TY to my team. I'd be cupcake-less without you.

Readers: I'm surrounded by tissues (and possibly dying) b/c of a cold, but nothing can keep me from Breaker and Justice. :)


Chapter Seven

I never particularly thought much of Mama and Daddy's relationship when I was younger. I mean, no child necessarily would, but I didn't realize how valuable it was until I was 13 and Alice came crying 'cause she thought her parents were getting a divorce. I was naïve at the time and I asked her what that was, and she said her ma and her pa were splitting. Victoria was stronger, she told me, and it wasn't upsetting her, but Alice acted as if her world was crumbling apart.

I remember asking Mama about it, and she said Mr. Brandon got caught gallivanting around town with his neighbor's wife.

"Why would he do such a thing?" I questioned.

"Because the flesh is weak," Mama replied. "If he had stayed prayed up and in his Bible, none of it would have ever happened."

"Prayed up" was Mama's favorite phrase. She could be in the middle of the store, looking for a jar of jam on an empty shelf, and she thought that if she got down on her knees it would appear. Sometimes it did, hiding behind a can of vegetables, and other times she'd say God had another plan.

Anyways, I told Mama that maybe Mr. and Mrs. Brandon just weren't meant to be together and for once, she agreed.

"Perhaps so," she answered, nodding. "When you're older, Justice, you'll come to see for yourself the foolishness of this world. That's why you'll need someone noble, upright, and godly; a man that will take care of you so you don't have to take care of yourself. He'll be a provider and in return, you do as he asks. Mrs. Brandon brought it on herself. If she had been the wife she was supposed to be, maybe her husband wouldn't have strayed."

I never told Alice what Mama said 'cause I thought it would hurt her feelings, my mama blaming her mother and all. The Brandons eventually worked it out, but I vowed I would be the best wife: loyal, respectful, and submissive.

"Justice!" Mama snaps me out of my thoughts and hands me a heavy basket. "Take this into town to your father. He forgot his lunch today and I don't want no husband of mine going hungry."

"Yes, ma'am." I put the broom and dustpan back into the closet to make the trip to the courthouse. Smoothing down my white, ruffled dress, I grab my matching hat and place it on my head. The sun has already tanned my skin enough.

Embry begs to come with me, but it's a long walk and I don't wish to listen to his whining.

Besides, I can think about Breaker in the silence.

Even though I'm not supposed to be.

.

.

.

The courthouse—beyond those dreaded steps—is a large, three-story building with columns that's filled with various rooms of our town's government. I know where Daddy's office is on the second floor but when I get there, his secretary says he's in a meeting.

I wait patiently outside the door, but Daddy sees me through the paneled window and gestures for me to come in.

Daddy's dressed in one of his business suits, sitting around the long table surrounded by several officials. They've got maps and papers spread about and the mayor stands at the front of the room.

"…Now I know a few folks would have to lose their jobs, but we've got to do what's best for this town," Mayor Black declares. "This salt mine isn't generating enough money."

"Hold on just a second," Mr. Garrett interrupts. "This report says the east mine produced thirty percent of our revenue last year."

"A mistake," Mayor Black says. "I'm telling you the facts as they are today."

"We've already voted," Mr. Garrett says angrily.

"Fine. I reckon we'll move on to the concern of the swamp that's flooding into Hickshire creek…" The mayor finally notices me and smiles widely. "Miss Justice! You're getting to be a beautiful young lady. Why, I remember when you were knee high. You're looking more like Renee everyday."

"Thank you, Mayor Black. Sorry to interrupt. Daddy forgot his lunch and I know he doesn't want this pot roast to go to waste."

"Damn right," Daddy remarks, and I walk over to hand him the basket. "Thank you. You staying out of trouble?"

"Yes, of course," I reply, grinning devilishly.

"I don't believe you for a second," he teases me. "Don't cause too much mayhem. And help your mama with those children. I should be home by supper."

"Okay," I answer, giving Daddy a kiss on the cheek. I wave goodbye to the other officials and begin trekking back down the long hallway.

I'm only several feet away when Mayor Black calls out my name. "Justice!"

Turning around on my heels, I pause. "Yes, Mayor?"

He hands me a sealed manila envelope. "Do me a favor, will you? Stop by the sheriff's office and give this to him. And be quick about it. It's vital he gets this today, and I know you can be trusted. It's confidential so don't hand this to anyone but him, you understand? Not the deputy, not the clerk—just him."

"Yes, sir." I take the brown packet and tuck it safely beneath my arm.

I knew something good was going to come out of this day.

I finally get to see Breaker.

.

.

.

