Page 75 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

Ellie stared at Val and said, “Well, if Val isn’t going, I’m not either.”

“The difference between you and your sister is that you still need something from me, young lady.”

Ellie bit her lip, and Val saw the desire to rebel warring with good sense in her expression.

Val got the feeling if she herself didn’t go, Ellie would follow her lead and lose everything.

Cursing to herself, she said, “I’ll go.”

The relief on her sister’s face was worth the pleased grin Edward shot her way before she turned and went to get dressed.

The only thing that made Val smile was that Justin would be there.

The drive over was silent, filled with palatable tension as her father glared between her and Ellie.

“I just don’t know what I did to deserve this,” Edward said. “Why him? Of all the possible losers you could have dated, why pick the one you know I despise?”

Val sighed. “I’m dating a nice guy. What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s not enough that your boyfriend has the genes of a drunk? His father is a weak-willed alcoholic criminal, and the apple most likely won’t fall too

far from the tree.”

Val dropped her head back against the seat, wanting to scream. Whatever had gone on between their dads, it had nothing to do with Justin or her, and she wasn’t going to let him bully or manipulate her.

“And what’s the matter with my boyfriend?” Ellie asked tiredly from the backseat.

“I don’t even know who your boyfriend is, but knowing your taste, I can’t imagine he’s any better than one of the Silverton boys.”

Catching her sister’s eye in the mirror, Val made a face that sent Ellie into a fit of snorting laughter.

“Yes, I know, it’s funny to date derelicts, embarrass your father, and draw a negative opinion from the whole town.”

When her father parked the car, Val climbed out. “The only people who are going to talk about us are small-minded assholes who don’t know us, and frankly, I don’t give a fuck what they think.”

“You have the mouth and manners of a sailor,” he said crossly, walking toward the church. “Come along or we’ll be late.”

Giving him a sharp salute, Val said, “Aye aye, Captain.”

Ellie smothered another laugh, but their father ignored her.

As they climbed the church steps, Val caught sight of Mrs. Andrews in the doorway, speaking to another woman. Mrs. Andrews started to smile at them until she realized who they were, and then her face scrunched up like she’d sucked on a lemon.

“Hello, Edward,” she said, reaching past her companion to take his hand.

“Marcie, you look lovely.” Her father’s tone was sincere, but Val knew he thought Marcie Andrews was a pious bitch—his favorite pet name for her.

“It’s so good to see you and your girls here.” But the look she shot them was disapproving, and Val reached up to scratch her nose with her middle finger. Mrs. Andrews gasped and her father swung around, but her hands were back at her sides, her expression innocent.

“Girls, let’s take our seats. It was good to see you, Marcie.” Edward put his hand on the small of her back and hissed through gritted teeth, “What did you do?”

“Nothing she didn’t deserve.”

Her father’s groan was loud and exasperated, but Val didn’t care. She saw Justin sitting a few rows up and said, “Excuse me.”

“Valerie—”

She ignored his warning tone and came up behind Justin, tapping his shoulder. He glanced back and stood up with a smile. “Well, hey there.”