Page 52 of Tough Justice
Duke rounded the end of the bed to stand beside Suzy. He hooked an arm around her waist, not wanting there to be any confusion about his feelings. “I’ll try not to take her boredom personally. Suzy and I’ve been attempting to entertain her. I even let them both beat me in Uno.”
“Ha,” Suzy said, poking him in the ribs with her elbow. “I beat you fair and square.”
“And you must be Suzy?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The small quiver in her voice belied her nerves.
“Mom, Suzy is Lane’s sister. We’ve worked together since I moved to town, and now we’re dating. Suzy, this is my mom.”
“You can call me Dorthy,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m so happy to meet you, although I wish it was under different circumstances.”
Curiosity gnawed at Duke. He hadn’t mentioned one word to his mom about Suzy. Heather must have told her something.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Suzy said. “How was your flight?”
“Took forever. All I wanted was to get here to my girl.” She squeezed Heather’s hand. “I won’t leave until you do. Promise.”
“That chair isn’t comfortable to sit in let alone sleep,” Duke said.
Dorthy waved away his concern. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve slept in worse places.”
He was afraid to ask for those details so he glossed over her statement. “Are you hungry? It’s getting close to dinner time.”
Heather wrinkled her nose. “The food here sucks. Except the Jell-O. That’s pretty good.”
“How about we order in food?” Suzy suggested. “I’m sure Lane wouldn’t mind bringing something by. Then your mom could get a chance to meet him.”
He swallowed a groan. He and Lane might have patched things up but that didn’t mean he wanted to see his ugly mug again. But unless they ate in the cafeteria, the options were limited. Even with the deputy back on guard, he didn’t want to leave the women alone to pick up food himself.
Before he could respond, Suzy continued. “I’ll step into the hall and call him. You stay and visit with your family.”
He frowned, not wanting her out of his sight. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I’ll be fine.” She ran a palm down his arm. “Deputy Ramirez is right there. I won’t venture far.”
“Will you keep the door open at least?”
She smiled up at him. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as she stepped foot in the hall, the cooing of his mom and sister rolled his eyes. “Seriously?”
“She’s lovely,” his mom said. “I’m sorry she’s in the middle of all this trouble. I’m sorry all of you are.”
He let loose a long breath. “I just want Chrissy caught and this whole mess to be over. Then Heather can actually enjoy some of her visit and I can focus on Suzy without constantly looking over my shoulder.”
Dorthy tsked. “Chrissy always found herself in trouble, but I never thought she was dangerous. That she’d go this far. Are you sure there isn’t another explanation?”
“I’m positive.”
She sighed. “Then I’m sure you’re right. It makes my heart sick that she’d stoop so low. I mean, I know you’re a real catch but come on.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. Leave it to his mom to crack a joke at a time like this to make them all feel better. She was worried—hell she wouldn’t have made the trip if she wasn’t—but her motherly instinct was to protect. To shield her kids. And if the only way she could do that was to lighten the mood a little, she’d find a way to do it.
“I told Suzy the same thing,” Heather said, joining in on the teasing. “But she won’t listen. Which is good because I really like her. You’ll have to answer to me if you mess this one up.”
He’d kick his own ass if he ruined what was happening with Suzy, but he’d let Heather think she was the one who’d put thefear of God in him. He held his palms up in surrender. “I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy and not screw up.”
His mom tilted her head to the side and stared at him with knowing eyes. “You really mean it, don’t you?”
