on one since her mother and aunt took her to the Grand Canyon when she was twelve.

Then she remembered she didn’t have any money and Evan wasn’t gainfully employed either. The most they could probably afford was camping in the backyard and that was if Evan already owned a tent.

“Are we winning the lottery this weekend?” Josie elbowed Evan in the ribs and laughed. “If so, I better get my ticket.”

Dare and Evan exchanged a glance and she immediately knew something was up. They did this every now and then, communicated without saying a word and it frustrated her to no end.

“No secrets,” Josie reminded Evan. “That was the deal.”

A slow smile bloomed on his handsome face and he lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to the palm. “No lottery ticket needed. But I guess I should have been more clear though. My parents are so thrilled with the job we’ve done on the house they’ve offered to allow us to live there completely free for as long as we wish or I can sell it and the land and keep the cash. I was thinking you wouldn’t want to live way out in the country but I might be wrong.”

She already knew the land itself was quite valuable and that there was a horse rancher who wanted to buy it.

“You shouldn’t spend all your money on our vacation. You might need it in the future.”

“I think it will be okay to spend a few thousand of it. We deserve to relax and have some fun.” He held up his hand when she would have argued with him. “I’m going to insist on this, sweetheart. Start making a list of all the places you’ve ever wanted to go.”

Josie turned to Dare and sighed. “He’s not going to let go of this idea, is he?”

“Nope,” Dare laughed, making a popping sound with the ‘p’. “In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him this excited before. If I were you, I’d just go with it.”

Evan waggled his eyebrows mischievously. “Do you trust me, baby?”

She had a feeling she’d be hearing that question a great deal in the coming years.

“With my life,” she sighed, knowing in her heart it was true. “Just don’t get us killed, okay? I’m enjoying this whole breathing and heart beating thing, especially after being shot at.”

Evan leaned down to whisper in ear so only she could hear. “No guns. No blood. Only sun and sex. I promise.”

“Add a couple of umbrella drinks and I’m in.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

One year later…

T
he warm sand under Evan’s feet felt amazing as he and Josie took their places among the guests on the beach. The sun was beginning to set and the sky had turned a fiery shade of orange and pink with a few shots of electric blue. It had been raining for two days but this morning had dawned clear and beautiful, perfect weather to recite vows.

Seagulls danced on the breeze and the tang of salt in the air reminded Evan why he loved this part of the country so much. He and Josie rarely had time to bum around the beach but they’d promised themselves that this weekend they’d relax and leave work behind. So far, they’d managed but it had been touch and go.

Josie’s fingers tangled with his as he peered around the guests and down the aisle. Things should be starting at any moment. Dare was standing under the flowered trellis looking quite different than he normally did. Today he had a big grin on his face as he chatted with Griffin, his best man. It was Dare and Rayne’s wedding day and it had been a long time coming. At least that’s what Dare had said. Rayne had a slightly different story but it didn’t change the fact that here they were, finally becoming man and wife.

“I think you’re more nervous than the groom,” Josie teased, looking up at him from under her lashes. She looked beautiful, dressed in an emerald green sundress that set off her auburn hair and highlighted the golden tan she now sported all year long. It was a casual beach wedding and he’d managed to get away with linen trousers and a sky blue button down shirt. No shoes. No tie. “Dare looks like he just won the Olympics or something. I’ve never seen him smile like that. It’s actually sort of disturbing. I’m not used to it.”

“He knows he’s a lucky man,” scoffed Evan, leaning down to drop a kiss on Josie’s forehead. “He has had all of us watching Rayne this weekend just in case she made a run for it.”

It was then that the music started, kettle drums and a guitar playing a song he’d heard before but couldn’t place. All heads turned toward the bride who was walking toward them in a long white dress and bare feet, holding a colorful bouquet of flowers. Her jet black hair was loose around her shoulders and he would swear there was a tint of pink on the end of the strands. But that was Rayne. Colorful and full of life. Just like his Josie. He’d only been half alive before he met her. Now every day was filled with love, laughter, and yes, sometimes anger. You couldn’t have the good times without the bad.

His gaze traveled around the assembled group, friends he hadn’t seen in the past year. Seth and Presley, their two little ones having fun at Disney with the grandparents while mommy and daddy had a few adult days. Evan’s throat constricted with emotion as he remembered the day he’d introduced them. He’d never imagined for a moment what he’d started but he couldn’t think of a better couple.