Tanya Denali is as much of a headache as she is a floozy. She's got white-blonde hair, blue eyes, and the soul of a demon. If there's anyone the Ladies' Circle gossips about the most, it's her. I heard she slept with both of the McCarty brothers, and judging by the way she sits with her legs open, I believe it.

"Is the sheriff here? I have a package to deliver him."

"He is," she says, filing her long nails. "But he's busy. I'll give it to him."

She reaches out with her bony fingers, but I shake my head. "I'm not allowed to give it to you. The mayor said I was to give it to him directly."

"And I'm directing you to hand it over, little Justice. It's my job. I'll see to it that he gets it." Even though she's plastered a fake grin on her face, I see right through her.

Walking past her cluttered desk, I head for the door marked "Sheriff." Without knocking, I barge in.

Breaker sits in a leather chair, looking as handsome as can be on the telephone. "That'll be fine. I'll send out two of my men today. Have a good one."

Hanging up, he smiles, but Tanya rushes in front of me. "I'm sorry, Eddie. I told her not to come in here, but the child refuses to listen."

Eddie? Child? Why that little tramp—

Noticing my heated expression, he holds his hands up in the midst of the tension. "Miss Denali, I've told you time and time again, it's Sheriff Cullen. And it's fine. You're excused."

"But—"

"I said leave," he repeats sharply. "And close that door behind you."

I can't help but wink at her victoriously as she storms past me, slamming the door loudly.

"Sorry about that, Justice. She came with the job and I'd look like an ass if I let her go my first month here."

"What about waiting until the third month?" I smirk, sitting in the empty chair across his desk.

"Three and half at least," he jokes back. "What are you doing here?"

I have the envelope resting on my lap, but I've got to know why he's avoiding me. "Why'd you leave the dinner last Saturday? I searched for you and couldn't find you anywhere."

"You sure about that? Last I saw, you were looking mighty comfortable with Tyler."

I grimace, knowing how that must have looked. "It's not my fault. Mama—"

"Is a spitfire," he finishes for me. "I don't think she's too fond of me."

"She voted for you, Breaker," I say lamely. "She does like you, she just…"

"Doesn't like me conversing with her daughter. Maybe she's right. I'm here to do a job and perhaps I don't need to be distracted."

"I'm a distraction?" I ask softly. I don't know why, but my chest starts to feel heavy and I glance down at the old, worn carpet.

"No, I didn't mean that." Breaker sighs and uses his hands to push himself away from his desk. He walks towards me and crouches down facing me as he takes my hands in his. "Sometimes I speak before I think. I'm sorry. You're not a distraction. If anything you're the best damn thing that's happened since I've moved here."

"Really?" I ask, lifting my head. Breaker grins and he's back to his charming self.

"Of course. I enjoy spending time with you, but I just don't want you to get in trouble."

"You won't," I say with certainty. "Mama doesn't have to know. It'll be our little secret."

He laughs at the words that I learned from him and lifts my hand to his lips. He kisses my middle knuckle, and even though I squirm with joy on the inside, I remain still. "What have I done? Don't cross over to the dark side, Justice. It's gloom and doom over here."

"Well lucky for you, Memaw says I'm full of light. Besides, it's too late."

"Why's that?"

I duck my head and look side to side, even though no one else is in the room. My words come out as a hushed whisper. "I finished that book."

"You did, did you?" He's on the verge of laughing, but his eyes twinkle at my confession.

I nod shyly. Breaker's gaze lingers on mine and I'm caught off guard over how much I want him to kiss something other than my hand.

"Well then, you'll have to tell me all about it over lunch. I'm starving." Breaker rises to his feet and helps me up. "You care to join me? I cook a mean steak."

"You cook?" I ask miraculously. Breaker is breaking every set of rules I'd ever known. Mama said men shouldn't cook and that it was a woman's job.

I'm beginning to wonder what else she's wrong about.

"Of course. I've managed to keep myself alive this long." Breaker turns around and shuffles a few papers on his desk.

"Oh!" Passing over the manila envelope from the mayor, I grin sheepishly. "I forgot to give this to you. That's why I'm here. It's from Mayor Black and he said it was very important."

Breaker frowns, flips it over a few times and then fumbles with a set of keys. Unlocking a drawer in his desk, he tosses the package in there and locks it back. "I'll get to it later."

Holding out his arm, he gestures towards the door. "After you, Just Justice."

Giggling, I take the lead and Breaker locks his office behind him. Tanya stares daggers as Breaker puts his hand gently on my lower back.

"Miss Denali, I'll return later. Please write down all of my messages this time. We wouldn't want a repeat of last Thursday."

As we walk out I can't help myself, and I turn back to stick out my tongue.

It's juvenile, I'll admit.

But as she huffs and throws down her pen, I know that I've got exactly what she wants.