Page 65 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

Okay?

No, she hadn’t been okay in a long time. “How much did you hear?”

“I didn’t have my ear to the door or anything,” he said. “I just heard him yelling at you. I’m sorry I didn’t stay put, but that man had no right to talk to you like that.”

She tried to smile and relax, but the old fears kept eating at her. Would it really be so bad if Justin had heard about her infertility? It wasn’t as if they had a real future together. They were far too different.

Still, a large part of her didn’t want him to know, just in case.

This is why you don’t get involved.

“What do you say we head back to Rock Canyon early and go on a real date?” he suggested, his breath ruffling her hair as he rubbed her back.

“What kind of date?”

“Dinner to start,” he said, kissing her temple. “Maybe a movie?”

A nice, normal date with a good guy who had just come storming into the room to take on her father? How could she say no?

JUSTIN HANDED HIS key over to the desk clerk, a guy this time, and thanked him.

“Leaving so soon?” Dorothy asked from behind him, and he smiled as he faced her.

“Yeah, you know, the whole big meat market just didn’t work for me.”

“Ah. And it has nothing to do with the woman currently pacing on the phone outside?” Dorothy teased.

He glanced toward the office and then at Val, who was talking to her older sister, and gave Dorothy a sheepish grin. “Seems like we finally figured some things out.”

She reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “From the minute I saw you with her, I knew you’d be perfect together. I wish nothing but happiness for your future.” She let go of his hand and gave him a grim look. “After a few bumps in the trail, of course.”

He opened his mouth to ask her if she’d heard about Val’s father’s visit, but Val chose that moment to poke her head into the office, her burgundy beanie making her rosy cheeks brighter.

“Hey, Dorothy. Justin tell you we’re heading home?”

Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “Yes, he did. I suppose the two of you didn’t need my help after all.”

“Good thing there are about a thousand other people waiting on your expertise and bossiness,” Justin teased, earning a slap on his arm.

“Valerie, I want you to be sure and whack him every once in a while, just for me. He’s got a devilishness about him that needs to be kept in check.”

Justin grinned as Val slipped her arm around his waist and looked up at him thoughtfully. “I believe I do see a little devil in you.”

“I am an angel.”

Both ladies snorted, and Justin watched Dorothy reach out and pull Val into a hug, whispering something too soft for him to hear.

When released, Val’s expression was somber. “Thank you for everything, Dorothy.”

“Come back and see us, darlin’. A lot of people come through that door, but only a few take a piece of my heart with them.” Dorothy patted her cheek. “You’re something special, Valerie Willis. No matter what anyone else tells you, you have a way about you.”

Yes, she does. Justin took her hand in his, giving her a gentle tug toward the door.

As they walked away, he felt a definite pinch on his left butt cheek and looked over his shoulder. Dorothy threw him a wink before breaking into cackling laughter.

“Lecherous old woman.”

“What happened?” Val asked, laughter in her voice.