Unless it was Tanner and Madison. Tanner had their baby girl in his arms, her head on his shoulder and fast asleep. Madison had been through hell and back to have that child, starting with fertility treatments and then in the hospital on bed rest while pregnant. When little Amanda had been born she’d had to spend weeks in the NICU, worrying her parents, family, and friends to death. But everything had only served to make the couple’s bond even stronger. They were gazing at each other with a naked adoration that would make anyone envious.

The ceremony began and Dare and Rayne recited their vows to one another, bringing tears to every female’s eyes. Perhaps some of the men as well. It was clear that Rayne loved her “grouchy bear” with all her heart and Dare worshipped the ground she walked on. They were going to have a good life together. Rayne had let it slip at dinner the night before that they wanted to have children right away but had started with a yellow lab puppy named Zeus. So far, the canine had chewed through Dare’s favorite cowboy boots, Rayne’s handbag, three throw pillows, and more newspapers than they could count.

The couple kissed and everyone clapped and cheered. Josie was dabbing at her eyes, a watery smile on her pretty face. “That was so beautiful. A beach wedding with the sunset in the background. So romantic.”

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close and breathed in her heady scent, a mixture of vanilla and all the wedding flowers. “You’re not going to cry all night are you? I’m going to want the first dance.”

Evan danced now. Somehow, Josie had loosened his inhibitions to the point they could both be seen boogying around the condo while doing the dishes or even working in the spare room they used as an office.

“I am not, I promise. I’m going to hold you to that dance though. I want to break loose and have some fun. It feels like we’ve had our nose to the grindstone for months.”

“That’s because we have.”

The wedding had been held on the beach in front of a luxurious hotel so they didn’t have to go far when the ceremony was over. Evan and Josie settled at a dinner table with Logan, Ava, Reed, and Kaylee. Griffin and his wife Jazz were at the main table along with Seth and Presley. Jared and his wife Misty had managed to make it to the wedding along with ex-DEA agent Jason Anderson and his wife Brinley. Those two couples were sharing a table with Rayne’s sister Camy and her husband and Dare’s sister Sophie, home from college.

Champagne flowed and conversation too as Evan laughed along with the men that had become his close friends. They had all been there for him in one way or another in the last year, and not one of them had tried to convince him to go back to law enforcement work. On the contrary, they’d encouraged his new career passion.

Ava took another sip and giggled, the bubbles apparently tickling her nose, much to her husband’s delight. Logan hadn’t taken his eyes off his wife all day and it was easy to see that having twins hadn’t dampened the passion in that marriage a bit. They acted like a couple of besotted newlyweds.

“I saw your latest book climbing the charts,” Ava gushed, leaning forward so she could be heard over the other guests’ conversations. “I’m so proud of you, Evan. This is only the beginning.”

Josie smiled up at him, cupping his jaw in her hand, her eyes soft with the love he’d come to depend on so deeply. He wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.

“It’s only my second book and I wouldn’t call it a bestseller or anything but I’m pleased with the sales.” He raised his glass to Ava. “I couldn’t have done this without you. You’ve been the best mentor anyone could ask for.”

Kaylee rolled her eyes and snorted, acting with mock outrage. “And what am I? Yesterday’s mashed potatoes? I helped too.”

“You did and I can’t thank you enough. I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing when I started out a year ago and you both walked me through every step. Because of you both I’m actually making money as a writer.”

“A damn good one too,” Josie retorted. “And I’ll take the credit for recognizing his genius. The minute I read that story he gave me I knew he was talented. Now he has two crime thrillers out and a third in the works. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Once Josie had given him the confidence to really write he couldn’t stem the tide of ideas. The words had flowed so quickly it was as if he was simply taking dictation from some crazy muse that wouldn’t shut the hell up.

“I’m proud of you too.” Evan whispered it into Josie’s ear, the words for her alone. He knew she sometimes felt uneasy about how she’d started all over again. They’d moved to Orlando so she could enroll in the University of Central Florida and was working on a business degree. They’d agreed she had a knack for it, plus the business side of his writing was becoming a time suck from what he really enjoyed which was the writing. Josie, on the other hand, loved playing with his sales numbers, creating charts and graphs and putting together three year plans. She’d found her true calling as well.

Kaylee grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So you two look pretty happy. Might we hear wedding bells in the future? Or maybe the pitter patter of little feet?”

Logan and Reed groaned and shook their heads, Reed playfully placing his hand over his wife’s mouth. “Pay no attention to the tipsy woman next to me. She’s smart and sexy as hell but she wants the whole world to have a happily ever after. It’s an occupational hazard.”